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The Bible is not a science textbook, nor was it intended to be. Yet, throughout its pages, we find remarkable insights into scientific truths that were written long before they were understood or confirmed by modern research. These instances of scientific foreknowledge point to the divine inspiration of the Scriptures, affirming that they are indeed “breathed out by God” (2 Timothy 3:16, ESV).

For centuries, people believed the earth was flat. Yet, Isaiah 40:22 describes God as one who “sits above the circle of the earth.” The Hebrew word for “circle” can also mean “sphere” or “roundness,” a concept far ahead of its time. It wasn’t until explorers like Ferdinand Magellan circumnavigated the globe in the 16th century that this biblical insight was confirmed.

In the ancient world, many believed the earth rested on the back of a giant animal or a mythical figure. Yet, Job 26:7 reveals that God “hangs the earth on nothing.” This description aligns perfectly with the modern understanding of our planet’s suspension in space.

Psalm 8:8 mentions the “paths of the seas.” In the 19th century, Matthew Fontaine Maury, often called the “Father of Oceanography,” discovered ocean currents and credited the Bible for inspiring his research. The existence of these “paths” demonstrates the Bible’s advanced understanding of the natural world.

 

Ecclesiastes 1:7 states, “All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full; to the place where the streams flow, there they flow again.” Similarly, Job 36:27-28 speaks of God drawing up water which condenses into rain. These verses describe the water cycle, including evaporation, condensation, and precipitation—knowledge not fully understood until centuries after these texts were written.

Leviticus 17:11 states, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood.” Modern medicine confirms that blood is essential for transporting oxygen, nutrients, and waste throughout the body. This understanding was far beyond the medical knowledge of the time when these words were written.

The Bible’s scientific foreknowledge is not coincidental. It is evidence of a Creator who knows all things and who inspired His Word for our benefit.

While the Bible’s primary purpose is to guide us spiritually, these insights remind us of its divine origin. As Christians, we can be confident that the Bible is not only true in matters of faith but also reliable when it speaks of the natural world.