Age

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

A — 1: Αἰών (Strong'S #165 — Noun Masculine — aion — ahee-ohn' )

"an age, era" (to be connected with aei, "ever," rather than with ao, "to breathe"), signifies a period of indefinite duration, or time viewed in relation to what takes place in the period. The force attaching to the word is not so much that of the actual length of a period, but that of a period marked by spiritual or moral characteristics. This is illustrated in the use of the adjective [see Note (1) below] in the phrase "life eternal," in  John 17:3 , in respect of the increasing knowledge of God.

 Hebrews 5:6CourseEternalWorld. 2—Corinthians 4:18 Romans 16:26 1—Timothy 6:16 1—Peter 5:10 Hebrews 9:14 Hebrews 9:12 John 3:16 2—Corinthians 5:1 2—Peter 1:11 Luke 1:33 Mark 3:29 Hebrews 6:2 Matthew 18:8 25:41 Jude 1:7EternalEverlasting. Revelation 15:3 Jeremiah 10:7

A — 2: Γενεά (Strong'S #1074 — Noun Feminine — genea — ghen-eh-ah' )

connected with ginomai, "to become," primarily signifies "a begetting, or birth;" hence, that which has been begotten, a family; or successive members of a genealogy,  Matthew 1:17 , or of a race of people, possessed of similar characteristics, pursuits, etc., (of a bad character)  Matthew 17:17;  Mark 9:19;  Luke 9:41;  16:8;  Acts 2:40; or of the whole multitude of men living at the same time,  Matthew 24:34;  Mark 13:30;  Luke 1:48;  21:32;  Philippians 2:15 , and especially of those of the Jewish race living at the same period,  Matthew 11:16 , etc. Transferred from people to the time in which they lived, the word came to mean "an age," i.e., a period ordinarily occupied by each successive generation, say, of thirty or forty years,  Acts 14:16;  15:21;  Ephesians 3:5;  Colossians 1:26; see also, e.g.,  Genesis 15:16 . In  Ephesians 3:21 genea is combined with aion in a remarkable phrase in a doxology: "Unto Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus, unto all generations for ever and ever (wrongly in AV 'all ages, world without end')." The word genea is to be distinguished from aion, as not denoting a period of unlimited duration. See Generation , Nation , Time.

A — 3: Ἡλικία (Strong'S #2244 — Noun Feminine — helikia — hay-lik-ee'-ah )

primarily "an age," as a certain length of life, came to mean (a) "a particular time of life," as when a person is said to be "of age,"  John 9:21,23 , or beyond a certain stage of life,  Hebrews 11:11; (b) elsewhere only "of stature," e.g.,  Matthew 6:27;  Luke 2:52;  12:25;  19:3;  Ephesians 4:13 . Some regard  Matthew 6:27;  Luke 12:25 as coming under (a). It is to be distinguished from aion and genea, since it has to do simply with matters relating to an individual, either his time of life or his height. See Stature.

A — 4: Ἡμέρα (Strong'S #2250 — Noun Feminine — hemera — hay-mer'-ah )

"a day," is rendered "age" in  Luke 2:36 , "of a great age" (lit., "advanced in many days"). In  Luke 3:23 there is no word in the original corresponding to age. The phrase is simply "about thirty years." See Day , Judgment , Time , Year.

B — 1: Ὑπέρακμος (Strong'S #5230 — Adjective — huperakmos — hoop-er'-ak-mos )

in  1—Corinthians 7:36 is rendered "past the flower of her age;" more lit., "beyond the bloom or flower (acme) of life."

B — 2: Τέλειος (Strong'S #5046 — Adjective — teleios — tel'-i-os )

"complete, perfect," from telos, "an end," is translated "of full age" in  Hebrews 5:14 , AV (RV, "fullgrown man").

 Mark 5:42 Luke 2:36Stricken.  Galatians 1:14Equal

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

The general significance of ‘age’ is a period of time, or a measure of life. Specially, it expresses the idea of advancement in life, or of oldness. Several Greek words are employed in NT for ‘age.’ (1) αἰών (see aeon). (2) γενεά, ‘a generation,’ loosely measured as extending from 30 to 33 years. In  Ephesians 3:5;  Ephesians 3:21 Revised Versionrightly puts ‘generations’ for ‘ages.’ (3) τέλειος, ‘full-grown’ or ‘perfect.’ In  Hebrews 5:14 for Authorized Version‘to them that are of full age’ the Revised Versionsubstitutes ‘fullgrown’ in the text, and ‘perfect’ in the margin (cf.  1 Corinthians 2:6, where the Revised Versionhas ‘perfect’ in the text, and ‘full-grown’ in the margin). (4) ἡλικία is the most exact Greek term for ‘age,’ and especially for full age as applied to human life. It includes also the ideas of maturity or fitness, and of stature, as when a person has attained to full development of growth. In  Ephesians 4:13 ‘the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ’ (English Version) is somewhat difficult to interpret. The phrase is co-ordinate with the words ‘a perfect (or fullgrown, τέλειος) man,’ which precede it in the text. Both phrases describe the ultimate height of spiritual development which the Church as the body of Christ is to reach. The latter phrase explains what the former implies. The general line of interpretation is that the whole Church as the body of Christ is to grow into ‘a fullgrown or perfect man,’ and the standard or height of the perfect man is the stature of Christ in His fullness (see Comm. of Meyer, Eadie, Ellicott, in loc .; Field, Notes on the Tr. of the NT , 1899, p. 6; Expositor , 7th ser., ii. [1906] 441ff.). In  Galatians 1:14, where the compound συνηλικιώτας is used, the word has its primary meaning of ‘age’ (= ‘equals in age’).

The question of age was of importance as regards fitness for holding office in the Church (see Novice). In later times the canonical age varied, but in general it was fixed at thirty (see Cathol. Encyc . article‘Age’). It was also considered in relation to the dispensing of the charity of the Church, at least in the case of widows. In  1 Timothy 5:9 it is said: ‘Let none be enrolled as a widow under threescore years old.’ The question naturally arises. Were only widows of advanced years eligible for assistance? It is possible that younger widows might be in greater need of help. Because of this it is supposed by some (Schleiermacher, etc.) that the reference is to an order of deaconesses-a supposition that becomes an argument for a late and un-Pauline date for the Epistle. Others think that the reference is to an order of widows who had duties which somewhat resembled those of the presbyters (Huther, Ellicott, Alford). De Wette believes that probably there were women who vowed themselves to perpetual widowhood, and performed certain functions in the Church; but evidences of such an order belong to a later dale in the Church’s history. On the whole, and especially if the Epistle belongs to an early date, it is best to regard the instruction as a direction about widows who were entirely dependent on the charity of the Church. Younger widows would receive help according to their need, but were not enrolled like the older widows as regular recipients of the Church’s charity. The age limit for an old age pension is not a new idea. It is impossible to determine if the widows who were enrolled were bound to give some service in return for the assistance which they received. The probability is that they were not, assuming, of course, the early date of the Epistle (see H. R. Reynolds, in Expos. , 1st ser., iii. [1880] 382-390; Hasting's Dictionary of the Bible (5 vols) , article‘Widows’).

The dispensing of charity to widows was a great and grave problem in the early Church. The rule about enrolment only when the threescore years had been reached was evidently intended to restrict the number of those who were entitled to receive regular help. Nestle calls attention to ‘the punning observation in the Didascalia (= Const. Apost . iii. 6) about itinerant widows who were so ready to receive that they were not so much χῆραι as πῆραιʼ (Deissmann, Light from the Ancient East , p. 109, note). The pun may be rendered in English as ‘not so much “widows” as “wallets.” ’

In  1 Timothy 5:1 and  1 Peter 5:5 ‘elders’ (πρεσβύτεροι) has the primitive signification of ‘men of advanced age.’ Cf. also the following article.

John Reid.

Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary

in the most general sense of the term, denotes the duration of any substance, animate or inanimate; and is applied either to the whole period of its existence, or to that portion of it which precedes the time to which the description of it refers. In this sense it is used to signify either the whole natural duration of the LIFE of man, or any interval of it that has elapsed before the period of which we speak. When age is understood of a certain portion of the life of man, its whole duration is divided into four different ages, viz. infancy, youth, manhood, and old age: the first extending to the fourteenth year; the second, denominated youth, adolescence, or the age of puberty, commencing at fourteen, and terminating at about twenty five; manhood, or the virile age, concluding at fifty; and the last ending at the close of life. Some divide the first period into infancy and childhood; and the last likewise into two stages, calling that which succeeds the age of seventy-five, decrepit old age: Age is applicable to the duration of things inanimate or factitious; and in this use of the term we speak of the age of a house, of a country, of a state or kingdom, &c.

AGE, in chronology, is used for a century, or a period of one hundred years: in which sense it is the same with seculum, and differs from generation. It is also used in speaking of the times past since the creation of the world. The several ages of the world may be reduced to three grand epochas, viz. the age of the law of nature, called by the Jews the void age, from Adam to Moses. The age of the Jewish law, from Moses to Christ, called by the Jews the present age. And the age of grace, from Christ to the present year. The Jews call the third age, the age to come, or the future age; denoting by it the time from the advent of the Messiah to the end of the world. The Romans distinguished the time that preceded them into three ages: the obscure or uncertain age, which reached down as low as Ogyges king of Attica, in whose reign the deluge happened in Greece; the fabulous or heroic age, which ended at the first olympiad; and the historical age, which commenced at the building of Rome. Among the poets, the four ages of the world are, the golden, the silver, the brazen, and the iron age.

Age is sometimes used among the ancient poets in the same sense as generation, or a period of thirty years. Thus Nestor is said to have lived three ages, when he was ninety years old.

The period preceding the birth of Jesus Christ has been generally divided into six ages. The first extends from the creation to the deluge, and comprehends 1656 years. The second age, from the deluge to Abraham's entering the land of promise, A.M. 2082, comprehends 426 years. The third age, from Abraham's entrance into the promised land to the Exodus, A.M. 2512, includes 430 years. The fourth age, from the Exodus to the building, of the temple by Solomon, A.M. 2992, contains 480 years. The fifth age, from the foundation of Solomon's temple to the Babylonish captivity, A.M. 3416, comprehends 424 years. The sixth age, from the Babylonish captivity to the birth of Jesus Christ, A.M. 4000, the fourth year before the vulgar aera, including 584 years. Those who follow the Septuagint, or Greek version, divide this period into seven ages, viz. 1. From the creation to the deluge, 2262 years. 2. From the deluge to the confusion of tongues, 738 years. 3. From this confusion to the calling of Abraham, 460 years. 4. From this period to Jacob's descent into Egypt, 215 years; and from this event to the Exodus, 430 years, making the whole 645 years. 5. From the Exodus to Saul, 774 years. 6. From Saul to Cyrus, 583 years. 7. From Cyrus to the vulgar aera of Christians, 538 years; the whole period from the creation to this period containing 6000 years.

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

A period of time characterized by a certain stage of development of God's grand scheme of redemption ( Aion ) ( Ephesians 2:7;  Ephesians 3:5). The people living in the age. There is the patriarchal age; the Mosaic age or dispensation; the Christian age, in which "the kingdom of God cometh without observation" (and evil predominates outwardly); and the future manifested millennial kingdom: the two latter together forming "the world (Greek: "age") to come," in contrast to "this present evil world" (age) ( Ephesians 1:21;  Galatians 1:4). The Greek for the physical "world" is Kosmos , distinct from Aion , the ethical world or "age" ( Hebrews 6:5). If the 1260 prophetical days of the papal antichrist be years, and begin at A.D. 754, when his temporal power began by Pepin's grant of Ravenna, the Lombard kingdom, and Rome to Stephen II., the beginning of the millennial age would be A.D. 2014 .

But figures have in Scripture a mystical meaning as well as a literal; faith must wait until the Father reveals fully "the times and seasons which He hath put in His own power" ( Acts 1:7). Messiah is the Lord by whom and for whom all these ages, or vast cycles of time, have existed and do exist ( Hebrews 1:2), "through whom He made the ages" (Greek) ( Isaiah 26:4), "the Rock of ages" ( Psalms 145:13). "This age" (Greek for "world") is under the prince of darkness, the god of this world (Greek: "age") so far as most men are concerned ( Ephesians 2:2;  Luke 16:8;  Matthew 13:22;  2 Corinthians 4:4). "The world" when representing the Greek "age" ( Aion ) means not the material "world" (Greek Kosmos ), but the age in its relation to God or to Satan. Continuance is the prominent thought; so "the ages of ages," expressing continuous succession of vast cycles, stands for eternity; e.g., Messiah's kingdom ( Revelation 11:15), the torment of the lost ( Revelation 14:11).

Morrish Bible Dictionary

αἰών. A period of time marked off by that which distinguishes it from other periods, as the Patriarchal age, the Apostolic age, etc. Though these terms do not occur in scripture, many allusions are made to the different ages. Thus we speak of the Antediluvian age, and scripture speaks of the same period as 'the old world,' i. e., the ordered scene which God did not spare.   2 Peter 2:5 . The 'Patriarchal age' embraces the time from the call of Abraham to the release from Egypt and the giving of the law. From 'Adam to Moses' excluding both, is an epoch when men's sins could not be classed as transgressions, seeing there was no definite law such as was given to Adam, or such as was administered by Moses.  Romans 5:13,14 . Again, from Moses to Christ formed a definite period: "the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ,"  John 1:17; "the law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it."  Luke 16:16 . The time when Christ was on earth is in John's first epistle repeatedly called 'the beginning:' the beginning of Christianity, though it is not called an age. We may also distinguish the period of the Church (from the day of Pentecost until the Rapture of the saints), though it is separated from recognised times and seasons. Our Lord not only spoke of the age in which He was on earth, but referred some events to 'the end or completion of the age.'  Matthew 13:39,40,49 . The disciples also asked what would be the sign of that completion.  Matthew 24:3 . Our Lord also spoke of 'the coming age,' when His own should receive life eternal.  Luke 18:30; cf. also  Matthew 12:32;  Ephesians 1:21;  Ephesians 2:7 . God's kingdom is 'a kingdom of all ages.'  Psalm 145:13 , margin. Eternity, in reference to the glory of God, to the blessing of the saved, and to the punishment of the wicked, is again and again called the 'age of ages,' often translated 'for ever and ever:' all being consummated in the eternal state. The Greek word is αἰών throughout, though often translated 'world' in the A.V.

King James Dictionary

AGE, n. L. aetas,or aevum. But these are undoubtedly contracted words.

1. The whole duration of a being, whether animal, vegetable, or other kind as, the usual age of man is seventy years the age of a horse may be twenty or thirty years the age of a tree may be four hundred years. 2. That part of the duration of a being, which is between its beginning and any given time as, what is the present age of a man, or of the earth?

Jesus began to be about thirty years of age.  Luke 3 .

3. The latter part of life, or long continued duration oldness.

The eyes of Israel were dim for age.  Genesis 48 .

4. A certain period of human life, marked by a difference of state as, life is divided into four stages or ages, infancy, youth, manhood, and old age the age of youth the age of manhood. 5. The period when a person is enabled by law to do certain acts for himself, or when he ceases to be controlled by parents or guardians as, in our country, both males and females are of age in twenty-one years old. 6. Mature years ripeness of strength or discretion.

He is of age, as him.  John 9 .

7. The time of life for conceiving children, or perhaps the usual time of such an event.

Sarah was delivered of a son when she was past age.

 Hebrews 11 .

8. A particular period of time, as distinguished from others as, the golden age, the age of iron, the age of heroes or of chivalry. 9. The people who live at a particular period hence, a generation and a succession of generations as, ages yet unborn.

The mystery hid from ages.  Colossians 1 .

10. A century the period of one hundred years.

Webster's Dictionary

(1): (n.) The time of life at which some particular power or capacity is understood to become vested; as, the age of consent; the age of discretion.

(2): (n.) A particular period of time in history, as distinguished from others; as, the golden age, the age of Pericles.

(3): (n.) A century; the period of one hundred years.

(4): (n.) The latter part of life; an advanced period of life; seniority; state of being old.

(5): (n.) That part of the duration of a being or a thing which is between its beginning and any given time; as, what is the present age of a man, or of the earth?

(6): (n.) The whole duration of a being, whether animal, vegetable, or other kind; lifetime.

(7): (n.) A great period in the history of the Earth.

(8): (n.) The people who live at a particular period; hence, a generation.

(9): (n.) In poker, the right belonging to the player to the left of the dealer to pass the first round in betting, and then to come in last or stay out; also, the player holding this position; the eldest hand.

(10): (v. i.) To grow aged; to become old; to show marks of age; as, he grew fat as he aged.

(11): (v. t.) To cause to grow old; to impart the characteristics of age to; as, grief ages us.

(12): (n.) Mature age; especially, the time of life at which one attains full personal rights and capacities; as, to come of age; he (or she) is of age.

(13): (n.) One of the stages of life; as, the age of infancy, of youth, etc.

(14): (n.) A long time.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Genesis 47:28 John 9:21 Job 11:17 Job 8:8 Ephesians 2:7 3:5,21 Colossians 1:26 Leviticus 19:32 Isaiah 65:20 Zechariah 8:4 Job 12:20 15:10 32:4,9 1 Kings 12:6,8 Job 5:26 Genesis 15:15

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

āj  : A period of time or a dispensation. In the above sense the word occurs only once in the King James Version, in the sing, as the translation of דּור , dor , which means, properly, a "revolution" or "round of time," "a period," "an age" or "generation of man's life"; almost invariable translated "generation," "generations" ( Job 8:8 , "Inquire, I pray thee, of the former age"); we have the plural as the translation of aiō̇n , properly "duration," "the course or flow of time," "an age or period of the world," "the world" ( Ephesians 2:7 , "in the ages to come";  Colossians 1:26 , "the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations," the English Revised Version, "from all ages," etc., the American Revised Version, margin, of geneaı́ , "generations" ( Ephesians 3:5 "generations,"   Ephesians 3:21 , "unto all generations for ever and ever," Greek margin, "all the generations of the age of the ages"). "Ages" is given in margin of the King James Version ( Psalm 145:13;  Isaiah 26:4 , "the rock of ages").

We have "age" in the above sense (2 Esdras 3:18; Tobit 14:5; aiōn ) "ages," aiōn (1 Esdras 4:40 (of Truth) "she is the strength," etc., "of all ages"), γενεα , genea , the Revised Version (British and American), "generation" (The Wisdom of Solomon 7:27; 1 Macc 2:61); Ecclesiasticus 24:33, eis geneás aionō̇n , "generations of ages"; The Wisdom of Solomon 14:6, "generations" ( genéseōs ).

Revised Version has "age" for "world" ( Hebrews 6:5 ); "ages" for "worlds" (the Revised Version, margin  Hebrews 1:2; the American Revised Version, margin; compare  1 Timothy 1:17 ) (margin, "unto the ages of the ages"), "ages" for "world" ( 1 Corinthians 10:11;  Hebrews 9:26 ). the English Revised Version has "all ages" for "the beginning of the world" ( Ephesians 3:9 , the American Standard Revised Version "for ages"); "king of the ages" for "king of saints" ( Revelation 15:3 , corrected text; margin, many ancient authorities read "nations";  Jeremiah 10:7 ). See Everlasting .

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Age [[[Generation; Longevity]]]