heaven

Everyday

1. In many religions, the place where God or gods live and where good people are believed to go after they die. tree →
2. A very happy or pleasant place or state («this cake is heaven!»). tree →
3. (old or poetic) «The heavens»: the sky. tree →
4. Used in exclamations: «Good heavens!», «Heavens!», «For heaven's sake!», «Thank heavens!», «Heaven knows». tree →

In the lessons

In stories, religious education and poems; in everyday speech as a mild exclamation of surprise or annoyance and to say something is lovely. A euphemism for dying: «gone to heaven». Phrases: «in heaven», «heaven on earth», «in seventh heaven» (very happy), «heaven forbid».

Examples

• Some people believe Grandpa is in heaven now. tree →
• (euphemism) «Our cat has gone to heaven,» Mum said gently. tree →
• This hot chocolate is heaven! tree →
• Good heavens, look at all this mess! tree →
• The heavens opened and it poured with rain. tree →
• For heaven's sake, stop shouting! tree →
• She was in seventh heaven when she got a puppy. tree →
• Heaven helps those who help themselves. tree →

Note

Opposite: hell. Adjective «heavenly» (lovely, or of the sky). «Heavens!» is polite, not swearing. People of different religions have different beliefs about heaven — be respectful.

In Jewish tradition

Often means the sky ("the heaven and the earth"), and also the place where God dwells. The firmament is called Heaven.

Interpretation. Tradition reads "heaven and earth" as the whole world that God made. "Heaven" is also used in Jewish speech as a respectful way to say God, as in "fear of Heaven."

Examples

• And God called the firmament Heaven. (Torah GEN.1.8, JPS 1917) tree →
• IN THE beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Torah GEN.1.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the heaven and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. (Torah GEN.2.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• Knowest thou the ordinances of the heavens? (Writings JOB.38.33, JPS 1917) tree →
• Whom have I in heaven but Thee? (Writings PSA.73.25, JPS 1917) tree →
• Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. (Writings DAN.2.19, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Opposite: hell. Adjective «heavenly» (lovely, or of the sky). «Heavens!» is polite, not swearing. People of different religions have different beliefs about heaven — be respectful.