Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Paul Zellmer" <pzellmer AT sc.rr.com>]

Fred,

עד עולם is a prepositional phrase which may be literally translated, "up to 
perpetuity."  עולם is frequently found with other spacial prepositions, like 
מן, "from" (referring to the past), and ל, "to."

Considering your penchant for using non-standard English syntax, you probably 
would appreciate that the Hebrew sometimes omits the head of the 
prepositional phrase when עד is used, resulting in the same concept as עד 
עולם.  Basically, what is being said in such cases is, "Something is true 
until."  Until what?  Until the period of time being talked about (even if it 
is never specified) is over.  This type usage, by the way, can be found in 
numerous languages around the world.

Anyway, the most basic meaning of עד is not "forever," but is the 
prepositional idea of "to the point of."

Hope this helps,

Paul Zellmer

-----Original Message-----
From: b-hebrew-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org 
[mailto:b-hebrew-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of fred burlingame
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2010 10:44 AM
To: K Randolph
Cc: B-Hebrew
Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Song of Songs 1:12

Hello Karl:

Does not the little word עד mean forever? Witness 1 chronicles 23:13.

http://www.biblestudytools.com/1-chronicles/23-13.html


I observe the greek text seems a bit closer to your understanding of the
word as "until."

http://apostolic.interlinearbible.org/1_chronicles/23.htm

But just what do the all important hebrew words mean, עד עולם ?

http://www.tanach.us/Tanach.xml#Home


regards,

fred burlingame



On Wed, Dec 8, 2010 at 5:24 PM, K Randolph <kwrandolph AT gmail.com> wrote:

> Song of Songs 1:12, what does it mean?
>
>
> The phrase עד אשר means “until” indicating the completion of an action,
> either time wise, or the desired result has been achieved.
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