Yes I agree the birds are not flying amongst the stars. I thought we'd got past that. GaryA explained it well. No matter how many "parts" you divide the firmament into, the 'whole' expanse has water above and below. So if the waters above are clouds, then the luminaries are below the clouds. If the luminaries are above the clouds (and they certainly are), then clouds CANNOT be the "waters above the firmament", because the waters are above the expanse that includes the 1st heaven (where birds fly) and the 2nd heaven (where the luminaries reside).
biblehub.com (or any other source) doesn't hold the weight that the Word of God has. Make sure you understand what the Word is saying.
And Yes, I understand this information very well. Do you understand my response?
Yes, I understand your response and your interpretation on this issue. Sorry I didn't indicate that before. We've both been repeating our opinion without acknowledging that we understand what the other person is explaining.
I know you're saying the "the waters above the expanse" are either 1) around the entire universe, like on the outside of the "universe ballon"; 2) somehow above the earth; or 3) you don't know exactly. Yep, I got it. I believed the waters were in an "above dimension" myself for a couple weeks when you brought up this issue. So, I thank you for bringing up this interesting question to research.
Now that I've researched the issue, I think the best answer is Gen 1:1-20 describes:
1. God created heaven (universe) and earth. Heaven being anything above the surface of the earth (1:1)
2. God made an expanse/area to separate the waters into two. (1:6-7)
3. Waters above area of separation are clouds (1:6-7)
4. He named that area of separation Heaven, an area above the surface of the earth (sky). (1:8)
5. Waters below that area of separation are seas (1:8-10)
Add. Gen 1:20 reads the birds fly in the area of Heaven; thereby giving a logical answer to the question of where the water above that area of separation was: the sky.
Add. Gen 1:14 reads God created objects in the area/expanse above the surface of the earth (heaven) to create/reflect light: moon, sun, stars. For those looking up into the sky in 10000 BC, the intended message would be understood. It's not a science book.
And Yes, I understand this information very well.
I assume when you wrote this you mean you understand this reading of the text (1-Add above), as opposed to you saying, "I know what scripture reads, but don't understand what you wrote."
biblehub.com (or any other source) doesn't hold the weight that the Word of God has. Make sure you understand what the Word is saying.
How are you defining "the Word"? That's a rather odd (and telling) thing to say. Genesis is written in hebrew perhaps in the 10th century BC. The original books were written in ancient hebrew, aramaic and koine greek which contain specific words and sentence structures different than modern english and idioms tied to those traditions, cultures and histories. This information helps provide context for understanding what's in each of the books of the bible. I assume you don't read hebrew, right?
The KJV is consequently a thought-for-thought translation, not a word-for-word translation. Thought-for-thought involves interpretation. It's comparatively more word-for-word than most others, but not as much as Young’s Literal Translation. Which may be better for those who are educated about the culture, idioms and history and languages of each book. But less helpful for those who don't. KJV is an Anglican translation intended to make sense to 15th century english speakers. For those who don't read hebrew/koine greek, that might not be as helpful as the more modern translations.
Biblehub.com (& others) carries the KJV, NIV and many other translations; has the original hebrew, aramaic and greek with the best english definitions of those words; and commentaries which provide historical, cultural, idiom, linguistic and biblical context; and the interpretations of Church Fathers, theologians, scholars for verses/chapters. And one should also ask the Holy Spirit to help them understand what's written, meditate on it, and acquire knowledge (Pro 18:15). If you're sticking to the KJV by yourself, you're doing less than those who do that plus using a biblehub.com.
Here's a word-for-word Young’s Literal Translation of Hebrews 6:1 (but punctuation is added), "Wherefore, having left the word of the beginning of the Christ, unto the perfection we may advance, not again a foundation laying of reformation from dead works, and of faith on God,"
