Bible translators, as they translated the Old Testament from Hebrew into English, often used the word, "for ever", to represent the Hebrew word, "owlam".(Strong's H5769) To us, "for ever" generally means for all eternity.
"Owlam", however, has many other meanings, in addition to "for ever". It is important for our deeper understanding of God's Word, to realize that "owlam" (often translated as "for ever" has many facets, some of which we may not have considered. Some think that Bible translators, in order to push certain concepts, used "for ever" too broadly. Other authorities believe that "for ever" was used in place of more specific concepts because translators thought that the people were uneducated and wouldn't understand various nuances. In the Old Testament, "owlam" is used to represent the concept of "for ever" in addition to many other words. Some examples of "owlam" being used too broadly follow: Exodus 21:6 provides an example. When a servant wanted to remain in the service of his master until the servant died, he had his ear pierced to signify this decision. "Then his master shall bring him unto the judges, he shall also bring him to the door or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever." We know that the servant cannot serve his master after he dies or after the master dies. In this case "for ever" would mean until one of them died. The Hebrew-Greek Study Key Bible translates "for ever" in this case, as permanently. You can see that" for ever" in this case, does not express our definition of eternity.
Hannah wanted a child desperately. She beseeched God for a child and finally gave birth to Samuel. 1 Samuel 1:22 gives a part of the story. "But Hannah went not up; (to the temple) for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him that he may appear before the Lord and, and there abide for ever." We know that Samuel eventually died. For- ever in this instance should be translated, as long as he lives, as verse 28 of 1 Samuel shows us. "Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord."
In the book of Jonah, after he was swallowed by the great fish, he called out to God for deliverance from his distress. In this instance, "for ever" can best be translated as a long time. We can certainly understand that this incident would appear to him as of long duration. Jonah 2:3-6" For thou hadst cast me into the deep in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight: yet I will look again toward thy holy temple. The water compassed me about, to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head. I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God.
It is a good idea to purchase a good Hebrew-Greek Study Bible as you attempt to delve deeper into a study of the Old Testament. A Companion Bible and an Interlinear Greek English Bible/Lexicon will also be beneficial. As you study more deeply into God's word, His truth gradually opens up like a fresh, dewy, rose bud that grows in beauty and reveals to you a lovely, beautiful rose.
