"indeterminate as to duration, eternal, everlasting"
Definition and meaning
indeterminate as to duration, eternal, everlasting
In the original Greek the word is written: αἰώνιος
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of aionios (G166) across the King James Bible.
Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:
And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
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Common questions
Strong's G166 (aionios) is a Greek word that means: indeterminate as to duration, eternal, everlasting It appears 67 times in the King James Bible.
The word aionios (G166) appears 67 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G166 is aionios, a Greek word defined as: indeterminate as to duration, eternal, everlasting. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
aionios is a Greek word found in the New Testament.