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Bible Dictionaries
Eternal
Morrish Bible Dictionary
or Three Hebrew words are translated 'eternal.'
1. ad: very often translated 'for ever,' and with another word, olam , 'for ever and ever.' "The Lord shall reign for ever and ever." Exodus 15:18 . "The Lord is king for ever and ever." Psalm 10:16 : cf. also Psalm 45:6; Psalm 48:14; Psalm 52:8 . Micah 4:5 . Ad is also translated 'everlasting:' "the everlasting Father," or "Father of the everlasting age." Isaiah 9:6 . Also 'eternity;' "the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity." Isaiah 57:15 .
2. olam , signifying 'everlasting,' 'never ending.' It is often translated 'for ever:' "his mercy endureth for ever," 1 Chronicles 16:41; and 'everlasting:' "the everlasting God." Genesis 21:33; Psalm 90:2; Psalm 93:2; Psalm 103:17 . "I will make thee an eternal excellency." Isaiah 60:15 .
3. qedem, 'ancient, that which is before.' "The eternal God is thy refuge." Deuteronomy 33:27 . "Art thou not from everlasting?" Habakkuk 1:12 . "God is my King of old." Psalm 74:12 .
4. In the N.T., ἀΐδιος, 'perpetual:' occurs only in Romans 1:20 , "his eternal power and Godhead;" and Jude 6 , "reserved in everlasting chains."
5. αἰών, 'age, duration, ever.' With a preposition 'unto the ages' is often translated 'for ever;' and, when repeated, 'for ever and ever.' "He that eateth of this bread shall live for ever." John 6:58 . "Christ abideth for ever." John 12:34 . "To whom be glory for ever and ever." Galatians 1:5 . "According to the eternal purpose." Ephesians 3:11 . "Now unto the king eternal . . . . be honour and glory for ever and ever." 1 Timothy 1:17 . This word is often translated 'world,' but may at times be better rendered 'age,' as "be not conformed to this age," Romans 12:2; and 'for ever and ever' may be translated 'to the ages of ages,' though the meaning would be the same.
6. αἰώνιος,from αἰών, signifying 'ever enduring.' It is always translated 'eternal' or 'everlasting,' except in Romans 16:25 , "since the world began," or "in the times of the ages." 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 1:2 , "before the world began," or, "before the ages of time;" and Philippians 15 , "for ever." This word is applied to God Himself as "the everlasting God." Romans 16:26; to the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 9:14; to redemption. Hebrews 9:12; inheritance. Hebrews 9:15; salvation. Hebrews 5:9; glory. 1 Peter 5:10; and constantly to life. John 3:15,16,36 . On the other hand it is applied to punishment, Matthew 25:46; damnation, Mark 3:29; destruction, 2 Thessalonians 1:9; and fire, Jude 7 : cf. Isaiah 33:14 .
The above passages show that the same word is used for the existence of God Himself; for the salvation and blessedness of the saved; and for the punishment of the wicked.
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Morrish, George. Entry for 'Eternal'. Morrish Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/mbd/e/eternal.html. 1897.
