Heavens

HEAVENS hev'-'nz (shamayim; ouranoi):

On the physical heavens see ASTRONOMY; WORLD. Above these, in popular conception, were the celestial heavens, the abode of God and of the hosts of angels (Psalms 11:4; 103:19-21; Isaiah 66:1; Revelation 4:2; 5:11; compare Daniel 7:10), though it was recognized that Yahweh's presence was not confined to any region (1 Kings 8:27). Later Judaism reckoned seven heavens. The apostle Paul speaks of himself as caught up into "the third heaven," which he evidently identifies with Paradise (2 Corinthians 12:2).

See HEAVENLY.

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Bibliography Information

Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'HEAVENS'".  "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia".  1915.