Three Hebrew words are translated 'eternal.'

1. ad: very often translated 'for ever,' and with another word, olam, 'for ever and ever.' "The Lord shall reign for ever and ever." Ex 15:18. "The Lord is king for ever and ever." Ps 10:16: cf. also Ps 45:6; 48:14; 52:8. Mic 4:5. Ad is also translated 'everlasting:' "the everlasting Father," or "Father of the everlasting age." Isa 9:6. Also 'eternity;' "the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity." Isa 57:15.

2. olam, signifying 'everlasting,' 'never ending.' It is often translated 'for ever:' "his mercy endureth for ever," 1Ch 16:41; and 'everlasting:' "the everlasting God." Ge 21:33; Ps 90:2; 93:2; 103:17. "I will make thee an eternal excellency." Isa 60:15.

3. qedem, 'ancient, that which is before.' "The eternal God is thy refuge." De 33:27. "Art thou not from everlasting?" Hab 1:12. "God is my King of old." Ps 74:12.

4. In the N.T., ??????, 'perpetual:' occurs only in Ro 1:20, "his eternal power and Godhead;" and Jude 1:6, "reserved in everlasting chains."

5. ????, 'age, duration, ever.' With a preposition 'unto the ages' is often translated 'for ever;' and, when repeated, 'for ever and ever.' "He that eateth of this bread shall live for ever." Joh 6:58. "Christ abideth for ever." Joh 12:34. "To whom be glory for ever and ever." Ga 1:5. "According to the eternal purpose." Eph 3:11. "Now unto the king eternal . . . . be honour and glory for ever and ever." 1Ti 1:17. This word is often translated 'world,' but may at times be better rendered 'age,' as "be not conformed to this age," Ro 12:2; and 'for ever and ever' may be translated 'to the ages of ages,' though the meaning would be the same.

6. ???????, from ????, signifying 'ever enduring.' It is always translated 'eternal' or 'everlasting,' except in Ro 16:25, "since the world began," or "in the times of the ages." 2Ti 1:9; Tit 1:2, "before the world began," or, "before the ages of time;" and Phm 1:15, "for ever." This word is applied to God Himself as "the everlasting God." Ro 16:26; to the Holy Spirit. Heb 9:14; to redemption. Heb 9:12; inheritance. Heb 9:15; salvation. Heb 5:9; glory. 1Pe 5:10; and constantly to life. Joh 3:15-16,36. On the other hand it is applied to punishment, Mt 25:46; damnation, Mr 3:29; destruction, 2Th 1:9; and fire, Jude 1:7: cf. Isa 33:14.

The above passages show that the same word is used for the existence of God Himself; for the salvation and blessedness of the saved; and for the punishment of the wicked.