Meaning of Heavens in Genesis One
The Hebrew term שָׁמַיִם (shamayim) appears in the opening verse of Genesis, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" [2]. This word, always used in the plural form, refers to the sky or the celestial realm. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, shamayim is the usual Hebrew word for "heavens" [1].
In Genesis 1, the creation of the heavens is described in two stages. On the first day, God creates the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). On the second day, God makes the firmament, or expanse, and calls it "heaven" [3]. The firmament is described as separating the waters above from the waters below (Genesis 1:6-8). The Hebrew word for firmament, רָקִיעַ (raqia'), is used to describe this expanse [6].
The Jewish tradition interprets the heavens in various ways. Abraham Ibn Ezra suggests that the term "heaven" in Genesis 1:1 refers to the visible firmament, while there is another heaven above it that is invisible to humans [7]. Rashi, on the other hand, offers a midrashic interpretation, suggesting that the word "heavens" (shamayim) is composed of "fire" and "water" (esh and mayim), indicating the mingling of these elements to create the heavens [8].
The concept of multiple heavens is also present in Jewish thought. The Midrash Rabbah records a debate between Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel regarding the order of creation, with Beit Shammai arguing that the heavens were created first, while Beit Hillel contend that the earth was created first [9]. The idea of multiple heavens is also reflected in the New Testament, where Paul refers to the "third heaven" (2 Corinthians 12:2).
The Septuagint translates shamayim as οὐρανός (ouranos), which can refer to the sky or the abode of God [5]. The Vulgate similarly translates it as "caelum". English translations vary, with some using "heaven" and others "heavens" [1, 3, 4].
The understanding of the heavens in Genesis 1 has implications for the interpretation of the creation narrative. According to Calvin, the creation of the heavens and the earth establishes God's sovereignty over the universe [11]. Matthew Henry notes that the creation of the heavens and the earth is a fundamental article of faith, affirming God's role as the Maker of the universe [10].
The complexity of the term "heavens" in Genesis 1 reflects the richness and depth of the biblical text, inviting multiple interpretations and understandings across various traditions.
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”
- Genesis “Genesis 1:1 (YLT) — In the beginning of God's preparing the heavens and the earth--”
- Genesis “Genesis 1:8 (ASV) — And God called the firmament Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day.”
- Genesis “Genesis 1:15 (DRC) — To shine in the firmament of heaven, and to give light upon the earth, and it was so done.”
- Strong's Greek Dictionary “[G3772] οὐρανός (ouranós) — Definition: the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel (Christianity) | Derivation: perhaps from the same as G3735 (ὄρος) (through the idea of elevation); | KJV usage: air, heaven(-ly), sky”
- MACULA Hebrew “Genesis 1:17 — Hebrew linguistic analysis (MACULA): Text: וַ יִּתֵּ֥ן אֹתָ֛ ם אֱלֹהִ֖ים בִּ רְקִ֣יעַ הַ שָּׁמָ֑יִם לְ הָאִ֖יר עַל הָ אָֽרֶץ Word-by-word: וַ (wa) = "and" [2050b] C; יִּתֵּ֥ן (yyittēn) = "placed" [5414] Vqw3ms; אֹתָ֛ [0853] To; ם = "them" [3963a] Sp3mp; אֱלֹהִ֖ים (ʾĕlōhiym) = "God" [0430] Ncmpa; בִּ (bi) = "in" [0871a] R; רְקִ֣יעַ (rəqiyᵃʿ) = "expanse" [7549] Ncmsc; הַ (ha) = "the" [1886a] Td; שָּׁמָ֑יִם (ššāmāyim) = "sky" [8064] Ncmpa; לְ (lə) = "to" [3807a] R; הָאִ֖יר (hāʾiyr) = "give light" [0215] Vhc; עַל (ʿal-) = "on" [5921] R; הָ (hā) = "the" [1886a] Td; אָֽרֶץ (ʾāreṣ:) = ”
- 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 ”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Genesis 1:8: ויקרא אלהים לרקיע שמים AND GOD CALLED THE EXPANSE HEAVEN — The word “שמים”, Heaven, may be regarded as made up of שא מים “Carry water”, or שם מים “There is water”, or אש ומים “Fire and water”. He mingled fire with water and of them He made the heavens (Chagigah 12a).”
- Midrash Rabbah (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Midrash Rabbah, Bereishit Rabbah 1:15: Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel, Beit Shammai say: The heavens were created first and the earth was created thereafter. Beit Hillel says: The earth was created first and the heavens thereafter. 60 One verse puts the order as “God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1), but another has the opposite: “On the day that the Lord God made earth and the heavens” (Genesis 2:4). Which is the true chronological order? These cite a reason for their position and those cite a reason for their position. According to the opinion of Beit Shammai, who say that the ”
- Genesis (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Genesis 1:1: In these verses we have the work of creation in its epitome and in its embryo. I. In its epitome, Gen 1:1, where we find, to our comfort, the first article of our creed, that God the Father Almighty is the Maker of heaven and earth, and as such we believe in him. 1. Observe, in this verse, four things: - (1.) The effect produced - the heaven and the earth, that is, the world, including the whole frame and furniture of the universe, the world and all things therein, Act 17:24. The world is a great house, consisting of upper and lower stories, the structure stately”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 5.1: Genesis 1:1-31 1. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 1. In principio creavit Deus coelum et terram. 2. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 2. Terra autem erat informis et inanis; tenebraeque erant in superficie voraginis, et Spiritus Dei agitabat se in superficie aquarum. 3. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 3. Et dixit Deus, Sit lux. Et fuit lux. 4. And God saw the light, that it was g”