Continually

Vine's Expository Dictionary of OT Words

A. Adverb.

Tâmı̂yd ( תָּמִיד , Strong'S #8548), “always; continually: regularly.” This word comes from a root that means “to measure.” The root is found in Assyrian, Aramaic, Arabic, and Phoenician. Tâmı̂yd occurs 100 times in all parts of the Old Testament. It signifies what is to be done regularly or continuously without interruption.

Tâmı̂yd is first used in Exod. 25:30: “And thou shalt set upon the table showbread before me always” (Kjv; Nasb “at all times”). Sometimes the continuity is explained by what follows, as in Isa. 21:8: “… My lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole nights.”

Because of his covenant with Jonathan, David said to Mephibosheth: “… And you shall eat at my table regularly” (2 Sam. 9:7; cf. 2 Sam. 9:10, Nasb; Kjv “continually”; RSV, “always”).

Tâmı̂yd occurs most frequently of the daily rituals in the tabernacle and temple: “Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually” (Exod. 29:38). The variety in the English versions indicates that both ideas—regularity and continuousness—are present in the Hebrew word. In this passage, tâmı̂yd indicates that these rituals were to be performed regularly and without interruption for the duration of the old covenant.

The word is also used of God. It describes His visible presence at the tabernacle: “So it was always: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night” (Num. 9:16). It describes His care for His people: “… let thy loving-kindness and thy truth continually preserve me” (Ps. 40:11); “And the Lord shall guide thee continually …” (Isa. 58:11).

Tâmı̂yd is also used of Jerusalem: “… thy walls are continually before me” (Isa. 49:16). The word describes man’s response to God: “I have set the Lord always before me” (Ps. 16:8); “… his praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Ps. 34:1); “So I shall keep thy law continually, for ever and ever” (Ps. 119:44). In contrast, Israel is “a people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face” (Isa. 65:3). Finally, it is said of Zion eschatologically: “Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night” (Isa. 60:11).

B. Adjective.

Tâmı̂yd ( תָּמִיד , 8548), “continual.” In Exod. 30:7-8, Aaron is commanded to burn incense morning and evening when he trims the lamps. He is told to offer “… a perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations” (KJV). The same Hebrew expression is used often of priestly functions (cf. Num. 28:6; Ezek. 46:15).

King James Dictionary

Continually adv.

1. Without pause or cessation unceasingly as, the ocean is continually rolling its waves on the shore. 2. Very often in repeated succession from time to time.

Thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.  2 Samuel 9 .

Webster's Dictionary

(1): (adv.) Without cessation; unceasingly; continuously; as, the current flows continually.

(2): (adv.) In regular or repeated succession; very often.