H8064 שָׁמַיִם shâmayim → ← H8075 שְׁמַם shᵉmam
10 languagesThe expanse above the earth; the visible heavens or sky, including the atmosphere, the realm of clouds, and the celestial sphere (sun, moon, stars). In biblical contexts, also refers to the realm associated with divine presence or activity. The semantic range includes the sky as seen from earth, weather phenomena, the locus of celestial bodies, and a metaphorical or theological realm of the divine.
Etymology
From the root שׁ-מ-ם, meaning 'to be high, lofty, or elevated,' though the precise root form is not found in biblical Hebrew; the form שָׁמַיִם is a plural or dual form, possibly reflecting the perceived layering of the sky (lower and upper heavens). The word is morphologically plural, though usually functions as a singular entity.