The last time I read the bible through, these verses below struck me as something more than just biblical metaphor. Many of the verses refer to 'stretched' or 'spread', that is, in the past tense. The bible verses below are biblical evidence for the expansion of the universe.
D. Russell Humphreys in his book, "Starlight and Time" (Master Books, Inc., Green Forest, AR, 1994), elaberates on this expansion of the expanse. Dr. Humphreys, explains that the expansion could be as a "white hole". This involves higher Physics including Einstein's theory of general relativity. In this theory, which has been scientically tested, matter, time, gravity, and space are related. So, by expansion (rapid expansion) of space, vast eons of time are also created. This effect, called, "gravitational time dilation", explains why a distant star's light takes billions of light years to arrive to earth, yet earth may be only thousands of years old. Dr. Humphreys goes into more details such as 'event horizons' and a 'fourth dimension' of space. Very heady stuff.
But when one gets to the gist of creation, the Creator of light isn't limited by the speed of light or anything. "Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you." (Jer 32:17)
Job 9:8:
"He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea."
Job 26:7:
"He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing."
Job 37:18:
"can you join him in spreading out the skies, hard as a mirror of cast bronze?"
Psalm 102:25:
"In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands."
Psalm 104:2:
"He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent"
Isaiah 40:12:
"Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?"
Isaiah 40:22:
"He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in."
Isaiah 40:26:
"Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing."
Isaiah 42:5:
"This is what God the LORD says? he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it"
Isaiah 44:24:
"This is what the LORD says? your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the LORD, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself,"
Isaiah 45:12:
"It is I who made the earth and created mankind upon it. My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts."
Isaiah 48:13:
"My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they all stand up together."
Isaiah 51:13:
"that you forget the LORD your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, that you live in constant terror every day because of the wrath of the oppressor, who is bent on destruction? For where is the wrath of the oppressor?"
Jeremiah 10:12:
"But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding."
Jeremiah 51:15:
"He made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding."
Zechariah 12:1:
"This is the word of the LORD concerning Israel. The LORD, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the spirit of man within him, declares:"
Copyright ? 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society