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[Wabahoobie]

How does the bible explain rainbows?

So in the Bible I know, it says that after the flood God put the first rainbow in the sky. How does this work in terms of science? For rainbows to not exist before that wouldn't light have to behave differently? How could this work?

[jimwalton]

Genesis never says that the rainbow after the Flood was the first rainbow (Gn. 9.13). God used a natural phenomenon to mark a specific occasion (the giving of a covenant). Not too long after this God said circumcision, which was also practiced in other cultures, would be a sign of the covenant. At later times God had the people pile up rocks so they could remember what had happened that day in that place. There was nothing special about the rocks, and nothing special about the rainbow except that it was a memorable event to mark the occasion of the end of the flood and a renewal of God's covenant with humanity. An old form is put to a new use—a symbol of spiritual truth.

So it's not the first rainbow, but rather a natural occurrence that's used as a sign. Circumcision was an old practice, but given a special meaning for Abraham. The rainbow was a fairly common occurrence, but given a special meaning for Noah.

[Wabahoobie]

Oh that makes sense! Thanks