Chronological timeline of texts tagged with Solar Theology
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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.
Note: Dates shown in this timeline are approximate and based on scholarly estimates.
Back to Tag1400 B.C.E.
Great Hymn to the Aten
Ancient Near East
You appear beautifully on the horizon, the living Aten, the beginning of life. When you rise in the east, you fill every land with your beauty. You are gracious, great, shining, and high above all lands. Your rays reach the ends of the earth, and you subdue them for your beloved son. Though far away, your rays touch the earth, and though in their faces, no one knows your path. When you set in the west, the land becomes dark like death. People sleep with their heads covered, unable to see one another. Their possessions could be stolen without them knowing. The lions leave their dens, and creeping creatures sting. Darkness covers the earth, and it is still, for the creator rests on the horizon.
700 BCE
KAR 58
Ancient Near East
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.
6th Century B.C.E. (Final composition)
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.
7th-5th Centuries B.C.E.
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.
6th Century B.C.E.
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.
6th-3rd Centuries B.C.E.
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)
6th-3rd Centuries B.C.E.
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?
6th-3rd Centuries B.C.E.
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.
150-100 B.C.E.
Baruch 4:24
Deuterocanon
22 For I have put my hope in the Everlasting to 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 sorrow and weeping, but God will give you back to me with joy and gladness forever. 24 For as the neighbors of Zion have now seen your capture, so they soon will see your salvation by God, which will come to you with great glory and with the splendor of the Everlasting. 25 My children, endure with patience the wrath that has come upon you from God. Your enemy has overtaken you, but you will soon see their destruction and will tread upon their necks. 26 My pampered children have traveled rough roads; they were taken away like a flock carried off by the enemy.