Are other worlds mentioned in the Bible?

As our understanding of the universe expands, so does our curiosity about humanity’s place in it and whether scripture hints at realities beyond our own. Let’s explore what the Bible says—or doesn’t say—about the existence of other worlds.

Understanding the Biblical Worldview

To approach this question, it’s essential to recognize the context in which the Bible was written. The ancient Israelites and early Christians lived in a world with a very different cosmology than ours. For them, the universe consisted of the heavens (the sky and, by extension, God’s dwelling), the earth (the domain of humanity), and the underworld (the realm of the dead). Their language and concepts reflected this worldview, which means that modern questions about planets, galaxies, or extraterrestrial life aren’t directly addressed in scripture.

Heavens and the Earth: Genesis and Beyond

The Bible opens with the famous words, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). The plural “heavens” can refer to the sky, the celestial realm where the sun, moon, and stars reside, or the spiritual realm where God dwells. In Genesis, the “heavens” are populated by the stars and planets, which are referred to as “lights” created to “give light upon the earth” (Genesis 1:14-18).

While Genesis acknowledges other celestial bodies, it doesn’t explicitly mention other inhabited worlds. The focus is consistently on Earth as the stage for God’s relationship with humanity. The sun, moon, and stars are described as serving Earth, not as homes for other beings.

Biblical References to Other Realms

Although the Bible may not mention other physical worlds as modern astronomy understands them, it does refer to other realms or dimensions. For instance, angels and spiritual beings inhabit the “heavens.” Passages like Job 1:6 (“the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord”) and Daniel 10 describe spiritual entities operating in realms beyond human perception.

The New Testament also speaks of multiple “heavens.” Paul writes of being “caught up to the third heaven” (2 Corinthians 12:2), suggesting a multi-layered spiritual reality. However, these references concern spiritual realms, not material planets or civilizations in outer space.

Jesus and the Scope of Creation

Jesus’ teachings focus on humanity, the kingdom of God, and the renewal of creation. While he often uses the heavens as metaphors—for example, referencing the “birds of the air” or “the stars falling from heaven”—these statements don’t suggest the existence of life elsewhere. Instead, they reinforce the idea of a purposeful, ordered cosmos under God’s authority.

Some point to Jesus’ statement in John 10:16—“I have other sheep that are not of this sheepfold. I must bring them also”—as a potential reference to life beyond Earth. However, most scholars agree that Jesus was speaking about Gentiles, not extraterrestrials.

Prophetic and Apocalyptic Imagery

Books like Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Revelation contain vivid imagery of creatures, realms, and events that defy easy explanation. Ezekiel’s vision of “wheels within wheels” and “living creatures” (Ezekiel 1) has fueled speculation about alien life or advanced technology. However, these visions are best understood as symbolic, conveying spiritual truths rather than literal descriptions of other worlds.

The book of Revelation also describes new heavens and a new earth (Revelation 21:1). This language points to the ultimate renewal of creation rather than the discovery of other inhabited planets.

Biblical Silence and Theological Reflection

Perhaps most significant is the Bible’s silence on the existence of other physical worlds inhabited by intelligent beings. This silence doesn’t mean such worlds do not exist, only that the Bible’s focus is on Earth and God’s relationship with humanity. Christian theology has traditionally emphasized God’s freedom and creativity, allowing room for speculation about life elsewhere, but such ideas remain outside the Bible’s explicit teachings.

Modern Perspectives and Continuing Questions

As astronomy has revealed the vastness of the universe, some Christians have wondered if God might have created life elsewhere. The Catholic Church and many Protestant theologians affirm that the existence of extraterrestrial life would not threaten core Christian beliefs. Instead, it would broaden our understanding of God’s creative power.