Bible Dictionary
ENDLESS
In Hebrews 7:16, describing Christ’s priesthood, it means indissoluble or incapable of being destroyed by death. In 1 Timothy 1:4 it describes limitless genealogies.
Definition
Endless can mean indissoluble or limitless, according to its context. It may describe what cannot be destroyed, or what has no stated limit.
Biblical Usage
In Hebrews 7:16, Christ’s priesthood rests upon the power of an indissoluble life, unlike the priesthood under the law. In 1 Timothy 1:4, “endless genealogies” refers to limitless genealogical series associated with speculative teaching.
Historical Background
The New Testament uses two distinct Greek words in these passages: one meaning indissoluble and the other limitless. They should be distinguished from words ordinarily translated “everlasting” or “eternal.”
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>end'-les (akatalutos (Heb 7:16), aperantos (1Ti 1:4)):</p><p>This English word occurs twice in the New Testament, and is there represented by the two Greek words above noted.</p><p>(1) In Heb 7:16 Jesus is said to be a priest "after the power of an endless life." The word means literally, as in the Revised Version, margin, "indissoluble." It is not simply that Christ's priesthood was eternal. The priesthood was based upon His possession, by nature, of a life which in time and eternity death could not touch. This distinguished Him essentially from priests under the law.</p><p>(2) In 1Ti 1:4, Paul warns Timothy against giving heed in his ministry to "fables (muthoi) and endless (limitless) genealogies." The allusion seems to be to the series of emanations (aeons) in Gnostic speculation, to which no limit could be set.</p><p>Distinct from the above are the words denoting "everlasting," "eternal," which see.</p><p>James Orr</p>