Creation
Does the Bible say the earth is flat?A Scripture-grounded answer about does the bible say the earth is flat
Published Reviewed
Published Reviewed
No, the Bible does not teach a flat earth. Isaiah 40:22 describes God sitting 'above the circle of the earth,' and Job 26:7 says God 'hangs the earth on nothing'—both consistent with a spherical earth in space. Phrases like 'four corners of the earth' are figures of speech meaning 'everywhere,' not literal geometry.
Why this answer? It starts with Isaiah 40:22, then cross-checks Job 26:7 and Proverbs 8:27 so the summary stays anchored in Scripture.
The claim that the Bible teaches a flat earth results from misreading poetic language as scientific prose. Scripture uses figures of speech common to all ancient literature—four corners of the earth means every direction, just as we say sunrise without implying geocentrism. When the Bible does describe earth's shape and position, the language is remarkably consistent with modern understanding. Isaiah 40:22 speaks of the circle of the earth, using a Hebrew word (khug) that can mean sphere or vault. Job 26:7 states God hangs the earth on nothing—a striking image of a planet suspended in space, written millennia before astronomy confirmed it. Proverbs 8:27 describes God drawing a circle on the face of the deep at creation. These passages do not constitute a scientific textbook, but they demonstrate that biblical cosmology does not require a flat earth. The Bible's purpose is theological, not astronomical—it reveals who created the heavens and earth, not every detail of how they function. Reading poetic imagery with literary sensitivity avoids forcing modern scientific debates onto an ancient text that speaks truthfully in its own genre.
“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.”
- Isaiah 40:22
The Bible is God's inspired Word to humanity—a collection of 66 books written by about 40 authors over 1,500 years. It reveals God's character, His plan of salvation, and how to live. Christians believe it is inerrant in its original manuscripts and authoritative for faith and practice.
Christians believe the Bible is God's inspired, inerrant Word—true in all it teaches. Evidence includes fulfilled prophecy, historical and archaeological confirmation, manuscript reliability, internal consistency despite 40+ authors over 1,500 years, transformed lives, and the testimony of Jesus Himself who treated Scripture as authoritative.
The Old Testament is the first part of the Christian Bible, containing 39 books written before Christ. It includes the Law (Torah), History, Poetry/Wisdom, and Prophets. It records creation, the fall, Israel's history, God's covenants, and prophecies pointing to Jesus. Christians see it fulfilled in Christ.
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Answers are informed by Scripture and trusted theologians including Matthew Henry, John Calvin, and John Wesley. Always verify with Scripture and consult your local church for pastoral guidance.