📖 Biblical Definition
Olam (עוֹלָם) is the Hebrew word for eternity or age — the long duration that recedes beyond view. It is used both backwards (me-olam, "from of old, from ancient times") and forwards (le-olam va‘ed, "forever and ever"). Abraham planted a grove in Beer-sheba "and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God" — El Olam (Genesis 21:33). Moses sings: "Even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God" (Psalm 90:2). The Hebrew word does not separate "eternity" from "age" as sharply as Greek thought; long duration that exceeds the visible horizon is the concept. YHWH is the El Olam — the God of the unbounded ages, before and behind, beneath and beyond.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Hebrew "eternity" / "age" — long duration receding beyond view.
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The Hebrew word for long duration, eternity, or age. Etymologically connected to the idea of "hidden distance" — the time-horizon that disappears from view in either direction. Used backwards (me-olam, from antiquity) and forwards (le-olam, forever). YHWH is named El Olam, the Everlasting God (Gen 21:33). The Hebrew refuses to separate eternity from age; both are duration beyond human perception.
📖 Key Scripture
Genesis 21:33 — "And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God."
Psalm 90:2 — "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God."
Isaiah 40:28 — "Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary?"
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern translations often render olam as "forever" or "eternal," losing the long-duration / horizon nuance.
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Greek thinking gave us a sharp split between time and eternity. Hebrew olam doesn't split them — eternity is the duration that recedes beyond perception, in either direction. God is the El Olam because His durations span before-the-mountains and beyond-the-end-of-the-world.
Recover the horizon: olam is the curve of the earth where the road disappears. From olam to olam, the LORD is God.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew olam.
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['Hebrew', 'H5769', 'olam', 'eternity, age, antiquity']
['Greek', 'G165', 'aiōn', 'age, eternity']
Usage
"Olam is duration beyond perception."
"El Olam — the Everlasting God."
"From olam to olam, the LORD is God."