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Meaning of FIRMAMENT

Pronunciation:  'furmumunt

WordNet Dictionary
 
 Definition: [n]  the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected
 
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 Synonyms: celestial sphere, empyrean, heavens, sphere, vault of heaven, welkin
 
 See Also: apex, apex of the sun's way, celestial point, nadir, solar apex, surface, zenith, zodiac

 

 

Webster's 1913 Dictionary
 
 Definition: 
\Fir"ma*ment\, n. [L. firmamentum, fr. firmare to make
firm: cf. F. firmament. See {Firm}, v. & a.]
1. Fixed foundation; established basis. [Obs.]
         Custom is the . . . firmament of the law. --Jer.
                                               Taylor.
2. The region of the air; the sky or heavens.
         And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst
         of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the
         waters.                               --Gen. i. 6.
         And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament.
                                               --Gen. i. 14.
Note: In Scripture, the word denotes an expanse, a wide
      extent; the great arch or expanse over out heads, in
      which are placed the atmosphere and the clouds, and in
      which the stars appear to be placed, and are really
      seen.
3. (Old Astron.) The orb of the fixed stars; the most rmote
   of the celestial spheres.
 
Easton Bible Dictionary
 
 Definition: 

from the Vulgate firmamentum, which is used as the translation of the Hebrew _raki'a_. This word means simply "expansion." It denotes the space or expanse like an arch appearing immediately above us. They who rendered _raki'a_ by firmamentum regarded it as a solid body. The language of Scripture is not scientific but popular, and hence we read of the sun rising and setting, and also here the use of this particular word. It is plain that it was used to denote solidity as well as expansion. It formed a division between the waters above and the waters below (Gen. 1:7). The _raki'a_ supported the upper reservoir (Ps. 148:4). It was the support also of the heavenly bodies (Gen. 1:14), and is spoken of as having "windows" and "doors" (Gen. 7:11; Isa. 24:18; Mal. 3:10) through which the rain and snow might descend.

 
Thesaurus Terms
 
 Related Terms: air, azure, blue sky, caelum, Caelus, canopy, canopy of heaven, cerulean, cope, empyrean, ether, heaven, heavens, hyaline, lift, lifts, sky, starry heaven, the blue, the blue serene, vault, vault of heaven, welkin
 

 

 

 

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