Old Testament “Eternal” False Translation
What Does the Old Testament’s, “Olam,” Mean in the Bible? Does It Ever Mean Eternal?
When the New Testament writers used the Greek term aiōnios (translated “eternal”), they were not inventing a new concept. They were following the usage of the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament), which consistently renders the Hebrew word olam with the Greek aiōn / aiōnios.
So if we want to understand what aiōnios means in the New Testament, we must first ask: What did olam mean in the Hebrew Bible?
The Adjective Argument: “Monthly” vs. “Forever”
Words must keep their natural sense. If a noun means “month,” then the adjective form means “monthly.” You would never twist “monthly” to mean “forever.”
The same logic applies to aiōn (“age”) and its adjective aiōnios (“age-during, age-pertaining”). To call aiōnios “eternal” is as absurd as calling “monthly” something that lasts forever.
The Septuagint makes the direct link: wherever the Hebrew Scriptures say olam, the Greek translators used aiōn or aiōnios. Therefore, the Old Testament’s usage of olam defines the New Testament’s usage of aiōnios.
What Does “Olam” Mean?
The Hebrew olam (עוֹלָם) literally means “hidden, indefinite time”—a span, an age, an epoch. It never inherently means “forever.” Sometimes it describes long durations, sometimes only a few days, but always within the framework of an age.
Olam Applied to Temporary Things
This is where the case is undeniable: olam describes things that had clear beginnings and obvious endings.
- Servitude – Exodus 21:6: A servant who refused release would serve “le-olam.” Clearly, this meant until death—not endless eternity.
- Priesthood – Exodus 40:15: Aaron’s priesthood was called “olam,” yet Hebrews 7 says it was abolished and replaced by Christ.
- Covenant – Genesis 17:7: The Abrahamic covenant was called “olam,” but covenants shift in time. The Mosaic covenant is now obsolete (Hebrews 8:13).
- Sabbath – Exodus 31:16: The Sabbath was called an “olam covenant.” Paul says it was a shadow (Colossians 2:16–17).
- Temple Rituals – Leviticus 16:34: Day of Atonement was an “olam statute.” It ended with Christ’s sacrifice (Hebrews 10:1–10).
- Land of Canaan – Genesis 17:8: Given as an “olam possession.” Israel was exiled; it was not endless.
- Desolations – Jeremiah 25:9: Jerusalem would be an “olam desolation,” yet later restored.
- Judgment on Edom – Isaiah 34:10: Its smoke would ascend “olam.” But it isn’t still burning today.
- Jonah in the Fish – Jonah 2:6: He said the earth’s bars closed on him “olam.” Yet it was only three days.
These examples shatter the lie that olam inherently means “forever.” If it did, then Jonah would still be in the fish, Jerusalem still desolate, and Aaron still officiating sacrifices.
Olam Applied to God
This is where critics try to flip the argument. They say: Yes, olam can mean temporary things, but when it applies to God, then it must mean eternal.
But the word itself doesn’t change its meaning. It still means age-during. The difference lies not in the word, but in the subject. God spans all the ages. His attributes extend from age to age.
- El Olam – Genesis 21:33: Abraham calls Him “God of the age/ages.” It does not redefine the word—it exalts God as the ruler of every dispensation.
- Kingship – Psalm 10:16, Exodus 15:18: “The LORD reigns le-olam va’ed” (“to the age and further”). His reign continues through each unfolding age, unlike temporary kings.
- Mercy and Truth – Psalm 100:5, Psalm 136: God’s mercy is “olam.” That means it holds steady throughout all ages. Wrath is for a moment (Psalm 30:5), but mercy governs the ages.
- Covenant Loyalty – Genesis 17:7: “Olam covenant.” Each covenant was for its own age, but God remains faithful in every age.
- Name and Word – Exodus 3:15, Isaiah 40:8: His name and His word stand “olam”—relevant and effective in every generation.
When applied to God, olam does not become “forever.” It means His being and attributes outlast every age, transcending each dispensation. He is consistent and unchanging through the ages.
The Septuagint Connection
The translators of the Septuagint consistently rendered olam with aiōn/aiōnios. This proves that when Jesus and the apostles spoke of aiōnios life, they meant age-during life—the life of the coming age—not “endless timeless existence.”
Just as Jonah’s “olam” in the fish was three days, just as Aaron’s “olam priesthood” ended, so aiōnios punishment is punishment age-during—pertaining to the age of judgment. It is not eternal torment.
Exposing the Error of ECT and Annihilationism
Eternal Conscious Torment insists that because God is called “olam,” then punishments called “olam” must be eternal too. But this is linguistic fraud.
If that logic held, then Israel’s land is eternal, Aaron’s priesthood eternal, Jonah’s imprisonment eternal. The ECT position collapses under its own hypocrisy.
Annihilationism fares no better. If olam doesn’t mean eternal torment, it doesn’t mean eternal non-existence either. Scripture never uses olam to describe absolute obliteration. It describes ages of correction, judgment, covenant, and mercy.
The only doctrine that consistently honors the meaning of olam/aiōn and the revealed character of God is Universal Reconciliation. Wrath belongs to the passing ages, but mercy belongs to all the ages and beyond.
Conclusion: Olam and Aiōnios Mean Age-During
- Olam in Hebrew means “age, hidden span, indefinite time.”
- The Septuagint renders it as aiōn / aiōnios, which carries the same meaning.
- Temporary things are called olam when they last an age (priesthood, covenants, rituals, judgments).
- God is called olam because He spans all ages, unchanging from age to age.
- “Eternal” in English Bibles is a mistranslation. The consistent meaning is age-during.
The Old Testament proves it. The Septuagint confirms it. The New Testament continues it. And the entire system of fear-based doctrines collapses once the word olam is restored to its true meaning.
For more on the Greek words, “aiōn / aiōnios,” that are falsely translated, “eternal,” click here.
