SPECIAL TOPIC: HEAVEN

SPECIAL TOPIC: HEAVEN (OT)

The Hebrew term (BDB 1029, KB 1559, always PLURAL, translated in English "heaven," "sky," "firmament," "air"; usually SINGULAR, following the LXX) can refer to several things (i.e., a series of domes or spheres of initial creation):

In Gen. 1:8-20 it refers to the atmosphere above the earth where clouds move and birds fly.
This dome (cf. Gen. 1:6,20; Isa. 40:22; 42:5) above the earth is where God sends
1. the rain (i.e., "windows of heaven," cf. Gen. 7:11; 8:2; Ps. 78:23-29; Isa. 24:18; Mal. 3:10 or "the water jars of heaven," cf. Job 38:37)
2. hail as a judgment (cf. Exod. 9:22-35; Josh. 10:11; Job 38:22; Rev. 11:19)
3. snow (cf. Isa. 55:11; Job 38:22)
4. the wind (cf. Job 37:9; Ps. 135:7; Jer. 10:13), see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE CIRCLE OF THE EARTH
This dome is where the stars dwell and planets move (also where birds fly, cf. Gen. 1:20; Deut. 4:17). It could refer to all the created cosmos (billions and billions of galaxies).
see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE AGE AND FORMATION OF THE EARTH
Above this dome is the abode of God (i.e., the third or seventh heaven; see SPECIAL TOPIC: HEAVEN AND THE THIRD HEAVEN). It is the highest heaven (e.g., Deut. 10:14; 1 Kgs. 8:27,30,32; Ps. 2:4; 148:4; Isa. 66:1).
The theological emphases
1. God is the creator of everything (cf. Gen. 1:1; Ps. 121:2; 146:6; Mark 13:31; Acts 17:24).
2. He controls creation (i.e., light and dark, rain and drought).
3. He creates and places the night lights (sun, moon, stars, planets, comets).
4. The heavens are used as signs to humans
  (1) when to worship, when to plant (cf. Gen. 1:14)
  (2) the rainbow to Noah (cf. Gen. 9:12-17)
  (3) rain given or withheld to show covenant obedience (cf. Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 27-30)
  (4) revelation to kings (cf. Dan. 6:27)
  (5) revelation of Messiah (cf. Dan. 7:13-14)
  (6) revelation of new age (cf. Joel 2:30-31; Acts 2:19-20)
  (7) last day tribulations (cf. Mark 13:24-26; Luke 21:11,25; Rev. 15:1)
  (8) "the new heaven and new earth" is biblical imagery for the place of
  fellowship between God and mankind (i.e., a returned Garden of Eden,
  cf. Isa. 65:17; 66:22; 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1)
5. There are spheres or realms of reality:
  (1) earth
  (2) above the earth
  (3) invisible/angelic (cf. Col. 1:16)
  (4) God's presence and abode
  (5) they are all connected and controlled by His will

I think the phrase "heaven and earth" refers to the creation of this planet described as if a human observer was watching (i.e., using prenominalogical language). The Bible focuses on this planet. It is not meant to give revelatory information about the creation of the cosmos. See John H. Walton, The Lost World of Genesis One: An Ancient Cosmology.