How many levels of heaven are there?

Defining the Concept of “Heaven”

In Scripture, the term “heaven” carries multiple meanings, referring to the sky (where birds and clouds reside), the cosmic realm (where sun, moon, and stars are placed), and the very dwelling place of God. The Hebrew word often translated as “heaven” is “shamayim,” while the New Testament most frequently uses the Greek “ouranos.” The nature of these references and their contexts help readers distinguish when “heaven” points to a physical or spiritual domain.

Heaven in the Old Testament

Several passages in the Old Testament incorporate the word “heaven” in different ways:

1. The Physical Sky

Genesis 1:8 states, “God called the expanse ‘sky.’ And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.” Here, “sky” is the visible heaven, home to clouds and birds (cf. Genesis 1:20).

2. The Celestial Heaven

Psalm 19:1 declares, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” This usage extends to the realm of the sun, moon, and stars (cf. Deuteronomy 4:19).

3. The Dwelling Place of God

1 Kings 8:27 reads, “But will God indeed dwell on earth? Even the highest heaven cannot contain You—much less this house I have built!” This emphasizes the transcendent realm where God’s presence uniquely abides, sometimes called “the heaven of heavens” or “the highest heaven” (see also Deuteronomy 10:14).

Heaven in the New Testament

The New Testament continues these distinctions:

1. Atmospheric Sky

Matthew 6:26 states, “Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns—yet your Heavenly Father feeds them.” “Air” here refers to the sky—immediate and visible.

2. Celestial Heaven

Matthew 24:29 speaks of cosmic signs: “the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” This points to the vast cosmic dimension.

3. God’s Spiritual Dwelling

Ephesians 4:10 proclaims Christ’s supremacy: “He who descended is the very One who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things.” The phrase “above all the heavens” reflects the loftiest sphere of God’s domain, where Christ reigns.

Paul’s Reference to the Third Heaven

Central to the discussion of “levels” of heaven is 2 Corinthians 12:2: “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.” The reference to the “third heaven” is widely understood to confirm at least the concept of different “heavens,” commonly categorized as follows:

1. First Heaven

The atmospheric realm: the air, clouds, and sky visible to the human eye (Genesis 1:8).

2. Second Heaven

The starry expanse or cosmic realm containing celestial bodies (Deuteronomy 17:3; Psalm 8:3).

3. Third Heaven

The presence of God Himself, sometimes called “the highest heaven” (1 Kings 8:27). Paul’s vision or experience in 2 Corinthians 12:2 indicates a direct encounter with this spiritual realm.

“Heaven of Heavens” and Similar Terms

In passages such as 1 Kings 8:27 and Nehemiah 9:6 (BSB: “You alone are the LORD. You created the heavens, the highest heavens with all their host…”), the phrase “heaven of heavens” praises God’s transcendence. It is not necessarily a numbered “fourth” or “fifth” heaven, but a Hebrew idiom expressing the ultimate, most exalted dwelling of God. Throughout the Old Testament, such language appears in poetic forms to emphasize that God’s majesty extends beyond human comprehension.

Jewish and Historical Traditions

Outside of canonical Scripture, some Jewish writings (e.g., certain apocalyptic literature) refer to seven levels of heaven. These texts, however, are extrabiblical and not part of the main Old or New Testament canon. The biblical text itself neither enumerates seven heavens nor describes them in detail. Early manuscripts, such as those found among the Dead Sea Scrolls, preserve references to “shamayim” in multiple senses but do not solidify a systematic “seven heavens” teaching. These scrolls demonstrate alignment with the Old Testament’s usage and confirm the consistency of the text we read today.

Consistency Across Manuscripts

Within the field of textual criticism, major manuscript traditions—such as those cataloged by researchers like Dan Wallace—reflect that references to “heaven” remain consistent across significant manuscript families. Archaeological discoveries (including various New Testament papyri) concur with the language of Paul’s reference to the third heaven, showing that the phrase has been faithfully preserved and supporting the reliability of the scriptural witness.

Common Understanding of “Three Heavens”

From a biblical standpoint, a consensus emerges recognizing three primary “heavens”:

1. Sky (Earth’s Atmosphere).

2. Cosmic Realm (Home of Sun, Moon, and Stars).

3. God’s Dwelling Place (The Spiritual Realm).

While at times poetic language or idiomatic expressions like “heaven of heavens” appear, the clearest biblical delineation is that God’s presence is in the highest or “third” heaven, distinct from the sky and cosmic realms seen by the naked eye.

Eternal Perspective and Future Hope

Scripture also speaks of a new heaven and a new earth that God will create, ushering believers into eternal fellowship with Him (Revelation 21:1). This renewal underscores the biblical teaching that humanity’s ultimate hope is rooted in God’s transformative power. The promise of resurrection, as expounded in passages like 1 Corinthians 15, aligns with an assurance of entering God’s heavenly presence through faith in the risen Christ.

Conclusion

While certain extrabiblical traditions refer to additional heavens, the most straightforward scriptural evidence points to a distinction of three. The first heaven is the sky, the second heaven is the cosmos, and the third heaven is the place of God’s immediate presence. Passages such as 2 Corinthians 12:2, in which Paul speaks of someone caught up to the third heaven, combine with Old and New Testament descriptions to form a cohesive picture.

Thus, the question “How many levels of heaven are there?” finds its clearest biblical answer in these three broad categories, with the highest heaven serving as the seat of God’s throne.