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Hebrews

Hebrews front

Introduction to Hebrews

Part 1: General Introduction

Outline of the Book of Hebrews
  1. Jesus is superior to God’s prophets and angels (1:1-4:13)
  2. Jesus is superior to the priests who serve in the temple in Jerusalem (4:14-7:28)
  3. Jesus’ ministry is superior to the old covenant that God made with his people (8:1-10:39)
  4. What faith is like (11:1-40)
  5. Encouragement to be faithful to God (12:1-29)
  6. Concluding encouragements and greetings (13:1-25)
Who wrote the Book of Hebrews?

No one knows who wrote Hebrews. Scholars have suggested several different people who could possibly be the author. Possible authors are Paul, Luke, and Barnabas. The date of writing is also not known. Most scholars think it was written before A.D. 70. Jerusalem was destroyed in A.D. 70, but the writer of this letter spoke about Jerusalem as if it had not yet been destroyed.

What is the Book of Hebrews about?

In the Book of Hebrews, the author shows that Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. The author did this in order to encourage the Jewish Christians and to explain that Jesus is better than anything that the old covenant had to offer. Jesus is the perfect High Priest. Jesus was also the perfect sacrifice. Animal sacrifices became useless because Jesus’ sacrifice was once and for all time. Therefore, Jesus is the one and only way for people to be accepted by God.

How should the title of this book be translated?

Translators may choose to call this book by its traditional title, “Hebrews.” Or they may choose a clearer title, such as “The Letter to the Hebrews” or “A Letter to the Jewish Christians.” (See: How to Translate Names)

Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts

Can readers understand this book without knowing about the sacrifices and the work of the priests required in the Old Testament?

It would be very difficult for readers to understand this book without understanding these matters. Translators might consider explaining some of these Old Testament concepts in notes or in an introduction to this book.

How is the idea of blood used in the Book of Hebrews?

Beginning in Hebrews 9:7, the idea of blood is often used as metonymy to represent the death of any animal that was sacrificed according to God’s covenant with Israel. The author also used blood to represent the death of Jesus Christ. Jesus became the perfect sacrifice so that God would forgive people for sinning against him. (See: Metonymy)

Beginning in Hebrews 9:19, the author used the idea of sprinkling as a symbolic action. Old Testament priests sprinkled the blood of the animals sacrificed. This was a symbol of the benefits of the animal’s death being applied to the people or to an object. This showed that the people or the object was acceptable to God. (See: Symbolic Action)

Part 3: Important Translation Issues

How are the ideas of “holy” and “sanctify” represented in Hebrews in the ULT?

The scriptures use such words to indicate any one of various ideas. For this reason, it is often difficult for translators to represent them well in their versions. In translating into English, the ULT uses the following principles:

  • Sometimes the meaning in a passage implies moral holiness. Especially important for understanding the gospel is the fact that God views Christians as sinless because they are united to Jesus Christ. Another related fact is that God is perfect and faultless. A third fact that Christians are to conduct themselves in a blameless, faultless manner in life. In these cases, the ULT uses “holy,” “holy God,” “holy ones,” or “holy people.”
  • Sometimes the meaning indicates a simple reference to Christians without implying any particular role filled by them. In these cases, the ULT uses “believer” or “believers.” (See: 6:10; 13:24)
  • Sometimes the meaning implies the idea of someone or something set apart for God alone. In these cases, the ULT uses “sanctify,” “set apart,” “dedicated to,” or “reserved for.” (See: 2:11: 9:13; 10:10, 14, 29; 13:12)

The UST will often be helpful as translators think about how to represent these ideas in their own versions.

What are the major issues in the text of the Book of Hebrews?

For the following verses, modern versions of the Bible differ from older versions. The ULT text has the modern reading and puts the older reading in a footnote. If a translation of the Bible exists in the general region, translators should consider using the reading found in those versions. If not, translators are advised to follow the modern reading.

  • “you crowned him with glory and honor” (2:7). Some older versions read, “you crowned him with glory and honor and you have put him over the works of your hands.”
  • “those who did not unite in faith with those who obeyed” (4:2). Some older versions read, “those who heard it without joining faith to it.”
  • “Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have come” (9:11). Some modern versions and older versions read, “Christ came as a high priest of the good things that are to come.”
  • “on those who were prisoners” (10:34). Some older versions read, “of me in my chains.”
  • “They were stoned. They were sawn in two. They were killed with the sword” (11:37). Some older versions read, “They were stoned. They were sawn in two. They were tempted. They were killed with the sword.”
  • “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned” (12:20). Some older versions read, “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned or shot with an arrow.”

(See: Textual Variants)

Hebrews 1

Hebrews 01 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter describes how Jesus is more important to us than the angels are.

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 1:5, 7-13, which are words from the Old Testament.

“Our ancestors”

The writer wrote this letter to Christians who had grown up as Jews. This is why the letter is called “Hebrews.”

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Rhetorical questions

The author uses rhetorical questions as a way of proving Jesus is better than the angels. Both he and the readers know the answers to the questions, and the writer knows that as the readers think about the answers to the questions, they will realize that God’s Son is more important than any of the angels.

Poetry

Jewish teachers, like the Old Testament prophets, would put their most important teachings in the form of poetry so that the hearers would be able to learn and remember them.

Hebrews 1:1

Although this letter does not mention the recipients to whom it was sent, the author wrote particularly to Hebrews (Jews), who would have understood the many Old Testament references.

This prologue lays the background for the whole book: the unsurpassing greatness of the Son — the Son is greater than all. The book begins with emphasizing that the Son is better than the prophets and the angels.

Hebrews 1:2

ἐπ’ ἐσχάτου τῶν ἡμερῶν τούτων

“in these final days.” This phrase refers to the time when Jesus began his ministry, extending until God establishes his complete rule in his creation.

ἐν Υἱῷ

“Son” here is an important title for Jesus, the Son of God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

ἔθηκεν κληρονόμον πάντων

The author speaks of the Son as if he will inherit wealth and property from his Father. Alternate translation: “to possess all things” (See: Metaphor)

δι’ οὗ καὶ ἐποίησεν τοὺς αἰῶνας;

“It is through the Son that God also made all things”

Hebrews 1:3

ἀπαύγασμα τῆς δόξης

“the light of his glory.” God’s glory is associated with a very bright light. The author is saying that the Son embodies that light and fully represents God’s glory.

τῆς δόξης καὶ χαρακτὴρ τῆς ὑποστάσεως αὐτοῦ

“glory, the image of God’s being.” The “the exact representation of his being” is similar in meaning to “the brightness of God’s glory.” The Son embodies the character and essence of God and fully represents everything that God is. Alternate translation: “glory and is just like God” or “glory, and what is true about God is true about the Son”

τῷ ῥήματι τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ

“his powerful word.” Here “word” refers to a message or command. Alternate translation: “his powerful command” (See: Metonymy)

καθαρισμὸν τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ποιησάμενος

The abstract noun “cleansing” can be expressed as a verb: “making clean.” Alternate translation: “After he had finished making us clean from sins” or “After he had finished purifying us from our sins” (See: Abstract Nouns)

καθαρισμὸν τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ποιησάμενος

The author speaks of forgiving sins as if it were making a person clean. Alternate translation: “he had made it possible for God to forgive our sins” (See: Metaphor)

ἐκάθισεν ἐν δεξιᾷ τῆς Μεγαλωσύνης ἐν ὑψηλοῖς

To sit at the “right hand of God” is a symbolic action of receiving great honor and authority from God. Alternate translation: “he sat down at the place of honor and authority beside the Majesty on high” (See: Symbolic Action)

δεξιᾷ τῆς Μεγαλωσύνης ἐν ὑψηλοῖς

Here “Majesty” refers to God. Alternate translation: “God Most High” (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 1:4

The first prophetic quotation (You are my son) comes from the Psalms. The prophet Samuel wrote the second one (I will be a father to him). All occurrences of “he” refer to Jesus, the Son. The word “You” refers to Jesus, and the words “I” and “me” refer to God the Father.

γενόμενος

“The Son has become”

ὅσῳ διαφορώτερον παρ’ αὐτοὺς, κεκληρονόμηκεν ὄνομα

Here “name” refers to honor and authority. Alternate translation: “as the honor and authority he has inherited is superior to their honor and authority” (See: Metonymy)

κεκληρονόμηκεν

The author speaks of receiving honor and authority as if he were inheriting wealth and property from his father. Alternate translation: “he has received” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 1:5

τίνι γὰρ εἶπέν ποτε τῶν ἀγγέλων, Υἱός μου εἶ σύ…μοι εἰς Υἱόν?

This question emphasizes that God does not call any angel his son. Alternate translation: “For God never said to any of the angels ‘You are my son…a son to me.’” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Υἱός μου εἶ σύ…ἐγὼ…γεγέννηκά σε

These two phrases mean essentially the same thing. (See: Parallelism)

Hebrews 1:6

The first quotation in this section, “All God’s angels…him,” comes from one of the books that Moses wrote. The second quotation, “He is the one who makes…fire,” is from the Psalms.

τὸν πρωτότοκον

This means Jesus. The author refers to him as the “firstborn” to emphasize the Son’s importance and authority over everyone else. It does not imply that there was a time before Jesus existed or that God has other sons like Jesus. Alternate translation: “his honored Son, his only Son” (See: Metaphor)

λέγει

“God says”

Hebrews 1:7

ὁ ποιῶν τοὺς ἀγγέλους αὐτοῦ πνεύματα, καὶ τοὺς λειτουργοὺς αὐτοῦ πυρὸς φλόγα

Possible meanings are (1) “God has made his angels to be spirits who serve him with power like flames of fire” or (2) God makes the wind and flames of fire his messengers and servants. In the original language the word for “angel” is the same as “messenger,” and the word for “spirits” is the same as “wind.” With either possible meaning, the point is that the angels serve the Son because he is superior. (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 1:8

This scriptual quotation comes from the Psalms.

πρὸς δὲ τὸν Υἱόν

“But God says this to the Son”

τὸν Υἱόν

This is an important title for Jesus, the Son of God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

ὁ θρόνος σου, ὁ Θεὸς, εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος

The Son’s throne represents his rule. Alternate translation: “You are God, and your reign will last forever and ever” (See: Metonymy)

ἡ ῥάβδος τῆς εὐθύτητος ῥάβδος τῆς βασιλείας αὐτοῦ

Here “scepter” refers to the Son’s rule. Alternate translation: “And you will rule over the people of your kingdom with justice” (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 1:9

ἔχρισέν σε…ἔλαιον ἀγαλλιάσεως παρὰ τοὺς μετόχους σου

Here “oil of joy” refers to the joy that the Son felt when God honored him. Alternate translation: “has honored you and made you more joyful than anyone else” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 1:10

This quotation comes from another Psalm.

The author continues explaining that Jesus is superior to the angels.

κατ’ ἀρχάς

“Before anything existed”

τὴν γῆν ἐθεμελίωσας

The author speaks of God creating the earth as if he built a building on a foundation. Alternate translation: “you created the earth” (See: Metaphor)

ἔργα τῶν χειρῶν σού εἰσιν οἱ οὐρανοί

Here “hands” refer to God’s power and action. Alternate translation: “You made the heavens” (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 1:11

αὐτοὶ ἀπολοῦνται

“The heavens and earth will disappear” or “The heavens and earth will no longer exist”

ὡς ἱμάτιον παλαιωθήσονται

The author speaks of the heavens and earth as if they were a piece of clothing that will get old and eventually become useless. (See: Simile)

Hebrews 1:12

ὡσεὶ περιβόλαιον ἑλίξεις αὐτούς

The author speaks of the heavens and earth as if they were a robe or another kind of outer garment. (See: Simile)

ὡς ἱμάτιον καὶ ἀλλαγήσονται

The author speaks of the heavens and earth as if they were clothing that could be exchanged for other clothing. (See: Simile)

ἀλλαγήσονται

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “you will change them” (See: Active or Passive)

ἔτη σου οὐκ ἐκλείψουσιν

Periods of time are used to represent God’s eternal existence. Alternate translation: “your life will never end” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 1:13

This quotation comes from another Psalm.

πρὸς τίνα δὲ τῶν ἀγγέλων εἴρηκέν ποτε…τῶν ποδῶν σου?

The author uses a question to emphasize that God has never said this to an angel. Alternate translation: “But God has never said to an angel at any time…feet.’” (See: Rhetorical Question)

κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου

To sit at the “right hand of God” is a symbolic action of receiving great honor and authority from God. Alternate translation: “Sit in the place of honor beside me” (See: Symbolic Action)

ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου, ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου

Christ’s enemies are spoken of as if they will become an object on which a king rests his feet. This image represents defeat and dishonor for his enemies. (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 1:14

οὐχὶ πάντες εἰσὶν λειτουργικὰ πνεύματα…κληρονομεῖν σωτηρίαν?

The author uses this question to remind the readers that angels are not as powerful as Christ, but they have a different role. Alternate translation: “All angels are spirits who…inherit salvation.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

διὰ τοὺς μέλλοντας κληρονομεῖν σωτηρίαν

Receiving what God has promised believers is spoken of as if it were inheriting property and wealth from a family member. Alternate translation: “for those whom God will save” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 2

Hebrews 02 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter is about how Jesus is better than Moses, the greatest Israelite.

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 2:6-8, 12-13, which are words from the Old Testament.

Special concepts in this chapter

Brothers

The author probably uses the term “brothers” to refer to Christians who grew up as Jews.

Hebrews 2:1

This is the first of five urgent warnings the author gives.

δεῖ…ἡμᾶς

Here “we” refers to the author and includes his audience. (See: Inclusive and Exclusive “We”)

μήποτε παραρυῶμεν

Possible meanings for this metaphor are (1) people who stop believing in God’s word are spoken of as if they were drifting away, like a boat drifts from its position in the water. Alternate translation: “so that we do not stop believing it” or (2) people who stop obeying God’s words are spoken of as if they were drifting away, like a boat drifts from its position in the water. Alternate translation: “so that we do not stop obeying it” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 2:2

εἰ γὰρ ὁ δι’ ἀγγέλων λαληθεὶς λόγος

The Jews believed that God spoke his law to Moses through angels. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “For if the message that God spoke through the angels” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information and Active or Passive)

εἰ γὰρ ὁ…λόγος

The author is certain that these things are true. Alternate translation: “Because the message”

πᾶσα παράβασις καὶ παρακοὴ ἔλαβεν ἔνδικον μισθαποδοσίαν

Here “trespass” and “disobedience” stand for the people who are guilty of these sins. Alternate translation: “every person who sins and disobeys will receive just punishment” (See: Metonymy)

παράβασις καὶ παρακοὴ

These two words mean basically the same thing. (See: Doublet)

Hebrews 2:3

πῶς ἡμεῖς ἐκφευξόμεθα τηλικαύτης ἀμελήσαντες σωτηρίας?

The author uses a question to emphasize that the people will certainly receive punishment if they refuse God’s salvation through Christ. Alternate translation: “then God will certainly punish us if we do not pay attention to his message about how God will save us!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

ἀμελήσαντες

“pay no attention to” or “consider unimportant”

ἥτις ἀρχὴν λαβοῦσα, λαλεῖσθαι διὰ τοῦ Κυρίου, ὑπὸ τῶν ἀκουσάντων εἰς ἡμᾶς ἐβεβαιώθη

This can be stated in active form. The abstract noun “salvation” can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “The Lord himself first announced the message about how God will save us and then those who heard the message confirmed it to us” (See: Active or Passive and Abstract Nouns)

Hebrews 2:4

κατὰ τὴν αὐτοῦ θέλησιν

“in just the way he wanted to do it”

Hebrews 2:5

The quotation here is from the book of Psalms in the Old Testament. It continues on through the next section.

The writer reminds these Hebrew believers that the earth will one day be under the rule of the Lord Jesus.

οὐ γὰρ ἀγγέλοις ὑπέταξεν

“For God did not make the angels rulers over”

τὴν οἰκουμένην τὴν μέλλουσαν

Here “world” refers to the people who live there. And “to come” means that this is the world in the next age after Christ returns. Alternate translation: “the people who will live in the new world” (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 2:6

τί ἐστιν ἄνθρωπος, ὅτι μιμνῄσκῃ αὐτοῦ

This rhetorical question emphasizes the insignificance of humans and expresses surprise that God would pay attention to them. Alternate translation: “Humans are insignificant, and yet you are mindful of them!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

ἢ υἱὸς ἀνθρώπου, ὅτι ἐπισκέπτῃ αὐτόν?

The idiom “son of man” refers to human beings. This rhetorical question means basically the same thing as the first question. It expresses surprise that God would care for humans, who are insignificant. Alternate translation: “Human beings are of little importance, and yet you care for them!” (See: Idiom and Parallelism and Rhetorical Question)

ἢ υἱὸς ἀνθρώπου

The verb may be supplied from the previous question. Alternate translation: “Or what is a son of man” (See: Ellipsis)

Hebrews 2:7

ἠλάττωσας αὐτὸν, βραχύ τι παρ’ ἀγγέλους

The author speaks of people being less important than angels as if the people are standing in a position that is lower than the angels’ position. Alternate translation: “less important than the angels” (See: Metaphor)

ἠλάττωσας αὐτὸν…ἐστεφάνωσας αὐτόν

Here, these phrases do not refer to a specific person but to humans in general, including both males and females. Alternate translation: “made humans…crowned them” (See: Generic Noun Phrases and When Masculine Words Include Women)

δόξῃ καὶ τιμῇ ἐστεφάνωσας αὐτόν

The gifts of glory and honor are spoken of as if they were a wreath of leaves placed on the head of a victorious athlete. Alternate translation: “you have given them great glory and honor” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 2:8

τῶν ποδῶν αὐτοῦ…αὐτῷ

Here, these phrases do not refer to a specific person but to humans in general, including both males and females. Alternate translation: “their feet…to them” (See: Generic Noun Phrases and When Masculine Words Include Women)

πάντα ὑπέταξας ὑποκάτω τῶν ποδῶν αὐτοῦ

The author speaks of humans having control over everything as if they have stepped on everything with their feet. Alternate translation: “You have given them control over everything” (See: Metaphor)

οὐδὲν ἀφῆκεν αὐτῷ ἀνυπότακτον

This double negative means that all things will be subject to Christ. Alternate translation: “God made everything subject to them” (See: Double Negatives)

οὔπω ὁρῶμεν αὐτῷ τὰ πάντα ὑποτεταγμένα

“we know that humans are not in control of everything yet”

Hebrews 2:9

The writer reminds these Hebrew believers that Christ became lower than the angels when he came to earth to suffer death for forgiveness of sins, and that he became a merciful high priest to believers.

βλέπομεν Ἰησοῦν

“we know there is one”

ἠλαττωμένον

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “whom God made” (See: Active or Passive)

παρ’ ἀγγέλους ἠλαττωμένον…δόξῃ καὶ τιμῇ ἐστεφανωμένον

See how you translated these words in Hebrews 2:7.

γεύσηται θανάτου

The experience of death is spoken of as if it were food that people can taste. Alternate translation: “he might experience death” or “he might die” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 2:10

πολλοὺς υἱοὺς εἰς δόξαν ἀγαγόντα

The gift of glory is spoken of here as if it were a place to which people could be brought. Alternate translation: “save many sons” (See: Metaphor)

πολλοὺς υἱοὺς

Here this refers to believers in Christ, including males and females. Alternate translation: “many believers” (See: When Masculine Words Include Women)

τὸν ἀρχηγὸν τῆς σωτηρίας αὐτῶν

Possible meanings are (1) this is a metaphor in which the writer speaks of salvation as if it were a destination and of Jesus as the person who goes before the people on the road and leads them to salvation. Alternate translation: “the one who leads people to salvation” or (2) the word translated here as “leader” can mean “founder” and the author speaks of Jesus as the one who establishes salvation, or makes it possible for God to save people. Alternate translation: “the one who makes their salvation possible” (See: Metaphor)

τελειῶσαι

Becoming mature and completely trained is spoken of as if a person were made complete, perhaps complete in all his body parts. (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 2:11

This prophetic quotation comes from a Psalm of King David.

ὅ…ἁγιάζων

“the one who makes others holy” or “the one who makes others pure from sin”

οἱ ἁγιαζόμενοι

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “those whom he makes holy” or “those whom he makes pure from sin” (See: Active or Passive)

ἐξ ἑνὸς

Who that source is can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “have one source, God himself” or “have the same Father” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

οὐκ ἐπαισχύνεται

“Jesus is not ashamed”

οὐκ ἐπαισχύνεται ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοὺς καλεῖν

This double negative means that he will claim them as his brothers. Alternate translation: “is pleased to call them his brothers” (See: Double Negatives)

ἀδελφοὺς

Here this refers to all who have believed in Jesus, including both men and women. (See: When Masculine Words Include Women)

Hebrews 2:12

ἀπαγγελῶ τὸ ὄνομά σου τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς μου

Here “name” refers to the person’s reputation and what they have done. Alternate translation: “I will proclaim to my brothers the great things you have done” (See: Metonymy)

ἐν μέσῳ ἐκκλησίας

“when believers come together to worship God”

Hebrews 2:13

The prophet Isaiah wrote these quotations.

καὶ πάλιν,

“And a prophet wrote in another scripture passage what Christ said about God:”

τὰ παιδία

This speaks about those who believe in Christ as if they were children. Alternate translation: “those who are like my children” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 2:14

τὰ παιδία

This speaks about those who believe in Christ as if they were children. Alternate translation: “those who are like my children” (See: Metaphor)

κεκοινώνηκεν αἵματος καὶ σαρκός

The phrase “flesh and blood” refers to people’s human nature. Alternate translation: “are all human beings” (See: Idiom)

αὐτὸς παραπλησίως μετέσχεν τῶν αὐτῶν

“Jesus in the same way shared in flesh and blood” or “Jesus became human in the same way they did”

διὰ τοῦ θανάτου

Here “death” can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: “by dying” (See: Abstract Nouns)

τὸ κράτος ἔχοντα τοῦ θανάτου

Here “death” can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: “has the power to cause people to die” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Hebrews 2:15

ἀπαλλάξῃ τούτους, ὅσοι φόβῳ θανάτου, διὰ παντὸς τοῦ ζῆν, ἔνοχοι ἦσαν δουλείας

The fear of death is spoken of as if it were slavery. Taking away someone’s fear is spoken of as it were freeing that person from slavery. Alternate translation: “This was so he might free all people. For we lived like slaves because we were afraid of dying” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 2:16

σπέρματος Ἀβραὰμ

Descendants of Abraham are spoken of as if they were his seed. Alternate translation: “the descendants of Abraham” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 2:17

ὤφειλεν

“it was necessary for Jesus”

τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς ὁμοιωθῆναι

Here “brothers” refers to people in general. Alternate translation: “like human beings”

εἰς τὸ ἱλάσκεσθαι τὰς ἁμαρτίας τοῦ λαοῦ

Christ’s death on the cross means that God can forgive sins. Alternate translation: “he would make it possible for God to forgive people’s sins”

Hebrews 2:18

πειρασθείς

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Satan tempted him” (See: Active or Passive)

πειραζομένοις

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “whom Satan is tempting” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 3

Hebrews 03 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 3:7-11,15, which are words from the Old Testament.

Special concepts in this chapter

Brothers

The author probably uses the term “brothers” to refer to Christians who grew up as Jews.

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Harden your hearts

A person who hardens his heart is a person who will not listen to or obey God. (See: Metaphor)

Rhetorical questions

The author uses rhetorical questions as a way of warning his readers. Both he and the readers know the answers to the questions, and the writer knows that as the readers think about the answers to the questions, they will realize that they need to listen to God and obey him.

Hebrews 3:1

This second warning is longer and more detailed and includes chapters 3 and 4. The writer begins by showing that Christ is better than his servant Moses.

ἀδελφοὶ ἅγιοι

Here “brothers” refer to fellow Christians, including both men and women. Alternate translation: “holy brothers and sisters” or “my holy fellow believers” (See: Metaphor and When Masculine Words Include Women)

κλήσεως ἐπουρανίου, μέτοχοι

Here “heavenly” represents God. Alternate translation: “God has called us together” (See: Metonymy)

τὸν ἀπόστολον καὶ ἀρχιερέα τῆς

Here the word “apostle” means someone who has been sent. In this passage, it does not refer to any of the twelve apostles. Alternate translation: “the one whom God sent and is the high priest”

τῆς ὁμολογίας ἡμῶν

This can be reworded so that the abstract noun “confession” is expressed as the verb “confess.” Alternate translation: “whom we confess” or “in whom we believe” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Hebrews 3:2

ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ αὐτοῦ

The Hebrew people to whom God revealed himself are spoken of as if they were a literal house. Alternate translation: “to all of God’s people” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 3:3

οὗτος…ἠξίωται

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God has considered Jesus” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 3:4

ὁ…πάντα κατασκευάσας

God’s acts of creating the world are spoken of as if he had built a house. (See: Metaphor)

πᾶς…οἶκος κατασκευάζεται ὑπό τινος

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “every house has someone who built it” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 3:5

ἐν ὅλῳ τῷ οἴκῳ αὐτοῦ

The Hebrew people to whom God revealed himself are spoken of as if they were a literal house. See how you translated this in Hebrews 3:2. (See: Metaphor)

εἰς μαρτύριον τῶν

This phrase probably refers to all of Moses’ work. Alternate translation: “Moses’ life and work pointed to the things” (See: Metonymy)

λαληθησομένων

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Jesus would say in the future” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 3:6

Υἱὸς

This is an important title for Jesus, the Son of God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

ἐπὶ τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ

This speaks about God’s people as if they were a literal house. Alternate translation: “who rules over God’s people” (See: Metaphor)

οὗ οἶκός ἐσμεν ἡμεῖς

This speaks of God’s people as if they are a literal house. Alternate translation: “We are God’s people” (See: Metaphor)

ἐὰν τὴν παρρησίαν καὶ τὸ καύχημα τῆς ἐλπίδος κατάσχωμεν

Here “courage” and “hope” are abstract and can be stated as verbs. Alternate translation: “if we continue to be courageous and joyfully expect God to do what he has promised” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Hebrews 3:7

This quotation comes from the Old Testament in the book of Psalms.

The warning here is a reminder that the Israelites’ unbelief kept almost all of them from entering into the land that God had promised them.

ἐὰν τῆς φωνῆς αὐτοῦ ἀκούσητε

God’s “voice” represents him speaking. Alternate translation: “when you hear God speak” (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 3:8

μὴ σκληρύνητε τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν

Here “hearts” is a metonym for a person’s mind. The phrase “harden your hearts” is a metaphor for being stubborn. Alternate translation: “do not be stubborn” or “do not refuse to listen” (See: Metonymy)

ὡς ἐν τῷ παραπικρασμῷ, κατὰ τὴν ἡμέραν τοῦ πειρασμοῦ, ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ

Here “rebellion” and “testing” can be stated as verbs. Alternate translation: “as when your ancestors rebelled against God and tested him in the wilderness” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Hebrews 3:9

This quotation is from the Psalms.

οἱ πατέρες ὑμῶν

Here “your” is plural and refers to the people of Israel. (See: Forms of You)

ἐν δοκιμασίᾳ

Here “me” refers to God.

Hebrews 3:10

τεσσεράκοντα ἔτη

“40 years” (See: Numbers)

προσώχθισα

“I was angry” or “I was greatly unhappy”

ἀεὶ πλανῶνται τῇ καρδίᾳ

Here “gone astray in their hearts” is a metaphor for not being loyal to God. Here “hearts” is a metonym for minds or desires. Alternate translation: “They have always rejected me” or “They have always refused to obey me” (See: Metaphor and Metonymy)

οὐκ ἔγνωσαν τὰς ὁδούς μου

This speaks of a manner of conducting one’s life as if it were a way or a path. Alternate translation: “They have not understood how I want them to conduct their lives” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 3:11

εἰ εἰσελεύσονται εἰς τὴν κατάπαυσίν μου

The peace and security provided by God are spoken of as if they were rest that he can give, and as if they were a place to which people could go. Alternate translation: “They will never enter the place of rest” or “I will never allow them to experience my blessings of rest” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 3:12

ἀδελφοί

Here this refers to fellow Christians including males and females. Alternate translation: “brothers and sisters” or “fellow believers” (See: Metaphor and When Masculine Words Include Women)

μήποτε ἔσται ἔν τινι ὑμῶν καρδία πονηρὰ ἀπιστίας, ἐν τῷ ἀποστῆναι ἀπὸ Θεοῦ ζῶντος

Here “heart” is a metonym that represents a person’s mind or will. Refusing to believe and obey God is spoken of as if the heart did not believe and it physically turned away from God. Alternate translation: “there will not be any of you who refuse to believe the truth and who stop obeying the living God” (See: Metonymy and Metaphor)

Θεοῦ ζῶντος

“the true God who is really alive”

Hebrews 3:13

ἄχρις οὗ, τὸ σήμερον, καλεῖται

“while there is still opportunity,”

μὴ σκληρυνθῇ τις ἐξ ὑμῶν ἀπάτῃ τῆς ἁμαρτίας

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the deceitfulness of sin will not harden any of you” (See: Active or Passive)

μὴ σκληρυνθῇ τις ἐξ ὑμῶν ἀπάτῃ τῆς ἁμαρτίας

Being stubborn is spoken of as being hard or having a hard heart. The hardness is a result of being deceived by sin. This can be reworded so that the abstract noun “deceitfulness” is expressed as the verb “deceive.” Alternate translation: “no one among you will be deceived by sin and become stubborn” or “you do not sin, deceiving yourselves so that you become stubborn” (See: Abstract Nouns and Metaphor)

Hebrews 3:14

This continues the quotation from the same psalm that was also quoted in Hebrews 3:7.

γὰρ…γεγόναμεν

Here “we” refers to both the writer and the readers. (See: Inclusive and Exclusive “We”)

ἐάνπερ…τῆς ὑποστάσεως…βεβαίαν κατάσχωμεν

“if we continue to confidently trust in him”

τὴν ἀρχὴν

“from when we first begin to believe in him”

μέχρι τέλους

This is a polite way of referring to when a person dies. Alternate translation: “until we die” (See: Euphemism)

Hebrews 3:15

λέγεσθαι

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the writer wrote” (See: Active or Passive)

ἐὰν τῆς φωνῆς αὐτοῦ ἀκούσητε

God’s “voice” represents him speaking. See how you translated this in Hebrews 3:7. Alternate translation: “when you hear God speak” (See: Metonymy)

ὡς ἐν τῷ παραπικρασμῷ

Here “rebellion” can be stated as a verb. See how you translated this in Hebrews 3:8. Alternate translation: “as when your ancestors rebelled against God” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Hebrews 3:16

The word “they” refers to the disobedient Israelites, and “we” refers to the author and readers. (See: Inclusive and Exclusive “We”)

τίνες γὰρ ἀκούσαντες παρεπίκραναν? ἀλλ’ οὐ πάντες οἱ ἐξελθόντες ἐξ Αἰγύπτου διὰ Μωϋσέως?

The author uses questions to teach his readers. These two questions can be joined as one statement, if needed. Alternate translation: “All those who came out of Egypt with Moses heard God, yet they still rebelled.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Hebrews 3:17

τίσιν δὲ προσώχθισεν τεσσεράκοντα ἔτη? οὐχὶ τοῖς ἁμαρτήσασιν, ὧν τὰ κῶλα ἔπεσεν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ?

The author uses questions to teach his readers. These two questions can be joined as one statement, if needed. Alternate translation: “For forty years, God was angry with those who sinned, and he let them die in the wilderness.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

τεσσεράκοντα ἔτη

“40 years” (See: Numbers)

Hebrews 3:18

τίσιν δὲ ὤμοσεν μὴ εἰσελεύσεσθαι εἰς τὴν κατάπαυσιν αὐτοῦ, εἰ μὴ τοῖς ἀπειθήσασιν?

The author uses this question to teach his readers. Alternate translation: “And it was to those who disobeyed that he swore they would not enter his rest.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

μὴ εἰσελεύσεσθαι εἰς τὴν κατάπαυσιν αὐτοῦ

The peace and security provided by God are spoken of as if they were rest that he can give, and as if they were a place to which people could go. Alternate translation: “they would not enter the place of rest” or “they would not experience his blessings of rest” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 3:19

δι’ ἀπιστίαν

The abstract noun “unbelief” can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “because they did not believe him” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Hebrews 4

Hebrews 04 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter tells why Jesus is the greatest high priest.

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 4:3-4, 7, which are words from the Old Testament.

Special concepts in this chapter

God’s rest

The word “rest” seems to refer to at least two things in this chapter. It refers to a place or time when God will allow his people to rest from their work (Hebrews 4:3), and it refers to God resting on the seventh day (Hebrews 4:4).

Hebrews 4:1

Chapter 4 continues the warning to believers starting in Hebrews 3:7. God, through the writer, gives believers a rest of which God’s rest in the creation of the world is a picture.

οὖν

“Because what I have just said is true” or “Since God will certainly punish those who do not obey”

μήποτε καταλειπομένης ἐπαγγελίας εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν κατάπαυσιν αὐτοῦ, δοκῇ τις ἐξ ὑμῶν ὑστερηκέναι

God’s promise is spoken of as if it were a gift that God left behind when he visited the people. Alternate translation: “none of you fail to enter into God’s rest, which he promised to us” or “God will allow you all to enter into his rest as he promised us” (See: Metaphor)

εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν κατάπαυσιν αὐτοῦ

The peace and security provided by God are spoken of as if they were rest that he can give, and as if they were a place to which people could go. Alternate translation: “to enter the place of rest” or “to experience God’s blessings of rest” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 4:2

γάρ ἐσμεν εὐηγγελισμένοι καθάπερ κἀκεῖνοι

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “For we heard the good news just as they did” (See: Active or Passive)

καθάπερ κἀκεῖνοι

Here “they” refers to the Hebrews’ ancestors who were alive during the time of Moses.

ἀλλ’ οὐκ ὠφέλησεν ὁ λόγος τῆς ἀκοῆς ἐκείνους, μὴ συνκεκερασμένους τῇ πίστει τοῖς ἀκούσασιν

“But that message did not benefit those who did not join with the people who believed and obeyed.” The author is talking about two groups of people, those who received God’s covenant with faith, and those who heard it but did not believe. This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “But that message benefited only those who believed and obeyed it” (See: Double Negatives)

Hebrews 4:3

Here the first quotation, “As I swore…rest,” is from a psalm. The second quotation, “God rested on…deeds,” is from Moses’ writings. The third quotation, “They will never enter…rest,” is again from the same psalm.

οἱ πιστεύσαντες

“we who believe”

εἰσερχόμεθα…εἰς κατάπαυσιν, οἱ πιστεύσαντες

The peace and security provided by God are spoken of as if they were rest that he can give, and as if they were a place to which people could go. Alternate translation: “we who have believed will enter the place of rest” or “we who have believed will experience God’s blessings of rest” (See: Metaphor)

καθὼς εἴρηκεν

“just as God said”

ὡς ὤμοσα ἐν τῇ ὀργῇ μου

“As I swore when I was very angry”

εἰ εἰσελεύσονται εἰς τὴν κατάπαυσίν μου

The peace and security provided by God are spoken of as if they were rest that he can give, and as if they were a place to which people could go. Alternate translation: “They will never enter the place of rest” or “They will never experience my blessings of rest” (See: Metaphor)

τῶν ἔργων…γενηθέντων

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “he finished creating” or “he finished his works of creation” (See: Active or Passive)

ἀπὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου

The author speaks of the world as if it were a building set on a foundation. Alternate translation: “at the beginning of the world” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 4:4

τῆς ἑβδόμης

This is the ordinal number for “seven.” (See: Ordinal Numbers)

Hebrews 4:6

ἀπολείπεται τινὰς εἰσελθεῖν εἰς αὐτήν

The peace and security provided by God are spoken of as if they were rest that he can give, and as if they were a place to which people could go. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God still allows some people to enter his place of rest” or “God still allows some people to experience his blessings of rest” (See: Active or Passive and Metaphor)

Hebrews 4:7

Here we find out that this quotation from the Psalms was written by David (Hebrews 3:7-8).

ἐὰν τῆς φωνῆς αὐτοῦ ἀκούσητε

God’s commands to Israel are spoken of as if he had given them in an audible voice. See how you translated this in Hebrews 3:7. Alternate translation: “if you hear God speaking” (See: Metaphor)

μὴ σκληρύνητε τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν

Here “hearts” is a metonym for a person’s mind. The phrase “harden your hearts” is a metaphor for being stubborn. See how you translated this in Hebrews 3:8. Alternate translation: “do not be stubborn” or “do not refuse to listen” (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 4:8

Here the writer warns believers not to disobey but to enter into the rest God offers. He reminds them that God’s word will convict them and that they can come in prayer with the confidence that God will help them.

εἰ…αὐτοὺς Ἰησοῦς κατέπαυσεν

The peace and security provided by God are spoken of as if they were rest that Joshua could give. Alternate translation: “if Joshua had brought the Israelites to the place where God would give them rest” or “if the Israelites during the time of Joshua had experienced God’s blessings of rest” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 4:9

ἀπολείπεται σαββατισμὸς τῷ λαῷ τοῦ Θεοῦ

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “there is still a Sabbath rest that God has reserved for his people” (See: Active or Passive)

σαββατισμὸς

Eternal peace and security are spoken of as if they were the Sabbath day, the Jewish day of worship and rest from working. Alternate translation: “an eternal rest” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 4:10

ὁ…εἰσελθὼν εἰς τὴν κατάπαυσιν αὐτοῦ

The peace and security provided by God are spoken of as if they are a place to enter. Alternate translation: “the person who enters into God’s place of rest” or “the person who experiences God’s blessings of rest” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 4:11

σπουδάσωμεν…εἰσελθεῖν εἰς ἐκείνην τὴν κατάπαυσιν

The peace and security provided by God are spoken of as if they were a place to enter. Alternate translation: “we should also do everything we can to rest with God where he is” (See: Metaphor)

ἐν τῷ αὐτῷ τις ὑποδείγματι πέσῃ τῆς ἀπειθείας

Disobedience is spoken of as if it were a hole that a person could physically fall into by accident. This passage can be reworded so that the abstract noun “disobedience” is expressed as the verb “disobey.” Alternate translation: “will disobey in the same way as they did” (See: Metaphor and Abstract Nouns)

Hebrews 4:12

ζῶν…ὁ λόγος τοῦ Θεοῦ

Here “word of God” refers to anything that God has communicated to humanity, whether through speech or through written messages. Alternate translation: “the words of God are living”

ζῶν…καὶ ἐνεργὴς

This speaks about God’s word as if it were alive. It means when God speaks, it is powerful and effective. (See: Personification)

τομώτερος, ὑπὲρ πᾶσαν μάχαιραν δίστομον

A two-edged sword can easily cut through a person’s flesh. God’s word is very effective in showing what is in a person’s heart and thoughts. (See: Metaphor)

μάχαιραν δίστομον

a sword with a blade that is sharp on both edges

καὶ διϊκνούμενος ἄχρι μερισμοῦ ψυχῆς καὶ πνεύματος, ἁρμῶν τε καὶ μυελῶν

This continues speaking about God’s word as if it were a sword. Here the sword is so sharp that it can cut through and divide parts of the human that are very difficult or even impossible to divide. This means that there is nothing inside us that we can hide from God. (See: Metaphor)

ψυχῆς καὶ πνεύματος

These are two different but closely related nonphysical parts of a human. The “soul” is what causes a person to be alive. The “spirit” is the part of a person that causes him to be able to know and believe in God.

ἁρμῶν τε καὶ μυελῶν

The “joint” is what holds two bones together. The “marrow” is the center part of the bone.

κριτικὸς

This speaks about God’s word as if it were a person who could know something. Alternate translation: “exposes” (See: Personification)

ἐνθυμήσεων καὶ ἐννοιῶν καρδίας

“Heart” here is a metonym for “inner self.” Alternate translation: “what a person is thinking and intends to do” (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 4:13

οὐκ ἔστιν κτίσις ἀφανὴς ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Nothing that God has created can hide from him” (See: Active or Passive)

πάντα…γυμνὰ καὶ τετραχηλισμένα

This speaks about all things as if they were a person standing bare, or a box that is open. Alternate translation: “everything is completely exposed” (See: Metaphor)

γυμνὰ καὶ τετραχηλισμένα

These two words mean basically the same thing and emphasize that nothing is hidden from God. (See: Doublet)

τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς αὐτοῦ, πρὸς ὃν ἡμῖν ὁ λόγος

God is spoken of as if he had eyes. Alternate translation: “to God, who will judge how we have lived” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 4:14

διεληλυθότα τοὺς οὐρανούς

“who has entered where God is”

τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ

This is an important title for Jesus. (See: Translating Son and Father)

κρατῶμεν τῆς ὁμολογίας

Belief and trust are spoken of as if they were objects that a person could grasp firmly. Alternate translation: “let us continue to believe confidently in him” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 4:15

οὐ…ἔχομεν ἀρχιερέα μὴ δυνάμενον συνπαθῆσαι…δὲ

This double negative means that, in fact, Jesus does feel sympathy with people. Alternate translation: “we have a high priest who can feel sympathy…Indeed, we have” (See: Double Negatives)

πεπειρασμένον…κατὰ πάντα καθ’ ὁμοιότητ

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “who has endured temptation in every way that we have” or “whom the devil has tempted in every way that he tempts us” (See: Active or Passive)

χωρὶς ἁμαρτίας

“he did not sin”

Hebrews 4:16

τῷ θρόνῳ τῆς χάριτος

“to God’s throne, where there is grace.” Here “throne” refers to God ruling as king. Alternate translation: “to where our gracious God is sitting on his throne” (See: Metonymy)

λάβωμεν ἔλεος, καὶ χάριν εὕρωμεν, εἰς εὔκαιρον βοήθειαν

Here “mercy” and “grace” are spoken of as if they were objects that can be given or can be found. Alternate translation: “God may be merciful and gracious and help us in time of need” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 5

Hebrews 05 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter is a continuation of the teaching of the previous chapter.

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 5:5-6.

Special concepts in this chapter

High priest

Only a high priest could offer sacrifices so that God could forgive sins, so Jesus had to be a high priest. The law of Moses commanded that the high priest be from the tribe of Levi, but Jesus was from the tribe of Judah. God made him a priest like the priest Melchizedek, who lived at the time of Abraham, before there was a tribe of Levi.

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Milk and solid food

The writer speaks of Christians who are only able to understand simple things about Jesus as if they were babies, who drink only milk and cannot eat solid food. (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 5:1

The writer describes the sinfulness of the Old Testament priests, then he shows that Christ has a better kind of priesthood, not based on Aaron’s priesthood but on the priesthood of Melchizedek.

ἐξ ἀνθρώπων λαμβανόμενος

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “whom God chooses from among the people” (See: Active or Passive)

καθίσταται

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God appoints” (See: Active or Passive)

ὑπὲρ ἀνθρώπων καθίσταται

“to represent the people”

Hebrews 5:2

τοῖς…πλανωμένοις

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “those…whom others have deceived” or “those…who believe what is false” (See: Active or Passive)

πλανωμένοις

“who believe false things and so behave badly”

περίκειται ἀσθένειαν

The high priest’s own weakness is spoken of as if it were a another person who rules over him. Alternate translation: “is spiritually weak” or “is weak against sin” (See: Metaphor)

ἀσθένειαν

the desire to sin

Hebrews 5:3

ὀφείλει

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God also requires him” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 5:4

This quotation is from the Psalms in the Old Testament.

λαμβάνει τὴν τιμήν

Honor is spoken of as if it were an object that a person could grasp in his hands. (See: Metaphor)

λαμβάνει τὴν τιμήν

The “honor” or praise and respect that people gave to the high priest stand for his task. (See: Metonymy)

καλούμενος ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ, καθώσπερ καὶ Ἀαρών

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God called him, just as he called Aaron” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 5:5

ὁ λαλήσας πρὸς αὐτόν

“God said to him”

Υἱός μου εἶ σύ, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε

These two phrases mean essentially the same thing. See how you translated this in Hebrews 1:5. (See: Parallelism)

Υἱός

These are important titles that describe the relationship between Jesus and God the Father. (See: Translating Son and Father)

Hebrews 5:6

This prophecy is from a Psalm of David.

καὶ…λέγει

To whom God is speaking can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “he also says to Christ” (See: Ellipsis)

ἐν ἑτέρῳ

“in another place in the scriptures”

κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισέδεκ

This means that Christ as a priest has things in common with Melchizedek as a priest. Alternate translation: “in the same way that Melchizedek was a priest”

Hebrews 5:7

ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις τῆς σαρκὸς αὐτοῦ

Here “the days” stands for a period of time. And, “flesh” stand for Jesus’s earthly life. Alternate translation: “While he lived on earth” (See: Metonymy)

δεήσεις…καὶ ἱκετηρίας

Both of these words mean basically the same thing. (See: Doublet)

τὸν δυνάμενον σῴζειν αὐτὸν ἐκ θανάτου

Possible meanings are (1) God was able to save Christ so that he would not die. Alternate translation: ‘to save him from dying” or (2) God was able to save Christ after Christ’s death by making him alive again. If possible, translate this in a way that allows both interpretations.

εἰσακουσθεὶς

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God heard him” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 5:8

υἱός

This is an important title for Jesus, the Son of God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

Hebrews 5:9

In verse 11 the writer begins his third warning. He warns these believers that they are still not mature and encourages them to learn God’s word so they can understand right from wrong.

τελειωθεὶς

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God made him perfect” (See: Active or Passive)

τελειωθεὶς

Here this means being made mature, able to honor God in all aspects of life.

ἐγένετο πᾶσιν τοῖς ὑπακούουσιν αὐτῷ αἴτιος σωτηρίας αἰωνίου

The abstract noun “salvation” can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: “now he saves all who obey him and causes them to live forever” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Hebrews 5:10

προσαγορευθεὶς ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God designated him” or “God appointed him” (See: Active or Passive)

κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισέδεκ

This means that Christ as a priest has things in common with Melchizedek as a priest. Alternate translation: “to be the sort of high priest that Melchizedek was”

Hebrews 5:11

πολὺς ἡμῖν ὁ λόγος

Even though the author uses the plural pronoun “we,” he is most likely referring only to himself. Alternate translation: “I have much to say” (See: Pronouns)

νωθροὶ γεγόνατε ταῖς ἀκοαῖς

The ability to understand and obey is spoken of as if it were the ability to listen. And the ability to listen is spoken of as if it were a metal tool that becomes dull with use. Alternate translation: “you have trouble understanding it” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 5:12

στοιχεῖα τῆς ἀρχῆς

Here “principles” means a guideline or standard for making decisions. Alternate translation: “basic truths”

γεγόνατε χρείαν ἔχοντες γάλακτος

Teaching about God that is easy to understand is spoken of as if it were milk, the only food that infants can take. Alternate translation: “You have become like babies and can drink only milk” (See: Metaphor)

γάλακτος, οὐ στερεᾶς τροφῆς

Teaching about God that is difficult to understand is spoken of as if it were solid food, suitable for adults. Alternate translation: “milk instead of solid food that adults can eat” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 5:13

μετέχων γάλακτος

Here “takes” stands for “drinks.” Alternate translation: “drinks milk” (See: Metonymy)

νήπιος γάρ ἐστιν

Spiritual maturity is compared with the kind of food that a growing child eats. Solid food is not for a tiny baby, and that is a figure describing a young Christian who only learns simple truths; but later, more solid food is given to the little child, just as when a person matures he can learn about matters that are more difficult. (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 5:14

τῶν διὰ τὴν ἕξιν τὰ αἰσθητήρια γεγυμνασμένα, ἐχόντων πρὸς διάκρισιν, καλοῦ τε καὶ κακοῦ

People trained to understand something are spoken of as if their ability to understand had been trained. Alternate translation: “who are mature and can distinguish between good and evil” (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 6

Hebrews 06 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Abrahamic Covenant

In the covenant that God made with Abraham, God promised to make Abraham’s descendants into a great nation. He also promised to protect Abraham’s descendants and to give them land of their own. (See: covenant)

Hebrews 6:1

The writer continues with what immature Hebrew believers need to do to become mature Christians. He reminds them of the foundational teachings.

ἀφέντες τὸν τῆς ἀρχῆς τοῦ Χριστοῦ λόγον, ἐπὶ τὴν τελειότητα φερώμεθα

This speaks about the basic teachings as if they were the beginning of a journey and the mature teachings as if they were the end of a journey. Alternate translation: “let us stop only discussing what we first learned and start understanding more mature teachings as well” (See: Metaphor)

μὴ πάλιν θεμέλιον καταβαλλόμενοι…πίστεως ἐπὶ Θεόν

Basic teachings are spoken of as if they were a building whose construction begins by laying a foundation. Alternate translation: “Let us not repeat the basic teachings…of faith in God” (See: Metaphor)

νεκρῶν ἔργων

Sinful deeds are spoken of as if they belonged to the world of the dead. (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 6:2

διδαχὴν…κρίματος αἰωνίου

Basic teachings are spoken of as if they were a building whose construction begins by laying a foundation. Alternate translation: “nor the basic teachings…eternal judgment” (See: Metaphor)

ἐπιθέσεώς τε χειρῶν

This practice was done to set someone apart for special service or position.

Hebrews 6:4

τοὺς ἅπαξ φωτισθέντας

Understanding is spoken of as if it were illumination. Alternate translation: “those who once understood the message about Christ” (See: Metaphor)

γευσαμένους…τῆς δωρεᾶς τῆς ἐπουρανίου

Experiencing salvation is spoken of as if it were tasting food. Alternate translation: “who experienced God’s saving power” (See: Metaphor)

μετόχους γενηθέντας Πνεύματος Ἁγίου

The Holy Spirit, who comes to believers, is spoken of as if he were an object that people could share. Alternate translation: “who received the Holy Spirit” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 6:5

καλὸν γευσαμένους Θεοῦ ῥῆμα

Learning God’s message is spoken of as if it were tasting food. Alternate translation: “who learned God’s good message” (See: Metaphor)

δυνάμεις…μέλλοντος αἰῶνος

This means the power of God when his kingdom is fully present in all the world. In this sense, “the powers” refer to God himself, who holds all power. Alternate translation: “learned how God will work powerfully in the future” (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 6:6

πάλιν ἀνακαινίζειν εἰς μετάνοιαν

“it is impossible to bring them back to repent again”

ἀνασταυροῦντας ἑαυτοῖς τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ

When people turn away from God, it is as though they crucify Jesus again. Alternate translation: “it is like they crucify for themselves the very Son of God again” (See: Metaphor)

τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ

This is an important title for Jesus that describes his relationship to God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

Hebrews 6:7

γῆ…ἡ πιοῦσα τὸν…ὑετόν

Farmland that benefits from much rain is spoken of as if it were a person who drinks in the rainwater. Alternate translation: “the land that absorbs the rain” (See: Personification)

τίκτουσα βοτάνην

Farmland that produces crops is spoken of as if it gives birth to them. Alternate translation: “that produces plants” (See: Personification)

μεταλαμβάνει εὐλογίας ἀπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ

Rain and crops are seen as proof that God has helped the farmland. The farmland is spoken of as if it were a person who could receive God’s blessing. (See: Personification)

εὐλογίας ἀπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ

Here “blessing” means help from God, not spoken words.

Hebrews 6:8

κατάρας ἐγγύς

This speaks of “curse” as if it were a place to which a person could draw near. Alternate translation: “is in danger of God cursing it” (See: Metaphor)

ἧς τὸ τέλος εἰς καῦσιν

The farmer will burn everything in the field.

Hebrews 6:9

πεπείσμεθα

Even though the author uses the plural pronoun “we,” he is most likely referring only to himself. Alternate translation: “I am convinced” or “I am certain” (See: Pronouns)

περὶ ὑμῶν…τὰ κρείσσονα

This means they are doing better than those who have rejected God, disobeyed him, and now can no longer repent so that God will forgive them (Hebrews 6:4-6). Alternate translation: “that you are doing better things than what I have mentioned”

ἐχόμενα σωτηρίας

The abstract noun “salvation” can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: “things that concern God saving you” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Hebrews 6:10

οὐ γὰρ ἄδικος ὁ Θεὸς, ἐπιλαθέσθαι

This double negative can mean that God in his justice will remember what good things his people have done. Alternate translation: “For God is just and therefore will certainly remember” (See: Double Negatives)

εἰς τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ

God’s “name” is a metonym that stands for God himself. Alternate translation: “for him” (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 6:11

ἐπιθυμοῦμεν

Even though the author uses the plural pronoun “we,” he is most likely referring only to himself. Alternate translation: “I greatly desire” (See: Pronouns)

σπουδὴν

careful, hard work

ἄχρι τέλους

The implicit meaning can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “to the end of your lives” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

πρὸς τὴν πληροφορίαν τῆς ἐλπίδος

“in order to have complete certainty that you will receive what God has promised you”

Hebrews 6:12

μιμηταὶ

An “imitator” is someone who copies the behavior of someone else.

κληρονομούντων τὰς ἐπαγγελίας

Receiving what God has promised believers is spoken of as if it were inheriting property and wealth from a family member. Alternate translation: “receive what God promised them” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 6:14

λέγων

God said

πληθύνων, πληθυνῶ σε

Here “increase” stands for give descendants. Alternate translation: “I will give you many descendants” (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 6:15

τῆς ἐπαγγελίας

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “what God promised him” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 6:17

τοῖς κληρονόμοις τῆς ἐπαγγελίας

The people to whom God has made promises are spoken of as if they were to inherit property and wealth from a family member. Alternate translation: “to those who would receive what he promised” (See: Metaphor)

τὸ ἀμετάθετον τῆς βουλῆς αὐτοῦ

“that his purpose would never change” or “that he would always do what he said he would do”

Hebrews 6:18

οἱ καταφυγόντες

Believers, who trust in God for him to protect them, are spoken of as if they were running to a safe place. Alternate translation: “we, who have trusted him” (See: Metaphor)

ἰσχυρὰν παράκλησιν ἔχωμεν…κρατῆσαι τῆς προκειμένης ἐλπίδος

Trust in God is spoken of as if encouragement were an object that could be presented to a person and that person could hold on to it. Alternate translation: “will continue to trust in God just has he encouraged us to do” (See: Metaphor)

προκειμένης

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “that God has placed before us” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 6:19

Having finished his third warning and encouragement to the believers, the writer of Hebrews continues his comparison of Jesus as priest to Melchizedek as priest.

ὡς ἄγκυραν…τῆς ψυχῆς, ἀσφαλῆ τε καὶ βεβαίαν

Just as an anchor keeps a boat from drifting in the water, Jesus keeps us secure in God’s presence. Alternate translation: “that causes us to live securely in God’s presence” (See: Metaphor)

ἄγκυραν…ἀσφαλῆ…καὶ βεβαίαν

Here the words “secure” and “reliable” mean basically the same thing and emphasize the complete reliability of the anchor. Alternate translation: “a completely reliable anchor” (See: Doublet)

ἣν…καὶ εἰσερχομένην εἰς τὸ ἐσώτερον τοῦ καταπετάσματος

Confidence is spoken of as if it were a person who could go into the most holy place of the temple. (See: Personification)

τὸ ἐσώτερον

This was the most holy place in the temple. It was thought to be the place where God was most intensely present among his people. In this passage, this place stands for heaven and God’s throne room. (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 6:20

κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισέδεκ

This means that Christ as a priest has things in common with Melchizedek as a priest. Alternate translation: “in the same way that Melchizedek was a priest”

Hebrews 7

Hebrews 07 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 7:17, 21, which are words from the Old Testament.

Special concepts in this chapter

High priest

Only a high priest could offer sacrifices so that God could forgive sins, so Jesus had to be a high priest. The law of Moses commanded that the high priest be from the tribe of Levi, but Jesus was from the tribe of Judah. God made him a priest like the priest Melchizedek, who lived at the time of Abraham, before there was a tribe of Levi.

Hebrews 7:1

The writer of Hebrews continues his comparison of Jesus as priest to Melchizedek as priest.

Σαλήμ

This is the name of a city. (See: How to Translate Names)

Ἀβραὰμ ὑποστρέφοντι ἀπὸ τῆς κοπῆς τῶν βασιλέων

This is refers to when Abraham and his men went and defeated the armies of four kings in order to rescue his nephew, Lot, and his family. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Hebrews 7:2

“It was to Melchizedek”

βασιλεὺς δικαιοσύνης…βασιλεὺς εἰρήνης

“righteous king…peaceful king”

Hebrews 7:3

ἀπάτωρ, ἀμήτωρ, ἀγενεαλόγητος, μήτε ἀρχὴν ἡμερῶν, μήτε ζωῆς τέλος ἔχων

It is possible to think from this passage that Melchizedek was neither born nor did he die. However, it is likely that all the writer means is that the Scriptures provide no information about Melchizedek’s ancestry, birth, or death.

Hebrews 7:4

The writer states that the priesthood of Melchizedek is better than Aaron’s priesthood and then reminds them that the priesthood of Aaron did not make anything perfect.

οὗτος

“Melchizedek was”

Hebrews 7:5

τῶν υἱῶν Λευεὶ τὴν ἱερατείαν λαμβάνοντες

The author says this because not all of Levi’s sons became priests. Alternate translation: “The descendants of Levi who became priests” (See: Distinguishing Versus Informing or Reminding)

τὸν λαὸν

“from the people of Israel”

τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτῶν

Here “brothers” means they are all related to each other through Abraham. Alternate translation: “from their relatives”

ἐξεληλυθότας ἐκ τῆς ὀσφύος Ἀβραάμ

This is a way of saying that they were descendants of Abraham. Alternate translation: “they, too, are descendants of Abraham” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 7:6

ὁ…μὴ γενεαλογούμενος ἐξ αὐτῶν

“who was not a descendant of Levi”

τὸν ἔχοντα τὰς ἐπαγγελίας

The things that God promised to do for Abraham are spoken of as if they were objects that he could possess. Alternate translation: the one to whom God had spoken his promises” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 7:7

τὸ ἔλαττον ὑπὸ τοῦ κρείττονος εὐλογεῖται

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the more important person blesses the less important person” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 7:8

ὧδε μὲν…ἐκεῖ

These phrases are used to compare the Levite priests with Melchizedek. Your language may have a way to emphasize that the author is making a comparison.

μαρτυρούμενος ὅτι ζῇ

It is never explicitly written in scripture that Melchizedek dies. The author of Hebrews speaks of this absence of information about Melchizedek’s death in scripture as if it were a positive statement that he is still alive. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “scripture shows that he lives on” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

Hebrews 7:9

δι’ Ἀβραὰμ, καὶ Λευεὶς, ὁ δεκάτας λαμβάνων, δεδεκάτωται

Since Levi had not been born yet, the author speaks of him as still being in Abraham’s body. In this way, the author argues that Levi paid tithes to Melchizedek through Abraham. (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 7:10

ἐν τῇ ὀσφύϊ τοῦ πατρὸς ἦν

Since Levi had not been born yet, the author speaks of him as still being in Abraham’s body. In this way, the author argues that Levi paid tithes to Melchizedek through Abraham. (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 7:11

μὲν οὖν

This does not mean “at this moment,” but is used to draw attention to the important point that follows.

τίς ἔτι χρεία κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισέδεκ, ἕτερον ἀνίστασθαι ἱερέα, καὶ οὐ κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Ἀαρὼν λέγεσθαι?

This question emphasizes that it was unexpected that priests come after the order of Melchizedek. Alternate translation: “no one would have needed another priest, one who was like Melchizedek and not like Aaron, to arise.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

ἀνίστασθαι

“to come” or “to appear”

κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισέδεκ

This means that Christ as a priest has things in common with Melchizedek as a priest. Alternate translation: “in the same way that Melchizedek was a priest”

οὐ κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Ἀαρὼν λέγεσθαι

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “not be after the manner of Aaron” or “who is not a priest like Aaron” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 7:12

μετατιθεμένης γὰρ τῆς ἱερωσύνης, ἐξ ἀνάγκης καὶ νόμου μετάθεσις γίνεται

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “For when God changed the priesthood, he also had to change the law” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 7:13

ὃν γὰρ

This refers to Jesus.

ἐφ’ ὃν…λέγεται ταῦτα

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “about whom I am speaking” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 7:14

γὰρ

This does not mean “at this moment,” but is used to draw attention to the important point that follows.

ἐξ Ἰούδα ἀνατέταλκεν ὁ Κύριος ἡμῶν

The words “our Lord” refer to Jesus.

ἐξ Ἰούδα

“from the tribe of Judah”

Hebrews 7:15

This quote comes from a psalm of King David.

περισσότερον ἔτι κατάδηλόν ἐστιν

“We can understand even more clearly.” Here “we” refers to the author and his audience. (See: Inclusive and Exclusive “We”)

εἰ…ἀνίσταται ἱερεὺς ἕτερος

“if another priest comes”

κατὰ τὴν ὁμοιότητα Μελχισέδεκ

This means that Christ as a priest has things in common with Melchizedek as a priest. Alternate translation: “in the same way that Melchizedek was a priest”

Hebrews 7:16

ὃς οὐ κατὰ νόμον

“His becoming priest was not based on the law”

νόμον ἐντολῆς σαρκίνης

The idea of human descent is spoken of as if it had only to do with the flesh of one’s body. Alternate translation: “the law of human descent” or “the law about priests’ descendants becoming priests” (See: Metonymy and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Hebrews 7:17

μαρτυρεῖται γὰρ

This speaks about scripture as if it were a person who could witness about something. Alternate translation: “For God witnesses about him through the scriptures” or “For this is what was written about him in the scripture” (See: Personification)

κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισέδεκ

There were two groups of priests. One was made up of the descendants of Levi. The other was made up of Melchizedek and Jesus Christ. Alternate translation: “according to the line of Melchizedek” or “according to the priesthood of Melchizedek”

Hebrews 7:18

ἀθέτησις μὲν…γίνεται προαγούσης ἐντολῆς

Here “set aside” is a metaphor for making something invalid. This can be stated in active form. AT “God made the commandment invalid” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

Hebrews 7:19

οὐδὲν…ἐτελείωσεν ὁ νόμος

The law is spoken of as if it were a person who could act. Alternate translation: “no one could become perfect by obeying the law” (See: Personification)

ἐπεισαγωγὴ…κρείττονος ἐλπίδος

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God has introduced a better hope” or “God has given us reason for a more confident hope (See: Active or Passive)

δι’ ἧς ἐγγίζομεν τῷ Θεῷ

Worshiping God and having his favor are spoken of coming near to him. Alternate translation: “and because of this hope we approach God” or “and because of this hope we worship God” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 7:20

This quote comes from the same psalm of David as Hebrews 7:17.

καὶ καθ’ ὅσον οὐ χωρὶς ὁρκωμοσίας

The word “it” refers to Jesus becoming the eternal priest. It can be stated clearly who made the oath. Alternate translation: “And God did not choose this new priest without swearing an oath!” or “And it was because God swore an oath that the Lord became the new priest!” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information and Double Negatives)

Hebrews 7:22

The writer then assures these Jewish believers that Christ has the better priesthood because he lives forever and the priests that descended from Aaron all died.

κρείττονος διαθήκης, γέγονεν ἔγγυος

“has told us that we can be sure that there will be a better covenant”

Hebrews 7:24

ἀπαράβατον ἔχει τὴν ἱερωσύνην

A priest’s work is spoken of as if it were an object that Jesus possesses. This can be worded to avoid the abstract noun. Alternate translation: “he is a priest permanently” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Hebrews 7:25

ὅθεν…δύναται

You can make explicit what “Therefore” implies. Alternate translation: “Because Christ is our high priest who lives forever, he” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

τοὺς προσερχομένους δι’ αὐτοῦ τῷ Θεῷ

“those who come to God because of what Jesus has done”

Hebrews 7:26

ὑψηλότερος τῶν οὐρανῶν γενόμενος

“God has raised him up to the highest heavens.” The author speaks of possessing more honor and power than anyone else as if it were position that is up above all things. Alternate translation: “God has given him more honor and power than anyone else” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 7:27

Here the words “He,” “his,” and “himself” refer to Christ.

Hebrews 7:28

ὁ νόμος…ἀνθρώπους καθίστησιν ἀρχιερεῖς ἔχοντας ἀσθένειαν

Here “the law” is a metonym for the men who appointed the high priests according to the law of Moses. The focus is not on the men who did this, but on the fact that they did this according to the law. Alternate translation: “according to the law, men appoint as high priests men who have weaknesses” or “for according to the law, men who have weaknesses are appointed as high priests” (See: Metonymy)

ἀνθρώπους…ἔχοντας ἀσθένειαν

“men who are spiritually weak” or “men who are weak against sin”

ὁ λόγος…τῆς ὁρκωμοσίας, τῆς μετὰ τὸν νόμον, Υἱόν

The “word of the oath” represents God who made the oath. Alternate translation: “God appointed a Son by his oath, which he made after he gave the law” or “after he had given the law, God swore an oath and appointed his Son” (See: Metonymy)

Υἱόν

This is an important title for Jesus, the Son of God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

τετελειωμένον

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “who has completely obeyed God and become mature” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 8

Hebrews 08 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The author finishes describing how and why Jesus is the most important high priest. Then he begins to speak about how the new covenant is better to the covenant God made with Moses. (See: covenant)

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 8:8-12, which are words from the Old Testament.

Special concepts in this chapter

New covenant

The author tells how Jesus has established a new covenant that is better than the covenant that God established with the Israelites. (See: covenant)

Hebrews 8:1

The writer, having shown that Christ’s priesthood is better than the earthly priesthood, shows that the earthly priesthood was a pattern of heavenly things. Christ has a superior ministry, a superior covenant.

δὲ

This does not mean “at this moment,” but is used to draw attention to the important point that follows.

λεγομένοις

Even though the author uses the plural pronoun “we,” he is most likely referring only to himself. Because the writer does not include his readers here, the word “we” is exclusive. Alternate translation: “I am saying” or “I am writing” (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’ and Pronouns)

ἔχομεν ἀρχιερέα

The author is including the readers here, so the word “we” is inclusive. (See: Inclusive and Exclusive “We”)

ἐκάθισεν ἐν δεξιᾷ τοῦ θρόνου τῆς Μεγαλωσύνης

To sit at the “right hand of God” is a symbolic action of receiving great honor and authority from God. See how you translated a similar phrase in Hebrews 1:3. Alternate translation: “sat down at the place of honor and authority beside the throne of the Majesty” (See: Symbolic Action)

Hebrews 8:2

τῆς σκηνῆς τῆς ἀληθινῆς, ἣν ἔπηξεν ὁ Κύριος, οὐκ ἄνθρωπος

People built the earthly tabernacle out of animal skins fastened to a wooden framework, and they set it up in the manner of a tent. Here “true tabernacle” means the heavenly tabernacle that God created.

Hebrews 8:3

πᾶς γὰρ ἀρχιερεὺς…καθίσταται

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “For God appoints every priest” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 8:4

οὖν

This does not mean “at this moment,” but is used to draw attention to the important point that follows.

κατὰ νόμον

“as God requires in the law”

Hebrews 8:5

οἵτινες ὑποδείγματι καὶ σκιᾷ λατρεύουσιν τῶν ἐπουρανίων

The words “copy” and “shadow” have similar meanings and are metaphors meaning that something is not the real thing but it is similar to the real thing. These words emphasize that the priesthood and the earthly temple were images of Christ, the true high priest, and the heavenly temple. Alternate translation: “They serve what is a vague image of the heavenly things” or “They serve what is only similar to the heavenly things” (See: Metaphor and Doublet)

καθὼς κεχρημάτισται Μωϋσῆς, μέλλων

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “It is just as God warned Moses when Moses was” (See: Active or Passive)

μέλλων ἐπιτελεῖν τὴν σκηνήν

Moses did not construct the tabernacle himself. He ordered the people to construct it. Alternate translation: “was about to command the people to construct the tabernacle” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ὅρα

“Make sure that”

κατὰ τὸν τύπον

“to the design”

τὸν δειχθέντα σοι

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “that I showed you” (See: Active or Passive)

ἐν τῷ ὄρει

You can make explicit that “mountain” refers to Mount Sinai. Alternate translation: “on Mount Sinai” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Hebrews 8:6

This section begins to show that the new covenant is better than the old covenant with Israel and Judah.

διαφορωτέρας

“God has given Christ”

κρείττονός…διαθήκης μεσίτης

This means Christ caused a better covenant between God and humans to exist.

διαθήκης…ἥτις ἐπὶ κρείττοσιν ἐπαγγελίαις νενομοθέτηται

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “covenant. It was this covenant that God made based on better promises” or “covenant. God promised better things when he made this covenant” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 8:7

ἡ πρώτη ἐκείνη…δευτέρας

The words “first” and “second” are ordinal numbers. Alternate translation: “old covenant…new covenant” (See: Ordinal Numbers)

ἦν ἄμεμπτος

“had been perfect”

Hebrews 8:8

In this quotation the prophet Jeremiah foretold of a new covenant that God would make.

αὐτοῖς

“with the people of Israel”

ἰδοὺ

“Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

τὸν οἶκον Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν οἶκον Ἰούδα

The people of Israel and Judah are spoken of as if they were houses. Alternate translation: “the people of Israel and with the people of Judah” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 8:9

ἐπιλαβομένου μου τῆς χειρὸς αὐτῶν, ἐξαγαγεῖν αὐτοὺς ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου

This metaphor represents God’s great love and concern. Alternate translation: “I led them out of Egypt like a father leads his young child” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 8:10

This is a quotation from the prophet Jeremiah.

τῷ οἴκῳ Ἰσραὴλ

The people of Israel are spoken of as if they were a house. Alternate translation: “the people of Israel” (See: Metaphor)

μετὰ τὰς ἡμέρας ἐκείνας

“after that time”

διδοὺς νόμους μου εἰς τὴν διάνοιαν αὐτῶν

God’s requirements are spoken of as if they were objects that could be placed somewhere. People’s ability to think is spoken of as if it were a place. Alternate translation: “I will enable them to understand my laws” (See: Metaphor)

ἐπὶ καρδίας αὐτῶν ἐπιγράψω αὐτούς

Here “hearts” is a metonym for a person’s inner being. The phrase “write them on their hearts” is a metaphor for enabling people to obey the law. Alternate translation: “I will also put them in their hearts” or “I will enable them to obey my law” (See: Metonymy and Metaphor)

ἔσομαι αὐτοῖς εἰς Θεόν

“I will be the God they worship”

αὐτοὶ ἔσονταί μοι εἰς λαόν

“they will be the people for whom I care”

Hebrews 8:11

This continues the quotation from the prophet Jeremiah.

οὐ μὴ διδάξωσιν ἕκαστος τὸν πολίτην αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἕκαστος τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ λέγων, γνῶθι τὸν Κύριον

This direct quotation can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “They will not need to teach their neighbors or brothers to know me” (See: Direct and Indirect Quotations)

τὸν πολίτην…τὸν ἀδελφὸν

Both of these refer to fellow Israelites. (See: Doublet)

γνῶθι τὸν Κύριον…πάντες εἰδήσουσίν με

“Know” here stands for acknowledge. (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 8:12

ταῖς ἀδικίαις αὐτῶν

This stands for the people who committed these evil deeds. Alternate translation: “to those who did evil deeds” (See: Metonymy)

τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτῶν οὐ μὴ μνησθῶ ἔτι

Here “remember” stands for “think about.” (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 9

Hebrews 09 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter describes how Jesus is better than the temple and all its laws and rules. This chapter will be difficult to understand if the first five books of the Old Testament have not yet been translated.

Special concepts in this chapter

Will

A will is a legal document that describes what will happen to a person’s property after he dies.

Blood

In the Old Testament, God had commanded the Israelites to offer sacrifices so that he would forgive their sins. Before they could offer these sacrifices, they had to kill animals and then offer not only the animal’s body but also its blood. Shedding blood is a metaphor for killing an animal or person. Jesus offered his life, his blood, as a sacrifice when he allowed men to kill him. The writer of the Book of Hebrews is saying in this chapter that this sacrifice is better than the sacrifices of the Old Testament. (See: Metaphor and covenant)

Return of Christ

Jesus will return to finish the work that he began when he died so that God would forgive his people’s sins. He will finish saving those people who are waiting for him. (See: save, saved, safe, salvation)

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

First covenant

This refers to the covenant that God made with Moses. However, before he made this covenant, God had made a covenant with Abraham. But this was the first covenant that God had made with the people of Israel. You may decide to translate “the first covenant” as “the earlier covenant.”

Hebrews 9:1

The writer makes clear to these Jewish believers that the laws and the tabernacle of the old covenant were only pictures of the better, new covenant.

οὖν

This word marks a new part of the teaching.

ἡ πρώτη

See how you translated this in Hebrews 8:7.

εἶχε…δικαιώματα

“had detailed instructions” or “had rules”

Hebrews 9:2

γὰρ

The author is continuing the discussion from Hebrews 8:7.

σκηνὴ…κατεσκευάσθη

A tabernacle was constructed and made ready for use. This idea can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the Israelites prepared a tabernacle” (See: Active or Passive)

ἥ τε λυχνία καὶ ἡ τράπεζα, καὶ ἡ Πρόθεσις τῶν ἄρτων

These objects are all accompanied by the definite article “the,” because the author assumes that his readers already know about these things.

ἡ Πρόθεσις τῶν ἄρτων

This can be reworded so that the abstract noun “presence” is expressed as the verb “display” or “present.” Alternate translation: “bread on display before God” or “bread the priests presented to God” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Hebrews 9:3

μετὰ…τὸ δεύτερον καταπέτασμα

The first curtain was the outer wall of the tabernacle, so the “second curtain” was the curtain between the “holy place” and the “most holy place.”

δεύτερον

This is the ordinal word for number two. (See: Ordinal Numbers)

Hebrews 9:4

ἐν

“Inside the ark of the covenant”

ἡ ῥάβδος Ἀαρὼν ἡ βλαστήσασα

This was the rod Aaron had when God proved to the people of Israel that he had chosen Aaron as his priest by making Aaron’s rod bud. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἡ βλαστήσασα

“from which leaves and flowers had grown”

αἱ πλάκες τῆς διαθήκης

Here “tablets” are flat pieces of stone that had writing on them. This refers to the stone tablets on which the ten commandments were written.

Hebrews 9:5

Χερουβεὶν δόξης κατασκιάζοντα τὸ ἱλαστήριον

When the Israelites were making the ark of the covenant, God commanded them to carve two cherubim facing each other, with their wings touching, over the atonement lid of the ark of the covenant. Here they are spoken of as providing shade for the ark of the covenant. Alternate translation: “glorious cherubim covered the atonement lid with their wings”

Χερουβεὶν

Here “cherubim” means figures of two cherubim. (See: Metonymy)

περὶ ὧν οὐκ ἔστιν

Even though the author uses the plural pronoun “we,” he is most likely referring only to himself. Alternate translation: “which I cannot” (See: Pronouns)

Hebrews 9:6

τούτων…οὕτως κατεσκευασμένων

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “After the priests prepared these things” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 9:7

οὐ χωρὶς αἵματος

This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “he always brought blood” (See: Double Negatives)

αἵματος

This is the blood of the bull and goat that the high priest had to sacrifice on the Day of Atonement.

Hebrews 9:8

τῶν ἁγίων

Possible meanings are (1) the inner room of the tabernacle on earth or (2) God’s presence in heaven.

ἔτι τῆς πρώτης σκηνῆς ἐχούσης στάσιν

Possible meanings are (1) “the outer room of the tabernacle was still standing” or (2) “the earthly tabernacle and the sacrificial system still existed.” (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 9:9

ἥτις παραβολὴ

“This was a picture” or “This was a symbol”

εἰς τὸν καιρὸν τὸν ἐνεστηκότα

“for now”

προσφέρονται

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “that the priests now offer” (See: Active or Passive)

μὴ δυνάμεναι κατὰ συνείδησιν τελειῶσαι τὸν λατρεύοντα

The writer speaks of a person’s conscience as if it were an object that could be made better and better until it was without fault. A person’s conscience is his knowledge of right and wrong. It is also his awareness of whether or not he has done wrong. If he knows he has done wrong, we say that he feels guilty. Alternate translation: “are not able to make the worshiper free from guilt” (See: Metaphor)

συνείδησιν…τὸν λατρεύοντα

The writer appears to refer to only one worshiper, but he means all those who came to worship God at the tabernacle. (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

Hebrews 9:10

μέχρι καιροῦ διορθώσεως

“until God created the new order”

διορθώσεως

“new covenant”

Hebrews 9:11

Having described the service of the tabernacle under God’s law, the writer makes clear that Christ’s service under the new covenant is better because it is sealed with his blood. It is better also because Christ has entered the true “tabernacle,” that is, God’s own presence in heaven, instead of entering, as other high priests, into the earthly tabernacle, which was only an imperfect copy.

ἀγαθῶν

This does not refer to material things. It means the good things that God promised in his new covenant.

τῆς μείζονος καὶ τελειοτέρας σκηνῆς

This refers to the heavenly tent or tabernacle, which is more important and more perfect than the earthly tabernacle.

οὐ χειροποιήτου

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “that humans hands did not make” (See: Active or Passive)

χειροποιήτου

Here “hands” refers to the whole person. Alternate translation: “humans” (See: Synecdoche)

Hebrews 9:12

ἅγια

God’s presence in heaven is spoken of as if it were the most holy place, the innermost room in the tabernacle. (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 9:13

σποδὸς δαμάλεως, ῥαντίζουσα τοὺς κεκοινωμένους

The priest would drop small amounts of the ashes on the unclean people.

πρὸς τὴν τῆς σαρκὸς καθαρότητα

Here “flesh” refers to the entire body. Alternate translation: “for the cleansing of their bodies” (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 9:14

πόσῳ μᾶλλον τὸ αἷμα τοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὃς διὰ Πνεύματος αἰωνίου, ἑαυτὸν προσήνεγκεν ἄμωμον τῷ Θεῷ, καθαριεῖ τὴν συνείδησιν ὑμῶν ἀπὸ νεκρῶν ἔργων, εἰς τὸ λατρεύειν Θεῷ ζῶντι!

The author uses this question to emphasize that Christ’s sacrifice was the most powerful. Alternate translation: “then certainly Christ’s blood will cleanse our conscience even more from dead works to serve the living God! Because, through the eternal Spirit, he offered himself without blemish to God.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

τὸ αἷμα τοῦ Χριστοῦ

The “blood” of Christ stands for his death. (See: Metonymy)

ἄμωμον

This is a small sin or moral fault spoken of here as if it were a small, unusual spot or defect on Christ’s body. (See: Metaphor)

καθαριεῖ τὴν συνείδησιν ὑμῶν

Here “conscience” refers to a person’s feeling of guilt. Believers no longer have to feel guilty for the sins they have committed because Jesus sacrificed himself and has forgiven them. (See: Metonymy)

καθαριεῖ

Here “cleanse” stands for the action of relieving our consciences from guilt for the sins we have committed. (See: Metaphor)

νεκρῶν ἔργων

Sinful deeds are spoken of as if they belonged to the world of the dead. (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 9:15

διὰ τοῦτο

“As a result” or “Because of this”

διαθήκης καινῆς μεσίτης ἐστίν

This means Christ caused the new covenant between God and humans to exist.

τῇ πρώτῃ διαθήκῃ

See how you translated this in Hebrews 8:7.

εἰς ἀπολύτρωσιν τῶν ἐπὶ τῇ πρώτῃ διαθήκῃ παραβάσεων

“to take away the sins of those who were under the first covenant.” Possible meanings are (1) here “their sins” is a metonym for the guilt of their sins. Alternate translation: “to take away the guilt of those who were under the first covenant” or (2) here “their sins” is a metonym for the punishment for their sins. Alternate translation: “to take away the punisment for sins of those who were under the first covenant” (See: Metonymy)

οἱ κεκλημένοι

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “those whom God has chosen to be his children” (See: Active or Passive)

κληρονομίας

Receiving what God has promised believers is spoken of as if it were inheriting property and wealth from a family member. (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 9:16

διαθήκη

a legal document in which a person states who should receive his possessions when he himself dies

θάνατον ἀνάγκη φέρεσθαι τοῦ διαθεμένου

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “someone must prove that the person who made the will has died”

Hebrews 9:18

ὅθεν οὐδ’ ἡ πρώτη χωρὶς αἵματος ἐνκεκαίνισται

This can be stated in active and positive form. Alternate translation: “So God established even the first covenant with blood” (See: Active or Passive and Double Negatives)

πρώτη

See how you translated this in Hebrews 8:7.

αἵματος

The death of animals sacrificed to God is spoken of as if it were nothing but blood. Alternate translation: “the death of animals sacrificed to God” (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 9:19

λαβὼν τὸ αἷμα…μετὰ ὕδατος…τὸ βιβλίον…πάντα τὸν λαὸν, ἐράντισεν

The priest dipped the hyssop in the blood and the water and then shook the hyssop so drops of blood and water would fall on the scroll and on the people. Sprinkling was a symbolic action done by the priests by which they applied the benefits of the covenant to people and to objects. Here the scroll and the people’s acceptability to God are renewed. (See: Symbolic Action)

ὑσσώπου

a woody shrub with flowers in summer, used in ceremonial sprinkling

Hebrews 9:20

τὸ αἷμα τῆς διαθήκης

Here “blood” refers to the death of the animals sacrificed to carry out the covenant’s requirements. Alternate translation: “the blood that brings into effect the covenant” (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 9:21

ἐράντισεν

“Moses sprinkled”

ἐράντισεν

Sprinkling was a symbolic action done by the priests by which they applied the benefits of the covenant to people and to objects. See how you translated this in Hebrews 9:19. (See: Symbolic Action)

πάντα τὰ σκεύη τῆς λειτουργίας

A container is an object that can hold things. Here it may refer to any kind of utensil or tool. Alternate translation: “all the utensils used in the service”

τῆς λειτουργίας

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the priests used in their work” (See: Active or Passive)

τῷ αἵματι

Here the animal “blood” is talking about the animal’s death. (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 9:22

σχεδὸν ἐν αἵματι πάντα καθαρίζεται

Making something acceptable to God is spoken of as if it were cleansing that thing. This idea can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the priests use blood to cleanse almost everything” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

χωρὶς αἱματεκχυσίας, οὐ γίνεται ἄφεσις

Here “shedding of blood” refers to something dying as a sacrifice to God. This double negative can mean that all forgiveness comes through the shedding of blood. Alternate translation: “Forgiveness only comes when something dies as a sacrifice” or “God only forgives when something dies as a sacrifice” (See: Metonymy and Double Negatives)

ἄφεσις

You can state explicitly the implied meaning. Alternate translation: “forgiveness of the sins of the people” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Hebrews 9:23

The writer emphasizes that Christ (now in heaven interceding for us) had to die only once for sins and that he will return to earth a second time.

τὰ μὲν ὑποδείγματα τῶν ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς τούτοις καθαρίζεσθαι

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the priests should use these animal sacrifices to cleanse what are copies of things that are in heaven” (See: Active or Passive and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

αὐτὰ δὲ τὰ ἐπουράνια κρείττοσι θυσίαις παρὰ ταύτας

That is, better than the sacrifices used to cleanse the earthly copies. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “as for the heavenly things themselves, God had to cleanse them with much better sacrifices” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 9:24

χειροποίητα…ἅγια

Here “with hands” means “by humans.” This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the most holy place, which humans made, and which” (See: Synecdoche and Active or Passive)

τῶν ἀληθινῶν

“of the true most holy place”

Hebrews 9:25

οὐδ’

“He did not enter heaven”

κατ’ ἐνιαυτὸν

“every year” or “each year”

ἐν αἵματι ἀλλοτρίῳ

This means with the blood of an animal victim, not with his own blood.

Hebrews 9:26

ἐπεὶ

“If he had to offer himself often”

εἰς ἀθέτησιν ἁμαρτίας διὰ τῆς θυσίας αὐτοῦ

Doing away with sin represents having God forgive it. Alternate translation: “to cause God to forgive sins by sacrificing himself” or “to sacrifice himself so that God can forgive sin” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 9:28

ὁ Χριστός ἅπαξ προσενεχθεὶς

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Christ offered himself once” (See: Active or Passive)

εἰς τὸ…ἀνενεγκεῖν ἁμαρτίας

The act of making us innocent rather than guilty for our sins is spoken of as if our sins were physical objects that Christ could carry away from us. Alternate translation: “so that God would forgive the sins” (See: Metaphor)

τὸ…ἁμαρτίας

Here “sins” mean the guilt that people have before God because of the sins they committed. (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 10

Hebrews 10 General Notes

Structure and formatting

In this chapter, the writer finishes describing how Jesus’ sacrifice was better than the sacrifices offered in the Temple. (See: law, law of Moses, law of Yahweh, law of God)

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 10:5-7, 15-17, 37-38, which are words from the Old Testament.

Special concepts in this chapter

God’s judgment and reward

Holy living is important for Christians. God will hold people accountable for how they lived their Christian life. Even though there will not be eternal condemnation for Christians, ungodly actions do and will have consequences. In addition, faithful living will be rewarded. (See: holy, holiness, unholy, sacred, godly, godliness, ungodly, godless, ungodliness, godlessness and faithful, faithfulness, unfaithful, unfaithfulness, trustworthy and reward, prize, deserve)

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

“For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins”

The sacrifices themselves had no redeeming power. They were effective because they were a display of faith, which was credited to the person offering the sacrifice. It was ultimately the sacrifice of Jesus which then makes these sacrifices “take away sins.” (See: redeem, redeemer, redemption and faith)

“The covenant that I will make”

It is unclear whether this prophecy was being fulfilled as the author was writing or whether it was to occur later. The translator should try to avoid making a claim about the time this covenant begins. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess and covenant)

Hebrews 10:1

The writer shows the weakness of the law and its sacrifices, why God gave the law, and the perfection of the new priesthood and Christ’s sacrifice.

σκιὰν…ἔχων ὁ νόμος τῶν μελλόντων ἀγαθῶν

This speaks about the law as if it were a shadow. The author means the law is not the good things that God had promised. It only hints at the good things that God is going to do. (See: Metaphor)

οὐκ αὐτὴν τὴν εἰκόνα τῶν πραγμάτων

“not the real things themselves”

κατ’ ἐνιαυτὸν

“every year”

Hebrews 10:2

οὐκ ἂν ἐπαύσαντο προσφερόμεναι

The author uses a question to state that the sacrifices were limited in their power. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “they would have ceased offering those sacrifices.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Active or Passive)

ἐπαύσαντο

“stopped being”

τοὺς λατρεύοντας…κεκαθαρισμένους

Here being cleansed represents no longer being guilty of sin. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the sacrifices would have taken away their sin” or “God would have made them no longer guilty of sin” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

τὸ μηδεμίαν ἔχειν ἔτι συνείδησιν ἁμαρτιῶν

“would no longer think that they are guilty of sin” or “would know that they are no longer guilty of sin”

Hebrews 10:4

ἀδύνατον γὰρ αἷμα ταύρων καὶ τράγων ἀφαιρεῖν ἁμαρτίας

Sins are spoken of as if they were objects that animal blood could sweep away as it flowed. Alternate translation: “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to cause God to forgive sins” (See: Metaphor)

αἷμα ταύρων καὶ τράγων

Here “blood” refers to these animals dying as sacrifices to God. (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 10:5

Christ’s words when he was on earth were foretold in this quotation from a psalm of David.

οὐκ ἠθέλησας

Here “you” is singular and refers to God. (See: Forms of You)

σῶμα…κατηρτίσω

“you have made a body ready”

Hebrews 10:7

τότε εἶπον

Here “I” refers to Christ.

Hebrews 10:8

Though changing the wording slightly, the author repeats these quotations from a psalm of David for emphasis.

θυσίας…προσφορὰς

See how you translated these words in Hebrews 10:5.

ὁλοκαυτώματα…περὶ ἁμαρτίας

See how you translated similar words in Hebrews 10:6.

αἵτινες…προσφέρονται

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “that priests offer” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 10:9

ἰδοὺ

“Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

ἀναιρεῖ τὸ πρῶτον, ἵνα τὸ δεύτερον στήσῃ

The abstract noun “practice” here refers to a way of atoning for sins. Stopping doing it is spoken of as if it were an object that could be taken away. Starting the second way of atoning for sins is spoken of as establishing that practice. Alternate translation: “He stops people atoning for sins the first way in order to atone for sins the second way” (See: Abstract Nouns and Metaphor)

τὸ πρῶτον…τὸ δεύτερον

The words “first” and “second” are ordinal numbers. Alternate translation: “old practice…the new practice” (See: Ordinal Numbers)

Hebrews 10:10

ἡγιασμένοι ἐσμὲν

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God has sanctified us” or “God has dedicated us to himself” (See: Active or Passive)

διὰ τῆς προσφορᾶς τοῦ σώματος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ

The abstract noun “offering” can be expressed with the verb “offer” or “sacrifice.” Alternate translation: “because Jesus Christ offered his body as a sacrifice” or “because Jesus Christ sacrificed his body” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Hebrews 10:11

καθ’ ἡμέραν

“day by day” or “every day”

οὐδέποτε δύνανται περιελεῖν ἁμαρτίας

This speaks of “sins” as if they are an object that a person can take away. Alternate translation: “can never cause God to forgive sins” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 10:12

ἐκάθισεν ἐν δεξιᾷ τοῦ Θεοῦ

To sit at the “right hand of God” is a symbolic action of receiving great honor and authority from God. See how you translated a similar phrase in Hebrews 1:3. Alternate translation: “he sat down at the place of honor and authority beside God” (See: Symbolic Action)

Hebrews 10:13

ἕως τεθῶσιν οἱ ἐχθροὶ αὐτοῦ ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν αὐτοῦ

The humiliation of Christ’s enemies is spoken of as if they were made a place for him to rest his feet. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “until God humiliates Christ’s enemies and they become like a stool for his feet” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

Hebrews 10:14

τοὺς ἁγιαζομένους

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “those whom God is sanctifying” or “those whom God has dedicated to himself” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 10:15

This is a quotation from the prophet Jeremiah in the Old Testament.

Hebrews 10:16

πρὸς αὐτοὺς

“with my people”

μετὰ τὰς ἡμέρας ἐκείνας

“when the time of the first covenant with my people has finished”

διδοὺς νόμους μου ἐπὶ καρδίας αὐτῶν

Here “hearts” is a metonym for a person’s inner being. The phrase “put them in their hearts” is a metaphor for enabling people to obey the law. Alternate translation: “I will enable them to obey my laws” (See: Metonymy and Metaphor)

Hebrews 10:17

This continues the quotation from the prophet Jeremiah in the Old Testament.

τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτῶν, καὶ τῶν ἀνομιῶν αὐτῶν, οὐ μὴ μνησθήσομαι ἔτι

“I will no longer remember their sins and lawless deeds.’” or “I will no longer think about their sins and lawless deeds.’” This is the second part of the Holy Spirit’s testimony (Hebrews 10:15-16). You can make this explicit in the translation by ending the quotation at the end of verse 16 and starting a new quotation here. Alternate translation: “Then next he said, ‘Their sins and lawless deeds I will remember no longer.’” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτῶν, καὶ τῶν ἀνομιῶν αὐτῶν

The words “sins” and “lawless deeds” mean basically the same thing. Together they emphasize how bad the sin is. Alternate translation: “The things they did that were forbidden and how they broke the law” (See: Doublet)

Hebrews 10:18

δὲ

This is used to draw attention to the important point that follows. It does not mean “at this moment.”

ὅπου…ἄφεσις

This can be reworded so that the abstract noun “forgiveness” is expressed as the verb “forgive.” Alternate translation: “when God has forgiven these things” (See: Abstract Nouns)

οὐκέτι προσφορὰ περὶ ἁμαρτίας

This can be reworded so that the abstract noun “sacrifice” is expressed as the verb “make offerings.” Alternate translation: “people no longer need to make offerings for sin” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Hebrews 10:19

Having made it clear that there is only one sacrifice for sin, the writer continues with the picture of the most holy place in the temple, where only the high priest could enter each year with the blood of the sacrifice for sins. He reminds the believers that they now worship God in his presence as if they were standing in the most holy place.

ἀδελφοί

Here this means all believers in Christ whether male or female. Alternate translation: “brothers and sisters” or “fellow believers” (See: Metaphor and When Masculine Words Include Women)

τῶν ἁγίων

This means the presence of God, not the most holy place in the old tabernacle. (See: Metaphor)

ἐν τῷ αἵματι Ἰησοῦ

Here “blood of Jesus” refers to the death of Jesus. (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 10:20

ὁδὸν…ζῶσαν

Possible meanings are (1) this new way to God that Jesus has provided results in believers living forever or (2) Jesus is alive, and he is the way believers enter into the presence of God.

διὰ τοῦ καταπετάσματος

The curtain in the earthly temple represents the separation between people and God’s true presence. (See: Metaphor)

τῆς σαρκὸς αὐτοῦ

Here “flesh” stands for the body of Jesus, and his body stands for his sacrificial death. Alternate translation: “by means of his death” (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 10:21

καὶ ἱερέα μέγαν ἐπὶ τὸν οἶκον τοῦ Θεοῦ

This must be translated in such a way as to make it clear that Jesus is this “great priest.”

ἐπὶ τὸν οἶκον

“in charge of the house”

τὸν οἶκον τοῦ Θεοῦ

This speaks about God’s people as if they were a literal house. Alternate translation: “all the people of God” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 10:22

προσερχώμεθα

Here “approach” stands for worshiping God, as a priest would go up to God’s altar to sacrifice animals to him. (See: Metonymy)

μετὰ ἀληθινῆς καρδίας

“with faithful hearts” or “with honest hearts.” Here “hearts” stands for the genuine will and motivation of the believers. Alternate translation: “with sincerity” or “sincerely” (See: Metonymy)

ἐν πληροφορίᾳ πίστεως

“and with a confident faith” or “and trusting completely in Jesus”

ῥεραντισμένοι τὰς καρδίας

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “as if had he made our hearts clean with his blood” (See: Active or Passive)

ῥεραντισμένοι τὰς καρδίας

Here “hearts” is a metonym for the conscience, the awareness of right and wrong. Being made clean is a metaphor for being forgiven and being given the status of righteousness. (See: Metonymy and Metaphor)

ῥεραντισμένοι

Sprinkling was a symbolic action done by the priests by which they applied the benefits of the covenant to people and to objects. See how you translated this in Hebrews 9:19. (See: Symbolic Action)

λελουμένοι τὸ σῶμα ὕδατι καθαρῷ

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “as if he had washed our bodies in pure water” (See: Active or Passive)

λελουμένοι τὸ σῶμα ὕδατι καθαρῷ

If the translator understands this phrase as referring to Christian baptism, then “water” is literal, not figurative. But if water is taken as literal, then “pure” is figurative, standing for the spiritual purity that baptism is said here to accomplish. The “washing” stands for the believer being made acceptable to God. (See: Metonymy and Metaphor)

Hebrews 10:23

κατέχωμεν τὴν ὁμολογίαν τῆς ἐλπίδος

Here “hold tightly” is a metaphor that refers to a person determining to do something and refusing to stop. The abstract nouns “confession” and “expectation” can be translated as verbs. Alternate translation: “Let us be determined to continue confessing the things that we confidently expect from God” (See: Metaphor and Abstract Nouns)

ἀκλινῆ

Being uncertain about something is spoken of as if he were wavering or leaning from side to side. Alternate translation: “without being unsure” or “without doubting” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 10:25

μὴ ἐγκαταλείποντες τὴν ἐπισυναγωγὴν ἑαυτῶν

You can make explicit that the people met to worship. Alternate translation: “Let us not stop coming together to worship” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ὅσῳ βλέπετε ἐγγίζουσαν τὴν ἡμέραν

A future time is spoken of as if it were an object coming closer to the speaker. Here “the day” refers to when Jesus will return. Alternate translation: “as you know that Christ will return soon” (See: Metaphor and Metonymy)

Hebrews 10:26

The writer now gives his fourth warning.

ἑκουσίως…ἁμαρτανόντων ἡμῶν

“we know we are sinning but we do it again and again”

μετὰ τὸ λαβεῖν τὴν ἐπίγνωσιν τῆς ἀληθείας

Knowledge of the truth is spoken of as if it were an object that could be given by one person to another. Alternate translation: “after we have learned the truth” (See: Metaphor)

τῆς ἀληθείας

The truth about God. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

οὐκέτι περὶ ἁμαρτιῶν ἀπολείπεται θυσία

No one is able to give a new sacrifice because Christ’s sacrifice is the only one that works. Alternate translation: “no one can offer a sacrifice for which God will forgive our sins” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

περὶ ἁμαρτιῶν…θυσία

Here “sacrifice for sins” stands for “an effective way to sacrifice animals to take away sins”

Hebrews 10:27

κρίσεως

Of God’s judgment, that is, that God will judge. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

πυρὸς ζῆλος ἐσθίειν μέλλοντος τοὺς ὑπεναντίους

God’s fury is spoken of as if it were fire that would burn up his enemies. (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 10:28

δυσὶν ἢ τρισὶν μάρτυσιν

It is implied that this means “of at least two or three witness.” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Hebrews 10:29

πόσῳ δοκεῖτε χείρονος, ἀξιωθήσεται τιμωρίας, ὁ…τῆς χάριτος ἐνυβρίσας!

The author is emphasizing the greatness of the punishment for those who reject Christ. Alternate translation: “This was severe punishment. But the punishment will be even greater for anyone…grace!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ καταπατήσας

Disregarding Christ and scorning him are spoken of as if someone had walked on him. Alternate translation: “has rejected the Son of God” (See: Metaphor)

τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ

This is an important title for Jesus. (See: Translating Son and Father)

τὸ αἷμα τῆς διαθήκης κοινὸν ἡγησάμενος

This shows how the person has trampled the Son of God. Alternate translation: “by treating the blood of the covenant as unholy”

τὸ αἷμα τῆς διαθήκης

Here “blood” stands for Christ’s death, by which God established the new covenant. (See: Metonymy)

τὸ αἷμα…ἐν ᾧ ἡγιάσθη

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the blood by which God sanctified him” (See: Active or Passive)

τὸ Πνεῦμα τῆς χάριτος

“the Spirit of God, who provides grace”

Hebrews 10:30

The word “we” here refers to the writer and all believers. These two quotations come from the law that Moses gave in the Old Testament. (See: Inclusive and Exclusive “We”)

ἐμοὶ ἐκδίκησις

Vengeance is spoken of as if it were an object that belongs to God, who has the right to do as he wishes with what he owns. God has the right to take vengeance on his enemies. (See: Metaphor)

ἐγὼ ἀνταποδώσω

God taking vengeance is spoken of as if he were paying back the harmful things that someone has done to others. (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 10:31

τὸ ἐμπεσεῖν εἰς χεῖρας

Receiving God’s full punishment is spoken of as if the person falls into God’s hands. Here “hands” refers to God’s power to judge. Alternate translation: “to receive God’s full punishment” (See: Metaphor and Metonymy)

Hebrews 10:32

τὰς πρότερον ἡμέρας

“the time in the past”

φωτισθέντες

Learning the truth is spoken of as if God shined a light on the person. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “after you learned the truth about Christ” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

πολλὴν ἄθλησιν ὑπεμείνατε παθημάτων

“how much suffering you had to endure”

Hebrews 10:33

ὀνειδισμοῖς…καὶ θλίψεσιν θεατριζόμενοι

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “People ridiculed you by insulting and persecuting you in public” (See: Active or Passive)

κοινωνοὶ τῶν…γενηθέντες

“you joined those”

Hebrews 10:34

κρείσσονα ὕπαρξιν, καὶ μένουσαν

God’s eternal blessings are spoken of as a “possession.” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 10:35

In 10:37 is a quotation from the prophet Isaiah in the Old Testament.

μὴ ἀποβάλητε οὖν τὴν παρρησίαν ὑμῶν, ἥτις ἔχει μεγάλην μισθαποδοσίαν

A person no longer having confidence is spoken of as if the person were to throw confidence away, like a person would discard something worthless. The abstract noun “confidence” can be translated with the adjective “confident” or the adverb “confidently.” Alternate translation: “do not stop being confident, because you will receive a great reward for being confident” or “do not stop confidently trusting in God, who will reward you greatly” (See: Metaphor and Abstract Nouns)

Hebrews 10:37

ἔτι γὰρ μικρὸν ὅσον, ὅσον

You can make this explicit. Alternate translation: “As God said in the scriptures, ‘For in a very little while” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἔτι…μικρὸν ὅσον, ὅσον

“very soon”

Hebrews 10:38

In 10:38 the author quotes from the prophet Habakkuk, which directly follows the quotation from the prophet Isaiah in 10:37.

ὁ…δίκαιός μου…ἐὰν ὑποστείληται…ἐν αὐτῷ

These refer to any of God’s people in general. Alternate translation: “My faithful people…If any one of them shrinks…with that person” or “My faithful people…If they shrink…with them” (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

ὁ…δίκαιός μου…εὐδοκεῖ

Here “My” and “I” refer to God.

ὑποστείληται

stops doing the good thing he is doing

Hebrews 10:39

ὑποστολῆς εἰς ἀπώλειαν

A person who loses courage and faith are spoken of as if he were stepping back in fear from something. And “destruction” is spoken of as if it were a destination. Alternate translation: “who stop trusting God, which will cause him to destroy us” (See: Metaphor)

εἰς περιποίησιν ψυχῆς

Living eternally with God is spoken of as if it were keeping one’s soul. Here “soul” refers to the whole person. Alternate translation: “, which will result in us living with God forever” (See: Metaphor and Synecdoche)

Hebrews 11

Hebrews 11 General Notes

Structure

The writer begins this chapter by telling what faith is. Then he gives many examples of people who had faith and how they lived.

Important concepts in this chapter

Faith

In both the old and new covenants, God required faith. Some people with faith performed miracles and were very powerful. Other people with faith suffered greatly.

Hebrews 11:1

The author tells three things about faith in this brief introduction.

δὲ

This word is used here to mark a break in the main teaching. Here the author starts to explain the meaning of “faith.”

ἔστιν…πίστις ἐλπιζομένων ὑπόστασις

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “when we have faith, we are sure of the things we hope for” or “faith is what allows a person to confidently expect certain things”

ἐλπιζομένων

Here this refers specifically to the sure promises of God, especially the certainty that all believers in Jesus will live with God forever in heaven.

πραγμάτων ἔλεγχος οὐ βλεπομένων

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “that we still have not seen” or “that still have not happened” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 11:2

ἐν ταύτῃ γὰρ

“Because they were certain about events that had not happened”

ἐμαρτυρήθησαν οἱ πρεσβύτεροι

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God approved of our ancestors because they had faith” (See: Active or Passive)

οἱ πρεσβύτεροι

The author is speaking to the Hebrews about Hebrew ancestors. Alternate translation: “our ancestors” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Hebrews 11:3

κατηρτίσθαι τοὺς αἰῶνας ῥήματι Θεοῦ

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God created the universe by commanding it to exist” (See: Active or Passive)

τὸ μὴ ἐκ φαινομένων, τὸ βλεπόμενον γεγονέναι

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God did not create what we see out of things that were visible”

Hebrews 11:4

The writer then gives many examples (mostly from Old Testament writings) of people who lived by faith even though they did not receive what God had promised while they lived on the earth.

ἐμαρτυρήθη εἶναι δίκαιος

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God declared him to be righteous” or “God declared that Abel was righteous” (See: Active or Passive)

ἔτι λαλεῖ

Reading the scriptures and learning about Abel’s faith is spoken of as if Abel himself were still speaking. Alternate translation: “we still learn from what Abel did” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 11:5

πίστει Ἑνὼχ μετετέθη, τοῦ μὴ ἰδεῖν θάνατον

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “It was by faith that Enoch did not die because God took him” (See: Active or Passive)

ἰδεῖν θάνατον

This speaks of death as if it were an object that people can see. It means to experience death. Alternate translation: “die” (See: Metaphor)

πρὸ…τῆς μεταθέσεως

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “before God took him” (See: Active or Passive)

μεμαρτύρηται εὐηρεστηκέναι τῷ Θεῷ

This can be stated in active form. Possible meanings are (1) “God said that Enoch had pleased him” or (2) “people said that Enoch pleased God.” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 11:6

χωρὶς δὲ πίστεως

Here “Now” does not mean “at this moment,” but is used to draw attention to the important point that follows.

χωρὶς…πίστεως, ἀδύνατον εὐαρεστῆσαι

This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “a person can please God only if he has faith in God” (See: Double Negatives)

τὸν προσερχόμενον τῷ Θεῷ

Wanting to worship God and belong to his people is spoken of as if the person is literally coming to God. Alternate translation: “that anyone who wants to belong to God” (See: Metaphor)

τοῖς ἐκζητοῦσιν…μισθαποδότης γίνεται

“he rewards those”

τοῖς ἐκζητοῦσιν αὐτὸν

Those who learn about God and make an effort to obey him are spoken of as if they were seeking to find him. (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 11:7

χρηματισθεὶς

This can be stated in active form and in other terms. Alternate translation: “because God told him” (See: Active or Passive)

περὶ τῶν μηδέπω βλεπομένων

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “about things no one had ever seen before” or “about events that had not happened yet” (See: Active or Passive)

τὸν κόσμον

Here “world” refers to the world’s human population. Alternate translation: “the people living in the world at that time” (See: Metonymy)

τῆς…δικαιοσύνης, ἐγένετο κληρονόμος

Noah is spoken of as if he were to inherit property and wealth from a family member. Alternate translation: “received from God the righteousness” (See: Metaphor)

κατὰ πίστιν

“that God gives to those who have faith in him”

Hebrews 11:8

καλούμενος

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “when God called him” (See: Active or Passive)

ἐξελθεῖν εἰς τόπον

“left his home to go to the place”

ὃν ἤμελλεν λαμβάνειν εἰς κληρονομίαν

The land that God promised to give Abraham’s descendants is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that Abraham was to receive. Alternate translation: “that God would give him” (See: Metaphor)

ἐξῆλθεν

“He left his home”

Hebrews 11:9

παρῴκησεν εἰς γῆν τῆς ἐπαγγελίας ὡς ἀλλοτρίαν

This can be reworded so that the abstract noun “promise” is expressed as the verb “promised.” Alternate translation: “he lived as a foreigner in the land God had promised to him” (See: Abstract Nouns)

τῶν συνκληρονόμων

“heirs together.” This speaks about Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as if they were heirs that would receive an inheritance from their father. (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 11:10

τὴν τοὺς θεμελίους ἔχουσαν πόλιν

“the city that has foundations.” Having foundations indicates that the city is permanent. Alternate translation: “the eternal city” (See: Metonymy)

ἧς τεχνίτης καὶ δημιουργὸς ὁ Θεός

“which is designed and built by God” or “which God would design and build”

τεχνίτης

a person who designs buildings and cities

Hebrews 11:11

Many versions interpret this verse as referring to Sarah, and others interpret it as referring to Abraham.

πίστει καὶ αὐτῇ Σάρρᾳ δύναμιν εἰς καταβολὴν σπέρματος ἔλαβεν, καὶ παρὰ καιρὸν ἡλικίας, ἐπεὶ…ἡγήσατο

Some versions interpret this verse as referring to Sarah. “By faith Sarah, herself also barren, received power to bear children even beyond the time of maturity, since she considered”

πίστει

The abstract noun “faith” can be expressed with the verb “believe.” Possible meanings are (1) it was by Abraham’s faith. Alternate translation: “It was because Abraham believed God” or (2) it was by Sarah’s faith. Alternate translation: “It was because Sarah believed God” (See: Abstract Nouns)

δύναμιν εἰς καταβολὴν σπέρματος ἔλαβεν

“received ability to become a father” or “received ability to have a child”

ἐπεὶ πιστὸν ἡγήσατο τὸν ἐπαγγειλάμενον

“because he believed God, who had give the promise, to be faithful”

Hebrews 11:12

ἐγεννήθησαν…καθὼς τὰ ἄστρα τοῦ οὐρανοῦ τῷ πλήθει, καὶ ὡς ἡ ἄμμος, ἡ παρὰ τὸ χεῖλος τῆς θαλάσσης, ἡ ἀναρίθμητος

This simile means Abraham had very many descendants. (See: Simile)

ὡς ἡ ἄμμος, ἡ παρὰ τὸ χεῖλος τῆς θαλάσσης, ἡ ἀναρίθμητος

This means that just as there are so many grains of sand on the seashore that no one can count them all, Abraham had so many descendants that no one can count them all.

Hebrews 11:13

μὴ λαβόντες τὰς ἐπαγγελίας

This speaks of promises as if they are objects that a person receives. Alternate translation: “without receiving what God had promised them” (See: Metaphor)

πόρρωθεν αὐτὰς ἰδόντες καὶ ἀσπασάμενοι

Future promised events are spoken of as if they were travelers arriving from far away. Alternate translation: “after learning what God will do in the future” (See: Metaphor)

ὁμολογήσαντες

“they acknowledged” or “they accepted”

ξένοι καὶ παρεπίδημοί εἰσιν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς

Here “foreigners” and “exiles” mean basically the same thing. This emphasizes that this earth was not their true home. They were waiting for their true home that God would make for them. (See: Doublet)

Hebrews 11:14

πατρίδα

“a country for them to belong to”

Hebrews 11:16

ἐπουρανίου

“heavenly country” or “country in heaven”

οὐκ ἐπαισχύνεται αὐτοὺς ὁ Θεὸς, Θεὸς ἐπικαλεῖσθαι αὐτῶν

This can be expressed in active and positive form. Alternate translation: “God is happy to have them call him their God” or “God is proud to have them say that he is their God” (See: Active or Passive and Litotes)

Hebrews 11:17

πειραζόμενος

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “when God tested him” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 11:18

πρὸς ὃν ἐλαλήθη

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “to whom God said” (See: Active or Passive)

κληθήσεταί σοι σπέρμα

Here “named” means assigned or designated. This sentence can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “that I will designate your descendants” (See: Active or Passive) (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 11:19

ἐκ νεκρῶν ἐγείρειν δυνατὸς ὁ Θεός

“God was able to cause Isaac to live again”

ἐκ νεκρῶν ἐγείρειν

In this verse, “to raise up” is to make alive again. The words “from the dead” speak of all dead people together in the underworld.

ἐν παραβολῇ

“in a manner of speaking.” This means that what the author says next is not to be understood literally. God did not bring Isaac back from death literally. But because Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac when God stopped him, it was as if God brought him back from the dead.

ὅθεν αὐτὸν

“it was from the dead”

αὐτὸν…ἐκομίσατο

“Abraham received Isaac back”

Hebrews 11:21

Ἰακὼβ…προσεκύνησεν

“Jacob worshiped God”

Hebrews 11:22

τελευτῶν

Here “his end” is a polite way of referring to death. Alternate translation: “when he was about to die” (See: Euphemism)

περὶ τῆς ἐξόδου τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ ἐμνημόνευσεν

“spoke of when the children of Israel would leave Egypt”

τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ

“the Israelites” or “the descendants of Israel”

περὶ τῶν ὀστέων αὐτοῦ ἐνετείλατο

Joseph died while in Egypt. He wanted his people to take his bones with them when they left Egypt so they could bury his bones in the land that God promised them. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Hebrews 11:23

Μωϋσῆς, γεννηθεὶς, ἐκρύβη τρίμηνον ὑπὸ τῶν πατέρων αὐτοῦ

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 11:24

μέγας γενόμενος

“had become an adult”

ἠρνήσατο λέγεσθαι

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “refused to allow people to call him” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 11:26

τὸν ὀνειδισμὸν τοῦ Χριστοῦ

This can be reworded so that the abstract noun “disgrace” is express as the verb “disrespect.” Alternate translation: “the experience of people disrespecting him because he did what Christ would want” (See: Abstract Nouns)

τοῦ Χριστοῦ

Obeying Christ is spoken of as if it were following him down a path. (See: Metaphor)

ἀπέβλεπεν…εἰς τὴν μισθαποδοσίαν

Fully concentrating on achieving a goal is spoken of as if a person were staring at an object and refusing to look away. Alternate translation: “doing what he knew would earn him a reward in heaven” (See: Metaphor and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Hebrews 11:27

τὸν…ἀόρατον ὡς ὁρῶν, ἐκαρτέρησεν

Moses is spoken of as if he saw God, who is invisible. (See: Simile)

τὸν…ἀόρατον

“the one no one can see”

Hebrews 11:28

πεποίηκεν τὸ Πάσχα καὶ τὴν πρόσχυσιν τοῦ αἵματος

This was the first Passover. Moses kept it by obeying God’s commands concerning the Passover and by commanding the people to obey them every year. Alternate translation: “he commanded the people to obey God’s commands concerning the Passover and to sprinkle blood on their doors” or “he established the Passover and the sprinkling of blood”

τὴν πρόσχυσιν τοῦ αἵματος

This refers to God’s command to the Israelites to kill a lamb and spread its blood on the doorposts of every house where Israelites lived. This would prevent the destroyer from harming their firstborn sons. This was one of the Passover commands. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

μὴ…θίγῃ

Here “touch” refers to harming or to killing someone. Alternate translation: “would not harm” or “would not kill” (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 11:29

Here the first word “they” refers to the Israelites, the second “they” refers to the Egyptians, the third “they” refers to the walls of Jericho.

διέβησαν τὴν Ἐρυθρὰν Θάλασσαν

“the Israelites passed through the Sea of Reeds”

κατεπόθησαν

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the water swallowed up the Egyptians” (See: Active or Passive)

κατεπόθησαν

The water is spoken of as if it were an animal. Alternate translation: “the Egyptians drowned in the water” (See: Personification)

Hebrews 11:30

κυκλωθέντα ἐπὶ ἑπτὰ ἡμέρας

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the Israelites had marched around them for seven days” (See: Active or Passive)

ἑπτὰ ἡμέρας

“7 days” (See: Numbers)

Hebrews 11:31

δεξαμένη τοὺς κατασκόπους μετ’ εἰρήνης

“had peacefully received the spies”

Hebrews 11:32

The writer continues to speak of what God did for the ancestors of the people of Israel.

τί ἔτι λέγω?

The author uses a question to emphasize that there are many examples that he could have quoted. This can be expressed as a statement. Alternate translation: “And there are many more examples.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

ἐπιλείψει…με…ὁ χρόνος

“I will not have enough time”

Βαράκ

This is the name of a man. (See: How to Translate Names)

Hebrews 11:33

οἳ διὰ πίστεως

Here “they” does not mean that each person listed in 11:32 did all the things the author is about to mention. The author means in general these are the kinds of things that those with faith were able to do. Alternate translation: “It was through faith that men like these”

οἳ…κατηγωνίσαντο βασιλείας

Here “kingdoms” refers to the people who lived there. Alternate translation: “they defeated the people of foreign kingdoms”

ἔφραξαν στόματα λεόντων

These words begin a list of some of the ways God saved believers from death. Alternate translation: “They kept lions from eating them” (See: Metaphor and Metonymy)

Hebrews 11:34

ἔσβεσαν δύναμιν πυρός, ἔφυγον στόματα μαχαίρης

These are some of the ways God saved believers from death. Alternate translation: “they kept fire from burning them, they kept their enemies from killing them” (See: Metaphor and Metonymy)

ἐδυναμώθησαν ἀπὸ ἀσθενείας

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “received healing from God” (See: Active or Passive)

ἐγενήθησαν ἰσχυροὶ ἐν πολέμῳ…ἔκλιναν

“and they became mighty in battle and defeated”

Hebrews 11:35

ἔλαβον γυναῖκες ἐξ ἀναστάσεως τοὺς νεκροὺς αὐτῶν

This can be restated to remove the abstract noun “resurrection.” The word “dead” is a nominal adjective. It can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: “Women received back alive those who had died” (See: Abstract Nouns and Nominal Adjectives)

ἄλλοι δὲ ἐτυμπανίσθησαν, οὐ προσδεξάμενοι τὴν ἀπολύτρωσιν

It is implied that their enemies would have released them from prison under certain conditions. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Others accepted torture rather than release from prison” or “Others allowed their enemies to torture them rather than doing what their enemies required of them in order to release them” (See: Active or Passive and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἐτυμπανίσθησαν

made to suffer great mental or physical pain

κρείττονος ἀναστάσεως

Possible meanings are (1) these people will experience a better life in heaven than what they experienced in this world or (2) these people will have a better resurrection than those who did not have faith. Those with faith will live forever with God. Those without faith will live forever separated from God.

Hebrews 11:36

ἕτεροι…ἐμπαιγμῶν καὶ μαστίγων πεῖραν ἔλαβον

These can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “People mocked and whipped others” (See: Active or Passive)

ἕτεροι…ἐμπαιγμῶν καὶ μαστίγων πεῖραν ἔλαβον, ἔτι δὲ δεσμῶν καὶ φυλακῆς

This can be reworded so that the abstract nouns are expressed as verbs. Alternate translation: “God tested others by allowing their enemies to mock and whip them and even put them in chains and imprison them” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Hebrews 11:37

ἐλιθάσθησαν, ἐπρίσθησαν, ἐπειράσθησαν, ἐν φόνῳ μαχαίρης ἀπέθανον

These can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “People mocked and whipped others…People threw stones at others. People sawed others in two. People killed others with the sword” (See: Active or Passive)

περιῆλθον

“went from place to place” or “lived all the time”

ἐν μηλωταῖς, ἐν αἰγίοις δέρμασιν

“wearing only the skins of sheep and goats”

ὑστερούμενοι

“They had nothing” or “They were very poor”

Hebrews 11:38

οὐκ ἦν ἄξιος ὁ κόσμος

Here “world” refers to the people. Alternate translation: “The people of this world were not worthy” (See: Metonymy)

πλανώμενοι

This was because they had no place to live.

σπηλαίοις, καὶ ταῖς ὀπαῖς τῆς γῆς

“caves, and some lived in holes in the ground”

Hebrews 11:39

οὗτοι πάντες μαρτυρηθέντες διὰ τῆς πίστεως, οὐκ ἐκομίσαντο τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God honored all these because of their faith, but they did not themselves receive what God had promised” (See: Active or Passive)

τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν

This expression stands for “what God had promised them.” (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 11:40

ἵνα μὴ χωρὶς ἡμῶν τελειωθῶσιν

This can be stated in positive and active form. Alternate translation: “in order that God would perfect us and them together” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 12

Hebrews 12 General Notes

Structure and formatting

After telling of the value discipline, the author begins a series of exhortations. (See; exhort, exhortation)

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 12:5-6, which are words from the Old Testament.

Special concepts in this chapter

Discipline

God wants his people to do what is right. When they do what is wrong, he needs to correct or punish them. He does this just as earthly fathers correct and punish children whom they love. (See: discipline, self-discipline)

Hebrews 12:1

The words “we” and “us” refer to the author and his readers. The word “you” is plural and here refers to the readers. (See: Inclusive and Exclusive “We” and Forms of You)

Because of this great number of Old Testament believers, the author talks of the life of faith that believers should live with Jesus as their example.

ἡμεῖς, τοσοῦτον ἔχοντες περικείμενον ἡμῖν νέφος μαρτύρων

The writer speaks about the Old Testament believers as if they were a cloud that surrounded the present-day believers. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “such a large cloud of witnesses surrounds us” or “there are so many examples of faithful people about whom we learn in the scriptures” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

μαρτύρων

Here “witnesses” refers to the Old Testament believers in chapter 11 who lived before the race of faith that believers now run.

ὄγκον ἀποθέμενοι πάντα καὶ τὴν εὐπερίστατον ἁμαρτίαν

Here “weight” and “easily entangling sin” are spoken of as if a person could take them off himself and put them down. (See: Metaphor)

ὄγκον…πάντα

Attitudes or habits that keep believers from trusting and obeying God are spoken of as if they were loads that would make it difficult for a person to carry while running. (See: Metaphor)

τὴν εὐπερίστατον ἁμαρτίαν

Sin is spoken of as if it were a net or something else that can trip people up and make them fall. Alternate translation: “sin that makes obeying God difficult” (See: Metaphor)

τρέχωμεν τὸν προκείμενον ἡμῖν ἀγῶνα

Following Jesus is spoken of as if it were running a race. Alternate translation: “Let us continue obeying what God has commanded us, just like a runner keeps going until the race is over” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 12:2

τὸν τῆς πίστεως ἀρχηγὸν καὶ τελειωτὴν

Jesus gives us faith and makes our faith perfect by causing us to reach our goal. Alternate translation: “creator and finisher of our faith” or “the one who enables us to have faith from beginning to end”

ἀντὶ τῆς προκειμένης αὐτῷ χαρᾶς

The joy that Jesus would experience is spoken of as if God the Father had placed it before him as a goal to reach. (See: Metaphor)

αἰσχύνης καταφρονήσας

This means he was not concerned about the shame of dying on a cross.

ἐν δεξιᾷ τε τοῦ θρόνου τοῦ Θεοῦ κεκάθικεν

To sit at the “right hand of God” is a symbolic action of receiving great honor and authority from God. See how you translated a similar phrase in Hebrews 1:3. Alternate translation: “sat down at the place of honor and authority beside the throne of God” (See: Symbolic Action)

Hebrews 12:3

κάμητε, ταῖς ψυχαῖς ὑμῶν

Here “hearts” represents a person’s thoughts and emotions. Alternate translation: “discouraged” (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 12:4

The author of Hebrews has been comparing the Christian life to a race.

οὔπω…ἀντικατέστητε, πρὸς τὴν ἁμαρτίαν ἀνταγωνιζόμενοι

Here “sin” is spoken of as if it were a person whom someone fights in a battle. Alternate translation: “You have not yet had to endure attacks of sinners” (See: Personification)

μέχρις αἵματος

Resisting opposition so much that one dies for it is spoken of as if one reached a certain place where he would die. (See: Metaphor)

αἵματος

Here “blood” refers to death. Alternate translation: “of death” (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 12:5

τῆς παρακλήσεως, ἥτις ὑμῖν…διαλέγεται

Old Testament scripture is spoken of as if it were a person who could encourage others. Alternate translation: “what God has instructed you in the scriptures to encourage you” (See: Personification)

ὡς υἱοῖς…υἱέ μου

The word translated “sons” and “son” is specifically the word for a male child. In that culture the family line continued through the sons, not normally through the daughters. However, as stated by the UST and some English versions, the author is directing his words to both males and females. (See: When Masculine Words Include Women)

υἱέ μου…ὑπ’ αὐτοῦ ἐλεγχόμενος

Here the author is quoting from the book of Proverbs in the Old Testament, which was the words of Solomon to his male children.

μὴ ὀλιγώρει παιδείας Κυρίου, μηδὲ ἐκλύου

This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “take it very seriously when the Lord disciplines you, and do not grow weary” (See: Litotes)

μηδὲ ἐκλύου

“and do not become discouraged”

ὑπ’ αὐτοῦ ἐλεγχόμενος

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “he corrects you” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 12:6

πάντα υἱὸν ὃν παραδέχεται

The word translated “son” is specifically the word for a male child. In that culture the family line continued through the sons, not normally through the daughters. (See: https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-gendernotations/01.md)

Hebrews 12:7

εἰς παιδείαν ὑπομένετε

“Understand that during suffering God teaches us discipline”

ὡς υἱοῖς ὑμῖν προσφέρεται ὁ Θεός

This compares God disciplining his people to a father disciplining his sons. You can state clearly the understood information. Alternate translation: “God deals with you the same way a father deals with his sons” (See: Simile and Ellipsis)

ὑμῖν…υἱὸς

All occurrences of these words may be stated to include males and females. Alternate translation: “children…child” (See: When Masculine Words Include Women)

τίς γὰρ υἱὸς ὃν οὐ παιδεύει πατήρ?

The author makes the point throught this question that every good father disciplines his children. This can be expressed as a statement. Alternate translation: “every father disciplines his children!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Hebrews 12:8

εἰ δὲ χωρίς ἐστε παιδείας, ἧς μέτοχοι γεγόνασι πάντες

You can restate the abstract noun “discipline” as the verb “disciplining.” Alternate translation: “So if you have not experienced God disciplining you like he disciplines all his children” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ἄρα νόθοι καὶ οὐχ υἱοί ἐστε

Those whom God does not discipline are spoken of as if they are sons born to a man and a woman who are not married each other. (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 12:9

πολὺ…μᾶλλον ὑποταγησόμεθα τῷ Πατρὶ τῶν πνευμάτων, καὶ ζήσομεν?

The author uses an exclamation to emphasize that we should obey God the Father. This can be expressed as a statement. Alternate translation: “Therefore even more so, we should obey the Father of spirits and live.” (See: Exclamations)

τῷ Πατρὶ τῶν πνευμάτων

This idiom contrasts with “fathers in the flesh.” Alternate translation: “our spiritual Father” or “our Father in heaven” (See: Idiom)

καὶ ζήσομεν

“so that we will live”

Hebrews 12:10

εἰς τὸ μεταλαβεῖν τῆς ἁγιότητος αὐτοῦ

This metaphor speaks of “holiness” as if it were an object that can be shared among people. Alternate translation: “so that we may become holy as God is holy” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 12:11

καρπὸν εἰρηνικὸν…ἀποδίδωσιν δικαιοσύνης

“Fruit” here is a metaphor for “result” or “outcome.” Alternate translation: “it produces the peaceful result of righteousness” or “it produces righteousness, which results in peace” (See: Metaphor)

τοῖς δι’ αὐτῆς γεγυμνασμένοις

“who have been trained by discipline.” The discipline or correction done by the Lord is spoken of as if it were the Lord himself. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “whom God has trained by disciplining them” (See: Personification and Active or Passive)

Hebrews 12:12

τὰς παρειμένας χεῖρας, καὶ τὰ παραλελυμένα γόνατα, ἀνορθώσατε

Possibly this continues the metaphor about the race in Hebrews 12:1. It is in this way that the author speaks about living as Christians and helping others. (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 12:13

τροχιὰς ὀρθὰς ποιεῖτε τοῖς ποσὶν ὑμῶν

Possibly this continues the metaphor about the race in Hebrews 12:1. It is in this way that the author speaks about living as Christians and helping others. (See: Metaphor)

τροχιὰς ὀρθὰς

Living so as to honor and please God is spoken of as if it were a straight path to follow. (See: Metaphor)

μὴ τὸ χωλὸν ἐκτραπῇ

In this metaphor of running a race, “lame” represents another person in the race who is hurt and wants to quit. This, in turn, represent the Christians themselves. Alternate translation: “whoever is weak and wants to quit will not sprain his ankle” (See: Metaphor)

μὴ…ἐκτραπῇ

Someone who stops obeying God is spoken of as if he injured his foot or ankle on a path. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “will not sprain his ankle” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

ἰαθῇ…μᾶλλον

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “instead become strong” or “instead God will heal him” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

Hebrews 12:14

The man Esau, who was told about in the writings of Moses, refers to Isaac’s first son and Jacob’s brother.

εἰρήνην διώκετε μετὰ πάντων

Here the abstract noun “peace” is spoken of as if it were something that a person must chase after and can be translated with an adverb. Alternate translation: “Try to live peacefully with everyone” (See: Metaphor and Abstract Nouns)

καὶ τὸν ἁγιασμόν, οὗ χωρὶς οὐδεὶς ὄψεται τὸν Κύριον

This can be expressed as a positive encouragement. Alternate translation: “also work hard to be holy, because only holy people will see the Lord” (See: Double Negatives)

καὶ τὸν ἁγιασμόν

You can state clearly the understood information. Alternate translation: “also pursue the holiness” (See: Ellipsis)

Hebrews 12:15

μή τις ὑστερῶν ἀπὸ τῆς χάριτος τοῦ Θεοῦ

“no one receives God’s grace and then lets go of it” or “no one rejects God’s grace after first trusting in him”

μή τις ῥίζα πικρίας ἄνω φύουσα ἐνοχλῇ, καὶ δι’ αὐτῆς μιανθῶσιν πολλοί

Hateful or resentful attitudes are spoken of as if they were a plant bitter to the taste. Alternate translation: “that no one becomes like a bitter root, which when it grows causes trouble and harms many people” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 12:17

ἀπεδοκιμάσθη

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “his father, Isaac, refused to bless him” (See: Active or Passive)

μετανοίας γὰρ τόπον οὐχ εὗρεν

The abstract noun “repentance” can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “because it was not possible for him to repent” or “because it was not possible for him to change his decision” (See: Abstract Nouns)

καίπερ μετὰ δακρύων ἐκζητήσας αὐτήν

Here “he” refers to Esau.

Hebrews 12:18

The words “you” and “You” refer to the Hebrew believers to whom the author wrote. The word “they” refers to people of Israel after Moses led them out of Egypt. The first quotation comes from the writings of Moses. God reveals in this passage in Hebrews that Moses said he shook at seeing the mountain.

The author gives a contrast between what believers in Moses’ time had while living under the law and what present day believers have after coming to Jesus under the new covenant. He illustrates the experience of the Israelites by describing how God appeared to them at Mount Sinai.

οὐ γὰρ προσεληλύθατε, ψηλαφωμένῳ

The implicit information can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “For you have not come, as the people of Israel came, to a mountain that can be touched” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

προσεληλύθατε

This means that believers in Christ have not come to a physical mountain like Mount Sinai that a person can touch or see. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “that a person can touch” or “that people can perceive with their senses” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 12:19

σάλπιγγος ἤχῳ

“You have not come to a place where there is the loud sound of a trumpet”

καὶ φωνῇ ῥημάτων, ἧς οἱ ἀκούσαντες παρῃτήσαντο, μὴ προστεθῆναι αὐτοῖς λόγον

Here “voice” refers to someone speaking. The phrase “be spoken” can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “or where God was speaking in such a way that those who heard him begged him not to speak another word to them” (See: Metonymy and Active or Passive)

Hebrews 12:20

τὸ διαστελλόμενον

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “what God commanded” (See: Active or Passive)

λιθοβοληθήσεται

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “you must stone it” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 12:22

The man Abel was the son of the first man and woman, Adam and Eve. Cain, also their son, murdered Abel.

Σιὼν Ὄρει

The writer speaks of Mount Zion, the temple mount in Jerusalem, as if it were heaven itself, the residence of God. (See: Metaphor)

μυριάσιν ἀγγέλων

“an uncountable number of angels”

Hebrews 12:23

πρωτοτόκων

This speaks of believers in Christ as if they were firstborn sons. This emphasizes their special place and privilege as God’s people. (See: Metaphor)

ἀπογεγραμμένων ἐν οὐρανοῖς

“whose names are written in heaven.” This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “whose names God has written in heaven” (See: Active or Passive)

τετελειωμένων

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “whom God has made perfect” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 12:24

διαθήκης νέας μεσίτῃ

This means Jesus caused the new covenant between God and humans to exist. See how you translated this phrase in Hebrews 9:15.

αἵματι ῥαντισμοῦ, κρεῖττον λαλοῦντι παρὰ τὸν Ἂβελ

The blood of Jesus and the blood of Abel are spoken of as if they were people calling out. Alternate translation: “the sprinkled blood of Jesus that says better things than the blood of Abel” (See: Personification and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

αἵματι

Here “blood” stands for Jesus’ death, as Abel’s blood stands for his death. (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 12:25

This quotation is from the prophet Haggai in the Old Testament. The word “you” continues to refer to believers. The word “we” continues to refer to the writer and the readers who are believers. (See: Forms of You and Inclusive and Exclusive “We”)

Having contrasted the Israelites’ experience at Mount Sinai with the believers’ experience after Christ died, the writer reminds believers that they have the same God who warns them today. This is the fifth main warning given to believers.

μὴ παραιτήσησθε τὸν λαλοῦντα

This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “you pay attention to the one who is speaking” (See: Double Negatives)

εἰ…ἐκεῖνοι οὐκ ἐξέφυγον

The implicit information can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “if the people of Israel did not escape judgment” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἐπὶ γῆς…τὸν χρηματίζοντα

Possible meanings are (1) “Moses, who warned them here on earth” or (2) “God, who warned them at Mount Sinai”

ἡμεῖς οἱ τὸν ἀπ’ οὐρανῶν ἀποστρεφόμενοι

Disobeying God is spoken of as if a person were changing direction and walking away from him. Alternate translation: “if we disobey the one who is warning” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 12:26

οὗ ἡ φωνὴ τὴν γῆν ἐσάλευσεν

“when God spoke, the sound of his voice caused the earth to shake”

ἐσάλευσεν…σείσω

Use the word for what an earthquake does in moving the ground. This refers back to Hebrews 12:18-21 and what happened when the people saw the mountain where Moses received the law from God.

Hebrews 12:27

Here the quotation from the prophet Haggai is repeated from the previous verse.

δηλοῖ τῶν σαλευομένων μετάθεσιν, ὡς πεποιημένων

The abstract noun “removal” can be translated with the verb “remove.” This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “mean that God will remove the things that he can shake, that is, the things” (See: Abstract Nouns and Active or Passive)

τῶν σαλευομένων

Use the word for what an earthquake does in moving the ground. This refers back to Hebrews 12:18-21 and what happened when the people saw the mountain where Moses received the law from God. See how you translated “shook” and “shake” in Hebrews 12:26.

πεποιημένων

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “that God has created” (See: Active or Passive)

τὰ μὴ σαλευόμενα

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the things that do not shake” or “the things that cannot shake” (See: Active or Passive)

τὰ μὴ σαλευόμενα

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “that does not shake” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 12:28

βασιλείαν…παραλαμβάνοντες

You can add the words “because we are” to make clear the logical connection between this statement and the next statement. Alternate translation: “because we are receiving a kingdom” or “because God is making us members of his kingdom” (See: Connecting Words and Phrases)

ἔχωμεν χάριν

“let us give thanks”

μετὰ εὐλαβείας καὶ δέους

The words “reverence” and “awe” share similar meanings and emphasize the greatness of reverence due to God. Alternate translation: “with great respect and dread” (See: Doublet)

Hebrews 12:29

ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν πῦρ καταναλίσκον

God is spoken of here as if he were a fire that can burn up anything. (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 13

Hebrews 13 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The author finishes the list of exhortations he began in chapter 12. Then he asks the readers to pray for him and ends the letter.

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 13:6, which are words from the Old Testament.

Special concepts in this chapter

Hospitality

God wants his people to invite other people to come to their homes to eat food and even to sleep. His people should do this even if they do not know well the people they are inviting. In the Old Testament, Abraham and his nephew Lot both showed hospitality to people they did not know. Abraham served a costly meal to them, and then Lot invited them to sleep in his house. They learned later that those people were actually angels.

Hebrews 13:1

In this closing section, the author gives specific instructions to believers on how they are supposed to live.

ἡ φιλαδελφία μενέτω

“Continue to show your love for other believers as you would for a member of your family”

Hebrews 13:2

μὴ ἐπιλανθάνεσθε

This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “Be sure to remember” (See: Litotes)

φιλοξενίας

“to welcome and show kindness to strangers”

Hebrews 13:3

ὡς συνδεδεμένοι

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “as if you were tied up along with them” or “as if you were in prison with them” (See: Active or Passive)

τῶν κακουχουμένων

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “whom others are mistreating” or “who are suffering” (See: Active or Passive)

ὡς καὶ αὐτοὶ ὄντες ἐν σώματι

This phrase encourages believers to think about other people’s suffering as they would think about their own suffering. Alternate translation: “as if you were the one suffering” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 13:4

τίμιος ὁ γάμος ἐν πᾶσιν

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Men and women who are married to each other must respect each other” (See: Active or Passive)

ἡ κοίτη ἀμίαντος

This refers to the act of sexual union as if it were only the bed of a married couple. Alternate translation: “Let husbands and wives honor their marriage relationship to one another and not sleep with other people” (See: Euphemism and Metonymy)

Hebrews 13:5

ἀφιλάργυρος ὁ τρόπος

Here “conduct” refers to a person’s character or the way he lives, and “free from the love of money” refers to not greatly desiring to have more money. A person who loves money is not content with the amount of money he has. Alternate translation: “Let your conduct not be affected by the love of money” or “Do not greatly wish to have more money”

ἀρκούμενοι

“Be satisfied”

Hebrews 13:6

Κύριος ἐμοὶ βοηθός…ποιήσει μοι ἄνθρωπος

This is a quotation from the book of Psalms in the Old Testament. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

οὐ φοβηθήσομαι; τί ποιήσει μοι ἄνθρωπος?

The author uses a question to emphasize that he does not fear people because God is helping him. Here “man” means any person in general. Alternate translation: “I will not fear what any person can do to me!” (See: Rhetorical Question and When Masculine Words Include Women)

Hebrews 13:7

τὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ

“what God has said”

τὴν ἔκβασιν τῆς ἀναστροφῆς

“the outcome of the way they behave”

μιμεῖσθε τὴν πίστιν

Here the trust in God and the way of life led by these leaders are spoken of as “their faith.” Alternate translation: “Trust and obey God in the same way they do” (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 13:8

ἐχθὲς καὶ σήμερον, ὁ αὐτός, καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας

Here “yesterday” means all times in the past. Alternate translation: “is the same in the past, the present, and in the future forever” (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 13:9

This section refers to animal sacrifices made by believers in God in Old Testament times, which covered their sins temporarily until the death of Christ came about.

διδαχαῖς ποικίλαις καὶ ξέναις, μὴ παραφέρεσθε

Being persuaded by various teachings is spoken of as if a person were being carried away by a force. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Do not let others persuade you to believe their various strange teachings” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

διδαχαῖς ποικίλαις καὶ ξέναις

“many, different teachings that are not the good news we told you”

καλὸν…χάριτι βεβαιοῦσθαι τὴν καρδίαν, οὐ βρώμασιν, ἐν οἷς οὐκ ὠφελήθησαν οἱ περιπατοῦντες

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “we become stronger when we think of how God has been kind to us, but we do not become stronger by obeying rules about food” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

βεβαιοῦσθαι τὴν καρδίαν

Here “heart” is a metonym for the “inner being.” Alternate translation: “we should be strengthened inwardly” (See: Metonymy)

βρώμασιν

Here “foods” stands for rules about food. (See: Metonymy)

οἱ περιπατοῦντες

Living is spoken of as if it were walking. Alternate translation: “those who live by them” or “those who regulate their lives by them” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 13:10

ἔχομεν θυσιαστήριον

Here “altar” stands for “place of worship.” It also stands for the animals that the priests in the old covenant sacrificed, from which they took meat for themselves and their families. (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 13:11

ὧν…εἰσφέρεται ζῴων τὸ αἷμα περὶ ἁμαρτίας εἰς τὰ ἅγια διὰ τοῦ ἀρχιερέως

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the high priest brings into the holy place the blood of the animals that the priests killed for sins” (See: Active or Passive)

τούτων τὰ σώματα κατακαίεται

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “while the priests burn the animals’ bodies” (See: Active or Passive)

ἔξω τῆς παρεμβολῆς

“away from where the people lived”

Hebrews 13:12

There is a comparison here between Jesus’ sacrifice and the tabernacle sacrifices of the Old Testament.

διὸ

“In the same way” or “Because the bodies of the sacrifices were burned outside the camp” (Hebrews 13:11)

ἔξω τῆς πύλης

This stands for “outside the city.” (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 13:13

τοίνυν ἐξερχώμεθα πρὸς αὐτὸν ἔξω τῆς παρεμβολῆς

Obeying Jesus is spoken of as if a person were leaving the camp to go out where Jesus is. (See: Metaphor)

τὸν ὀνειδισμὸν αὐτοῦ φέροντες

Disgrace is spoken of as if it were an object that had to be carried in one’s hands or on one’s back. Alternate translation: “while allowing others to insult us just like people insulted him” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 13:14

ἐπιζητοῦμεν

“waiting for”

Hebrews 13:15

θυσίαν αἰνέσεως

Praise is spoken of as if it were a sacrifice of animals or incense. (See: Metaphor)

αἰνέσεως…τοῦτ’ ἔστιν καρπὸν χειλέων

Praise is spoken of as if it were fruit produced by the lips of people. Alternate translation: “praise that is produced by the lips of those who acknowledge his name” (See: Metaphor)

χειλέων ὁμολογούντων τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ

Here “lips” represents people who speak. Alternate translation: “the lips of those who acknowledge his name” or “those who acknowledge his name” (See: Synecdoche)

τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ

A person’s name represents that person. Alternate translation: “him” (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 13:16

τῆς…εὐποιΐας καὶ κοινωνίας μὴ ἐπιλανθάνεσθε

This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “Let us always remember to do good and help others” (See: Litotes)

τοιαύταις…θυσίαις

Doing good and helping others is spoken of as if they were sacrifices on an altar. (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 13:17

ἀγρυπνοῦσιν ὑπὲρ τῶν ψυχῶν ὑμῶν

The believers’ souls, that is, the believers’ spiritual well-being, are spoken of as if they were objects or animals that guards could keep watch over. (See: Metaphor)

μὴ στενάζοντες

Here “groaning” stands for sadness or grief. (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 13:18

The author closes with a blessing and greetings.

προσεύχεσθε περὶ ἡμῶν

Here “us” refers to the author and his companions, but not to the readers. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

πειθόμεθα…ὅτι καλὴν συνείδησιν ἔχομεν

Here “clean” stands for being free from guilt. Alternate translation: “we are certain that we have no guilt” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 13:19

ἵνα τάχειον ἀποκατασταθῶ ὑμῖν

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “that God will quickly remove the things that stop my coming to you” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 13:20

δὲ

This marks a new section of the letter. Here the author praises God and gives a final prayer for his readers.

ὁ ἀναγαγὼν ἐκ νεκρῶν τὸν Ποιμένα τῶν προβάτων τὸν μέγαν…τὸν Κύριον ἡμῶν, Ἰησοῦ

“raised the great shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus, to life”

ἐκ νεκρῶν

From among all those who have died. This expression describes all dead people together in the underworld. To raise someone from among them speaks of causing that person to become alive again.

τὸν Ποιμένα τῶν προβάτων τὸν μέγαν

Christ in his role of leader and protector of those who believe in him is spoken of as if he were a shepherd of sheep. (See: Metaphor)

ἐν αἵματι διαθήκης αἰωνίου

Here “blood” stands for the death of Jesus, which is the basis for the covenant that will last forever between God and all believers in Christ. (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 13:21

καταρτίσαι ὑμᾶς ἐν παντὶ ἀγαθῷ, εἰς τὸ ποιῆσαι τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ

“give you every good thing you need in order to do his will “make you capable of doing every good thing according to his will”

ποιῶν ἐν ἡμῖν

The word “us” refers to the author and the readers. (See: Inclusive and Exclusive “We”)

ᾧ ἡ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων

“whom all people will praise forever”

Hebrews 13:22

δὲ

This marks a new section of the letter. Here the author gives his final comments to his audience.

ἀδελφοί

This refers to all the believers to whom he is writing whether male or female. Alternate translation: “fellow believers” (See: When Masculine Words Include Women)

ἀνέχεσθε τοῦ λόγου τῆς παρακλήσεως

“patiently consider what I have just written to encourage you”

τοῦ λόγου τῆς παρακλήσεως

Here “word” stands for a message. Alternate translation: “the encouraging message” (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 13:23

ἀπολελυμένον

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “is no longer in prison” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 13:24

ἀσπάζονται ὑμᾶς οἱ ἀπὸ τῆς Ἰταλίας

Possible meanings are (1) the author is not in Italy, but there is a group of believers with him who have come from Italy or (2) the author is in Italy while writing this letter.

τῆς Ἰταλίας

This is the name of a region at that time. Rome was the then-capital city of Italy. (See: How to Translate Names)