The Hebrew expression et-hashshamayim weet-ha'aretz, "the heaven and the earth" or "the heaven and earth," as a merism, appears 13× in the OT. While the words "the heavens" and "the earth," when used on their own, denote two separate spheres of creation, they serve in this expression as a merism, a figure of speech expressing the totality of what is enclosed and represented by the two opposites. In this case the expression means essentially "everything," "the entire universe."
10 of the 15 occasions of this expression in the OT have Yahweh as their subject, and serve to emphasize the sovereign power of Yahweh as the maker of all things and, therefore, nothing is beyond his beckon and call. In the book of Deuteronomy, "heavens and earth" are summoned by Yahweh to serve as witnesses to Israel's faithfulness (or lack of it) to the covenent in which she stood with Yahweh. It was a customary in ancient Near Eastern nations to call upon the gods to be witnesses to the treaties they sign. Calling gods to serve as witnesses to the covenant between Yahweh and Israel would, of course, have been inappropriate; what better witnesses then than heaven and earth, the silent observers of all that transpires everywhere and anytime.
The expression in reverse order, "the earth and the heavens," is also used (4×) and is synonymous in intent as far as can be discerned, and the option to use one other the other seems a matter of literary emphasis or stylistic variation.
Here are all the 15 occurrences of the expression:
Gen 1:1 — In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Gen 2:1 — Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.
Gen 2:4 — This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the Lord God made the earth and the heavens.
Exo 20:11 — For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
Exo 31:17 — It will be a sign between me and the Israelites for ever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he abstained from work and rested.'"
Deut 4:26 — I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you this day that you will quickly perish from the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess. You will not live there long but will certainly be destroyed.
Deut 30:19 — This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live
Deut 31:28 — Assemble before me all the elders of your tribes and all your officials, so that I can speak these words in their hearing and call heaven and earth to testify against them.
2 K 19:15 — And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: "O Lord, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.
2 Chron 2:12 — And Hiram added: "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who made heaven and earth! He has given King David a wise son, endowed with intelligence and discernment, who will build a temple for the Lord and a palace for himself.
Isa 37:16 — "O Lord Almighty, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.
Jer 23:24 — Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?" declares the Lord. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the Lord.
Jer 32:17 — "Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.
Hag 2:6 — "This is what the Lord Almighty says:`In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.
Hag 2:21 — "Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that I will shake the heavens and the earth.
Acts 4:24 — When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.
Acts 14:15 — "Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them.
The expression "the earth and the heavens," as a merism, is found in the following places:
Gen 2:4 — This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the Lord God made the earth and the heavens.
Psm 148:13 — Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
Joel 3:16 — The Lord will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the heavens will tremble. But the Lord will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.
Rev 20:11 — Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them.
©ALBERITH
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