In seventh heaven 这句英式成语的典故谁知道？

westlifelulu

In seventh heaven 这句成语，照字面解释是“在第七个天堂中”，但真正意思是快乐极了
但是为什么是seventh ，而不是什么别的，我查了俚语和成语词典都没有，谁哪有这个成语的典故阿，谢谢

homestudy

from:最新实用英语典故词典-张向阳-湖北教育出版社-2001
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from: Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable

THE SEVEN HEAVENS. (According to the Mahometan system.)
The first heaven,
says Mahomet, is of pure silver, and here the stars are hung out like lamps on golden chains. Each star has an
angel for warder. In this heaven “the prophet” found Adam and Eve.
The second heaven,
says Mahomet, is of polished steel and dazzling splendour. Here “the prophet” found Noah.
The third heaven,
says Mahomet, is studded with precious stones too brilliant for the eye of man. Here Azrael, the angel of
death, is stationed, and is for ever writing in a large book or blotting words out. The
former are the names of persons born, the latter those of the newly dead. (See below, Heaven of heavens.)
The fourth heaven,
he says, is of the finest silver. Here dwells the Angel of Tears, whose height is “500 days' journey,” and he
sheds ceaseless tears for the sins of man.
The fifth heaven
is of purest gold, and here dwells the Avenging Angel, who presides over elemental fire. Here “the prophet”
met Aaron. (See below.
The sixth heaven
is composed of Hasala, a sort of carbuncle. Here dwells the Guardian Angel of heaven and earth, half—snow
and half—fire. It was here that Mahomet saw Moses, who wept with envy.
The seventh heaven,
says the same veritable authority, is formed of divine light beyond the power of tongue to describe. Each
inhabitant is bigger than the whole earth, and has 70,000 heads, each head 70,000 mouths, each mouth 70,000
tongues, and each tongue speaks 70,000 languages, all for ever employed in chanting the praises of the Most
High. Here he met Abraham. (See below).
To be in the seventh heaven.
Supremely happy. The Cabbalists maintained that there are seven heavens, each rising in happiness above the
other, the seventh being the abode of God and the highest class of angels. (See above.
THE NINE HEAVENS. The term heaven was used anciently to denote the orb or sphere in which a celestial
body was supposed to move, hence the number of heavens varied. According to one system, the first heaven
was that of the Moon, the second that of Venus, the third that of Mercury, the fourth that of the Sun, the fifth
that of Mars, the sixth that of Jupiter, the seventh that of Saturn, the eighth that of the “fixt” or firmament, and
the ninth that of the Crystalline. (See Nine Spheres.)

westlifelulu

很详细，谢谢homestudy ，Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable这本字典看来不错哦

westlifelulu

这是天上的说法，似乎英语中也有类似于“第几层地狱之类的说法”