Where does the idea of seven heavens come from? Is the idea of a seventh heaven biblical?

TL;DR:

The Bible does not support the concept of seven heavens, although it mentions different realms like the sky, outer space, and God's spiritual dwelling. The idea of multiple heavens comes from ancient mythologies and mystical traditions, not from biblical teachings.

what does the bible say?

The idea of seven heavens is not found in the Bible, although the concept of multiple heavens exists in various ancient mythologies and religious traditions. In the Bible, the term "heavens" refers to different realms, such as the sky, outer space, and God's spiritual dwelling, but it does not imply multiple layers or levels. The idea of a "third heaven" mentioned by Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:2 distinguishes between earthly realms and the dwelling of God, not a hierarchy of heavens. Ancient Babylonian and Jewish traditions, along with later mystical writings, contributed to the belief in multiple heavens, influenced by celestial bodies or spiritual realms. While the Bible does not support the concept of seven heavens, it speaks of heaven as God's domain and the eternal destination for believers.

from the old testament

The concept of heaven in the Bible can get complicated because of limitations of the English language. In the Old Testament, the concept of the afterlife is often described using terms like Sheol, which generally refers to the realm of the dead (Genesis 37:35; Job 14:13; Ecclesiastes 9:10). The righteous and the wicked both go there, but there are indications of different experiences within Sheol (Psalm 49:14-15, Daniel 12:2). Later Jewish thought and some Old Testament passages suggest distinctions, such as Abraham’s bosom (Luke 16:22, though this is in the New Testament, it may reflect earlier Jewish beliefs) and Paradise (possibly connected to the Garden of Eden imagery, Ezekiel 28:13). While the Old Testament does not provide a fully developed doctrine of heaven and hell, it lays the foundation for later biblical teachings on the afterlife.
The Old Testament refers to the concept of a "good place" after death (Psalm 73:24; Isaiah 26:19).
The word “heaven” is also used to refer to other things. Genesis 1:1 says that “God created the heavens and the earth.” The Hebrew word here, shamayim, is distinct from the word used for the place souls go after death. It's also plural, which can cause interpretive challenges. The word can mean the sky, outer space, or the abode of God. In Genesis 1:1, it refers to the sky since verse 28 mentions birds live there.
The place where God resides now is also referred to as heaven (e.g., Genesis 28:12, 17; Psalm 11:4; 14:2; 102:19; Jonah 1:9).

from the new testament

Paul said he was taken to the "third heaven" in 2 Corinthians 12:2, but it does not mean that there are seven heavens. Although it appears to be the place of spiritual beings, no more is said about it. This phrase, however, wasn't meant to indicate multiple levels of heaven as other religions teach. Instead, it differentiates between the earth's atmosphere (see Deuteronomy 11:11; Jeremiah 4:25), space (see Genesis 1:14-17; Psalm 19:1), and the spiritual dwelling of God (see 1 Kings 8:27; Isaiah 66:1). When the Scriptures say God lives in heaven, using the same words as sky, it doesn't mean that God lives with the clouds or the stars, just that He is above us spiritually and not encumbered by the limitations of land-based creatures (see Psalm 103:19 John 8:23).
The Bible refers to a temporary paradise where Christians and Old Testament God-followers go after death. This place is called paradise (2 Corinthians 12:3; Revelation 2:7; Luke 23:43), "Abraham's bosom" (Luke 16:19–31), or sheol (Hebrew) or hades (Greek), which are generic terms for the place after death.
When John visited heaven in Revelation, it was the Greek ouranos (Matthew 6:9; Revelation 4:1; 21:1), which has the same ambiguous meaning as shamayim in the Old Testament. It appears that the sky is a metaphor for God's dwelling. Since He is spirit (John 4:24) and is not constrained by linear time, He couldn't literally "live" in the sky.
After the great war at the end of the millennial kingdom, God will make a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21—22). He will dwell for eternity with His people there. The "heaven" here is also the Greek ouranos. When people speak of living in "heaven" forever, they really mean the new heaven and the new earth.

implications for today

The mythology of seven heavens is ancient—at least as old as ancient Babylonia. Originally, the number may have been taken from the celestial bodies that are nearest to earth, including those planets visible to the naked eye: the moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, the Sun, Jupiter, and Saturn. In later mythologies, the heavens seem to represent different levels of paradise for those humans who have reached ever-increasing levels of piety. The idea of there being seven heavens is not universal, of course; the Maori have between two and fourteen heavens; Polynesians have nine. And some cultures that started with seven later expanded. Babylonian mythology linked them to celestial bodies and their ruling gods, with no expectation of human ascension. Hinduism describes seven heavens as spiritual realms where souls reside based on karma. Jewish mystical texts discuss multiple heavens, influenced by Babylonian and Persian traditions, sometimes linking them to celestial bodies and divine interactions. Islam adopts the idea from apocryphal Jewish writings, describing Muhammad's journey through seven levels, each with notable figures. Dante’s Paradiso presents a symbolic version, associating planetary heavens with virtues. Many traditions share celestial imagery but differ in purpose and interpretation. These interpretations are not supported in the Bible. There is no scriptural support for the idea that God created seven heavens.

understand

The Bible does not mention seven heavens, only different realms like the sky and God's dwelling.
The idea of seven heavens comes from ancient mythologies, not biblical teachings.
Various cultures, including Babylonian, Hindu, and Jewish traditions, developed the concept of multiple heavens.

reflect

How does understanding that the Bible doesn't support the concept of seven heavens affect your view of heaven and God's dwelling?
How can we distinguish between teachings rooted in the Bible and ideas influenced by ancient traditions or cultures?
What is the significance of viewing heaven not as a hierarchy of levels but as God's spiritual dwelling and the eternal destination of those who are in Christ?

engage

How do different cultural perspectives on heaven (e.g., Babylonian, Hindu, Jewish) reflect humanity's search for meaning and the divine?
How can we be mindful of non-biblical influences in shaping our understanding of spiritual concepts, such as heaven?
How does the Bible's portrayal of heaven as God's dwelling encourage us to focus on our relationship with Him rather than speculating on its structure?