Biblical Hebrew Forum

[George Athas <George.Athas AT moore.edu.au>]

Hi Jesse! Nice to be reading you here.

Middle ages 'flat earth' cosmology goes back to antiquity and was supported 
by biblical texts. As far as I can tell, the only reason that חוג is 
interpreted as 'sphere' is by reading a Copernican-influenced heliocentric 
solar system back into the biblical texts. I'm happy to be persuaded 
otherwise, though.


GEORGE ATHAS
Dean of Research,
Moore Theological College (moore.edu.au)
Sydney, Australia


From: Jesse Griffin <jag3773 AT gmail.com<mailto:jag3773 AT gmail.com>>
Date: Monday, 20 August 2012 9:28 AM
To: George Athas <george.athas AT moore.edu.au<mailto:george.athas AT moore.edu.au>>
Cc: B-Hebrew <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org<mailto:b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>>
Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Circle חוג

Hello,

I thought it worth noting that we shouldn't read middle-ages "flat earth" 
cosmology back onto the text either (not that you are suggesting that 
George).  From what we know of Sumerian and Babylonian astronomy and 
cosmology, it's not unreasonable to think חוג *could* mean sphere.  However, 
I do agree that the context in which חוג is used in the Bible suggests circle 
over sphere.

Also, I don't think I've posted here yet, so by way of introduction, my name 
is Jesse Griffin.  I've studied biblical studies at Liberty University in VA, 
and also Old Testament and biblical languages at Gordon-Conwell Theological 
Seminary in MA.  I hold a position in another profession, but I make use of 
my biblical skills by teaching Sunday School (currently leading a class 
through Genesis).

Thanks,
Jesse Griffin