Bible Verses about Solar Eclipse

Compiled by The BibleStudyTools Staff on 04/10/2024
Bible Verses about Solar Eclipse

What does the Bible Verses about Solar Eclipses? Top Scripture Quotes

The Bible does not explicitly mention solar eclipses by the exact term we use today. However, there are several passages in the Bible where the sun is described as darkening or the day turning to night, which some interpret as references to solar eclipses or similar astronomical events. Notable examples include:

Top Solar Eclipse Bible Verses

Amos 8:9 - "And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day:" This verse has been interpreted by some to describe a phenomenon similar to a solar eclipse, where the sun appears to darken during the day.

Matthew 27:45 - "Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour." This passage describes darkness falling over the land during the crucifixion of Jesus, which some have speculated could be a reference to a solar eclipse. However, others argue that a solar eclipse, which can only last for a few minutes, does not align with the three hours of darkness described.

Joel 2:31 - The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.

Acts 2:20 - The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.

Luke 21:25 - “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.

Revelation 6:12 - I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red,

Read more regarding 5 Important Things Christians Should Understand about Solar Eclipses.

The Bible also contains numerous references to the sun, often symbolically representing God's creation, power, and providence, as well as occasionally in a literal sense. Here are some notable verses from both the Old and New Testaments:

Genesis 1:16 - "And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also." This verse from the creation account refers to the sun and the moon as the great lights created by God to govern the day and night.

Psalm 19:4-6 - "In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof." This psalm celebrates the glory of God as manifested in the heavens, particularly through the sun's journey across the sky.

Ecclesiastes 1:5 - "The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose." This verse reflects on the cyclical nature of life and the constant, predictable patterns of the natural world, including the movement of the sun.

Malachi 4:2 - "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall." Here, the sun is used metaphorically to describe the coming of a savior or deliverer who will bring healing and righteousness.

Matthew 5:45 - "That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." Jesus uses the sun as an example of God's impartial benevolence, providing light and life to all people regardless of their moral standing.

Revelation 22:5 - "And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever." This verse describes the New Jerusalem, where God's glory replaces the sun, illuminating everything without need for any other light source.

These verses illustrate the rich symbolism and significance of the sun in biblical literature, representing everything from the divine order of creation to the ultimate triumph of God's light over darkness.

Photo: Unsplash/Abed Ismail

29 “Immediately after the distress of those days “ ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’
27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him. ”
12 I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red,
20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.
24 “But in those days, following that distress, “ ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light;
31 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.
3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
20 They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses’ bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia.
32 Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.
10 “The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with dressed stone; the fig trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.”
21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.
1 A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.
2 She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth.
21 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness spreads over Egypt—darkness that can be felt.”
22 So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days.
23 No one could see anyone else or move about for three days. Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived.
29 “Immediately after the distress of those days “ ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’
30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earthwill mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.
31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.