"The heavens declare the glory of Elohim; and the firmament showeth his handywork." - Psalm 19:1
ABOUT THIS WORKBOOK
This workbook provides an exhaustive study of the biblical firmament (Hebrew: raqia). You will examine every Scripture reference, study the Hebrew terminology, understand the structure Yahuah created, and recognize why this doctrine has been suppressed by modern science and even modern churches.
What You Will Learn:
The Hebrew word "raqia" and its meaning from Scripture and ancient usage
Biblical evidence that the firmament is a solid structure, not empty space
The relationship between the firmament, the waters above, and the waters below
Where the sun, moon, and stars are located according to Genesis 1
The connection between the firmament and Yahuah's throne
How end-times prophecy confirms the physical nature of the firmament
Why this doctrine was removed from mainstream teaching
The theological implications of denying the firmament
Core Teaching: The firmament is a solid structure that separates the waters above from the waters below, contains the sun, moon, and stars, and has Yahuah's throne above it. This is not allegory or poetry—it is the cosmological reality Scripture describes from Genesis to Revelation.
Important Note
This workbook challenges the heliocentric (sun-centered) model and the concept of infinite space that most of us were taught in school. Approach this study with an open mind and a willingness to examine Scripture without the filter of modern scientific assumptions. Let Scripture interpret Scripture.
Key Scriptures:
Genesis 1:6-8 - "And Elohim made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament"
Job 37:18 - "Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?"
Psalm 19:1 - "The heavens declare the glory of Elohim; and the firmament showeth his handywork"
Ezekiel 1:22-26 - "Above the firmament... was the likeness of a throne... and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it"
Revelation 6:14 - "And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together"
Table of Contents
Introduction to the Firmament - Day 2 of Creation
Hebrew Word Study - Raqia (רָקִיעַ)
The Firmament is Solid - Job 37:18 and Ezekiel's Vision
The Firmament Shows His Handiwork - Psalm 19:1
Lights IN the Firmament - Genesis 1:14-17
Waters Above the Firmament - Psalm 148:4
Yahuah's Throne Above the Firmament - Ezekiel 1:22-26
The Firmament in Prophecy - Revelation 6:13-14
The Suppression of Firmament Doctrine
Living with Biblical Cosmology
LESSON 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE FIRMAMENT - DAY 2 OF CREATION
The Creation of the Firmament
Genesis 1:6-8 (KJV)
"And Elohim said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And Elohim made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. And Elohim called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day."
Key Observations
1. The Firmament Was Created on Day 2
This occurs after the creation of light (Day 1) but before the gathering of waters and appearance of dry land (Day 3). The firmament is fundamental to the structure of creation.
2. It Exists "In the Midst of the Waters"
Before the firmament was made, there was water. Yahuah placed the firmament IN THE MIDDLE of these waters, dividing them.
3. Its Purpose: To DIVIDE Waters from Waters
The firmament separates:
Waters UNDER the firmament - the seas, oceans, rivers
Waters ABOVE the firmament - waters still above the structure
4. Yahuah CALLED It "Heaven"
Hebrew: שָׁמַיִם (shamayim) = "heavens"
This is the same word used throughout Scripture for "heaven" or "the heavens"
5. This Is Not Atmosphere or Empty Space
The firmament is described as something that DIVIDES. Atmosphere cannot divide water below from water above. This must be a physical barrier, a structure.
Critical Question
If the firmament is just "atmosphere" or "sky" as some claim, how does atmosphere divide waters below from waters above? Clouds are water vapor in atmosphere—they are not "above" the atmosphere. What are these "waters above" if not held back by a solid structure?
Fill in the blanks:
1. Elohim said, Let there be a ______________ in the midst of the waters.
2. The firmament divides the waters ______________ from the waters ______________.
3. Elohim called the firmament ______________.
4. The firmament was created on Day ______________.
5. The Hebrew word for "heaven/heavens" is ______________.
True or False:
Discussion Question:
Before studying this, what did you think the "firmament" was? How does Genesis 1:6-8 describe it differently than what you were taught?
RECALL Exercise
Close this workbook. Write the Hebrew word for firmament, its meaning, and the three things Genesis 1:6-8 tells us about it.
TEACH-BACK Challenge
Explain to someone what the firmament is according to Genesis 1, including what it divides.
Person: Date:
Scripture Memory: Genesis 1:7
"And Elohim made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so."
APPLICATION Step
LESSON 2: HEBREW WORD STUDY - RAQIA (רָקִיעַ)
The Hebrew Word for Firmament
Hebrew:רָקִיעַ
Transliteration: raqia (raw-KEE-ah)
Strong's Number: H7549
Appears: 17 times in the Old Testament
The Root Word: Raqa (רָקַע)
Root:רָקַע (raqa)
Strong's Number: H7554
Meaning: To beat, stamp, beat out, spread out, stretch
Used for: Beating out metal into thin plates, stamping with feet
How "Raqa" Is Used Elsewhere in Scripture
1. Exodus 39:3 - Beating Gold Into Plates
"And they did beat (raqa) the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work."
Context: Gold was BEATEN OUT into solid sheets for the priestly garments
2. Numbers 16:39 - Broad Metal Plates
"And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers... and they were made broad plates (riqqua - from same root) for a covering of the altar."
Context: Metal beaten into broad, solid plates
3. Isaiah 40:19 - Spreading Metal Over Something
"The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth (raqa) it over with gold, and casteth silver chains."
Context: Spreading/beating metal over an idol
4. 2 Samuel 22:43 - Stamping/Beating
"Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp (raqa) them as the mire of the street, and did spread them abroad."
Context: Physical stamping, beating down
5. Ezekiel 6:11 - Stamping with Foot
"Thus saith the Master Yahuah; Smite with thine hand, and stamp (raqa) with thy foot, and say, Alas for all the evil abominations of the house of Israel!"
Context: Physical stamping action
What This Tells Us About RAQIA
Critical Linguistic Evidence
The root word RAQA means to beat out, spread out, stamp
It is consistently used for metalworking - beating metal into solid plates
RAQIA (firmament) is something that has been beaten/spread out
This implies a SOLID structure, not empty space
Ancient Hebrew understanding was of a solid dome/vault
Fill in the blanks:
1. The Hebrew word for firmament is ______________.
2. The root word "raqa" means to ______________ out.
3. In Exodus 39:3, gold was beaten into thin ______________.
4. The root word is used for working with ______________, making solid sheets.
5. Raqia appears ______________ times in the Old Testament.
True or False:
Discussion Question:
If "raqia" comes from a word meaning "to beat out like metal," does this sound like empty space or a solid structure? Why do you think modern translations sometimes use "expanse" instead of "firmament"?
RECALL Exercise
Close this workbook. Write the Hebrew word for firmament (with Strong's number), its root word "raqa," and what that root means.
TEACH-BACK Challenge
Explain to someone what the Hebrew root "raqa" means and how Exodus 39:3 uses it.
Person: Date:
Scripture Memory: Job 37:18
"Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?"
APPLICATION Step
LESSON 3: THE FIRMAMENT IS SOLID - JOB 37:18 AND EZEKIEL'S VISION
Job's Description of the Sky
Job 37:18 (KJV)
"Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?"
Hebrew Word Study
"Strong" - חָזָק (chazaq, H2389)
Means: strong, mighty, firm, hard
Same word used for: strong armies, strong walls, mighty men
Ancient mirrors were made of polished bronze or copper
Metal was POURED (molten) then polished
This describes something SOLID, HARD, REFLECTIVE
Critical Analysis
Can you pour empty space? NO
Can empty space be described as "strong"? NO
Can empty space be compared to a cast metal mirror? NO
Conclusion: Job 37:18 directly contradicts the idea of empty space. The firmament is a solid, manufactured structure.
Ezekiel's Vision of the Firmament
Ezekiel 1:22 (KJV)
"And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above."
נוֹרָא (nora) = awesome, fearsome, terrible (in the sense of inspiring awe)
קֶרַח (qerach) = ice, frost, crystal
The firmament appears like awesome/fearsome ice or crystal
Crystal is SOLID, not empty space
Ezekiel 10:1 (KJV)
"Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne."
The firmament appears like sapphire stone
Sapphire is SOLID, precious, beautiful
A throne appears ABOVE the firmament
This is Yahuah's throne (more in Lesson 7)
Summary: Physical Descriptions of the Firmament
Scripture
Description
Material Type
Job 37:18
Strong, molten looking glass
Cast metal (bronze/copper)
Ezekiel 1:22
Terrible crystal
Ice/crystal - solid
Ezekiel 10:1
Sapphire stone
Precious stone - solid
Fill in the blanks:
1. The sky is described as ______________.
2. Job compares it to a ______________ looking glass.
3. Ancient mirrors were made of polished ______________.
4. In Ezekiel 1:22, the firmament appeared like terrible ______________.
5. In Ezekiel 10:1, the firmament appeared like ______________ stone.
Discussion Question:
Every physical description of the firmament in Scripture describes something SOLID. Why does this matter? Can empty space be "strong"? Can you compare empty space to a cast metal mirror, crystal, or sapphire?
RECALL Exercise
Close this workbook. List the three descriptions of the firmament from Job and Ezekiel with their material comparisons.
TEACH-BACK Challenge
Explain to someone why Job 37:18 proves the firmament cannot be empty space.
Person: Date:
Scripture Memory: Ezekiel 1:22
"And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above."
APPLICATION Step
Spaced Review Tracker
Review each lesson at these intervals for maximum retention:
Lesson
Done
D1
D3
D7
D21
D60
1. Introduction to Firmament
2. Hebrew Word Study - Raqia
3. Firmament is Solid
"The heavens declare the glory of Elohim; and the firmament showeth his handywork." - Psalm 19:1