Page 31 - Foundations

Job 20:4-5
Knowest thou not this of old (Hebrew “ad”), since man was placed upon earth, that the triumphing
of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?
KJV

“Eternal” would not be a suitable English word to use to translate this Hebrew word in the verse
above. We would not say “Knowest thou not this of eternity...”

Another instance of this word is in the following verse:

Psalms 104:23
Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until (Hebrew “ad”) the evening.
KJV

Keep in mind that Strong’s Concordance tells us that the proper meaning of this word refers to a
“peremptory terminus” or a definite end. We can see then how this word was employed in the
original Hebrew of this verse. Men work “until” a certain end, which in this verse is identified as
“the evening.” Men do not work perpetually, or eternally.

The King James translators most often rendered this Hebrew word as “for ever.” Yet, we must
question whether they have done well in doing so in all instances. Following is one example.

Numbers 24:20
And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the
nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever (Hebrew “ad”).
KJV

Following is how the New KJV translates this same verse.

Numbers 24:20
Then he looked on Amalek, and he took up his oracle and said: "Amalek was first among the nations,
but shall be last until (Hebrew “ad”) he perishes."
NKJV

Again, the word until carries with it an understanding of something coming to a peremptory
terminus. Amalek was prophesied to exist “until he perishes” (comes to a peremptory end). It would
appear that the NKJV has done a better job of expressing the proper meaning of the Hebrew word.

We have seen that there is a range of meaning that can be ascribed to this word. We have seen it
properly employed to mean “old,” or “until” some indicated end. Could Isaiah 9:6 be translated
differently, in a manner that accords well with the proper meaning of the Hebrew word “ad,” and at
the same time find a harmony with the testimony of the rest of Scripture? It certainly can. Following
is one possible translation.