Heaven

(1.) Definitions. The phrase “heaven and earth” is used to indicate the whole universe (Gen. 1:1; Jer. 23:24; Acts 17:24). According to the Jewish notion there were three heavens, (a) The firmament, as “fowls of the heaven” (Gen. 2:19; 7:3, 23; Ps. 8:8, etc.), “the eagles of heaven” (Lam. 4:19), etc. (b) The starry heavens (Deut. 17:3; Jer. 8:2; Matt. 24:29). (c) “The heaven of heavens,” or “the third heaven” (Deut. 10:14; 1 Kings 8:27; Ps. 115:16; 148:4; 2 Cor. 12:2). (2.) Meaning of words in the original, (a) The usual Hebrew word for “heavens” is shamayim, a plural form meaning “heights,” “elevations” (Gen. 1:1; 2:1). (b) The Hebrew word marom is also used (Ps. 68:18; 93:4; 102:19, etc.) as equivalent to shamayim, “high places,” “heights.” (c) Heb. galgal, literally a “wheel,” is rendered “heaven” in Ps. 77:18 (R.V., “whirlwind”). (d) Heb. shahak, rendered “sky” (Deut. 33:26; Job 37:18; Ps. 18:11), plural “clouds” (Job 35:5; 36:28; Ps. 68:34, marg. “heavens”), means probably the firmament. (e) Heb. rakia is closely connected with (d), and is rendered “firmamentum” in the Vulgate, whence our “firmament” (Gen. 1:6; Deut. 33:26, etc.), regarded as a solid expanse. (3.) Metaphorical meaning of term. Isa. 14:13, 14; “doors of heaven” (Ps. 78:23); heaven “shut” (1 Kings 8:35); “opened” (Ezek. 1:1). (See 1 Chr. 21:16.) (4.) Spiritual meaning. The place of the everlasting blessedness of the righteous; the abode of departed spirits. (a) Christ calls it his “Father’s house” (John 14:2). (b) It is called “paradise” (Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 12:4; Rev. 2:7). (c) “The heavenly Jerusalem” (Gal. 4: 26; Heb. 12:22; Rev. 3:12). (d) The “kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 25:1; James 2:5). (e) The “eternal kingdom” (2 Pet. 1:11). (f) The “eternal inheritance” (1 Pet. 1:4; Heb. 9:15). (g) The “better country” (Heb. 11:14, 16). (h) The blessed are said to “sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,” and to be “in Abraham’s bosom” (Luke 16:22; Matt. 8:11); to “reign with Christ” (2 Tim. 2:12); and to enjoy “rest” (Heb. 4:10, 11). In heaven the blessedness of the righteous consists in the possession of “life everlasting,” “an eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor. 4:17), an exemption from all sufferings for ever, a deliverance from all evils (2 Cor. 5:1, 2) and from the society of the wicked (2 Tim. 4:18), bliss without termination, the “fulness of joy” for ever (Luke 20:36; 2 Cor. 4:16, 18; 1 Pet. 1:4; 5:10; 1 John 3:2). The believer’s heaven is not only a state of everlasting blessedness, but also a “place”, a place “prepared” for them (John 14:2).

There are four Hebrew words thus rendered in the Old Testament which we may briefly notice.

HEAVEN The general idea expressed by the word in the Bible is of a realm different from the earth and hell. Under this general realm are included two realms — the one the material, the other the spiritual heaven. The plural is often used in both cases, most frequently in Matthew, and always in the phrase "the Father in the heavens," "the kingdom of the heavens." The heavens or heaven is contrasted with the earth, Gen 1:1; Ps 115:15; Matt 5:18; Matt 24:35, and is represented as above us. This is the material world of air and the firmament. It is looked upon by the Hebrews as a solid expanse, Gen 1:11, Heb., which has windows, Gen 7:11; 2 Kgs 7:2, 2 Kgs 7:19, and doors. Ps 78:23, The rain descends from it, Jas 5:18; 2 Sam 21:10, and the frost, Job 38:29. The stars are called the "stars of heaven," Nah 3:16, the "host of heaven," Deut 4:19, or the "lights in the firmament," Gen 1:14, and the fowls fly in the midst of it, Rev 19:17. This material and stellar heaven will be dissolved at the final consummation, Rev 6:14; 2 Pet 3:10, and with the earth give place to a new heaven and a new earth. Rev 21:1. The term refers also to a realm beyond this material universe, and different from it — an invisible realm of holiness and bliss. This heaven is the peculiar abode of God, who is described as the God of heaven and the God in heaven. 1 Kgs 8:30; Dan 2:28; Matt 5:45. Christ is said to be the "Lord from heaven," 1 Cor 15:47, and to have "come down from" or to have descended from heaven, John 3:13, etc. Into this heaven he has again ascended. Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9; Eph 4:8; 1 Pet 3:22. Here God has his throne, here the angels dwell. Matt 22:30. It is the place where God's will is done. Matt 6:10, and where joy, Luke 15:7, and peace reign, Acts 19:38. It is here that Christ has prepared the many mansions, John 14:2, and into which Elijah passed, 2 Kgs 2:1. Believers have an inheritance in this realm, 1 Pet 1:4, and may lay up treasures in it. Matt 6:20. Heaven is in this signification contrasted with hell, Ps 139:8, into which Satan fell, Luke 10:18; 2 Pet 2:4. The terms "paradise," Luke 23:43, and "Abraham's bosom," Luke 16:22, designate a state of bliss in the other world, but not the highest and ultimate state. The third heaven, 2 Cor 12:2, into which Paul was rapt in a vision, is probably only another expression for the highest heaven. The later rabbins distinguished seven heavens: the first three belong to the material universe; the other four to the spiritual world, where God, the saints, and angels dwell. That the believer's heaven is not merely a state, but also a world of space, is abundantly testified to not only by many of the above passages, but also by such expressions as "heavenly places," Eph 1:3. The bliss of heaven is beyond our conception. This is indicated by the many forms and figures used to give us an impression of its joys. John 14:2-3; Heb 4 and Heb 11; Rev 3, Rev 21, Rev 22. Heaven, Kingdom of. See Kingdom.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. The expanse of space surrounding the earth; esp., that which seems to be over the earth like a great arch or dome; the firmament; the sky; the place where the sun, moon, and stars appear; -- often used in the plural in this sense. I never saw the heavens so dim by day. Shak. When my eyes shall be turned to behold for the last time the sun in heaven. D. Webster.

2. The dwelling place of the Deity; the abode of bliss; the place or state of the blessed after death. Unto the God of love, high heaven's King. Spenser. It is a knell That summons thee to heaven or to hell. Shak. New thoughts of God, new hopes of Heaven. Keble.

3. The sovereign of heaven; God; also, the assembly of the blessed, collectively; -- used variously in this sense, as in No. 2. Her prayers, whom Heaven delights to hear. Shak. The will And high permission of all-ruling Heaven. Milton.

4. Any place of supreme happiness or great comfort; perfect felicity; bliss; a sublime or exalted condition; as, a heaven of delight. "A heaven of beauty." Shak. "The brightest heaven of invention." Shak. O bed! bed! delicious bed! That heaven upon earth to the weary head! Hood.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To place in happiness or bliss, as if in heaven; to beatify. [R.] We are happy as the bird whose nest Is heavened in the hush of purple hills. G. Massey.