Heaven:
There are four Hebrew words thus rendered in the Old Testament which we may briefly notice.
(1.) Raki'a, Authorized Version, firmament. SEE [FIRMAMENT].
(2.) Shamayim. This is the word used in the expression "the heaven and the earth," or "the upper and lower regions." (Genesis 1:1).
(3.) Marom, used for heaven in Psalm 18:16; Isaiah 24:18; Jeremiah 25:30. Properly speaking it means a mountain as in Psalm 102:19; Ezekiel 17:23.
(4.) Shechakim, "expanses," with reference to the extent of heaven (Deuteronomy 33:26; Job 35:5). St. Paul's expression "third heaven," (2 Corinthians 12:2) had led to much conjecture. Grotius said that the Jews divided the heaven into three parts, viz.,
(a.) The air or atmosphere, where clouds gather;
(b.) The firmament, in which the sun, moon and stars are fixed;
(5c.) The upper heaven, the abode of God and his angels, the invisible realm of holiness and happiness the home of the children of God.
The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy of Scripture. Since the text and audio content provided by BLB represent a range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed in the resource materials are not necessarily affirmed, in total, by this ministry.
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