Debating the Shape of the Earth: From Ancient Beliefs to Modern Discoveries

Engaging in conversations about faith and science can sometimes lead to sharp disagreements, especially when ancient beliefs and religious texts enter the discussion. Yet many debates begin not with facts, but with ridicule and misunderstandings. One recent example involved an atheist mocking a rabbi’s use of the word “sailors,” dismissing the term as outdated and irrelevant. But behind the sarcasm lies a fascinating discussion about how ancient civilizations viewed the world and what Jewish sources taught long before modern science confirmed many ideas.

Did Ancient People Believe the Earth Was Flat?

Rabbi Zamir Cohen explained that in much of the ancient world, people believed the Earth was flat. Sailors feared traveling too far, worried they might reach the “edge” of the world. Critics often respond by pointing out that some ancient Greek philosophers believed the Earth was round. While that is true, the reality is far more complex.

According to historical sources, the idea of a spherical Earth began as a philosophical theory proposed by a small number of Greek thinkers. It was not universally accepted in ancient times, nor did it represent the beliefs of the entire world. Ancient cultures imagined the Earth in many different ways. Some viewed it as a flat disk floating in water, while others pictured a cosmic mountain or layered structure supporting the heavens.

Even within Greece itself, belief in a spherical Earth developed gradually over centuries. Historians note that early Greek philosophers only speculated about the Earth’s shape, and these ideas were not immediately embraced by society. In fact, many philosophers faced ridicule or rejection from their own cultures.

The Zohar and Ancient Jewish Teachings

The discussion becomes even more intriguing when examining Jewish sources. The Zohar, one of Judaism’s foundational mystical texts, contains statements that appear remarkably advanced for their time. The text describes the Earth as spherical and explains that it rotates, creating day and night in different regions of the world. It also discusses how people living on opposite sides of the globe do not fall off, hinting at the concept of gravity.

The Zohar also refers to regions where daylight lasts for unusually long periods, something modern science associates with the Earth’s polar regions. Additionally, it mentions differences in human appearance caused by climate and environment while tracing humanity back to common origins.

Rabbi Yaakov Segal pointed out that one of the most striking ideas in the Zohar is its description of the world rotating “like a sphere,” centuries before Copernicus introduced heliocentric theories to Europe. Supporters of the Zohar argue that these concepts go far beyond simple philosophical guesses about a round Earth.

Was the Zohar Written Later?

Skeptics often claim that the Zohar was merely a medieval work compiled in the 13th century by Rabbi Moses de Leon. However, traditional Jewish understanding holds that the Zohar contains far older teachings transmitted orally and preserved through generations before being compiled into written form.

Supporters argue that the text’s references to Earth’s rotation, gravity, and global phenomena suggest insights that were not common scientific knowledge during the medieval period. They maintain that these teachings cannot simply be dismissed as borrowed Greek philosophy, since Greek thinkers generally did not discuss concepts such as axial rotation or gravitational force in the way the Zohar appears to describe them.

“He Suspends the Earth on Nothing”

Rabbi Zamir Cohen also points to a famous verse in the Book of Job: “He suspends the Earth on nothing.” At a time when many cultures imagined the Earth resting on animals, pillars, or mythical structures, the verse describes the Earth hanging in space without physical support.

Critics sometimes argue that objects of any shape could theoretically float in space, missing the larger point. The emphasis is not on the Earth’s shape but on the biblical description of a world suspended in emptiness, an idea that aligns with modern understanding of space.

Does the Bible Describe a Flat Earth?

Some skeptics interpret certain biblical verses as evidence that the Bible teaches a flat Earth. However, Jewish commentators explain that many of these verses are poetic or allegorical rather than scientific descriptions. Expressions like “from one end of the Earth to the other” are understood as figures of speech, much like modern expressions used today.

Jewish texts from nearly 2,000 years ago, including the Jerusalem Talmud, explicitly describe the Earth as spherical. Ancient Jewish scholars also discussed layers of the heavens, atmospheric concepts, and natural processes in ways that many believers see as deeply insightful for their era.

Metaphor and Meaning in Scripture

Another criticism focuses on verses that speak about “pillars of the Earth.” Critics take these verses literally, claiming the Bible imagined the Earth standing on physical columns. Jewish interpretation, however, views such descriptions as metaphorical language meant to illustrate stability, power, or natural upheaval such as earthquakes.

Similarly, references to “waters above the heavens” are often explained through the lens of ancient descriptions of the water cycle and atmospheric processes. Jewish sages understood that Scripture frequently speaks in imagery that conveys deeper truths rather than simplistic physical descriptions.

Ancient Wisdom and Modern Discovery

The broader argument made by rabbis such as Rabbi Zamir Cohen is not simply that Judaism “guessed” the Earth was round. Rather, they point to a pattern in which ancient Jewish texts contain ideas that appear consistent with discoveries made much later through science.

Whether one approaches these texts from a place of faith or skepticism, the discussion highlights something remarkable: Jewish tradition has long engaged with questions about the universe, creation, and humanity’s place in the world. Far from avoiding science, many Jewish thinkers saw wisdom and discovery as deeply connected to understanding the Creator and His creation.