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
