heavens and earth as witness

[Scott]

I read this in the Iliad:

Zeus spoke. Ox-eyed queen Hera
trembled as she answered—her words had wings:

"Let earth and wide heaven above be witnesses,
with the flowing waters of the river Styx,
on which the most binding, most fearful oaths
are made by blessed gods—let your sacred head,
our marriage bed as well, stand witnesses,
things on which I'd never swear untruthfully— [40]
the harm that Earthshaker Poseidon did 50
to Hector and the Trojans, to help Argives—
in all that I had no part. His own heart
pushed and drove him on. He saw Achaeans
being beaten by their ships and pitied them.
I'd not advise him to go against you,
lord of the dark cloud, but to follow you,
wherever you might lead."

It reminded me of the Bible's use of the heavens and earth as witnesses. For example, Deut. 30:19: "This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses."

And Isa. 1: "Hear, O heavens! Listen, O earth! For the LORD has spoken: 'I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.'"

It is interesting how this idea, at least in part, extends cross culturally.

Scott