Firm and Stable

We further explore the second of three King James Version translations of the Hebrew word 'kuwn' (translated as 'ordained' in Psalms 8.3) through Joshua, which sheds light on Genesis 1's creation:

Joshua 3:17 states: > "And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm (H3559 — kuwn) on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan."

This passage recounts the Israelites crossing the Jordan River into the promised land after 40 years of wandering. At this pivotal moment, God held back the river's waters, allowing His people to cross safely, reminiscent of the parting of the Red Sea during the Exodus.

If staged, we would witness priests carrying the ark standing firmly in the dry riverbed, enabling all Israelites to cross without sinking into mud or encountering puddles.

The parallel to the universe's formation as described in Genesis 1 is that, for billions of years, celestial gas formations were not stable. Yet, some 'ordained' celestial bodies are indeed stable, with Earth being the prime example. Unlike Jupiter, which is gas-filled, Earth boasts a solid, dry surface where humans can walk and thrive. On the moon, one would merely float, and even on Mars, a person weighing 150 pounds would only weigh 57 pounds, illustrating the differences in planetary conditions.

In reference to Earth, the translation of 'kuwn' as 'firm' is indeed fitting. According to the Bible, when God 'ordained', it implies 'fashioning something solid.' Walking on Earth is a straightforward task. Further insight can be found in 1 Chronicles.

1 Chronicles 16:30 states: > "Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable (3559 — kuwn), that it be not moved."

Though this verse alludes to spiritual stability, it also applies to physical steadiness. Research confirms that many stars and planets are in unstable states. For any planet to support life, stability and resilience are vital, precisely the conditions that Earth provides today.

You cannot build on quicksand. In Inventory of the Universe chapter 4, we discussed Earth's surface stability. The Earth's crust beneath the oceans averages 5 to 10 kilometers in thickness, while under continents, it ranges from 30 to 50 kilometers. This crust rests atop a molten mantle extending approximately 2900 kilometers to the core, akin to the skin of a peach. Despite some changes occurring, this crustal thickness offers the stability necessary for construction and human activities.

From the single Biblical Hebrew term 'kuwn' (3559), with translations such as 'ordained,' 'fashion,' 'firm,' and 'stable,' it is evident that there is no contradiction between scientific and biblical perspectives regarding the formation of celestial bodies over time. The fact that Earth has a 'firm' surface and a 'stable' atmosphere further supports this notion, as discussed in Inventory of the Universe.

Though numerous questions remain unanswered, we are beginning to recognize that the Bible references the existence of the heavens and Earth beyond just Genesis 1. We will uncover many more such references.

Moreover, Biblical Hebrew reveals nuanced descriptions of this process of creation that we have yet to fully appreciate. These insights suggest that science and scripture may be more closely aligned than commonly perceived.

Sam's Sidebar

This example illustrates how the same Biblical Hebrew word conveys multiple meanings. Understanding that Hebrew words—similar to those in other languages—possess various nuances is crucial. The King James translators recognized this, resulting in approximately twenty-five different translations for the root 'kuwn' (H3559), which appears about 215 times in the Old Testament.

Consider this: a single word appears only 215 times, yet translators employed TWENTY-FIVE different terms to express 'kuwn.' This complexity is both intriguing and educational.

It is essential to remember that the original Hebrew text dates back around 3,500 years (though some scholars suggest a later timeframe, which is beyond this discussion). The King James translation occurred in 1611, and Strong’s Concordance was published in 1890.

The Hebrew text and its KJV translation predate what is known as 'Bible criticism'—the academic approach treating the Bible as merely a piece of literature. Strong's work serves as a reference, linking each word in the KJV back to its original Hebrew roots. Today's technology could replicate such a concordance effectively.

I am utilizing three established external sources—recognized for their faithfulness to the Bible's original intent—to compose the remainder of The Explanation series, a detailed commentary on Genesis 1 and beyond. My aim is to highlight the connections between the Biblical Hebrew, the KJV translation, and their original meanings. I am not translating or interpreting these texts but presenting their inherent explanations.

That’s why I’ve titled this series The Explanation WITH Sam Kneller rather than BY Sam Kneller. I do not claim this as MY explanation. The material itself—including Genesis 1—contains its own explanations. I am merely assembling the pieces to provide a cohesive picture.

The Bible and an Expanding Universe

Let’s examine various passages that support Genesis 1 and consider their implications within the context of our inquiry about an expanding universe. Does the Bible support or contradict the idea of an expanding universe? Does it address this topic at all?

“Surely, you’re not going to selectively choose Bible verses,” someone might challenge, whether a scientist or a religious figure.

“I will not 'proof-text' or pull verses randomly to support a claim,” I reply. “Our objective is to understand the Bible in its entirety and see if it aligns with the truths revealed by genuine science. For example, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey is creating the largest 3D maps of galaxies, quasars, stars, etc., revealing the cosmos' structure. Now, let’s return to Genesis 1.”

Genesis 1 is the most recognized chapter addressing creation, but many additional biblical contexts provide clues to this intriguing topic. We will explore these references and piece them together to gain valuable insights. Only by examining all relevant contexts can we ascertain the true shape of this puzzle.

Next week, we will delve into a particularly enigmatic verse that is perplexing in English and likely in most translations: Job 26:13. I will explain why this verse merits our attention. Meanwhile, refer to the section on Further Study below.

This article is an excerpt from chapter 6.2 of the book Origin of the Universe.

Further Study

• At UnlockBibleMeaning.com, review Psalms 8.3 regarding how God 'ordained' the moon and stars through His work.
  • Switch to Strong’s and reference 'ordained' (H3559).
  • Click on the Hebrew Concordance for H3559 to explore the various usages of 'kuwn'.
  • Contemplate the depth of Biblical Hebrew. A word-for-word translation cannot capture its richness.
  • We will further explore the beauty and depth of Biblical Hebrew throughout Origin of the Universe. I assure you that we will uncover revelation after revelation leading to a comprehensive understanding of the universe and our roles within it.
• Reread the first chapter of Inventory of the Universe to familiarize yourself with the Big Bang, the genesis of our universe as pieced together by science.
• Here’s a challenge: Read Job 26:13 and attempt to decipher its meaning!
• Check commentaries to see if theologians attempt to explain this difficult verse. I would appreciate your insights on what you discover.
  • Then, look up some words from Job 26:13 in Strong’s at UnlockBibleMeaning.com.
  • Consult the Hebrew Concordance to see the KJV contexts for these words.
  • Reflect on how these relate to the Big Bang and the concept of an expanding universe.
  • Next week, you can validate your findings with the explanation of the Biblical Hebrew I will provide.

You can read the entire book Origin of the Universe online. Sam blogs weekly at TheExplanation.com, where he helps readers explore Biblical Hebrew for deeper biblical insights. Free tools are available for reading and studying the Bible online.