Lexical Summary ouranos: Heaven, sky Original Word: οὐρανός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance air, heaven, sky. Perhaps from the same as oros (through the idea of elevation); the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel (Christianity) -- air, heaven(-ly), sky. see GREEK oros HELPS Word-studies 3772 ouranós – heaven (singular), and nearly as often used in the plural ("heavens"). "The singular and plural have distinct overtones and therefore should be distinguished in translation (though unfortunately they rarely are)" (G. Archer). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition heaven NASB Translation air (9), heaven (218), heavenly* (1), heavens (24), sky (22). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3772: οὐρανόςοὐρανός, οὐρανοῦ, ὁ (from a root meaning 'to cover,' 'encompass'; cf. Vanicek, p. 895; Curtius, § 509), heaven; and, in imitation of the Hebrew שָׁמַיִם (i. e. properly, the heights above, the upper regions), οὐρανοί, οὐρανῶν, οἱ, the heavens (Winers Grammar, § 27, 3; Buttmann, 24 (21)) (on the use and the omission of the article cf. Winer's Grammar, 121 (115)), i. e.: 1. the vaulted expanse of the Sky with all the things visible in it; a. generally: as opposed to the earth, Hebrews 1:10; 2 Peter 3:5, 10, 12; ὁ οὐρανός καί ἡ γῆ (heaven and earth) equivalent to the universe, the world (according to the primitive Hebrew manner of speaking, inasmuch as they had neither the conception nor the name of the universe, Genesis 1:1; Genesis 14:19; Tobit 7:17 (18); 1 Macc. 2:37, etc.): Matthew 5:18; Matthew 11:25; Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 10:21; Luke 16:17; Luke 21:33; Acts 4:24; Acts 14:15; Acts 17:24; Revelation 10:6; Revelation 14:7; Revelation 20:11. The ancients conceived of the expanded sky as an arch or vault the outmost edge of which touched the extreme limits of the earth (see B. D. under the word b. the aerial heavens or sky, the region where the clouds and tempests gather, and where thunder and lightning are produced: ὁ οὐρανός πυρράζει, Matthew 16:2 (T brackets WH reject the passage); στυγνάζων, Matthew 16:3 (see last reference); ὑετόν ἔδωκε, James 5:18; add Luke 9:54; Luke 17:29; Acts 9:3; Acts 22:6; Revelation 13:13; Revelation 16:21; Revelation 20:9; σημεῖον or ἀπό τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, Matthew 16:1; Mark 8:11; Luke 11:16; Luke 21:11; τέρατα ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ Acts 2:19; κλείειν τόν οὐρανόν, to keep the rain in the sky, hinder it from falling on the earth, Luke 4:25; Revelation 11:6, (συνέχειν τόν οὐρανοῦ for הַשָּׁמַיִם עָצַר, Deuteronomy 11:17; 2 Chronicles 6:26; 2 Chronicles 7:13; ἀνέχειν τόν οὐρανόν, Sir. 48:3); αἱ νεφέλαι τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, Matthew 24:30; Matthew 26:64; Mark 14:62; τό πρόσωπον τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, Matthew 16:3 (T brackets WH reject the passage); Luke 12:56; τά πετεινά τοῦ οὐρανοῦ (genitive of place), that fly in the air (Genesis 1:26; Psalm 8:9; Baruch 3:17; Judith 11:7), Matthew 6:26; Matthew 8:20; Matthew 13:32; Mark 4:32; Luke 8:5; Luke 9:58; Luke 13:19; Acts 10:12. These heavens are opened by being cleft asunder, and from the upper heavens, or abode of heavenly beings, come down upon earth — now the Holy Spirit, Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:21; John 1:32; now angels, John 1:51 (52); and now in vision appear to human sight some of the things within the highest heaven, Acts 7:55; Acts 10:11, 16; through the aerial heavens sound voices, which are uttered in the heavenly abode: Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22; John 12:28; 2 Peter 1:18. e. the sidereal or starry heavens: τά ἄστρα τοῦ οὐρανοῦ Hebrews 11:12 (Deuteronomy 1:10; Deuteronomy 10:22; Euripides, Phoen. 1); οἱ ἀστέρες ... τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, Mark 13:25; Revelation 6:13; Revelation 12:4 (Isaiah 13:10; Isaiah 14:13); αἱ δυνάμεις τῶν οὐρανῶν, the heavenly forces (hosts), i. e. the stars (others take δυνάμεις in this phrase in a general sense (see δύναμις, f.) of the powers which uphold and regulate the heavens): Matthew 24:29; Luke 21:26; αἱ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς, Mark 13:25 (Hebrew הַשָּׁמַיִם צְבָא, Deuteronomy 17:3; Jeremiah 33:22; Zephaniah 1:5); so ἡ στρατιά τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, Acts 7:42. 2. "the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of an order of things eternal and consummately perfect, where God dwells and the other heavenly beings": this heaven Paul, in 2 Corinthians 12:2, seems to designate by the name of ὁ τρίτος οὐρανός, but certainly not the third of the seven distinct heavens described by the author of the Test xii. Patr., Levi § 3, and by the rabbis ((cf. Wetstein at the passage; Hahn, Theol. d. N. T. 1:247f; Drummond, Jewish Messiah, chapter xv.)); cf. DeWette at the passage Several distinct heavens are spoken of also in Ephesians 4:10 (ὑπεράνω πάντων τῶν οὐρανῶν); cf. Hebrews 7:26, if it be not preferable here to understand the numerous regions or parts of the one and the same heaven where God dwells as referred to. The highest heaven is the dwelling-place of God: Matthew 5:34; Matthew 23:22; Acts 7:49; Revelation 4:1ff (Psalm 10:4 d. Büch. d. Macc., p. 20. On the phrase ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν and its meaning, see βασιλεία, 3; (Cremer, under the word βασιλεία; Edersheim 1:265). Οὐρανός describes both the visible expanse above the earth and the transcendent realm where God uniquely manifests His presence. Scripture moves freely between these ideas, often allowing them to overlap: the sky proclaims the Creator’s glory (Psalm 19:1), yet “the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands” (Acts 7:48). Across the New Testament its 278 uses form a tapestry that binds creation, redemption, and consummation into a single story. Creation and Sovereignty Heaven is the first sphere named in Genesis 1:1 and the constant reminder of divine rule. Jesus affirms this cosmic hierarchy when He declares, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me” (Matthew 28:18). The heavens, therefore, frame every earthly event inside God’s government; nothing lies outside His jurisdiction (cf. Romans 1:18; Revelation 20:11). Habitation of God and the Angelic Host Heaven is called “My throne” by the Lord (Matthew 5:34 citing Isaiah 66:1). From that throne come angelic messengers (Luke 2:15) and the Son Himself (John 6:38). Visions of the throne room—Isaiah 6, Ezekiel 1, Daniel 7, Revelation 4–5—anchor worship, reveal divine decrees, and underline the absolute holiness characterizing the heavenly court. Heaven and the Son of God The incarnation is repeatedly framed as descent from heaven (John 3:13; 6:41-51), and Christ’s exaltation is His return there (Acts 1:11; Hebrews 9:24). His session “at the right hand of God” (Mark 16:19; Hebrews 8:1) assures believers that redemption is finished and intercession continuous. The promise, “the Son of Man… coming on the clouds of heaven” (Matthew 24:30), ties His first advent, present reign, and future return into one unbroken mission. Christ’s Teaching on Heaven Matthew’s Gospel alone uses “kingdom of heaven” thirty-two times, highlighting the rule of God breaking into history through Messiah. Disciples are commanded to store “treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20), to pray “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10), and to rejoice when persecuted, “because great is your reward in heaven” (Matthew 5:12). Heaven thus supplies the ethic, the motive, and the reward of Christian living. Prayer and Covenant Relationship Addressing “our Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:9) underscores intimacy without irreverence. Oaths “by heaven” are forbidden (Matthew 5:34) because heaven is God’s throne, not a neutral witness. Christ’s model prayer unites heaven and earth, shaping all petitions around God’s name, kingdom, and will. Salvation and Reward Heaven guards an “inheritance imperishable, undefiled, and unfading” (1 Peter 1:4) and records the names of the redeemed (Luke 10:20). Repentance triggers joy “in heaven” (Luke 15:7). Believers already possess eternal life but await open entrance into the heavenly city (Hebrews 12:22-24; Revelation 21:2). Heavenly Citizenship and Ethics “Our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20); therefore conduct must align with that homeland (Colossians 3:1-4). Employers answer to their “Master in heaven” (Colossians 4:1; Ephesians 6:9), and family identity derives “from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named” (Ephesians 3:15). Earthly life is lived under a heavenly charter. Spiritual Blessings and Warfare God “has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 1:3). Yet “our struggle is… against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). Heaven is simultaneously the storehouse of grace and the theater of conflict until Satan is cast down (Revelation 12:7-10). Prophetic Signs in the Heavens Apocalyptic texts view the heavens as a canvas for divine warning: “the powers of the heavens will be shaken” (Matthew 24:29) and the scroll-like sky will part (Revelation 6:14). These portents herald judgment and the coming kingdom, urging repentance while time remains. Eschatological Consummation “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth” (Revelation 21:1). Present heavens will be dissolved (2 Peter 3:10-12), but righteousness will dwell in the renewed creation (2 Peter 3:13). The heavenly city descends, erasing the boundary between realms: “Now the dwelling place of God is with man” (Revelation 21:3). Heaven in Worship Language Praise erupts “in heaven” (Revelation 19:1) as saints and angels unite in doxology. Earthly worship joins this liturgy whenever believers pray, sing, or break bread. The Lord’s Supper proclaims Christ’s death “until He comes,” keeping eyes lifted to the heavenly banquet (cf. Matthew 26:29). Ministry Implications 1. Proclamation: Preach the gospel as heaven-sent (Galatians 1:8) and heaven-directed (Colossians 1:5). Heaven, therefore, is not a distant abstraction but the operating center of God’s redemptive plan, the believer’s present sphere of blessing, and the assured destination of a creation soon to be made new. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 3:2 N-GMPGRK: βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν NAS: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. KJV: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. INT: kingdom of the heavens Matthew 3:16 N-NMP Matthew 3:17 N-GMP Matthew 4:17 N-GMP Matthew 5:3 N-GMP Matthew 5:10 N-GMP Matthew 5:12 N-DMP Matthew 5:16 N-DMP Matthew 5:18 N-NMS Matthew 5:19 N-GMP Matthew 5:19 N-GMP Matthew 5:20 N-GMP Matthew 5:34 N-DMS Matthew 5:45 N-DMP Matthew 6:1 N-DMP Matthew 6:9 N-DMP Matthew 6:10 N-DMS Matthew 6:20 N-DMS Matthew 6:26 N-GMS Matthew 7:11 N-DMP Matthew 7:21 N-GMP Matthew 7:21 N-DMP Matthew 8:11 N-GMP Matthew 8:20 N-GMS Matthew 10:7 N-GMP Strong's Greek 3772 |
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