Now here is the question: How long does “throughout their generations” last? Does the word “forever” mean “eternal”?
If these terms always mean “eternal” in the ultimate sense, then Heaven itself will have days so that every seventh day can be observed as the Sabbath through all eternity. However, the Bible shows that earthly days will pass away. Heaven’s ceaseless light will be God Himself; there will be no night to divide one day from another (Revelation 21:25; 22:5 cf. Genesis 1:14-19). So we realize, that where the Sabbath is concerned, “forever” cannot be taken to mean “eternal” in the strictest sense. At most, it might mean “while day and night last.” In that case the command would be to honor the Sabbath as long as days can be counted. If you see that possibility, then consider a related possibility. What if “forever” means, “while this covenant lasts”?
This possibility should be considered because of the way the Old Testament uses terms. Hebrew dictionaries (which are also available for English readers) show that this term “forever” has a number of meanings in different contexts. Even where a Hebrew dictionary is not available, you personally can survey the variety of meanings in an English Bible.
“Forever” usually translates the Hebrew word olam (also ad olam). Often associated with it is the Hebrew word dor, which means “throughout your generations” or “from generation to generation.” The following chart shows places where these words are used about covenant matters in the Old Testament:
Genesis 17:13 – Fleshly circumcision an everlasting covenant – olam
Exodus 12:14, 24 – Passover Feast throughout your generations, – dor
a statute forever – olam
Exodus 21:6 – Voluntary slavery, his servant for life – olam
Exodus 27:21 – Burning the oil lamp a statute forever, – olam
throughout their generations – dor
Exodus 28:43 – Priest’s clothing a statute forever – olam
Exodus 29:9 – Aaronic priesthood a statute forever – olam
Exodus 29:42 – Daily sacrifices regular, –olam
throughout your generations – dor
Exodus 30:8 – Incense throughout your generations – dor
Exodus 30:10 – Sin offerings throughout your generations – dor
Exodus 30:21 – Washing of priests a statute forever, – olam
throughout their generations – dor
Exodus 31:13 – Sabbath, sign with Israel throughout your generations – dor
Exodus 31:16 – Keep Sabbath a covenant forever, – olam
throughout their generations – dor
Exodus 31:17 – Sabbath, a sign with Israel forever – olam
Exodus 40:15 – Aaron’s family as priests perpetual, – olam
throughout their generations – dor
Leviticus 7:36 – Contributions to priests perpetual, – olam
throughout their generations – dor
Leviticus 16:29-34 – Atonement Day, Scapegoat a statute forever – olam
Leviticus 23:14 – First Fruits feast a statute forever, – olam
throughout your generations – dor
Leviticus 24:8 – Sacred Bread a covenant forever – olam
Leviticus 24:9 – Priests to eat the bread perpetual – olam
Numbers 10:8 – Blowing of trumpets a perpetual statute, – olam
throughout your generations – dor
In addition to the above cases, the range of the word olam can be seen in the following examples:
- When referring to God’s own character it obviously has to do with eternity (I Chronicles 16:36; Psalm 90:2; 93:2; Proverbs 8:23).
- In the case of the rainbow covenant it does not mean eternal, but until the end of the world and its clouds (Genesis 9:16 cf. 2 Peter 3:10-11; Revelation 20:11).
- At times it means “in the olden days” or “ancient” (Genesis 6:4; Joshua 24:2; Jeremiah 5:15; 28:8).
- It can also mean “for a long time” (Isaiah 42:14) or “long ago” (Jeremiah 2:20).
- It also means the duration of one’s life, a lifetime. The slave who chose not to be released became his master’s slave forever (olam, Exodus 21:6). The boy Samuel was to dwell in the temple forever (olam, I Samuel 1:22).