4284 sun
Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  4000 Creation  »  4200 Places  »  4284 sun

Created as a source of light and heat and an indicator of time and direction. The sun is also used as a metaphor for the splendour and light of God himself and the righteousness of his people.

Natural functions of the sun

A source of light

Genesis 1:16-18 See also Psalm 136:7-8

A marker of time

Genesis 1:14 See also Genesis 29:7; Exodus 22:26; Judges 9:33; 1 Samuel 11:9

An indicator of direction

Numbers 21:11 See also Exodus 27:13; Deuteronomy 11:30; Joshua 19:12; Psalm 113:3; Isaiah 45:6

A blessing, necessary for life

Ecclesiastes 11:7 See also Deuteronomy 33:13-14; Job 8:16; Matthew 5:45

The scorching heat causing discomfort and harm

Jonah 4:8 See also Psalm 121:6; Isaiah 49:10; Matthew 13:6; James 1:11; Revelation 7:16

Worship of the sun

Forbidden to God's people

Deuteronomy 4:19 See also Deuteronomy 17:2-5; Job 31:26-28

Practised in Israel and Egypt

Ezekiel 8:16 See also 2 Kings 23:5,11; Jeremiah 8:1-2; Jeremiah 43:13

Sunlight and God's judgment

Joel 2:31; Matthew 24:29-30 pp Mark 13:24 pp Luke 21:25-26 See also Exodus 10:21-23; Isaiah 13:9-10; Jeremiah 4:28; Ezekiel 32:7-8; Joel 3:14-15; Amos 5:20; Matthew 27:45 pp Mark 15:33 pp Luke 23:44 the crucifixion; Acts 2:20; Revelation 6:12-17

God and the sun

God as creator and controller

Job 9:7; Psalm 74:16 See also Joshua 10:12-13; 2 Kings 20:8-11; Psalm 19:1-6; Psalm 148:3,5; Isaiah 38:8; Jeremiah 31:35-36; Habakkuk 3:11

God likened to the sun

Luke 1:78-79 See also Psalm 84:11; Isaiah 9:2; Habakkuk 3:4; Malachi 4:2; Matthew 17:2; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Revelation 1:16

God's glory outshines the sun

Revelation 21:23 See also Isaiah 24:23; Isaiah 60:19-20; Acts 26:13; Revelation 22:5

Metaphorical allusions to the sun

In Paul's conversion experience

Acts 26:13

As righteousness

Psalm 37:6; Matthew 13:43 See also 2 Samuel 23:3-4; Proverbs 4:18; Isaiah 58:8,10; Isaiah 62:1; Daniel 12:3

As constancy and dependability

Hosea 6:3 See also Psalm 72:5,17; Psalm 89:36

The setting sun signifying a premature end

Jeremiah 15:9; Amos 8:9; Micah 3:6

Miracles and signs concerning the sun

Darkening of the sun:

Isaiah 5:30; Isaiah 24:23; Amos 8:9

The sun standing still or reversing:

Joshua 10:12-13; 2 Kings 20:11; Isaiah 38:8; Habakkuk 3:11

See also

4272  sky
4281  stars
4809  darkness
4821  east
4829  heat
4834  light, natural
4846  shadow
4857  west
4903  time
4918  dawn
4921  day
4960  noon



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