Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Peter Kirk <peter AT qaya.org>]

On 17/11/2005 00:38, Robert Newman wrote:

> Dear Peter and Kelton,
> Firstly, on the ability of olam to describe time that is less than endless.
> Peter you requested evidence that it does not just mean forever,
> Ge 6:4; De 32:7 and Job 22:15 (pos. Time of ones elders) Jos 24:2; 1 Sam 
> 27:8; Isa 51:9,11; 63:9; Ez 36:2; Pr 22:28; 32:10; Jer 6:16; 18:15; 28:8 Isa 
> 58:12; 61:4; Mic 7:5; Mal 3:4; Ezr 4:15,19.
>  

I accept that endless time is not entirely relevant to the past 
references, which most of these are. But these do appear to refer to 
time going back to the very start of creation, in other words with no 
beginning other than creation. The meaning is certainly not that "since 
an uncertain time in the past", but "from the very beginning of time". 
From our modern historical perspective we understand that many of these 
things do not actually go right back to creation, but from the author's 
perspective they were probably understood as doing so

Isaiah 51:11 is not in this category, but is a promise of joy which will 
last for ever. Pr 32:10 and Mic 7:5 are incorrect references.

Perhaps I will modify my original claim: whenever `olam refers to future 
time, it refers to a time which is "for ever", at least from a 
subjective perspective in that in some contexts the time may actually be 
terminated by death etc. I invite you and others to provide evidence 
against this version of my claim.

--
Peter Kirk
peter AT qaya.org (personal)
peterkirk AT qaya.org (work)
http://www.qaya.org/