Timeline

Solar Theology

In the ancient Near East the sun was often revered as a manifestation or symbol of divine power, and associated with kingship and cosmic order. In Mesopotamia and Egypt, deities like Shamash and Ra played central roles as sun gods who oversaw law and upheld moral order. The Hebrew Bible uses much of this same solar language in its own theology.

Timeline

Great Hymn to the Aten / Habakkuk 3:3
1. 1353–1336 BCE
  
  Great Hymn to the Aten
  
  Ancient Near East, Egyptian
  
  You rise beautifully on the horizon of the sky, O living Aten, creator of life! When you dawn on the eastern horizon, you fill every land with your beauty. You are splendid, great, radiant, high above every land; your rays encompass the lands to the limit of all that you have made. Since you are Re, you reach to the end of them, and you subdue them for your beloved son. Though you are far away, your rays are upon the earth; though you are before their faces, no one sees your goings.
2. 600–501 BCE
  
  Habakkuk 3:3
  
  Hebrew Bible
  
  2 Lord, I have heard the report of what you did; I am awed, Lord, by what you accomplished. In our time repeat those deeds; in our time reveal them again. But when you cause turmoil, remember to show us mercy! 3 God comes from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah. His splendor has covered the skies, the earth is full of his glory. 4 His brightness will be as lightning; a two-pronged lightning bolt flashing from his hand. This is the outward display of his power. 5 Plague will go before him; pestilence will march right behind him.
Deuteronomy 33:2 / Baruch 4:24
1. 750–400 BCE
  
  Deuteronomy 33:2
  
  Hebrew Bible
  
  1 This is the blessing Moses the man of God pronounced upon the Israelites before his death. 2 He said: “The Lord came from Sinai and revealed himself to Israel from Seir. He appeared in splendor from Mount Paran, and came forth with ten thousand holy ones. With his right hand he gave a fiery law to them. 3 Surely he loves the people; all your holy ones are in your hand⁸. And they sit at your feet, each receiving your words. 4 Moses delivered to us a law, an inheritance for the assembly of Jacob.
2. 200–50 BCE
  
  Baruch 4:24
  
  Deuterocanon
  
  22 For I have trusted in the Everlasting, that he will save you; and joy has come to me from the Holy One, because of the mercy that will soon come to you from your Everlasting Savior. 23 For I sent you out with mourning and weeping, but God will give you to me again with joy and gladness forever. 24 For as now those who dwell near Zion have seen your captivity, so they will shortly see your salvation from our God which will come upon you with great glory and brightness of the Everlasting. 25 My children, suffer patiently the wrath that has come upon you from God, for your enemy has persecuted you; but shortly you will see his destruction and will tread upon their necks. 26 My delicate ones have traveled rough roads. They were taken away like a flock carried off by enemies.
Deuteronomy 33:2 / Isaiah 60:2
1. 750–400 BCE
  
  Deuteronomy 33:2
  
  Hebrew Bible
  
  1 This is the blessing Moses the man of God pronounced upon the Israelites before his death. 2 He said: “The Lord came from Sinai and revealed himself to Israel from Seir. He appeared in splendor from Mount Paran, and came forth with ten thousand holy ones. With his right hand he gave a fiery law to them. 3 Surely he loves the people; all your holy ones are in your hand⁸. And they sit at your feet, each receiving your words. 4 Moses delivered to us a law, an inheritance for the assembly of Jacob.
2. 740–450 BCE
  
  Isaiah 60:2
  
  Hebrew Bible
  
  1 “Arise! Shine! For your light arrives! The splendor of the Lord shines on you! 2 For, look, darkness covers the earth and deep darkness covers the nations, but the Lord shines on you; his splendor appears over you. 3 Nations come to your light, kings to your bright light. 4 Look all around you! They all gather and come to you—your sons come from far away, and your daughters are escorted by guardians.
Deuteronomy 33:2 / Psalm 80:3
1. 750–400 BCE
  
  Deuteronomy 33:2
  
  Hebrew Bible
  
  1 This is the blessing Moses the man of God pronounced upon the Israelites before his death. 2 He said: “The Lord came from Sinai and revealed himself to Israel from Seir. He appeared in splendor from Mount Paran, and came forth with ten thousand holy ones. With his right hand he gave a fiery law to them. 3 Surely he loves the people; all your holy ones are in your hand⁸. And they sit at your feet, each receiving your words.
2. 600–201 BCE
  
  Psalm 80:3
  
  Hebrew Bible
  
  1 For the music director, according to the shushan-eduth style; a psalm of Asaph. O Shepherd of Israel, pay attention, you who lead Joseph like a flock of sheep. You who sit enthroned above the cherubim, reveal your splendor. 2 In the sight of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh reveal your power. Come and deliver us. 3 O God, restore us. Shine your face on us⁷. Then we will be delivered. 4 O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, how long will you remain angry at your people while they pray to you?
Isaiah 60:2 / Psalm 84:11
1. 740–450 BCE
  
  Isaiah 60:2
  
  Hebrew Bible
  
  1 “Arise! Shine! For your light arrives! The splendor of the Lord shines on you! 2 For, look, darkness covers the earth and deep darkness covers the nations, but the Lord shines on you; his splendor appears over you. 3 Nations come to your light, kings to your bright light. 4 Look all around you! They all gather and come to you—your sons come from far away, and your daughters are escorted by guardians.
2. 600–201 BCE
  
  Psalm 84:11
  
  Hebrew Bible
  
  9 O God, take notice of our shield. Show concern for your chosen king. 10 Certainly spending just one day in your temple courts is better than spending a thousand elsewhere. I would rather stand at the entrance to the temple of my God than live in the tents of the wicked. 11 For the Lord God is a sun and a shield²⁶. The Lord bestows favor and honor; he withholds no good thing from those who have integrity. 12 O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, how blessed are those who trust in you.
Isaiah 60:2 / Baruch 5:3
1. 740–450 BCE
  
  Isaiah 60:2
  
  Hebrew Bible
  
  1 “Arise! Shine! For your light arrives! The splendor of the Lord shines on you! 2 For, look, darkness covers the earth and deep darkness covers the nations, but the Lord shines on you; his splendor appears over you. 3 Nations come to your light, kings to your bright light. 4 Look all around you! They all gather and come to you—your sons come from far away, and your daughters are escorted by guardians.
2. 200–50 BCE
  
  Baruch 5:3
  
  Deuterocanon
  
  1 Take off the garment of your mourning and affliction, O Jerusalem, and put on forever the beauty of the glory from God. 2 Put on the robe of the righteousness from God. Set on your head a diadem of the glory of the Everlasting. 3 For God will show your splendor everywhere under heaven. 4 For your name will be called by God forever “Righteous Peace, Godly Glory”.
KAR 58 / Psalm 24:7
1. 700 BCE
  
  KAR 58
  
  Ancient Near East, Assyrian
  
  O Sun-god Shamash, when you enter Heaven’s Interior may the bolt of the clear heavens speak a greeting to you May the doors of the heavens bless you. May the gatekeeper of heaven greet you with favor. May Ningal, your beloved spouse, await you with joy, May she soothe your heart with a shining countenance. May your attendant deities stand ready before you.
2. 600–201 BCE
  
  Psalm 24:7
  
  Hebrew Bible
  
  6 Such purity characterizes the people who seek his favor, Jacob’s descendants, who pray to him. (Selah) 7 Look up, you gates. Rise up, you eternal doors. Then the majestic king will enter. 8 Who is this majestic king? The Lord who is strong and mighty. The Lord a mighty man in battle. 9 Look up, you gates. Rise up, you eternal doors. Then the majestic king will enter. 10 Who is this majestic king? The Lord of Heaven’s Armies. He is the majestic king. (Selah)