The phrase refers to a concept found in the Genesis creation narrative describing a body of water situated above the firmament, or sky. This “firmament” is understood as a solid dome separating these upper waters from the waters below, which form the seas. The upper waters are mentioned in Genesis 1:6-7: “And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.”
The concept is crucial for understanding the cosmology of the ancient Near East. Many ancient cultures, including the Israelites, perceived the world as enclosed, with a solid sky serving as a barrier. This worldview explains meteorological phenomena like rain, which was understood as water leaking through openings in the firmament, controlled by divine power. This understanding of the cosmos significantly influenced religious beliefs and practices, shaping the way people interpreted natural events and their relationship to the divine.
