The Astronomy of the Bible: An Elementary Commentary on the Astronomical References of Holy Scripture

by Edward Walter Maunder

Excerpt from The Astronomy of the Bible: An Elementary Commentary on the Astronomical References of Holy Scripture

Because commentators as a rule are not astronomers, and therefore either pass over the astronomical allusions of Scripture in silence, or else annotate them in a way which, from a scientific point of view, leaves much to be desired.

Astronomical allusions in the Bible, direct and indirect, are not few in number, and, in order to bring out their full significance, need to be treated astronomically. Astronomy further gives us the power of placing ourselves to some degree in the position of the patriarchs and prophets of old. We know that the same sun and moon, stars and planets, shine upon us as shone upon Abraham and Moses, David and Isaiah. We can, if we will, see the unchanging heavens with their eyes, and understand their attitude towards them.

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Genres: Astronomy, Science, Nonfiction, Theology, Reference, Religion

431 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2002

About the author

(Edward) Walter Maunder (12 April 1851 – 21 March 1928) was a British astronomer best remembered for his study of sunspots and the solar magnetic cycle that led to his identification of the period from 1645 to 1715 that is now known as the Maunder Minimum.

Reviews

[Diana]

E. Walter Maunder was an English astronomer best known for his study of sunspots and the solar magnetic cycle. He was leader in the founding of the British Astronomical Association which was open to people of all classes, including women. He was the real deal in astronomy and highly respected in his field.

"The Astronomy of the Bible: An Elementary Commentary on the Astronomical References of Holy Scripture" is a fascinating, if cumbersome study of those portions of the Bible that reference heavenly bodies and meteorological events. He painstakingly and logically evaluates the level of astronomical knowledge of the Hebrews and their neighbors and conquerors with chapters on the Creation, astronomical periods (day, lunar month, year), stars, comets, and meteors, Genesis and the Constellations, the Deluge, Leviathan, the Jubilee year, Joshua's long day, the Dial of Ahaz, and the Star of Bethlehem.

There are a number of illustrations, but, unfortunately, I was unable to view them on my Kindle. I would expect that these would add significantly to understanding Maunder's discourse. This book is a tome and it is very dense. However, if you are interested in astronomy and wonder about some of the references in the Bible, it is well worth the time and effort to read.

[Chris]

Edward) Walter Maunder (12 April 1851 – 21 March 1928) was a British astronomer best remembered for his study of sunspots and the solar magnetic cycle that led to his identification of the period from 1645 to 1715 that is now known as the Maunder Minimum.

This book covers astronomical events mention in Holy Writ such as when the sun stood still for about the length of a day, the dial going backwards at the healing of King Hezekiah, and the Bethlehem star at the birth of our Savior.

[Laurel]

A very excellent treatise on the history of astronomy, on the one hand, and the knowledge the Hebrews had of astronomy on the other. I found his arguments for and against various interpretations to be very well reasoned and sensible. And wow. Have we just lost SO MUCH in our development of technology and our busy lives - not to mention simple light pollution that blocks many stars from our sight. I really loved reading this book and have learned so much from it.

And yes, he does discuss the three primary astronomical miracles that are found in the Bible. And I appreciate his approach to them as well as his conclusions.