The case of plural ουρανοι and multiple heavens
in the Second Temple apocalyptic literature is more difficult to navigate. It
appears that some multiple heavens views were extant in the first-century CE,
though how developed and widespread these were is unclear. Most notable is
Paul’s reference to the “third heaven” in 2 Corinthians 12:2, one of the few
indications of a multiple-heavens cosmology we can confidently date to the
first-century CE. The more highly-developed seven-heavens views familiar to
use from texts such as 2 Enoch and the rabbinic materials may be
contemporary with the latest writings of the NT, though most of these likely
come from a later period as these views developed. (Jonathan T. Pennington, Heaven
and Earth in the Gospel of Matthew [Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Academic,
2007], 129)
