Where does it say in the bible that the Universe is only 6,000 years old?

But gen.1:16 clearly states that the stars were created on the fourth day, and therefore not prior to the six days of creation. But surely you must know that there are some very good arguments to translate yom with "literal day". For instance, the word yom can mean an unspecified period of time, but usually means a 24 hour period. In combination with a number, such as "fourth day", it always means a literal day. Also, in Hebrew there is another word for "period of unspecified length" or "age" (but I've forgotten what that was), that would have been used had the periods of creation not been literal days.

quote:

---

I hope that satifies you.

---

In my hunger for knowledge I'm never satisfied. And besides, I still think genesis 1:16 describes the creation, and not the uncovering, of sun, moon, and stars, especially when you read 1:17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earthSee what I mean? The lights were set in the firmament, so they weren't there before.

Cromwell wrote:

quote:

---

Yohm can mean an unspecified period of time and is used in Genesis as it is appropriate.Its true meaning can only be shown using the context of the surrounding scriptures....

---

How about a preceding ordinal number for context? In combination with such a number the word ym always means literal day. Or how about a "morning" and "evening" as context. Also, in Gen.1:5 God calls the darkness "night" (hebr. layil). Is that to be taken as "unspecified period of darkness" too?And btw, suppose the "days" of creation were in fact very long periods (thousands of years or more), then the nights following those days must have been long as well. How did plants (and animals) survive during those long, long nights?

quote:

---

Since the sun, moon, and stars are included in the heavens mentioned in Genesis 1:1, they were created long before Day Four.

---

No they weren't, or rather, that's what we're arguing about. You are trying to tell me they were made in a verse that doesn't mention them, and that they were not made in a verse that does mention their creation!On a lighter side, maybe you can help me with this: why are there so many stars? The bible just mentions them "for signs of seasons, for days and for years". But, in our galaxy alone, for every star you can see with your naked eye there are more than 10 million stars that are too faint to see. For what purpose?
And why does it say that the moon "rules the night" when in fact she spends half of her time in the daylight sky?
(sorry Admin for going slightly off topic here)

quote:

---

You're probably still not satisfied!

---

That's uncanny! How did you know?

quote:

---

As most of you contend that the sun, moon, and stars were created during one of the six creative days

---

Now English is not my native language, but I was under the impression that you contended with the idea that those heavenly bodies were created during the six days of creation, and claimed they were made on day zero.
I & others claimed that according to the bible they were created on day #4.

quote:

---

then what is the meaning of Gen. 1:1, In the begining God created the heavens and the earth?

---

I think it means precisely that what it says. God created the heavens and the earth. That's not that difficult, is it?
Heavens = universe = space
Earth = what snakes eat f.

I don't see why not. Life on earth doesn't need other planets, stars, interstellar matter, or nebulae. It just needs a bit of light (and warmth), but that was there since 1:3 But Genesis is full of seemingly illogical things. And besides, who are you to judge what is illogical for an all-knowing God?

This is a joke, right?(hint for those who think it isn't: read verse 16)

Thank heavens it's not. Although last night I did win the quiz night at the local pub.... You think this is beyond God? And if He can't create the earth in a vacuum, then how did He create matter in a vacuum?And btw, your claim that I questioned was that the earth could not exist and would not survive in a void. You said nothing about creation. While we're at creation: why did God create so many stars? The Bible says they are there "for signs for seasons, for days, and for years". But why so many that can not be seen with the naked eye?Come to think of that, why create them (sorry, unveil them in your view) on day 4 when Adam didn't appear until day 6 (which again according to you happened thousands or possibly millions of years later)?And come to think of that: why would Adam need to keep track of seasons anyway? Such a thing comes in handy when you have to sow and reap, and prepare for winter and such. But in Paradise, everything was ready at hand for him, and not a cloud in the sky.And why did it take six whole days for God to create the universe? Why didn't he just snap His fingers? Isn't He supposed to be all powerful? And why did He need to see "that it was good"? Didn't He know in advance? And why did He need rest?