Heaven's Physical and Spiritual Description in Scripture
The concept of "heaven" in Scripture encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions, often referring to the sky, the cosmos, and the dwelling place of God. The Hebrew word shamayim is the most common term for "heavens" in the Old Testament and is always plural [1, 9]. This term can refer to the visible firmament where birds fly (Genesis 2:19) or the starry heavens (Deuteronomy 17:3) [1]. Other Hebrew words like raki'a (firmament), marom (mountain, used for heaven), and shechakim (expanses) also describe aspects of the heavens [2].
Jewish tradition, as noted in Easton's Bible Dictionary, often conceived of three heavens: the firmament, the starry heavens, and "the heaven of heavens" or "the third heaven" [1]. The apostle Paul also refers to being caught up to the "third heaven" (2 Corinthians 12:2) [1, 2]. Abraham Ibn Ezra suggests that beyond the visible firmament, there is an invisible, eternal heaven containing celestial spheres, and above that, the abode of angels [9].
Spiritually, heaven is consistently depicted as God's dwelling place and throne (1 Kings 8:30; Matthew 6:9; Isaiah 66:1; Acts 7:49) [4]. It is described as holy and high (Deuteronomy 26:15; Psalm 103:11; Isaiah 57:15) [4]. The heavens are said to declare God's glory and handiwork (Psalm 19:1) [3, 11]. God is portrayed as the Lord of heaven, reigning from it, filling it, and answering prayers from it (Daniel 5:23; Psalm 11:4; Jeremiah 23:24; Nehemiah 9:27) [4].
The New Testament further develops the concept of a "new heavens and new earth" (Isaiah 65:17; 66:22; Revelation 21:1) [5]. This vision, particularly in the book of Revelation, describes a new community and home for God's people, fashioned by God [10]. The New Jerusalem, a central image in this vision, is depicted with precious and luxurious materials, suggesting a transformed physical reality where God and the Lamb are its temple and light (Revelation 21:21-23) [6, 7]. This new creation is presented as the ultimate Garden of Eden, free from sin [10]. In this renewed state, believers will receive "glorious bodies" (Philippians 3:21) [8].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: 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”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Heaven — There are four Hebrew words thus rendered in the Old Testament which we may briefly notice. + Raki'a, Authorized Version, firmament. [[602]Firmament] + Shamayim . This is the word used in the expression "the heaven and the earth," or "the upper and lower regions." (Genesis 1:1) + Marom, used for heaven in (Psalms 18:16; Isaiah 24:18; Jeremiah 25:30). Properly speaking it means a mountain as in (Psalms 102:19; Ezekiel 17:23) + Shechakim, "expanses," with reference to the extent of heaven. (33:26; Job 35:5) St. Paul's expression "third heaven," (2 Corinthians 1”
- King James Version “[KJV] Psalms 19:1 — The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Heaven — Created by God -- Ge 1:1; Re 10:6. Everlasting -- Ps 89:29; 2Co 5:1. Immeasurable -- Jer 31:37. High -- Ps 103:11; Isa 57:15. Holy -- De 26:15; Ps 20:6; Isa 57:15. God's dwelling-place -- 1Ki 8:30; Mt 6:9. God's throne -- Isa 66:1; Ac 7:49. God Is the Lord of. -- Da 5:23; Mt 11:25. Reigns in. -- Ps 11:4; 135:6; Da 4:35. Fills. -- 1Ki 8:27; Jer 23:24. Answers his people from. -- 1Ch 21:26; 2Ch 7:14; Ne 9:27; Ps 20:6. Sends his judgments from. -- Ge 19:24; 1Sa 2:10; Da 4:13,14; Ro 1:18. Christ As Mediator, entered into. -- Ac 3:21; Heb 6:20; 9:12,24. Is all-po”
- 2 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Peter 3:13: 3:13 the new heavens and new earth: See Isa 65:17; 66:22; Rev 21.”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 21:21: 21:21 Things that are precious and luxurious on earth are common building materials in heaven.”
- Revelation (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Revelation 21 (introduction): The new heaven and the new earth, Rev 21:1. The new Jerusalem, Rev 21:2. God dwells with men; the happy state of his followers, Rev 21:3-7. The wretched state of the ungodly, Rev 21:8. An angel shows John the holy city, the New Jerusalem, Rev 21:9, Rev 21:10. Her light, wall, gates, and foundations, described, Rev 21:11-21. God and the Lamb are the temple and light of it, Rev 21:22, Rev 21:23. The nations and kings of the earth bring their glory and honor to it; the gates shall never be shut, nor shall any defilement enter into it, Rev 21:24-27.”
- Phil (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Phil 3:21: 3:21 change them into glorious bodies: See 1 Cor 15:42-54; cp. Rom 8:23. • he will bring everything under his control: See 1 Cor 15:24-27.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Genesis 1:1: THE HEAVEN. The definite article ( ha ) is placed before heaven ( shamayim ) to indicate that Scripture speaks of the heaven visible to man. 40 That is, the firmament. According to I.E. there is a heaven above the firmament which is invisible to man. This heaven is eternal. It contains the spheres in which the planets and constellations are embodied. Above this heaven is the abode of the angels. Cf. Husik, p. 190. Heaven ( shamayim ) is always written in the plural. 41 The word shamayim (heaven) is a plural. It is possible that its dominion in Knowest thou the ”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 21:1: 21:1–22:9 The final scenes of the new heaven and earth are striking pictures of a new community and home for God’s people that is fashioned and given by God. These scenes help to lift the spirits of persecuted Christians. John lays out his basic vision (21:1-8) and follows it with two expansions: (1) In 21:9-27, he presents the new Jerusalem as the site of holy perfection; (2) in 22:1-5, he describes the new Jerusalem as the ultimate Garden of Eden that Adam and Eve could have experienced had they not sinned. 21:1 The vision involves God’s creation of the new ”
- Leviticus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Leviticus 9:6: 9:6 Just as holiness describes God’s person and nature, the glory of the Lord tangibly expresses his power and majesty (see Ezek 1:28; 10:4). His glory was revealed on Mount Sinai (Exod 24:16), at the dedication of the Tabernacle (Exod 40:34-35), and in Solomon’s Temple (1 Kgs 8:11; 2 Chr 7:1). Yet it remained as vast as the heavens (Ps 19:1). The New Testament speaks of Christ’s glory as the image of God (2 Cor 4:4), who manifested God’s glory to the world (John 1:14). He was glorified in his death and resurrection (John 17:1-5). See also Exod 24:15-17.”