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αἰώνιος

aiṓnios

G166 attributive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Pertaining to an age or era; enduring for an age; that which is lasting, enduring, or perpetual within the limits of a particular period or context. In various contexts, denotes that which continues through, belongs to, or characterizes an αἰών (age; era; epoch); in philosophical and religious texts, may refer specifically to what is beyond temporal limitation or unending in duration. The core meaning emphasizes long duration or relation to an age, with broader development towards 'eternal' or 'everlasting' especially in later and theological uses.

Semantic Range

belonging to an age, lasting for an age, enduring, perpetual, long-lasting, age-old, relating to the age to come, (in later or religious contexts) eternal, everlasting, without end

Root / Etymology

Derived from αἰών (aiōn, 'age', 'era', 'epoch'), with the adjectival suffix -ιος, forming an adjective meaning 'of an age', 'age-long', 'eternal'. Root ultimately related to the concept of a lifespan, generation, or a period of time. No direct foreign etymology.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, αἰώνιος generally describes something lasting for an age or extremely long period, not necessarily infinite or without end. In the Septuagint, it is often used to translate Hebrew עוֹלָם ('ōlām), which means 'long duration', 'antiquity', or 'perpetuity', but not always absolute eternity. New Testament usage varies: in some contexts, particularly in the Johannine and Pauline writings, αἰώνιος comes to be associated with a quality or mode of existence transcending the current age, often rendered as 'eternal' or 'everlasting', especially when modifying 'life' (ζωή αἰώνιος, 'life of the age to come'). In other instances—such as references to punishment, covenant, or times—the word continues to emphasize long-lasting duration, which may or may not be strictly endless. English translations often use 'eternal', but this can obscure the original's emphasis on duration within or beyond a particular epoch. The term can also contrast with temporal or transient realities (see 2 Corinthians 4:18).

Translation Consistency

primary "eternal" 66 occurrences

aiōnios most commonly functions in English Bibles and theological contexts as ‘eternal’/‘everlasting,’ and that word naturally conveys the core sense of enduring/perpetual while still being idiomatic. Although the Greek word can sometimes mean ‘belonging to an age’ or ‘age‑lasting,’ choosing ‘eternal’ gives a single, natural English adjective that fits the typical and the developed theological usage and provides consistent, clear renderings across all forms.

Alternatives (4 occurrences):
"age-long" (3x) "age-enduring things" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from αἰών; perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well):--eternal, for ever, everlasting, world (began).

Root Family

αἰώνιος (aiōnios) — of an age, enduring, lasting

Root αἰων- of an age, enduring, lasting

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G166-04 αἰώνιον aionion ADJ.R ACC N SG eternal age-long eternal 47
G166-06 αἰωνίου aioniou ADJ.A GEN N SG eternal of an age-long of an eternal 14
G166-05 αἰώνιός aionios ADJ.A NOM F SG eternal age-enduring eternal 4
G166-02 αἰωνίαν aionian ADJ.A ACC F SG eternal age-long age-long 2
G166-03 αἰωνίοις aioniois ADJ.A DAT M PL eternal to age-long ones age-long 1
G166-07 αἰωνίους aionious ADJ.A ACC F PL eternal age-long eternal 1
G166-01 αἰώνια aionia ADJ.P NOM N PL eternal age-enduring things age-enduring things 1

Occurrences in Scripture

70 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G166-04 Matthew 18:8 αἰώνιον aionion ADJ.R ACC N SG eternal age-long eternal
G166-04 Matthew 19:16 αἰώνιον aionion ADJ.A ACC F SG eternal age-long eternal
G166-04 Matthew 19:29 αἰώνιον aionion ADJ.A ACC F SG eternal age-long eternal
G166-04 Matthew 25:41 αἰώνιον aionion ADJ.R ACC N SG eternal age-long eternal
G166-04 Matthew 25:46 αἰώνιον aionion ADJ.A ACC F SG eternal age-long eternal
G166-04 Matthew 25:46 αἰώνιον aionion-2 ADJ.A ACC F SG eternal age-long eternal
G166-06 Mark 3:29 αἰωνίου aioniou ADJ.A GEN N SG eternal of an age-long of an eternal
G166-04 Mark 10:17 αἰώνιον aionion ADJ.A ACC F SG eternal age-long eternal
G166-04 Mark 10:30 αἰώνιον aionion ADJ.A ACC F SG eternal age-long eternal
G166-04 Luke 10:25 αἰώνιον aionion ADJ.A ACC F SG eternal age-long eternal
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