Heavens
Heavens
hev’nz (, shamaym; , ourano): 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 (Psa 11:4; Psa 103:19-21; Isa 66:1; Rev 4:2; Rev 5:11; compare Dan 7:10), though it was recognized that Yahweh’s presence was not confined to any region (1Ki 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 (2Co 12:2). See HEAVENLY.