The cosmology (understanding of the physical universe) of the Hebrews from whom we get the Old Testament is reflected in the Genesis account of the creation in chapter 1.
Before the creation begins, the earth is unformed, and the rest is a dark expanse of water called "the deep."
In Hebrew the "ruach" of God moves on the waters. Ruach is translated as "spirit," "breath" or "wind." The concept of a "spirit" had not yet entered into Hebrew thought at this point in time, so it was likely understood that the wind or breath of God moved on the waters. This is the 1st act of God in the creation.
Just as other created items are named, God names the firmament "Heaven."
Dry land is then created below the firmament, with water above being held back by the firmament, and waters below the dry land. This might appear like an upside down dish (firmament) on a bed of clay (dry land) submerged in a pool (the deep).
Later, the story of the flood refers to the waters of "the great deep" coming up through the ground, and through windows in the firmament to flood the earth "the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.[Gen 7:11] " and when the rains stop, "The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained; [Gen 8:2]"
Several Hebrew cosmology diagrams & commentary can be viewed at this site: http://sol.sci.uop.edu/~jfalward/ThreeTieredUniverse.htm
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
The introductory sentence telling us what is going to be described does not mention the creation of the waters, as they already existed. A description of the creation of heaven and earth and that which inhabits them follows.
2a: And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.
Before the creation begins, the earth is unformed, and the rest is a dark expanse of water called "the deep."
In Hebrew the "ruach" of God moves on the waters. Ruach is translated as "spirit," "breath" or "wind." The concept of a "spirit" had not yet entered into Hebrew thought at this point in time, so it was likely understood that the wind or breath of God moved on the waters. This is the 1st act of God in the creation.
6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
The firmament can be visualized as an upside down bowl or plate with air in it, separating the waters above the firmament and waters below the firmament. The root of "firmament" in Hebrew means "hammer out", implying a horizontal area.
7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
The surface of the bowl was the sky, or firmament. Later the fowl fly in the firmament, and the sun, moon and stars are placed in the firmament. Just as other created items are named, God names the firmament "Heaven."
9 And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
Later, the story of the flood refers to the waters of "the great deep" coming up through the ground, and through windows in the firmament to flood the earth "the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.[Gen 7:11] " and when the rains stop, "The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained; [Gen 8:2]"
Several Hebrew cosmology diagrams & commentary can be viewed at this site: http://sol.sci.uop.edu/~jfalward/ThreeTieredUniverse.htm
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