Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 1:6
Genesis 1:6. Let there be a firmament This term, which is an exact translation of the word used by the Septuagint, or Greek translation of the Old Testament, by no means expresses the sense of the word used by Moses, רקיע , rakiang, which merely means extension or expansion. And as this extension or expansion was to be in the midst of the waters, and was to divide the waters from the waters, it chiefly, if not solely, means the air or atmosphere which separates the water... read more
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 1:6-8
- IV. The Second Day6. רקיע rāqı̂ya‛, “expanse;” στερέωμα stereōma, רקע rāqa‛, “spread out by beating, as leaf gold.” This expanse was not understood to be solid, as the fowl is said to fly on the face of it Genesis 1:21. It is also described as luminous Daniel 12:3, and as a monument of divine power Psalms 150:1.7. עשׂה ‛āśâh “work on,” “make out of already existing materials.”The second act of creative power bears upon the deep of waters, over which the darkness had prevailed, and by... read more