Morning Moments

Perish


In recent years there has arisen some interesting teaching about the word "perish" as used in John 3:16, and it has been suggested that the implication is that those who do not trust in Jesus will be ultimately and utterly annihilated as opposed to spending eternity in the Lake of Fire prepared for the devil and his angels, where the "worm dies not and the fire is not quenched; where there shall be weeping and wailing day and night forever and ever," as Jesus taught. 


So, today let's consider both Hebrew and Greek terms for "perish".


FIRST the GREEK -



Classical Greek
In classical Greek the verb apollumi means “to lose” or “to destroy.” Passively it means “to disappear” or “to lose oneself” (i.e., “to get lost”). “To die” or “to be destroyed” are also definitions in the passive voice. 


Septuagint Usage
In the Septuagint apollumi translates no less than 38 different Hebrew words; most often it equals ’āvadh, “to be lost, to perish.” This usually refers to destruction in this life, but some texts suggest destruction in the hereafter. 


New Testament Usage
The verb apollumi occurs about 90 times in the New Testament, while the cognate noun apōleia (677), “destruction, ruin,” occurs 20 times. These words, together with olethros (3502), are in large measure responsible for conveying the New Testament’s teaching on eternal destruction and ruin. This idea is more fully discussed under the noun apōleia.


HEBREW



‏אֲבַד‎ ʾăvadh
verb
to perish, to be annihilated
Jer10:11they shall perish from the earth,1
Dan2:12to destroy all the wise (men) of Babylon5
 2:18Daniel and his fellows should not perish5
 2:24Destroy not the wise (men) of Babylon:5
 2:24to destroy the wise (men) of Babylon:5
 7:11the beast was slain, and his body destroyed,6
 7:26to consume and to destroy (it) unto the5


This Aramaic verb is the cognate of the Hebrew word 'āvadh (HED #6). It is used in Jer. 10:11 of heathen gods "perishing" or "disappearing" from the world. In Dan. 2:12, 18, 24, it is used in the causative stem (Hafel) for the ordered "destruction" or "execution" of the wisemen and Daniel. In Dan. 7:11, the body of the beast is "destroyed" by fire. Then, in 7:26, the vision reveals the dominion of the evil king being "taken away, annihilated," or "completely destroyed" forever.


What we discover is that the text of John 3:16 in definition nor in comparison with other NT texts gives any indication of any annihilation, but rather eternal suffering of all unbelievers.


When the Hebrew is used and "annihilation" is implied, it is NOT of the personal soul in eternity, but of the banishment, consummation, or destruction from the earth.


Shakespeare said, "Drink deep or touch not."  Don't believe everything you hear or read!  Be diligence!


BLESSINGS!