2032. epouranios
Lexical Summary
epouranios: Heavenly, celestial

Original Word: ἐπουράνιος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: epouranios
Pronunciation: ep-oo-ran'-ee-os
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-oo-ran'-ee-os)
KJV: celestial, (in) heaven(-ly), high
NASB: heavenly, heavenly things, heaven, heavenly one
Word Origin: [from G1909 (ἐπί - over) and G3772 (οὐρανός - heaven)]

1. above the sky

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
celestial, heavenly, high.

From epi and ouranos; above the sky -- celestial, (in) heaven(-ly), high.

see GREEK epi

see GREEK ouranos

HELPS Word-studies

2032 epouránios (an adjective, derived from 1909 /epí, "on, fitting," which intensifies 3772 /ouranós, "heaven") – properly, heavenly, referring to the impact of heaven's influence on the particular situation or person.

[The prefix (epi) shows this always "fits" – from the standpoint of heaven.]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from epi and ouranos
Definition
of heaven
NASB Translation
heaven (1), heavenly (14), heavenly one (1), heavenly things (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2032: ἐπουράνιος

ἐπουράνιος, ἐπουράνιον (οὐρανός), properly, existing in or above heaven, heavenly;

1. existing in heaven: πατήρ ἐπουράνιος, i. e. God, Matthew 18:35 Rec. (Θεοί, Θεός, Homer, Odyssey 17, 484; Iliad 6, 131, etc.; 3Macc. 6:28 3Macc. 7:6); οἱ ἐπουράνιοι the heavenly beings, the inhabitants of heaven, (Lucian, dial. deor. 4, 3; of the gods, in Theocritus, 25, 5): of angels, in opposition to ἐπιγειοι and καταχθονιοι, Philippians 2:10; Ignat. ad Trall. 9 [ET], (cf. Polycarp, ad Philipp. 2 [ET]); σώματα, the bodies of the stars (which the apostle, according to the universal ancient conception, seems to have regarded as animate (cf. Lightfoot on Colossians, p. 376; Gfrorer, Philo etc. 2te Aufl., p. 349f; Siegfried, Philo von Alex., p. 306; yet cf. Meyer ed. Heinrici, at the passage), cf. Job 38:7; Enoch 18:14ff) and of the angels, 1 Corinthians 15:40; βασιλεία ἐπουράνιος (on which see p. 97), 2 Timothy 4:18; substantially the same as πατρίς ἐπουράνιος Hebrews 11:16 and Ἱερουσαλήμ ἐπουρανίῳ, Hebrews 12:22; κλῆσις, a calling made (by God) in heaven, Hebrews 3:1 (others would include a reference to its end as well as to its origin; cf. Lunem. at the passage), cf. Philippians 3:14 (Lightfoot cites Philo, plant. Noe § 6). The neut. τά ἐπουράνια denotes (cf. Winers Grammar, § 34, 2)

a. the things that take place in heaven, i. e. the purposes of God to grant salvation to men through the death of Christ: John 3:12 (see ἐπίγειος).

b. the heavenly regions, i. e. heaven itself, the abode of God and angels: Ephesians 1:3, 20 (where Lachmann text οὐρανοῖς); Ephesians 2:6; Ephesians 3:10; the lower heavens, or the heaven of the clouds, Ephesians 6:12 (cf. B. D. American edition, under the word ).

c. the heavenly temple or sanctuary: Hebrews 8:5; Hebrews 9:23.

2. of heavenly origin and nature: 1 Corinthians 15:48f (opposite to χοϊκός); δωρεά ἐπουράνιος. Hebrews 6:4.

Topical Lexicon
Overview of the “Heavenly” Concept

The term rendered “heavenly” or “in the heavenly realms” threads together a rich tapestry of New Testament teaching. It gathers all that belongs to God’s sphere—His throne, His city, His worship, His Son’s present reign, the believer’s present position, and the Church’s future inheritance. Across nineteen occurrences the word refuses to be locked into mere geography; it speaks instead of a divine order that is already operative and yet still awaits full unveiling.

Literary Distribution and Immediate Settings

John places the word on Jesus’ lips to contrast “earthly things” with “heavenly things” (John 3:12). Paul uses it ten times: five in 1 Corinthians 15 to discuss resurrection glory, five in Ephesians and Philippians to describe Christ’s exaltation, the believer’s union with Him, and cosmic conflict. The Pastorals include it once in a doxology of certain deliverance (2 Timothy 4:18). Hebrews concentrates the remaining seven occurrences, presenting a “heavenly calling,” sanctuary, gift, city, and kingdom.

Heavenly versus Earthly Reality

The word consistently establishes a contrast. “There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies” (1 Corinthians 15:40), underscoring qualitative difference, not spatial distance. Jesus’ teaching likewise forces Nicodemus to admit that unbelief in mundane matters will never grasp “heavenly things” (John 3:12). Scripture therefore frames faith as the faculty that perceives the invisible realm already impacting history.

Christ’s Exaltation and Session

“He seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 1:20). The resurrection-ascension complex installs the Son as sovereign. His enthronement validates the Gospel, guarantees intercession (Hebrews 8:1–2), and defines Christian worship as participation in a reality centered on a living, reigning Lord.

Believers’ Present Position and Future Hope

“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6). Union with Christ relocates the believer’s identity; citizenship lies where Christ is (Philippians 3:20). Yet the text simultaneously points forward: “we shall bear the likeness of the heavenly Man” (1 Corinthians 15:49). Present solidarity anticipates bodily transformation at His return.

Heavenly Pattern for Worship and Service

Hebrews reminds that earthly tabernacle and priesthood are “a copy and shadow of what is in heaven” (Hebrews 8:5; 9:23). Christian ministry therefore derives its forms and power from the heavenly original. The Church, gathered around word and sacrament, participates in “Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem” (Hebrews 12:22), joining angelic hosts in worship.

Spiritual Conflict in the Heavenly Realm

“Our struggle is … against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). The same sphere that houses Christ’s throne also hosts rebellious powers now being subdued. The believer’s armor is therefore spiritual, supplied by the reigning Christ, and victory is assured though conflict remains real.

Heavenly Calling and Perseverance

“Holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus” (Hebrews 3:1). The call originates in heaven and summons believers homeward. Apostasy warnings in Hebrews 6:4 underscore the gravity of spurning a gift sourced in that realm. Perseverance flows from gazing on the High Priest who has “passed through the heavens” (Hebrews 4:14).

Heavenly Homeland and Kingdom

The patriarchs “were longing for a better country, a heavenly one” (Hebrews 11:16). The heavenly kingdom is both destination and present reality: “The Lord will rescue me … and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom” (2 Timothy 4:18). Thus Christian eschatology is not escapist but expectant, anticipating a perfected creation governed from the throne of God and the Lamb.

Historical and Theological Notes

1. Jewish apocalyptic literature spoke of multiple heavens; the New Testament affirms the reality of unseen realms but centers them on Christ rather than speculative cosmology.
2. Greco-Roman thought esteemed the celestial as immutable. Scripture appropriates this instinct yet insists that the heavenly is personal—ruled by God, entered through Christ, and shared with His people.
3. Early Church writers (e.g., Ignatius, Irenaeus) drew pastoral comfort from believers being “already in heaven” corporately, even while awaiting bodily resurrection, echoing Ephesians 2:6.

Ministry Implications

• Identity: Preaching and counseling root believers in their seated-with-Christ status, combating despair and worldliness.
• Worship: Liturgies consciously reflect the heavenly sanctuary, emphasizing reverence, joy, and Christ-centeredness.
• Mission: Evangelism invites others into a kingdom already inaugurated; discipleship prepares saints for future reigning.
• Warfare: Intercessory prayer and holiness practices wage battle against powers hostile to God’s order.
• Perseverance: Suffering is interpreted through the lens of an unshakable kingdom (Hebrews 12:28).

Summary

Across the New Testament the “heavenly” realm denotes the arena of God’s decisive action in Christ, the believer’s current location by grace, and the Church’s ultimate inheritance. It commands faith, fuels hope, directs worship, and empowers ministry until the day the heavenly fully floods the earth.

Forms and Transliterations
έποπα έποπος επουρανια επουρανία επουράνια ἐπουράνια επουρανιοι επουρανίοι ἐπουράνιοι επουρανιοις επουρανίοις ἐπουρανίοις επουρανιον επουρανίον επουράνιον ἐπουράνιον επουρανιος επουρανίος ἐπουράνιος επουρανιου επουρανίου ἐπουρανίου επουρανιω ἐπουρανίῳ επουρανιων επουρανίων ἐπουρανίων epourania epouránia epouranio epouraniō epouranioi epouraníoi epouraníōi epouránioi epouraniois epouraníois epouranion epouraniōn epouraníon epouraníōn epouránion epouranios epouránios epouraniou epouraníou
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Englishman's Concordance
John 3:12 Adj-ANP
GRK: ὑμῖν τὰ ἐπουράνια πιστεύσετε
NAS: if I tell you heavenly things?
KJV: I tell you [of] heavenly things?
INT: to you the things heavenly will you believe

1 Corinthians 15:40 Adj-NNP
GRK: καὶ σώματα ἐπουράνια καὶ σώματα
NAS: There are also heavenly bodies
KJV: [There are] also celestial bodies, and
INT: And bodies [there are] heavenly and bodies

1 Corinthians 15:40 Adj-GNP
GRK: ἡ τῶν ἐπουρανίων δόξα ἑτέρα
NAS: but the glory of the heavenly is one,
KJV: the glory of the celestial [is] one,
INT: the of the heavenly glory one

1 Corinthians 15:48 Adj-NMS
GRK: οἷος ὁ ἐπουράνιος τοιοῦτοι καὶ
NAS: who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so
KJV: as [is] the heavenly, such
INT: such as the heavenly [one] such also

1 Corinthians 15:48 Adj-NMP
GRK: καὶ οἱ ἐπουράνιοι
NAS: also are those who are heavenly.
KJV: [are] they also that are heavenly.
INT: also the heavenly [ones]

1 Corinthians 15:49 Adj-GMS
GRK: εἰκόνα τοῦ ἐπουρανίου
NAS: bear the image of the heavenly.
KJV: bear the image of the heavenly.
INT: image of the [one] heavenly

Ephesians 1:3 Adj-DNP
GRK: ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις ἐν Χριστῷ
NAS: blessing in the heavenly [places] in Christ,
KJV: in heavenly [places] in
INT: in the heavenly places in Christ

Ephesians 1:20 Adj-DNP
GRK: ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις
NAS: Him at His right hand in the heavenly [places],
KJV: right hand in the heavenly [places],
INT: in the heavenly places

Ephesians 2:6 Adj-DNP
GRK: ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις ἐν Χριστῷ
NAS: us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly [places] in Christ
KJV: in heavenly [places] in
INT: in the heavenly places in Christ

Ephesians 3:10 Adj-DNP
GRK: ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις διὰ τῆς
NAS: and the authorities in the heavenly [places].
KJV: in heavenly [places] might be known
INT: in the heavenly places through the

Ephesians 6:12 Adj-DNP
GRK: ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις
NAS: [forces] of wickedness in the heavenly [places].
KJV: wickedness in high [places].
INT: in the heavenly places

Philippians 2:10 Adj-GMP
GRK: γόνυ κάμψῃ ἐπουρανίων καὶ ἐπιγείων
NAS: WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth
KJV: should bow, of [things] in heaven, and
INT: knee should bow in heaven and on earth

2 Timothy 4:18 Adj-AFS
GRK: αὐτοῦ τὴν ἐπουράνιον ᾧ ἡ
NAS: and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom;
KJV: his heavenly kingdom:
INT: of him heavenly to whom [be] the

Hebrews 3:1 Adj-GFS
GRK: ἅγιοι κλήσεως ἐπουρανίου μέτοχοι κατανοήσατε
NAS: partakers of a heavenly calling,
KJV: partakers of the heavenly calling,
INT: holy of [the] calling heavenly partakers consider

Hebrews 6:4 Adj-GFS
GRK: δωρεᾶς τῆς ἐπουρανίου καὶ μετόχους
NAS: and have tasted of the heavenly gift
KJV: have tasted of the heavenly gift,
INT: gift heavenly and partakers

Hebrews 8:5 Adj-GNP
GRK: λατρεύουσιν τῶν ἐπουρανίων καθὼς κεχρημάτισται
NAS: and shadow of the heavenly things, just
KJV: shadow of heavenly things, as
INT: serve of the heavenly places as was divinely instructed

Hebrews 9:23 Adj-ANP
GRK: δὲ τὰ ἐπουράνια κρείττοσιν θυσίαις
NAS: with these, but the heavenly things themselves
KJV: but the heavenly things themselves
INT: moreover the heavenly places with better sacrifices

Hebrews 11:16 Adj-GFS
GRK: τοῦτ' ἔστιν ἐπουρανίου διὸ οὐκ
NAS: a better [country], that is, a heavenly one. Therefore
KJV: [country], that is, an heavenly: wherefore
INT: this is a heavenly therefore not

Hebrews 12:22 Adj-DFS
GRK: ζῶντος Ἰερουσαλὴμ ἐπουρανίῳ καὶ μυριάσιν
NAS: God, the heavenly Jerusalem,
KJV: God, the heavenly Jerusalem,
INT: [the] living Jerusalem heavenly and to myriads

Strong's Greek 2032
19 Occurrences


ἐπουράνια — 3 Occ.
ἐπουρανίῳ — 1 Occ.
ἐπουρανίων — 3 Occ.
ἐπουράνιοι — 1 Occ.
ἐπουρανίοις — 5 Occ.
ἐπουράνιον — 1 Occ.
ἐπουράνιος — 1 Occ.
ἐπουρανίου — 4 Occ.

2031
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