HEAVEN(S)

By WD Kemner September 2024

“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 STRONGS

HEAVEN(S) Old Testament

8064 shameh “shaw-meh” - used every place the word “heaven(s)” is used in Old Testament except the few listed below.

Means to be lofty, the sky as aloft. Visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as the higher area where celestial bodies revolve.

8065 shamayin (Chaldean) “shaw-mah-yin” - used in the book of Ezra; Daniel chapters 1-7 and Jeremiah 10:11

relates to 8064 above

*1534 galgal - used in Psalms 77:18 - Means to roll through sky like a whirlwind

*7834 shachaq – used in Psalms 89: 6, 37 – references a cloud, small dust in sky

*6160 – used in Psalm 68:4 - generally refers to a plain or desert

*6183 – used in Isaiah 5:30 – means drooping sky, as in the horizon

*Asterick references words that were changed in versions later than the King James Version

HEAVEN(S) New Testament

3772 ouranos “oo-ran-os” - used every place the word “heaven(s)” is used in New Testament except the five verses below.

Means the sky (from the idea of elevation), heaven (as the abode of God)

3771 ouranothen “oo-ran-oth-en” – used only in Acts 14:17; 26:13 - Means coming from the sky or Heaven

2032 – Philippians 2:10 – above the sky, celestial, in the heavenly

3821 – Revelation 8:13; 19:17 – the midst of Heaven

SCRIPTURE NOTES:

There are three heavens:  2 Corinthians 12:2 – “third 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; Matt 24:30

Second Heaven = Space containing the stars and planets beyond the atmosphere

Genesis 1:14-19, 15:5; 22:17; 26:4; Dt 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 Cor 12:1-7; Revelation 21:2, 10

Created by God – Genesis 1:1, 2:1; Psalms 8:3; Isaiah 42:5, 45:12,18

Gods throne in Heaven - 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

Heaven has mansions, seats, streets, cities, creatures, trees, food. Verses can be found throughout scripture to indicate these.

Men have also gone to heaven that have not died.