The meaning of “שָׁמַיִם”
Understanding shâmayim reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
dual of an unused singular שָׁמֶה shâmeh (shaw-meh'); from an unused root meaning to be lofty air, [idiom] astrologer, h...
שָׁמַיִם
dual of an unused singular שָׁמֶה shâmeh (shaw-meh'); from an unused root meaning to be lofty air, [idiom] astrologer, heaven(-s). - the sky (as aloft - the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve) 1) heaven, heavens, sky 1a) visible heavens, sky 1a1) as abode of the stars 1a2) as the visible universe, the sky, atmosphere, etc 1b) Heaven (as the abode of God)
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 7:23 | “And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.” Word: שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim) | |
| 1 Samuel 17:44 | “And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.” Word: שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim) | |
| Ezra 9:6 | “And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.” Word: שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim) | |
| Isaiah 45:12 | “I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.” Word: שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim) | |
| Joel 2:30 | “And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.” Word: שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim) |
Theological Word Study: Heaven
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: Heaven, sky
The Hebrew shamayim (שָׁמַיִם) means heaven or sky—God's dwelling place and the realm above earth. 'The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's' (Psalm 115:16), yet 'the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him' (1 Kings 8:27).
New Testament Usage
Meaning: Heaven, sky
The Greek ouranos (οὐρανός) denotes heaven—God's throne and the believer's eternal home. Jesus taught His disciples to pray 'Our Father which art in heaven' (Matthew 6:9) and promised to prepare a place there (John 14:2).