The ancient Israelites divided the world into Heaven, Earth, Sea and the Underworld.

GOD

EARTH

HEAVEN OF HEAVENS

HEAVENSHEAVENS

GAT

E OF

HEA

VEN

SHEOLFOUNDATIONS OF

THE HEAVENSFOUNDATIONS OF

THE HEAVENS

MOON

STARS

SUN

CLOUDS

SEA

SEASEA

SEA

MOUNTAINSMOUNTAINS

WINDOWS AND DOORS OF HEAVEN

THE SKY

THE GREAT DEEP

FOUNDATIONS OF THE EARTH

WATERS ABOVE THE FIRMAMENT

FIRM

AMEN

TFIRM

AMENT

They viewed the sky as a vault resting on foundations—perhaps mountains—with doors and windows that let in the rain. God dwelt above the sky, hidden in cloud and majesty.

The world was viewed as a disk �oating on the waters, secured or moored by pillars. The earth was the only known domain—the realm beyond it was considered unknowable.

The Underworld (Sheol) was a watery or dusty prison from which no one returned. Regarded as a physical place beneath the earth, it could be reached only through death.

Ancient Hebrew Conceptionof the Universe

G E N E S I S   |   5

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How the Ancient Israelites Viewed the Universe

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