שמיים
shamáyim
The Hebrew word for sky is שמיים (shamáyim).
The word refers to the atmosphere above a given point, especially as seen from the Earth's surface where one observes the sun, moon, stars and clouds.
Meaning: atmosphere above a given point, especially as visible from the surface of the Earth as the place where the sun, moon, stars, and clouds are seen (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The word שמיים is a dual-form noun that is grammatically treated as plural.
How do you pronounce it?
shamáyim
Did you know?
- The word שמיים is grammatically a dual noun, a form used for things that come in pairs. This suggests that ancient speakers viewed the 'sky' as consisting of two distinct layers.
- In Hebrew, the word for 'heaven' is the exact same word as 'sky', שמיים. There is no linguistic distinction between the physical atmosphere and the spiritual abode of God.
- The root of שמיים is related to the word שם, meaning 'there'. This implies that the 'sky' was conceptualized as the place that is 'over there' or distant.
Examples in context
- כן, אתה רואה את השמיים הכחולים האלה?Yes, do you see those blue skies?
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry שמיים, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
