Let us now consider another interpretation of Genesis 1: 6–8a and related verses:
The word expanse (raqia) is used nine times in Genesis, all in the creation account, chapter 1. The first four uses are distinguished from the last four, to minimize confusion. Following each of the last four uses (in Genesis 1:14–20) is the phrase “of the heavens.” Clearly, from the context, “expanse of the heavens” means sky, atmosphere, outer space, or heaven. However, the first four uses of “expanse,” in Genesis 1: 6–7, do not use the phrase “of the heavens.” That expanse was Earth’s crust. Surface waters (oceans, seas, lakes, and rivers) were above this crust, and subterranean waters were below. The subterranean waters burst forth, producing the “fountains of the great deep” and the global flood.
Repetition of the phrase, “of the heavens” further helps us distinguish between the last four uses and the first four uses. The more complex middle, or fifth, usage of the word “expanse” will be discussed on page 533.
Pages 487– 492 and 469– 475 contain other support for this interpretation of raqia. Psalm 136:5–9, a song of thanks to God, deserves a special comment as well. It describes three sequential events: (1) the heavens are made, (2) the earth is spread out above the waters, and (3) the Sun, Moon, and stars were made. This sequence is similar to the creation events of Day 1, Day 2, and Day 4. If the proposed interpretation is correct, then Psalm 136:5–9 precisely parallels the creation events of Days 1, 2, and 4.
Several ancient extrabiblical writings also state that the Earth’s crust, when first created, divided liquid waters above from liquid waters below.14
If this picture of the newly created Earth is correct, then it seems worthy of inclusion in the brief creation chapter of Genesis 1. However, if “the waters above” refers to a canopy containing less than one-half of 1% of the Earth’s water, then why would one creation day and almost 10% of the creation chapter be devoted to it?