Biblical value of pi

From Iron Chariots Wiki
Revision as of 20:53, 26 June 2010 by Arensb (Talk | contribs)
Jump to: navigation, search

The Bible indirectly claims that the value of π (pi) is 3. 1 Kings 7:23 Bible-icon.png says:


If a circle has a diameter of 10 cubits, and a circumference of 30 cubits then the value of π is 30 cubits ÷ 10 cubits = 3.00.


Atheists often use this passage to demonstrate a mathematical error in the Bible, despite that fact that it is supposedly divinely inspired. Since the circumference of a circle is π × diameter, a round sea could only be ten cubits across and thirty cubits around if π = 3, rather than 3.1415...


Apologetic response

  1. The circumference may have been the interior circumference while the diameter given was from one outside edge to the other. That is, the thickness of the brim accounts for the discrepancy.
  2. If you make a molten sea with a circumference of thirty cubits, you'll find that the diameter is 30 ÷ π or 9.55 cubits. Or ten cubits, to round to the nearest integer.
  3. The Bible does not say that π must be three, unless you are going to assume that the numbers given are accurate to more than two significant figures, which is unjustifiable given the wording.
  4. Additionally, the Bible doesn't claim that the sea was a perfect circle, only that it was "round" or "circular".




v · d Arguments against the existence of god
Arguments from the Bible   Failed prophecy in the Bible · Biblical contradictions
Evidentiary arguments   Problem of evil (evidential) · Inefficacy of prayer
Other arguments   Emotional pleas
Personal tools
wiki navigation