Heaven - Sky (language)

The Free Dictionary defines heaven

1. often heavens The sky or universe as seen from the earth; the firmament.

2. Christianity

a. often Heaven The abode of God, the angels, and the souls of those who are granted salvation.

b. An eternal state of communion with God; everlasting bliss.

3. Any of the places in or beyond the sky conceived of as domains of divine beings in various religions.

4.

a. Heaven God: Heaven help you!

b. heavens Used in various phrases to express surprise: Good heavens!

5. often heavens The celestial powers; the gods: The heavens favored the young prince.

6. A condition or place of great happiness, delight, or pleasure: The lake was heaven.

The Free Dictionary defines sky

n. pl. skies (skīz)

1. The expanse of air over any given point on the earth; the upper atmosphere as seen from the earth's surface.

2. often skies The appearance of the upper atmosphere, especially with reference to weather: Threatening skies portend a storm.

3. The celestial regions; the heavens: stars in the southern sky.

4. The highest level or degree: reaching for the sky.

As in English language, also in German the word Himmel may refer to a physical or spiritual heaven or to the physical sky above us.

In French, heaven is similarly paradise or ciel.

In Hebrew heaven can be

noun
	שָׁמַיִם		sky, heaven, firmament
	גַן עֶדֶן		paradise, heaven, Eden, Elysium
	רָקִיעַ		firmament, sky, ductile, heaven, expanse, canopy
	שְׁחָקִים		heaven

Usage
Astronomers regularly use the noun sky as it refers to the physical space above us. In Judeo-Christian tradition the heavily loaded word heaven causes much confusion and logical difficulties if the spiritual and physical meanings are not carefully observed.

"In the beginning God created heavens and earth" Gen 1:1 leads directly to confusion about what is meant in the text by the majestic plural shamaim, heavens.