Dict: easton - Heaven

easton:

Heaven @

(1.) Definitions. The phrase "heaven and earth" is used to indicate the whole universe kjv@Genesis:1:1; kjv@Jeremiah:23:24; kjv@Acts:17:24). According to the Jewish notion there were three heavens, (a) The firmament, as "fowls of the heaven" kjv@Genesis:2:19 kjv@Genesis:7:3 kjv@Genesis:7:23; kjv@Psalms:8:8, etc.), "the eagles of heaven" kjv@Lamentations:4:19), etc. (b) The starry heavens kjv@Deuteronomy:17:3; kjv@Jeremiah:8:2; kjv@Matthew:24:29). (c) "The heaven of heavens," or "the third heaven" kjv@Deuteronomy:10:14; kjvKings:8:27; kjv@Psalms:115:16 kjv@Psalms:148:4; kjv@2Corinthians:12:2).

(2.) Meaning of words in the original, (a) The usual Hebrew word for "heavens" is shamayim, a plural form meaning "heights," "elevations" kjv@Genesis:1:1 kjv@Genesis:2:1). (b) The Hebrew word marom is also used kjv@Psalms:68:18 kjv@Psalms:93:4 kjv@Psalms:102:19 , etc.) as equivalent to shamayim, "high places," "heights." (c) Heb. galgal, literally a "wheel," is rendered "heaven" in kjv@Psalms:77:18 (R.V., "whirlwind"). (d) Heb. shahak, rendered "sky" kjv@Deuteronomy:33:26; kjv@Job:37:18; kjv@Psalms:18:11), plural "clouds" kjv@Job:35:5 kjv@Job:36:28; kjv@Psalms: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" kjv@Genesis:1:6; kjv@Deuteronomy:33:26, etc.), regarded as a solid expanse.

(3.) Metaphorical meaning of term. kjv@Isaiah:14:13-14; "doors of heaven" kjv@Psalms:78:23); heaven "shut" (kjvKings:8:35); "opened" kjv@Ezekiel:1:1). (
See kjv@1Chronicles: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" kjv@John:14:2). (b) It is called "paradise" kjv@Luke:23:43; kjv@2Corinthians:12:4; kjv@Revelation:2:7). (c) "The heavenly Jerusalem" kjv@Galatians:4:26; kjv@Hebrews:12:22; kjv@Revelation:3:12). (d) The "kingdom of heaven" kjv@Matthew:25:1; kjv@James:2:5). (e) The "eternal kingdom" ( kjv@2Peter:1:11). (f) The "eternal inheritance" ( kjv@1Peter:1:4; kjv@Hebrews:9:15). (g) The "better country" kjv@Hebrews:11:14-16). (h) The blessed are said to "sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob," and to be "in Abraham's bosom" kjv@Luke:16:22; kjv@Matthew:8:11); to "reign with Christ" ( kjv@2Timothy:2:12); and to enjoy "rest" kjv@Hebrews:4:10-11). In heaven the blessedness of the righteous consists in the possession of "life everlasting," "an eternal weight of glory" ( kjv@2Corinthians:4:17), an exemption from all sufferings for ever, a deliverance from all evils ( kjv@2Corinthians:5:1-2) and from the society of the wicked ( kjv@2Timothy:4:18), bliss without termination, the "fulness of joy" for ever kjv@Luke:20:36; kjv@2Corinthians:4:16-18; kjv@1Peter:1:4 kjv@1Peter:5:10; kjv@1John:3:2). The believer's heaven is not only a state of everlasting blessedness, but also a "place", a place "prepared" for them kjv@John:14:2).