The answer is: Heaven

Gen 1:8 - The NIV calls the firmament 'sky'.

As we delve into the Genesis creation narrative, it’s fascinating to note how God names various aspects of creation, reflecting His authority and the inherent value of what He has designed. In Genesis 1:8, when God calls the firmament “Heaven,” it’s a noteworthy moment. While modern translations might render it as “sky,” thinking of it as Heaven invites deeper contemplation of everything beyond our earthly realm, perhaps showing us both its literal expanse and its symbolic depth.

Imagine ancient people gazing up into that vast firmament, contemplating the mysteries beyond it. It’s interesting how the word “firmament” itself comes from the Latin “firmamentum,” meaning something firm or solid. In the Bible, this firm structure was thought to hold back waters above, a viewpoint influenced by an earlier worldview that saw the universe as a layered canopy.

Might it also echo the human desire to reach upward? The Biblical writers didn't just see the sky as a physical space but imbued it with meaning—a representation of hope, beauty, and sometimes even divine moment. And think about the Symbolism of the heavens across cultures: many myths often present the sky as a meeting point of gods and humans.

Just like rising crickets can hint that rain is near, these moments in scripture challenge us to notice as we look upwards, forging connections both terrestrial and celestial. Isn’t it compelling how something as simple as the sky can weave itself into our understanding of divine creativity?