The firmament, a massive transparent dome that covers the earth in the worldview of the ancient Hebrews. Heaven was the place of the stars, sun, and moon (
Gen 1:14-16) and of the birds (
Gen 1:20;
Deut 4:17). It is also the abode of God (
1Kgs 8:30) and where God is enthroned (
Isa 66:1;
Exod 24:9-11). The prophet Elijah, doer of mighty deeds, was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, according to (
2Kgs 2:1-12). Heaven and earth are sometimes included in lists of divine witnesses. Heaven was apparently called upon to witness the covenant between God and the Israelites (
Deut 32:1). When the covenant was broken, God accused Israel before heaven (
Isa 2:1;
Jer 2:12). The prophets of Israel claimed to have access to the heavenly court (
1Kgs 22:19-23). Dreams and visions of the heavenly world and the future were attributed to Daniel (
Dan 7-12). In the NT book of Revelation, an open door appears in heaven so that the early Christian prophet John may see heavenly secrets (
Rev 4:1).
Gen 1:14-16
14And God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years ... View more
Gen 1:20
20And God said, “Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.”
Deut 4:17
17the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the air,
1Kgs 8:30
30Hear the plea of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place; O hear in heaven your dwelling place; heed and forgive.
Isa 66:1
The Worship God Demands
1Thus says the Lord:
Heaven is my throne
and the earth is my footstool;
what is the house that you would build for me,
and what is my re ... View more
Exod 24:9-11
On the Mountain with God
9Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up,10and they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet t ... View more
2Kgs 2:1-12
Elijah Ascends to Heaven
1Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal.2Elijah said t ... View more
Deut 32:1
1Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak;
let the earth hear the words of my mouth.
Isa 2:1
The Future House of God
1The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
Jer 2:12
12Be appalled, O heavens, at this,
be shocked, be utterly desolate,
says the Lord,
1Kgs 22:19-23
19Then Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, with all the host of heaven standing beside him to the right an ... View more
Dan 7-12
Visions of the Four Beasts
1In the first year of King Belshazzar of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head as he lay in bed. Then he wrote down the ... View more
Rev 4:1
The Heavenly Worship
1After this I looked, and there in heaven a door stood open! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “C ... View more
