HEAVEN(S)
By WD Kemner July 2025
“Heaven” can be used to refer to anything that is “high”: air, clouds, sky, expanse, stars, and planet that God lives on.
There are a few exceptions that are noted below. However, there is no differentiation in the word used that implies that a writer meant a special meaning for the word “heaven”. The word receives it’s significance from the statement it is used within.
Webster Dictionary 1828 Definition:
HEAVEN, noun hev'n.
1. The region or expanse which surrounds the earth, and which appears above and around us, like an immense arch or vault, in which are seen the sun, moon and stars.
2. Among christians, the part of space in which the omnipresent Jehovah is supposed to afford more sensible manifestations of his glory. Hence this is called the habitation of God, and is represented as the residence of angels and blessed spirits. Deuteronomy 26:15.
The sanctified heart loves heaven for its purity, and God for his goodness.
3. Among pagans, the residence of the celestial gods.
4. The sky or air; the region of the atmosphere; or an elevated place; in a very indefinite sense. Thus we speak of a mountain reaching to heaven; the fowls of heaven; the clouds of heaven; hail or rain from heaven Jeremiah 9:10. Job 35:11.
Their cities are walled to heaven Deuteronomy 1:10.
5. The Hebrews acknowledged three heavens; the air or aerial heavens; the firmament in which the stars are supposed to be placed; and the heaven of heavens, or third heaven the residence of Jehovah.
6. Modern philosophers divide the expanse above and around the earth into two parts, the atmosphere or aerial heaven and the etherial heaven beyond the region of the air, in which there is supposed to be a thin, unresisting medium called ether.
7. The Supreme Power; the Sovereign of heaven; god; as prophets sent by heaven
I have sinned against heaven Luke 15:7.
Shun the impious profaneness which scoffs at the institution of heaven
8. The pagan deities; celestials.
And show the heavens more just.
9. Elevation; sublimity.
O! for a muse of fire, that would ascend the brightest heaven of invention.
10. Supreme felicity; great happiness.
Word meaning from Scripture
OLD TESTAMENT
Two words: HEAVEN and the plural form HEAVENS
Heaven is translated from word: 8064 “shameh”; shaw-meh; to be lofty, the sky as aloft. Visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as the higher area where celestial bodies revolve.
This is the word used every place the word “heaven” is used in Old Testament except for the following:
Daniel chapters 1-7 were written in Chaldean, while the rest of his book was not. In these chapters;
Heaven is translated from the Chaldean word: 8065 “shamayin”; shaw-mah-yin. Relates to the Hebrew above.
On only one occasion in Daniel 4:26 translators made it plurl.
This word is also used throughout the book of Ezra and also Jeremiah 10:11 where it is also translated as plurl.
*Psalms 77:18 translates Heaven from the word: 1534 “galgal”; means to roll through sky like a whirlwind.
*Psalms 89: 6, 37 translates Heaven from the word: 7834 “shachaq”; references a cloud, small dust in sky.
HEAVENS translated
*Psalm 68:4 translated Heavens from “arabah”; ar-aw-baw; refers to a plain or desert.
*Isaiah 5:30 translated Heavens from “ariyph”; aw-reef; drooping sky, as in the horizon.
*Asterisk references words that were changed in versions later than the King James Version
NEW TESTAMENT
HEAVEN and HEAVENS translated
The words are translated “Ouranos”; oo-ran-os; the sky (from the idea of elevation), heaven (as the abode of God).
This is the word used everywhere in New Testament except for the scriptures listed below.
Acts 14:17; 26:13 translated Heaven from the word: “ouranothen”; oo-ran-oth-en ; coming from the sky or Heaven.
Philippians 2:10 translated Heaven from the word: “epouranios”; ep-oo-ran-ee-os; above the sky, celestial, in the heavenly.
Revelation 8:13; 14:6; 19:17 translated Heaven from the word: “mesouranema”; mes-oo-ran-ay-mah; the midst of Heaven.
First Heaven = The clouds and atmosphere around the earth.
Genesis 1:8; Psalms 77:17-18; 104:2-3; Job 26:8; 38:9,25-34; Matthew 24:30
Second Heaven = Space containing the stars and planets beyond the atmosphere.
Genesis 1:14-19, 15:5; 22:17; 26:4; Deuteronomy 1:10; Isaiah 13:10; 14:13
Third Heaven = The place or location called Heaven.
Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 14:12-14; 66:1; 2 Corinthians 12:1-7; Revelation 21:2, 10
Heavens and Grave chart by Clarence Larkin
Public Domain
Facts from Scripture
Verses can be found throughout scripture to indicate that:
Heaven has mansions, seats, streets, cities, animals, unique creatures, trees, food.
Created by God
Genesis 1:1, 2:1; Psalms 8:3; Isaiah 42:5, 45:12,18
Gods throne is in Heaven
All the visions listed below and Psalms 11:4
Hosts of Heaven were created when He made Heaven
Genesis 2:1
Heaven is therefore inhabited
2 Chronicles 18:18; Nehemiah 9:6; Luke 2:13-14; Revelation 13:6
Angels of Heaven
Matthew 22:30
Angels are ministering spirits for the children of God
Hebrews 1:13-14
Angels can be entertained by man without man being aware
Hebrews 13:2
Men have also gone to heaven that have not died.
Visions of God and The Throne of Heaven
Prophets Daniel; Ezekiel; Isaiah and Apostle John; all had a vision of the Lord and His Throne.
Ezekiel 1:26-27; Daniel chapters 7 and 10; Isaiah Chapter 6; Revelation of John
There are REWARDS in both HEAVEN and HELL.
Degrees of Reward in Heaven
Even the Smallest service to others: Matthew 10:41-42
Every man according to his works: Matthew 16:27
Receive for what has been done in the body 2 Corinthians 5:10-11
Every man receives according to his work: Revelation 22:12
Degrees of Reward in Hell
Some will receive greater damnation Matthew 23:14-15; Mark 12:40
Degrees of Punishment (more tolerable for some) Matthew 10:15; 11:22; 12:41; Mark 6:11; Luke 10:14
For Additional Study. See the topic studies on:
HELL and the LAKE OF FIRE and DEATH and the GRAVE.