KING JAMES BIBLE DICTIONARY

FIRM, adjective ferm. [Latin firmus. This is the root of Latin ferrum, iron.]

1. Properly, fixed; hence, applied to the matter of bodies, it signifies closely compressed; compact; hard; solid; as firm flesh; firm muscles; some species of wood are more firm than others; a cloth of firm texture.

2. Fixed; steady; constant; stable; unshaken; not easily moved; as a firm believer; a firm friend; a firm adherent or supporter; a firm man, or a man of firm resolution.

3. Solid; not giving way; opposed to fluid; as firm land.

FIRM, noun ferm. A partnership or house; or the name or title under which a company transact business; as the firm of Hope _ Co.

FIRM, verb transitive ferm. [Latin firmo.] To fix; to settle; to confirm; to establish.

And Jove has firm'd it with an awful nod.

This word is rarely used, except in poetry. In prose, we use confirm.

From the Vulgate firmamentum, which is used as the translation of the Hebrew raki'a. This word means simply "expansion." It denotes the space or expanse like an arch appearing immediately above us. They who rendered raki'a by firmamentum regarded it as a solid body. The language of Scripture is not scientific but popular, and hence we read of the sun rising and setting, and also here the use of this particular word. It is plain that it was used to denote solidity as well as expansion. It formed a division between the waters above and the waters below (Genesis 1:7). The raki'a supported the upper reservoir (Psalms 148:4). It was the support also of the heavenly bodies (Genesis 1:14), and is spoken of as having "windows" and "doors" (Genesis 7:11; Isaiah 24:18; Malachi 3:10) through which the rain and snow might descend.

The expanse above the earth.
Genesis 1:6-8; Genesis 1:14-17; Genesis 1:20; Psalms 19:1; Daniel 12:3

In Scripture the word denotes an expanse, a wide extent; for such is the signification of the Hebrew word. The original, therefore, does not convey the sense of solidity, but of stretching, extension; the great arch of expanse over our heads, in which are placed the atmosphere and the clouds, and in which the stars appear to be placed, and are really seen.

Webster.

FIRMAMENT, noun ferm'ament. [Latin firmamentum, from firmus, firmo.]

The region of the air; the sky or heavens. In scripture, the word denotes an expanse, a wide extent; for such is the signification of the Hebrew word, coinciding with regio, region, and reach. The original therefore does not convey the sense of solidity, but of stretching, extension; the great arch or expanse over our heads, in which are placed the atmosphere and the clouds, and in which the stars appear to be placed, and are really seen.

And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. Genesis 1:6.

And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament Genesis 1:14.

FIRMAMENT'AL, adjective Pertaining to the firmament; celestial; being of the upper regions.

FIR'MAN, noun An Asiatic word, denoting a passport, permit, license, or grant of privileges.

FIRMED, participle passive ferm'ed. Established; confirmed.

FIRMING, participle present tense ferm'ing, Settling; making firm and stable.

FIRMITUDE, noun ferm'itude. Strength; solidity. [Not in use.]

FIRMITY, noun ferm'ity. Strength; firmness. [Not used.]

FIRMLESS, adjective ferm'less. Detached from substance.

Does passion still the firmless mind control.

FIRMLY, ad. ferm'ly.

1. Solidly; compactly; closely; as particles of matter firmly cohering.

2. Steadily; with constancy or fixedness; immovably; steadfastly. He firmly believes in the divine origin of the scriptures. His resolution is firmly fixed. He firmly adheres to his party.

FIRM'NESS, noun ferm'ness.

1. Closeness or denseness of texture or structure; compactness; hardness; solidity; as the firmness of wood, stone, cloth or other substance.

2. Stability; strength; as the firmness of a union, or of a confederacy.

3. Steadfastness; constancy; fixedness; as the firmness of a purpose or resolution; the firmness of a man, or of his courage; firmness of mind or soul.

4. Certainty; soundness; as the firmness of notions or opinions.