22 Hagigah 12b. For the correct reading of this classic passage concerning the seven heavens, comp., besides Variae Lectiones, ad loc., MHG I, 14–15. The seven heavens are further mentioned in BR 19.7; PK 1, lb, and 24, 154b–155a (the names of the heavens are different here from those in the Talmud); PR 5, 17b–18b, and 15, 68b; Shir 5.1; Tan. B. III, 37–38; Tan. Pekude 6 and Naso 15; BaR 12.6 and 13.2; WR 29.11; Tehillim 9,88, and 109,471; Seder Rabba di-Bereshit 5–6 (read מעונןת instead of מעינות). The last-named source, 21–26, also gives a detailed description of the heavens (this is the only rabbinic passage which speaks of a heavenly ladder leading from one heaven to another; comp. note 49 on Vol. I, p. 70). See also ʿAseret ha-Dibrot 63–65 and the older version of this Midrash on the first commandment; ARN 37, 110; Midrash Shir 2b; Alphabetot 86–87; PRE 18; DR 2.32; comp. also PK 1,7b; PR 20,98b; Zohar I, 85b; II, 164b–165a, 172a; III, 9a–10a. That the idea concerning the seven heavens originated in the tannaitic period cannot be definitely proved. It is found in a statement by R. Meir (ARN, loc, cit.), but the authenticity of this source is not above suspicion. From DR 2.32; Tehillim 109, 471 (read רב for רבנןl), and 148, 538, it may be seen that even much later the prevailing view was that there were only three (according to some, two) heavens. This view is in agreement with the opinion of 12 Testaments, Levi 3, and 2 Cor. 15.6. 2 Enoch 3–31, whose cosmogony, however, is rather syncretistic, and the following pseudepigraphic works (which contain Christian revisions), 3 Baruch; Ascension of Isaiah 8.13; Testament of Abraham 19 (longer recension), as well as some versions of the 12 Testaments (containing Christian revisions), loc, cit., are the oldest passages referring to the seven heavens. The view of “ten heavens” (corresponding to the ten groups of angels; it may also be a learned combination of the views concerning the three and seven heavens, respectively) is found in some of the texts of 2 Enoch 22 and Zohar II, 164b–165a and 172a. The later popular view among Jews, Christians, and gnostics was that there were seven heavens. The learned classes, however, were not inclined to accept this view; they were of the opinion that two, or at most, three heavens, were sufficient. As to the rabbinic sources, comp. Hagigah, DR, Tehillim, loc, cit. As to the Church Fathers, see Ginzberg, Haggada bei den Kirchenv., 10–14, as well as Siegfried, Philo., index, s.v. “Himmel”. In the description of the individual heavens, each of the sources follows its own way. As to the pseudepigraphic works, comp. 2 Enoch; 3 Baruch; Ascension of Isaiah;
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