Abraham and the Heavens

In Facsimile 3 of the Book of Abraham, the patriarch Abraham is represented as deeply conversant with ancient astronomical lore.  He doesn’t appear that way in the Bible, but other ancient texts pick up the same theme.  Here, for example, is a passage from the seventh-century Arabic Qur’an that shows him pondering the heavens:

“In this way We showed Abraham [God’s] mighty dominion over the heavens and the earth, so that he might be a firm believer.  When the night grew dark over him he saw a star and said, ‘This is my Lord,’ but when it set, he said, ‘I do not like things that set.’  And when he saw the moon rising he said, ‘This is my Lord,’ but when it too set, he said, ‘If my Lord does not guide me, I shall be one of those who go astray.’  Then he saw the sun rising and cried, ‘This is my Lord!  This is greater.’  But when the sun set, he said, ‘My people, I disown all that you worship beside God.  I have turned my face as a true believer towards Him who created the heavens and the earth.  I am not one of the polytheists.’”  (6:75-79)

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And, while I’m at it, here’s another significant passage from the Qur’an:

“So celebrate God’s glory in the evening, in the morning—praise is due to Him in the heavens and the earth—in the late afternoon, and at midday.  He brings the living out of the dead and the dead out of the living.  He gives life to the earth after death, and you will be brought out in the same way.  One of His signs is that He created you from dust and—lo and behold!—you became human and scattered far and wide.  Another of His signs is that He created spouses from among yourselves for you to live with in tranquility: He ordained love and kindness between you.  There truly are signs in this for those who reflect.  Another of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the diversity of your languages and colours.  There truly are signs in this for those who know.  Among His signs are your sleep, by night and by day, and your seeking His bounty.  There truly are signs in this for those who can hear.  Among His signs, too, are that He shows you the lightning that terrifies and inspires hope; that He sends water down from the sky to restore the earth to life after death.  There truly are signs in this for those use their reason.  Among His signs, too, is the fact that the heavens and the earth stand firm by His command.  In the end, you will all emerge when He calls you from the earth.  Everyone in the heavens and earth belongs to Him, and all are obedient to Him.  He is the one who originates creation and will do it again—this is even easier for Him.  He is above all comparisons in the heavens and earth; He is the Almighty, the One who Governs.”  (30:17-27)