Astronomy has a yet further part to play in Biblical study. The dating of the several books of the Bible, and the relation of certain heathen mythologies to the Scripture narratives of the world's earliest ages, have received much attention of late years. Literary analysis has thrown much light on these subjects, but hitherto any evidence that astronomy could give has been almost wholly neglected; although, from the nature of the case, such evidence, so far as it is available, must be most decisive and exact. I have endeavoured, in the present book, to make an astronomical commentary on the Bible, in a manner that shall be both clear and interesting to the general reader, dispensing as far as possible with astronomical technicalities, since the principles concerned are, for the most part, quite simple. I trust, also, that I have taken the first step in a new inquiry which promises to give results of no small importance. E. WALTER MAUNDER. _St. John's, London, S.E._ _January 1908._ CONTENTS BOOK I THE HEAVENLY BODIES CHAPTER I. THE HEBREW AND ASTRONOMY Modern Astronomy--Astronomy in the Classical Age--The Canon of Holy Scripture closed before the Classical Age--Character of the Scriptural References to the Heavenly Bodies--Tradition of Solomon's Eminence in Science--Attitude towards Nature of the Sacred Writers--Plan of the Book 3 CHAPTER II. THE CREATION Indian Eclipse of 1898--Contrast between the Heathen and Scientific Attitudes--The Law of Causality--Inconsistent with Polytheism--Faith in One God the Source to the Hebrews of Intellectual Freedom--The First Words of Genesis the Charter of the Physical Sciences--The Limitations of Science--"Explanations" of the First Chapter of Genesis--Its Real Purposes--The Sabbath 12 CHAPTER III. THE DEEP Babylonian Creation Myth--Tiamat, the Dragon of Chaos--Overcome by Merodach--Similarity to the Scandinavian Myth--No Resemblance to the Narrative in Genesis--Meanings of the Hebrew Word _tehom_--Date of the Babylonian Creation Story 25 CHAPTER IV. THE FIRMAMENT Twofold Application of the Hebrew Word _raqia‘_--Its Etymological Meaning--The Idea of Solidity introduced by the "Seventy"--Not the Hebrew Idea--The "Foundations" of Heaven and Earth--The "Canopy" of Heaven--The "Stories" of Heaven--Clouds and Rain--The Atmospheric Circulation--Hebrew Appreciation even of the Terrible in Nature--The "Balancings" and "Spreadings" of the Clouds--The "Windows of Heaven"--Not Literal Sluice-gates--The Four Winds--The Four Quarters--The Circle of the Earth--The Waters under the Earth--The "Depths" 35 CHAPTER V. THE ORDINANCES OF THE HEAVENS