water from water.” 7 So God made the vault and separated the water
under the vault from the water above it. And it was so. 8 God called
the vault “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning—
the second day.
Genesis 1:6-8
John Wesley's Notes on the Old Testament
We have here an account of the second day's work, the creation of the firmament.
In which observe,
In which observe,
1. The command of God; Let there be a firmament - An expansion; so the Hebrew word
signifies, like a sheet spread, or a curtain drawn out. This includes all that is visible above the
earth, between it and the third heavens, the air, its higher, middle, and lower region, the
celestial globe, and all the orbs of light above; it reaches as high as the place where the stars
are fixed, for that is called here the firmament of heaven, and as low as the place where the
birds fly for that also is called the firmament of heaven,
signifies, like a sheet spread, or a curtain drawn out. This includes all that is visible above the
earth, between it and the third heavens, the air, its higher, middle, and lower region, the
celestial globe, and all the orbs of light above; it reaches as high as the place where the stars
are fixed, for that is called here the firmament of heaven, and as low as the place where the
birds fly for that also is called the firmament of heaven,
2. The creation of it: and God made the firmament.
3. The design of it; to divide the waters from the waters - That is, to distinguish between the
waters that are wrapt up in the clouds, and those that cover the sea; the waters in the air,
and those in the earth.
waters that are wrapt up in the clouds, and those that cover the sea; the waters in the air,
and those in the earth.
4. The naming it; He called the firmament Heaven - 'Tis the visible heaven, the pavement of
the holy city. The height of the heavens should mind us of God's supremacy, and the infinite
distance that is between us and him; the brightness of the heavens, and their purity, should
mind us of his majesty, and perfect holiness; the vastness of the heavens, and their
encompassing the earth, and influence upon it, should mind us of his immensity and
universal providence.
the holy city. The height of the heavens should mind us of God's supremacy, and the infinite
distance that is between us and him; the brightness of the heavens, and their purity, should
mind us of his majesty, and perfect holiness; the vastness of the heavens, and their
encompassing the earth, and influence upon it, should mind us of his immensity and
universal providence.
