What does "Eternal" mean in the Bible?
The word translated "eternity" is in Hebrew olam, which means "hidden;" in Greek, aion, which has primary reference to a period as "a lifetime." The difference between them consists in the fact that olam usually means the world in time, although the only place where it is so rendered in our version is Eccl 3:11. Eternal appears in 62 verses across 17 books of the Bible.
What does the Bible say about Eternal?
ETERNAL, ETERNITY. The word translated "eternity" is in Hebrew olam, which means "hidden;" in Greek, aion, which has primary reference to a period as "a lifetime." The difference between them consists in the fact that olam usually means the world in time, although the only place where it is so rendered in our version is Eccl 3:11. But Ps 90:1 is literally "from world to world," Ps 145:13, "kingdom of all worlds," Deut 33:27; "the arms of the world" (English Version, "everlasting arms"). The underlying thought in these passages is that of immense time movements exhibiting God's great work. The Hebrew and Greek words both had plurals, which proves that they did not in themselves denote absolute endlessness. They are likewise applied to finite things. Gen 17:8; Isa 49:26; Ex 12:14. When they are applied to God and spiritual things they indicate the endless succession of ages, which is the popular and necessary conception of eternity. The idea of absolute eternity is impressed in the Bible by language which implies finality. It is this which renders Matt 25:46 so impressive. The verse sets forth the last act of the great drama of human life, and the rewards and penalties are awarded irreversibly. Here the curtain falls.
Definition text: Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible · 1898. Public domain.
Compiled by Protos: the verse list on this page. Where one name belongs to more than one person or place, each of them gets a separate entry.
What is the Greek word for Eternal?
Greek · G166
αἰώνιος
aiōnios
eternal
TBESG, from Abbott-Smith (1922). Public domain.
Where does Eternal appear in the Bible?
Eternal is referenced in 62 verses across 17 books. Every passage below is about this one, not just every verse the word turns up in.
- 1 John 1:2
- 1 John 2:25
- 1 John 3:15
- 1 John 5:11
- 1 John 5:13
- 1 John 5:20
- 1 Peter 5:10
- 1 Timothy 1:16
- 1 Timothy 6:12
- 1 Timothy 6:16
- 2 Corinthians 4:17
- 2 Corinthians 4:18
- 2 Corinthians 5:1
- 2 Peter 1:11
- 2 Thessalonians 1:9
- 2 Thessalonians 2:16
- Acts 13:48
- Galatians 6:8
- Hebrews 5:9
- Hebrews 6:2
- Hebrews 9:12
- Hebrews 9:14
- Hebrews 9:15
- John 3:15
Showing the first 24 of 62.
Open all 62 references in ProtosWhat else appears in these passages?
These turn up in the same passages as Eternal.
Common questions
How many times does the Bible mention Eternal?
Eternal appears in 62 verses across 17 books, most often in John, which accounts for 17 of them.
Which books of the Bible mention Eternal?
John, 1 John, Hebrews, Matthew, Romans, Luke, 1 Timothy, 2 Corinthians, and 9 more.
Where can I read every verse about Eternal?
This page lists 24 of them. Protos carries all 62, and opens this entry on the verse you are reading rather than in a separate tab.


