106 The Majesty of God

The creation He spoke into existence is “the expanse,” also translated in Genesis as “firmament.” We would say the “sky” or “atmosphere.” The important concept for us to grasp in this verse is that God is “speaking” into existence the expanse, or in Hebrew the rakeeah. This Hebrew word rakeeah means, “to spread out” or “stretch.” Other places in Scripture where this same expression is used are:

• He alone stretches out the heavens (Job 9:8).

• The heavens are stretched out like a tent curtain (Psalm 104:2).

• God stretches out the heavens like a curtain and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in (Isaiah 40:22).

• The Lord has stretched out the heavens (Jeremiah 10:12).

• God stretched out the heavens (Zechariah 12:1).