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26:14-45; Deuteronomy 28), and the other nations, the Amorites, Hittites, etc., were the goyim, the heathen, with whom the Jews were forbidden to be associated in any way (Joshua 23:7; 1 Kings 11:2). The practice of idolatry was the characteristic of these nations, and hence the word came to designate idolaters (Psalm 106:47; Jeremiah 46:28; Lamentations 1:3;
Isaiah 36:18), the wicked (Psalm 9:5, 15, 17).
The corresponding Greek word in the New Testament, ethne, has similar shades of meaning. In Acts 22:21, Galatians 3:14, it denotes the people of the earth generally; and in Matthew 6:7, an idolater. In modern usage the word denotes all nations that are strangers to revealed religion.
•HEAVEN (1.) Definitions. The phrase “heaven and earth” is used to indicate the whole universe (Genesis 1:1; Jeremiah 23:24; Acts 17:24). According to the Jewish notion there were three heavens,
(a) The firmament, as “fowls of the heaven” (Genesis 2:19; 7:3, 23; Psalm 8:8, etc.), “the eagles of heaven” (Lamentations 4:19), etc.
(b) The starry heavens (Deuteronomy 17:3; Jeremiah 8:2; Matthew 24:29).
(c) “The heaven of heavens,” or “the third heaven” (Deuteronomy 10:14; 1 Kings 8:27; Psalm 115:16; 148:4; 2 Corinthians 12:2).
(2.) Meaning of words in the original,
(a) The usual Hebrew word for “heavens” is shamayim, a plural form meaning “heights,” “elevations” (Genesis 1:1; 2:1).
(b) The Hebrew word marom is also used (Psalm 68:18; 93:4; 102:19, etc.) as equivalent to shamayim, “high places,” “heights.”
(c) Hebrews galgal, literally a “wheel,” is rendered “heaven” in Psalm 77:18 (R.V., “whirlwind”).
(d) Hebrews shahak, rendered “sky” (Deuteronomy 33:26; Job 37:18; Psalm 18:11), plural “clouds” (Job 35:5; 36:28; Psalm 68:34, marg. “heavens”), means probably the firmament.
(e) Hebrews rakia is closely connected with (d), and is rendered “firmamentum” in the Vulgate, whence our “firmament” (Genesis 1:6; Deuteronomy 33:26, etc.), regarded as a solid expanse.
(3.) Metaphorical meaning of term. Isaiah 14:13, 14; “doors of heaven” (Psalm 78:23); heaven “shut” (1 Kings 8:35); “opened” (Ezekiel 1:1). (See
1 Chronicles 21:16.)
(4.) Spiritual meaning. The place of the everlasting blessedness of the righteous; the abode of departed spirits.
(a) Christ calls it his “Father’s house” (John 14:2).
(b) It is called “paradise” (Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 12:4; Revelation 2:7).