שָׁמַיִם

Meanings:

Heaven or heavens

Sky

Compass

Masculine noun. The word is dual in form (ending in -ַיִם) which normally indicates two things (like eyes and hands), however, however it functions as a plural. states that “heaven and the heavens of heavens” belong to God implying layers or realms of heaven.

This word refers to everything above the earth, from the visible sky to the unseen dwelling place of God. Its meaning is context dependent, for example

The visible sky where birds fly and the clouds move, e.g.

Space or the celestial realm where the sun, moon and stars are placed, e.g. Genesis 1:14-17

The divine realm where God and his angels dwell, e.g.

The word is often paired with the “earth” (אֶרֶץ) to mean “everything”