🪐The Cosmos: How the Bible Names the Cosmos

When we look up at the night sky, we often hear names like Mars, Jupiter, and Orion. These names, rooted in ancient Roman and Greek mythology, have become deeply embedded in our language and understanding of the cosmos. But for those who view the universe through the lens of the Bible, these familiar terms can raise profound questions about idolatry and the true nature of creation.

The Bible offers a radically different perspective on the heavens, one that shifts the focus from human-assigned deities to the sole, all-powerful Creator.

Not Planets, But "Lights" and "The Heavens"

Unlike the Romans who named the visible "wandering stars" (planets) after their gods (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn), the Bible employs simpler, yet far more theologically significant terms:

1. "The Heavens" (שָׁמַ֫יִם - Shamayim): This is the overarching term for the entire celestial realm, from the atmosphere to the furthest reaches of space. It's the very first creation mentioned in Genesis 1:1 – "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." This immediately establishes God as the sovereign Creator of all cosmic order.

2. "Lights" or "Luminaries" (מְאוֹרת - Mā’ôr): In Genesis 1:14, God doesn't name individual planets; He simply calls them "lights."

   • "And God said, 'Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and for years...'"

   • This language emphasizes their function rather than their intrinsic identity as deities. They are created objects, designed for a divine purpose.

3. "Stars" (כּוֹכָב - Kôkāḇ): While the ancient world didn't distinguish scientifically between fixed stars and wandering planets, the Bible collectively refers to the countless points of light as "stars." The Greek word planētes (meaning "wanderer"), from which "planet" derives, even appears in Jude 1:13 to describe false teachers as "wandering stars." This hints at the observable movement without assigning divine attributes.

   
   

"To Give Light, Mark Time, and Serve as Signs"

The Genesis account beautifully distills the three core purposes of these celestial "lights," functions that are both practical and profoundly theological:

1. To Give Light (The Physical Function): The most obvious purpose. The "greater light" (Sun) governs the day, and the "lesser light" (Moon) rules the night. This provides the essential illumination for life on Earth, enabling activity and defining the cycle of rest. It's the physical foundation for existence.

2. To Mark Time (The Calendar Function): The celestial movements are God's universal clock and calendar. They are "for signs and for seasons, and for days and for years."

   • Days are marked by Earth's rotation.

   • Years by Earth's orbit around the Sun.

   • Seasons (crucial for agriculture and life cycles) are determined by the Sun's changing position.

   • Even the biblical feasts and new moons are tied to these celestial rhythms, making the heavens integral to humanity's spiritual and practical calendar.

3. To Serve as Signs (The Theological Function): This is where the cosmos transcends mere utility and becomes a powerful testament to God Himself.

   • Covenant Confirmation: God used the stars as a profound sign of His covenant with Abraham, promising him descendants as countless as the stars (Genesis 15:5).

   • Declaration of Glory: As Psalm 19:1 declares, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." They are a silent, majestic witness to the Creator's power and artistry.

   • Prophetic Markers: From the Star of Bethlehem announcing Christ's birth to prophetic warnings of future events ("the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood"), the heavens serve as divine billboards for God's unfolding plan.

God Knows Them All by Name

Perhaps the most awe-inspiring biblical truth about the stars comes from Psalm 147:4 and Isaiah 40:26:

"He determines the number of the stars; He gives to all of them their names." (Psalm 147:4)"The One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, not one of them is missing." (Isaiah 40:26)

This stands in stark contrast to human attempts to name a few visible objects after mythical figures. God not only counts the incomprehensibly vast number of stars but knows and calls each one by its individual name. This speaks to:

• Infinite Knowledge: God's detailed awareness of His creation is beyond human comprehension.

• Absolute Sovereignty: Every star is under His personal command and care.

• Profound Intimacy: If God knows every star so intimately, how much more does He know and care for each human being, made in His image?

  
  

Sticking to the Creator

For those who root their understanding in the Bible, the "planets" and "space" are not realms governed by fickle gods, but magnificent displays of the Creator's power. Their purpose is not to be worshipped, but to point to the One who hung them in the expanse, for His glory, and for the benefit of His creation.

It's a powerful reminder that while human civilizations have sought to explain the cosmos through their own narratives, the biblical narrative offers an ultimate explanation that elevates the Creator above all creation, making the heavens a continuous testimony to His enduring might and faithfulness.

WATCH VIDEO: The Cosmos A Bible View