Non-literal days in the Bible
From Reconciling understandings of Scripture and Science
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It is sometimes argued that the seven days of Genesis ch. 1 must be literal 24-hour days because
- they are enumerated with "first", "second" etc; and
- they are repeatedly described as "evenings" and "mornings".
See Bro Ron Abel's argument from Wrested Scriptures at Genesis 2:4.
Test the validity of these arguments against:
- Hosea 6:2, which has metaphorical days which are explicitly enumerated; and
- Psalm 90:5-6, which has very long metaphorical days with explicit mornings and evenings.
— Bruce
Non-literal weeks in the Bible
- Leviticus 23:3 (the Sabbath Law, literal weeks) is followed by the law establishing a week of weeks (49 days) beginning from the Feast of Firstfruits, culminating with the Feast of Weeks on the 50th Day ("Pentecost" in the Greek New Testament).
- Some believe that Genesis 1:1 to 2:3 describes the Creation within the rhetorical structure of a symbolic week.