Forever, Eternal, Everlasting?
"Olam", "Aion" and "Aionios"
There has been much talk among scholars about the following words: "olam" in Hebrew, "aion" and its plural "aionios" in Greek as there are some pretty major discrepancies in translation especially in the KJV. Olam has been translated: alway (s), ancient (time), and more, continuance, eternal,(for, [n-]) ever (-lasting, -more, of old). lasting, long (time), (of) old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world (+without end). Aion has been translated: "age, course, eternal, (for) ever (-more), [n-]ever, (beginning of the, while the) world (began, without end). Aionios has been translated: eternal, for ever, everlasting, world (began).
The following is quoted from Thomas Thayer's The Doctrine of Eternal Punishment, an excellent and thorough book on this subject. He quotes several verses from scripture.
The Hebrew word, which is the equivalent of the Greek, is thus used: "I will give thee the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession." Gen. 17:8. And in verse Gen.17:12, the covenant of circumcision is called "an everlasting covenant." And yet the Jews were driven from the land of Canaan, and the covenant of circumcision was abolished, eighteen hundred years ago! So the priesthood of Aaron is called "an everlasting priesthood," and yet it was put aside by God's authority, and the priesthood of Christ set up in its place. Exod. 40:15.
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