His Holiness Pope Shenouda reflects on the meaning of the word “the eternal / forever” in the Holy Bible, and explains that the term enters more than one meaning according to context: sometimes it indicates eternity for God and sometimes it indicates a long period, an age of days, or a covenant that continues throughout life or for generations.
Eternity meaning endlessness (about God and Christ): When applied to God or to Christ it refers to what has no end — God’s eternal attributes (such as “this is my name forever,” and the doxology in Revelation “forever and ever”) — here the intended sense is the timelessness of the Creator and the endlessness of His reign.
“Forever” meaning long duration or life-span or generational covenant: In other uses it means a long period or continuity during life or for the generations — for example the Lord’s promise to Abraham “to you and your offspring forever” which the Pope understands as a promise of a relatively long duration within the history of nations and not necessarily the literal persistence of earthly conditions until the end of the world.
Illustrative examples from Scripture: He gives practical examples where “forever” is used to mean length of life or length of days: a servant serves “forever” after his ear is pierced (meant for the duration of his life), Samuel is said to remain at Shiloh “forever” meaning during his life, and “the sword will not depart from your house forever” intends the continuity of punishment through the house’s days not absolute eternity.
Judicial and figurative usage: Cases like “burn the city and do not rebuild it forever” are understood as a harsh judgment for a prolonged generational period, not literal permanence until Christ’s second coming; likewise establishing David’s throne “forever” is read in its historical and covenantal context rather than as an absolute, immutable statement (since the kingdom was later divided).
Understanding the term by context: The expression “forever” appears in multiple forms (forever, forever and ever, to the age) and each form has its connotation. One must distinguish between God’s true eternity and biblical figurative uses where “forever” denotes long duration, covenantal continuance, or blessing. Correct interpretation requires adherence to the textual theological and historical context.
Conclusion and invitation: In summary, the word “forever” in Scripture has multiple meanings: divine timelessness without end, long durations or generational covenants, life-long continuance, or rhetorical expression. We should learn to interpret Scripture with awareness of its context theologically and historically, and not read every “forever” as a single literal definition.
For better translation support, please contact the center.
Terms in the Bible – Eternity
His Holiness Pope Shenouda reflects on the meaning of the word “the eternal / forever” in the Holy Bible, and explains that the term enters more than one meaning according to context: sometimes it indicates eternity for God and sometimes it indicates a long period, an age of days, or a covenant that continues throughout life or for generations.
Eternity meaning endlessness (about God and Christ):
When applied to God or to Christ it refers to what has no end — God’s eternal attributes (such as “this is my name forever,” and the doxology in Revelation “forever and ever”) — here the intended sense is the timelessness of the Creator and the endlessness of His reign.
“Forever” meaning long duration or life-span or generational covenant:
In other uses it means a long period or continuity during life or for the generations — for example the Lord’s promise to Abraham “to you and your offspring forever” which the Pope understands as a promise of a relatively long duration within the history of nations and not necessarily the literal persistence of earthly conditions until the end of the world.
Illustrative examples from Scripture:
He gives practical examples where “forever” is used to mean length of life or length of days: a servant serves “forever” after his ear is pierced (meant for the duration of his life), Samuel is said to remain at Shiloh “forever” meaning during his life, and “the sword will not depart from your house forever” intends the continuity of punishment through the house’s days not absolute eternity.
Judicial and figurative usage:
Cases like “burn the city and do not rebuild it forever” are understood as a harsh judgment for a prolonged generational period, not literal permanence until Christ’s second coming; likewise establishing David’s throne “forever” is read in its historical and covenantal context rather than as an absolute, immutable statement (since the kingdom was later divided).
Understanding the term by context:
The expression “forever” appears in multiple forms (forever, forever and ever, to the age) and each form has its connotation. One must distinguish between God’s true eternity and biblical figurative uses where “forever” denotes long duration, covenantal continuance, or blessing. Correct interpretation requires adherence to the textual theological and historical context.
Conclusion and invitation:
In summary, the word “forever” in Scripture has multiple meanings: divine timelessness without end, long durations or generational covenants, life-long continuance, or rhetorical expression. We should learn to interpret Scripture with awareness of its context theologically and historically, and not read every “forever” as a single literal definition.
For better translation support, please contact the center.