Is the Earth Round, a Sphere, or Flat Like a Plate? What Does the Bible Say?

QUESTION:
Is the Earth round, a sphere, or is it flat like a plate covered by glass at the top?

ANSWER:

Before we answer, it is crucial to understand the nature and purpose of the Bible.
The Bible is not a scientific textbook, nor is it intended to serve as a manual for physics, business, or technology. The Bible’s primary purpose is to reveal the nature, character, and plan of God for humanity and to teach mankind how to live in relationship with Him (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV):

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
(2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV)

Thus, expecting the Bible to provide detailed explanations about the physical universe, like a science textbook, is a misunderstanding of its purpose. Its focus is spiritual rather than scientific.

Some people try to find business principles such as “demand and supply” or “cash flow” in the Bible. However, the Bible was not designed to teach business economics. For such matters, it is wise to seek formal education. Likewise, scientific principles — like atomic structure, types of rocks, the functions of blood cells, or the invention of medicines — are subjects developed through human investigation and are not explained in Scripture.

It is true that the Bible occasionally mentions aspects of the natural world — but when it does, it is always to illustrate or support a spiritual truth, not to serve as scientific documentation.

Moreover, Scripture makes it clear that worldly wisdom and divine wisdom are very different:

“Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?”
(1 Corinthians 1:20, NIV)

In short, God’s wisdom surpasses human reasoning, and human achievements, however great, are limited in light of His divine understanding.

What About Technology and Modern Discoveries?

Many modern technologies — such as the Internet, social media, artificial intelligence, and future innovations — are not directly mentioned in the Bible. However, the Bible prophesied a time when knowledge would rapidly increase:

“But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.”
(Daniel 12:4, NIV)

Thus, although specific inventions are not listed, the increase in knowledge and global exploration was foretold long ago.

Now, Returning to the Main Question:

Is the Earth a sphere, a circle, or a flat plate covered by glass?

While the Bible does not give a full scientific description of Earth’s shape, it does provide strong hints.

One key passage is:

“He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy and spreads them out like a tent to live in.”
(Isaiah 40:22, NIV)

The term “circle” used here (Hebrew word: chug) can mean a round shape or spherical form. It implies that the Earth is circular, not flat, and not covered with a physical glass dome.

Additionally, when we consider the physical evidence God has allowed humans to discover through science — through astronomy, satellite imagery, and physics — we now know that the Earth is a sphere (or more accurately, an oblate spheroid).
In God’s providence, human beings have been given the ability to study and understand creation, confirming what Scripture hints at.

Final Reflection:

While scientific discovery is a gift from God, the Bible’s main purpose remains to guide humanity into salvation and a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ.
We must therefore respect both realms: use science for understanding the natural world and use the Bible for knowing God’s heart and His will for our lives.

May the Lord bless you and lead you into all truth.

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