The Astronomy of the Bible

Biblical references to the sky receive an astronomer's attention in E. Walter Maunder's commentary. Written for general readers, it connects passages of Scripture with the sun, moon, stars, comets and eclipses. Its sections move from individual heavenly bodies to constellations, then to calendars and the measurement of days, months and years. Maunder approaches these subjects through his conviction that astronomical observation can help readers understand the outlook of the biblical writers.

The discussion of the Pleiades brings a particular difficulty into focus: identifying ancient Hebrew star names when the surrounding words provide few clues. Elsewhere, Maunder considers animal imagery, poetic language and the relationship between biblical accounts and Babylonian traditions. Readers interested in the meeting of science and religious interpretation can follow how he combines explanations of the visible sky with close attention to language, while recognizing the beliefs that guide his conclusions.