Last updated: February 2, 2026
What does the Bible tell us about the characteristics of the Earth?
The Bible frequently describes the Earth as having foundations, suggesting a fixed structure rather than a spherical planet suspended in space.
"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone?"
"He set the earth on its foundations, so that it should never be moved."
"For the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and on them he has set the world."
Analysis: These passages describe the Earth as a structure with measurable dimensions, foundations, and bases. The language parallels ancient Near Eastern building construction. The Hebrew word "yesod" (foundation) refers to the base of a building or structure. Scholars interpret this as reflecting the authors' understanding of Earth as a constructed structure.
Multiple biblical passages refer to the Earth having four corners, which is difficult to reconcile with a spherical Earth model.
"He will raise a signal for the nations and will assemble the banished of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth."
"After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, that no wind might blow on earth or sea or against any tree."
"and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea."
"And you, O son of man, thus says the Lord GOD to the land of Israel: An end! The end has come upon the four corners of the land."
Analysis: The Hebrew word "kanaph" means corner, extremity, or wing. The term appears consistently across multiple books and contexts. Some interpret this as figurative language, while others suggest the authors described Earth as having literal corners or edges. A sphere has no corners, so scholars debate how this language relates to the shape of Earth.
One passage often cited as evidence that the Bible teaches a spherical Earth actually describes a circle, which is a flat, two-dimensional shape.
"It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in."
Analysis: The Hebrew word "chug" means circle, circuit, or compass. It refers to a flat circular shape, not a sphere. Hebrew has a different word for sphere ("dur" or "kadur"), but it is not used here. The imagery of God sitting "above" the circle and inhabitants appearing like grasshoppers reflects ancient Near Eastern cosmological understanding.
The Bible frequently mentions the "ends of the earth," implying the Earth has boundaries or edges where it terminates.
"The LORD will bring a nation against you from far away, from the end of the earth, swooping down like the eagle, a nation whose language you do not understand."
"For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens."
"From the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I."
"He will raise a signal for nations far away, and whistle for them from the ends of the earth; and behold, quickly, speedily they come!"
Analysis: The Hebrew phrase "qetseh ha'aretz" literally means "end/extremity of the earth." A sphere has no ends or edges. The consistent biblical usage of this term reflects how the authors described Earth's boundaries. Scholars interpret this language as consistent with ancient flat Earth models.
Scripture describes the Earth as being supported by pillars, indicating a fixed structure requiring support from below.
"For the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and on them he has set the world."
"who shakes the earth out of its place, and its pillars tremble."
(Job 9:6)
"When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars."
Analysis: The Hebrew word "ammud" means pillar or column. These passages describe the Earth as a structure with pillars for support. This concept reflects ancient Near Eastern cosmologies where the Earth was viewed as a platform supported by pillars or mountains.
The Bible consistently describes the Earth as fixed and immovable, contrasting with the heliocentric model where Earth orbits the sun.
"Tremble before him, all the earth; yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved."
"The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved."
"Say among the nations, 'The LORD reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.'"
"He set the earth on its foundations, so that it should never be moved."
Analysis: The Hebrew word "mowt" means to totter, shake, slip, or move. These passages describe the Earth as fixed and immovable. Modern astronomy indicates that Earth rotates on its axis and orbits the sun. The biblical text presents Earth as stationary, which differs from modern astronomical understanding.
The temptation of Jesus includes a description that only makes sense if the Earth is flat and all kingdoms can be seen from a high vantage point.
"Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, 'All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.'"
"And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, 'To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will.'"
Analysis: The text describes all kingdoms of the world being visible from a "very high mountain." On a spherical Earth, the curvature would limit the visibility range from any single vantage point. Some scholars interpret this passage as consistent with ancient cosmological models where the Earth was conceived as a flat, bounded disc.
Ancient Jewish texts often describe the earth as having "ends," "corners," foundations, or gates—imagery that suggests a flat, bounded earth. Below are direct quotes with links to sources.
"And he knew that the Garden of Eden is the holy of holies, and the dwelling of the Lord, and Mount Sinai the centre of the desert, and Mount Zion -the centre of the navel of the earth: these three were created as holy places facing each other."
"And from thence I went to the ends of the earth and saw there great beasts, and each differed from the other; and (I saw) birds also differing in appearance and beauty and voice, the one differing from the other. And to the east of those beasts I saw the ends of the earth whereon the heaven rests, and the portals of the heaven open."
"And the Rabbis say: The earth stands on twelve pillars, as it is stated: 'He set the borders of the nations according to the number of the children of Israel'"
The biblical passages examined consistently describe Earth using language and imagery that aligns with ancient Near Eastern flat Earth cosmology:
Historical Context: These descriptions align with the cosmology of the ancient Near East, where the Earth was viewed as a flat disc supported by pillars, surrounded by water, and covered by a solid dome (firmament). The biblical authors wrote from within this cultural and scientific understanding of their time.
Interpretive Considerations: Modern interpreters differ on whether these passages use figurative or literal language. The descriptions appear consistently across multiple books. Biblical interpretation involves understanding how ancient cosmological concepts relate to modern scientific knowledge.