Firmament vs. Heaven — What's the Difference?

The vault or arch of the sky.

A place regarded in various religions as the abode of God and the angels, and of the good after death.

Poetically, a grand expanse.

A state of being eternally in the presence of God after death.

The heavens or sky, especially when regarded as a tangible thing.

A place or state of supreme happiness.

A field or sphere of an activity or interest.

A metaphor for the highest happiness or delight.

A synonym for the celestial sphere, where celestial bodies are seen.

In idiomatic expressions denoting something very pleasing.

In biblical cosmology, the firmament is the vast solid dome created by God on the second day to divide the primal sea (called tehom) into upper and lower portions so that the dry land could appear.

Heaven or the heavens, is a common religious cosmological or transcendent supernatural place where beings such as gods, angels, spirits, saints, or venerated ancestors are said to originate, be enthroned, or reside. According to the beliefs of some religions, heavenly beings can descend to Earth or incarnate and earthly beings can ascend to Heaven in the afterlife or, in exceptional cases, enter Heaven alive.

The vault or expanse of the heavens; the sky.

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

The vault of the heavens, where the clouds, sun, moon, and stars can be seen; the heavens, the sky.

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

(countable) The field or sphere of an activity or interest.

An eternal state of communion with God; everlasting bliss.

In the geocentric Ptolemaic system, the eighth celestial sphere which carried the fixed stars; any celestial sphere.

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

The abode of God and the angels; heaven.

Heaven God

A piece of jewellery worn in a headdress with numerous gems resembling stars in the sky.

Heavens Used in various phrases to express surprise

A basis or foundation; a support.

Often heavens The celestial powers; the gods

The act or process of making firm or strengthening.

A condition or place of great happiness, delight, or pleasure

Fixed foundation; established basis.

The sky, specifically:

The region of the air; the sky or heavens.

The distant sky in which the sun, moon, and stars appear or move; the firmament; the celestial spheres.

The orb of the fixed stars; the most rmote of the celestial spheres.

(obsolete) The near sky in which weather, flying animals, etc. appear; (obsolete) the atmosphere; the climate.

The apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected

(obsolete) A model displaying the movement of the celestial bodies, an orrery.

(religion) The abode of God or the gods, traditionally conceived as beyond the sky; especially:

The abode of God and of the angels and saints in His presence.

The abode of the Abrahamic God; similar abodes of the gods in other religions and traditions, such as Mount Olympus.

Providence, the will of God or the council of the gods; fate.

(religion) The afterlife of the blessed dead, traditionally conceived as opposed to an afterlife of the wicked and unjust (compare hell); specifically:

The afterlife of the blessed dead in other religions and traditions, such as the Pure Land or Elysium.

(by extension) Any paradise; any blissful place or experience.

(by extension) A state of bliss; a peaceful ecstasy.

Similarly blissful afterlives, places, or states for particular people, animals, or objects.

(obsolete) To transport to the abode of God, the gods, or the blessed.

(obsolete) To beatify, enchant, or please greatly.

(obsolete) To beautify, to make into a paradise.

The expanse of space surrounding the earth; esp., that which seems to be over the earth like a great arch or dome; the firmament; the sky; the place where the sun, moon, and stars appear; - often used in the plural in this sense.

The sovereign of heaven; God; also, the assembly of the blessed, collectively; - used variously in this sense, as in No. 2.; as, heaven helps those who help themselves.

Any place of supreme happiness or great comfort; perfect felicity; bliss; a sublime or exalted condition; as, a heaven of delight.

To place in happiness or bliss, as if in heaven; to beatify.

Any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

The abode of God and the angels

The concept of a solid firmament is not scientific; it is an archaic understanding of the sky.

Firmament is often described physically or poetically as the sky, while heaven is depicted as a spiritual, idyllic place.

In religious contexts, heaven is often seen as the dwelling place of deities and the afterlife location for souls.

In some poetic or archaic contexts, firmament can mean heaven, but typically they are used differently.

Children often learn about heaven through religious education, family traditions, and cultural representations.

Scientifically, what was once called the firmament is now understood as the atmosphere and outer space.

Firmament is less common in modern usage, often appearing in poetic or historical contexts.

The firmament is traditionally seen as the sky or the celestial dome surrounding the Earth.

While the concept of heaven might vary, many religions share the idea of a spiritual realm where deities and spirits reside.

Belief in heaven can influence behavior, with adherents often striving to follow moral guidelines to achieve this eternal reward.

Most cultures have some concept of a spiritual realm similar to heaven, though the details and significance can vary.

Firmament is considered poetic due to its grand and expansive nature, often inspiring awe and artistic depiction.

Atheists generally do not believe in heaven as a spiritual realm, viewing it instead as a cultural or mythological concept.

Yes, firmament can be used metaphorically to describe any vast expanse or grand scope in various contexts.

While primarily religious, heaven is also used metaphorically in secular contexts to describe extreme bliss or happiness.