Passages - moved from Bible Chat

[vbc]

I am using the ESV bible...

Psalm 104:3

3 He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters;
he makes the clouds his chariot;

Job 38:6

6 On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone,

Please explain Psalm 104 and Job 38 to me, especially these two passages.

Did the ancients literally believe that the earth floated on water and was supported by water? Did they believe that the pillars were suspended in the water or rested on the sea floor (did they even know that a sea floor existed)? Psalm 38:16 seems to be implying that they did...or was it a divine revelation?

Also, if anyone can and is willing to, please go to yahoo answers and answer the questions that I have posted there...my username is Vivian C...(I don't know if it's possible to search by username,though)...thank you.

[kenrank]

I am using the ESV bible...

Psalm 104:3

3 He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters;
he makes the clouds his chariot;

Job 38:6

6 On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone,

Please explain Psalm 104 and Job 38 to me, especially these two passages.

Did the ancients literally believe that the earth floated on water and was supported by water? Did they believe that the pillars were suspended in the water or rested on the sea floor (did they even know that a sea floor existed)? Psalm 38:16 seems to be implying that they did...or was it a divine revelation?

Also, if anyone can and is willing to, please go to yahoo answers and answer the questions that I have posted there...my username is Vivian C...(I don't know if it's possible to search by username,though)...thank you.

In Psalm 104, we have to keep in mind that YHWH's "chambers" (Hebrew Alleyah, feminine for Eliyah, in English Elijah. Means lofty, a second story room, something aloft) are in Heaven. "Waters" are used often to indicate a life giving force, also many people. I believe it is symbolic, as you see in the next verse, "His ministers a flaming fire." Are they really "on fire" as we know fire?

Did they know there was a sea floor? I am sure (an opinion here) that they went swimming...we know they fished. Surely they had to know there was a "bottom" when they cast their nets.

Looking at Job 38:6...I am kinda thinking from the context of the previous verses, that YHWH is simply saying "who is man to understand me?"

But that is my opinion of it.

peace.
Ken