This phrase is very important to every believer. It is made of two words: “kingdom” and “of heaven.” Since Hebrew is written from right to left, “kingdom” is on the right followed by “of heaven” on its left. If “heaven” is “sha•ma•yim,” then what is the “ha” in front of it? It is the definite article “the.” The word “the” is not a separate word in Hebrew as it is in English, but rather a prefix that is a part of the word it defines.
The word “sha•ma•yim” was given by God himself—
“And God called the firmament Heaven…”
—after He divides the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament. Therefore, this word in Hebrew only manifests the biblical narrative; the word “water” (má•yim) is a part of the word “heaven” (sha•ma•yim).
Perhaps it’s a good time to mention that the Hebrew alphabet has 22 letters. When searching for whole words (not combinations), can you guess how many times the “The kingdom of heaven” is mentioned in the New Testament?
Yes, you are right! 22 times!
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