In Hebrew, the word for "earth" typically means "land," rather than a globe or sphere floating in space. So when you read Genesis 1, imagine the story communicating about the land the people live on. God names the raqia' the shamayim -- the Hebrew word for "skies" or "heavens." In the Bible, the raqia' is the solid dome above the land that holds back the waters above, and the creation of the raqia' creates a place where life can flourish. In the biblical view, God graciously sustains the raqia', keeping its floodgates closed so that the Earth will never again be destroyed (Gen. 9:11).