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Genesis 1:9 mentions waters and heavens: "הַמַּ֜יִם מִתַּ֤חַת הַשָּׁמַ֨יִם֙".

The words "mayim" (waters) and "shamayim" (heavens) are very similar.

Is this a coincidence, or is there some underlying connection between these two words (and concepts)?

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  • Check out the previous verses
    – Double AA ♦
    Jan 1, 2021 at 2:40

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The Talmud gives an answer:

It was taught in a baraita: Shamayim means esh umayim, [fire and water], which teaches that the Holy One, Blessed be He, brought them and combined them together, and made the heavens from them. [Chagigah 12a]

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