The word for eternity in the Old Testament (olam)

The Hebrew word that is repeatedly translated as “eternity” in the Old Testament is “olam” (for example, Gen 3:22). The root word comes from the Hebrew verb “alam”, which means “to conceal”. An olam is an age with a yet hidden end. For example, in Deut. 15:17. There is talk about a man who had to serve as a slave, but who could become free again after 6 years according to the law. If he does not want to make use of this freedom, for example, because his wife and children still serve as slaves with the same master, then he could commit himself for the rest of his life. It went like this:

“Then you shall take an awl and thrust it through his ear into the door, and he shall be your slave forever (hb. olam); and you shall also treat your slave girl in this way.”
Deut 15:17

It is exactly the same word that is translated elsewhere as eternity. In context, however, it is easy to see that what is at issue here is the lifetime of the slave, not an endless eternity. However, the word “olam” is an appropriate expression because it is not yet known how long the man or woman will live. The time of his passing is still hidden. This “olam” is a time with a still hidden end, in context something like “lifetime”. The man or woman will voluntarily work as a slave “for life” or “for life”. This is their “olam”.

The fact that at this point not “eternity” but “forever” is translated shows the problem for the reader who has no means to trace the basic texts. Those who do not have aids cannot deduce from many translations where a word is translated “eternity” and where it is translated quite differently. The context, which is obvious in Hebrew or in Greek, is hidden in translation. It is also evident from this example that at one time the translation is intended to express endlessness, and at another time it is clearly limited. These are contradictions that did not exist for the writer or for the reader at the time. They could refer to the same word everywhere, which also means that this word could not take on contradictory meanings.

The Word for Eternity in the New Testament (aion)

In the New Testament, instead of “olam” the Greek “aion” is used, rendered “eon”. Even an eon is not unlimited. For example, the disciples ask Jesus what the sign is for the conclusion of this current eon:

“When He had sat down on the Mount of Olives, His disciples, when they were by themselves, came to Him and asked, “Tell us, when will this be, and what is the sign of Your presence and of the close of the eon?”
Mt 24,3 (Concordant New Testament, KNT)

In many a translation this is translated as “end of the world” (translation in: Luther, Hope for All, Schlachter 2000, New Geneva Translation, NGÜ, Good News, Einheitsübersetzung, New Life, New Evangelistic Translation). There the expression seems to have nothing at all to do with time, let alone with an eternity. Here the same problem occurs that was described here above for the Old Testament: It is translated selectively. This makes unbiased Bible study difficult, if not impossible. Helpful, as always, are those translations that are close to the basic text. The Revised Elberfelder Translation simply and accurately speaks of the “consummation of the age” at this point (Mt 24:3).

Consistently interpreted theologically, it would have to say here that the disciples asked about the end of eternity. However, that would be an absurd question if eternity were endless! So here we have three renditions that could not be more different:

1. End of the world
2. End of eternity
3. Completion of the current age or aeon

Next, let’s look at some concepts of time in the Bible:

• Time concepts in the Bible