Considering the Heavens: Part Two

By Reverend Lonnie C. Crowe

Shamayin

Strongs

“shaw-mah'-yim, shaw-meh'

From an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky (as aloft; … perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve).” 

Shamayin is the atmosphere.

Psalm 78:23-24: “Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven, And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.”

One New Man: “Glossary”

“This is where the millstones are located that grind the manna for the righteous.  His Word is still miraculously feeding us.”

The heavens: Finding HASHAMAYIM – Hebrew Word Lessons

“The heavens, which is a single word in Hebrew, is the fifth word of the Torah, found in Genesis 1:1…

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. [Beresheit bara Elohim et ha-shamayin we-et ha-aretz].

Shamayim is “heavens”, ha-shamayim is “the heavens”. In the Hebrew scriptures the heavens refer to the sky. The sun, moon and stars are in “the heavens”:”

Genesis 1:14-15

Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so.

“The Hebrew word hashamayim includes, within it, the Hebrew word for water, mayim, so it seems that water is consistently connected with the heavens. Scientifically, of course, we know this to be true. Water goes into the heavens as vapour, helps form clouds and returns to earth as rain. We also know that water is necessary to support life. Planet viability is contingent on finding water.”

Biblically the firmament, or sky, is connected with water:

Psalm 148:1-5

“Praise YHWH! Praise YHWH from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights!

Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts!

Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all stars of light!

Praise Him, highest heavens, and the waters that are above the heavens!

Let them praise the name of YHWH, For He commanded and they were created.

What the waters that are above the heavens mean, we do not know. But the Psalms tell us that the heavens are God’s domain:”

Psalm 115:15-16

“May you be blessed of YHWH, Maker of heaven and earth.

The heavens are YHWH’s heavens, but the earth He has given to the sons of men.”

“We are placed as caretakers of the earth, God, however, controls the heavens. Interesting that there is a distinction between the heavens and God’s place within the heavens.”