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 1 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

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

Υἱῷ

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

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;

Alternate translation: “it is through the Son that God also made all things”

Hebrews 1:3

ἀπαύγασμα τῆς δόξης

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. Alternate translation: “the light of his glory”

τῆς δόξης καὶ χαρακτὴρ τῆς ὑποστάσεως αὐτοῦ

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

τῷ ῥήματι τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ

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

τῆς Μεγαλωσύνης ἐν ὑψηλοῖς

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

Hebrews 1:4

γενόμενος

Alternate translation: “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 has inherited 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, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε?

This question emphasizes that God does not call any of the angels his son. Alternate translation: “For God never said to any of the angels ‘You are my son, and I today I have become your father!’” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Υἱός μου εἶ σύ…ἐγὼ…γεγέννηκά σε

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

Hebrews 1:6

καὶ προσκυνησάτωσαν αὐτῷ πάντες ἄγγελοι Θεοῦ

The quotation, And let all God’s angels worship him, comes from one of the books that Moses wrote.

τὸν πρωτότοκον

Here, the firstborn refers to Jesus. The author refers to him as the firstbornto emphasize his 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

Alternate translation: “God says”

Hebrews 1:7

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

The quotation, He who makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire, is from the Psalms.

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

This could mean: (1) God has made his angels to be spirits who serve him with power like flames of fire. (2) God makes the wind and flames of fire his messengers and servants. In the original language the word for angels is the same as “messengers,” 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

ὁ θρόνος σου, ὁ Θεὸς, εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος, καὶ ἡ ῥάβδος τῆς εὐθύτητος ῥάβδος τῆς βασιλείας αὐτοῦ

This scriptual quotation comes from the Psalms.

πρὸς δὲ τὸν Υἱόν

Alternate translation: “But God says this to the Son”

τὸν Υἱόν

Son 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 exultation 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

καί, σὺ κατ’ ἀρχάς, Κύριε, τὴν γῆν ἐθεμελίωσας, καὶ ἔργα τῶν χειρῶν σού εἰσιν οἱ οὐρανοί

This quotation comes from another Psalm.

κατ’ ἀρχάς

Alternate translation: “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

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

πάντες 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 a person could take off in order to put on other clothing. (See: Simile)

ἀλλαγήσονται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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, κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου, ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου, ὑποπόδιον 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, ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your 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

Here 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, εἰς διακονίαν ἀποστελλόμενα, διὰ τοὺς μέλλοντας 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 are being sent for service for the sake of those who are going to 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 2 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.

ἡμᾶς

Here, us refers to the author and includes his audience. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

μήποτε παραρυῶμεν

This could mean: (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” (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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “For if the message that God spoke through the angels” (See: 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, transgression 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 words transgression and disobedience mean basically the same thing. (See: Doublet)

Hebrews 2:3

πῶς ἡμεῖς ἐκφευξόμεθα τηλικαύτης ἀμελήσαντες σωτηρίας?

The author uses this 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

Alternate translation: “pay no attention to” or “consider unimportant”

τηλικαύτης…σωτηρίας

The abstract noun salvation can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “the amazing way that God saves us” (See: Abstract Nouns)

πῶς ἡμεῖς ἐκφευξόμεθα τηλικαύτης ἀμελήσαντες σωτηρίας?

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. 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)

Hebrews 2:4

κατὰ τὴν αὐτοῦ θέλησιν

Alternate translation: “in just the way he wanted to do it”

Hebrews 2:5

οὐ γὰρ ἀγγέλοις ὑπέταξεν

Alternate translation: “For God did not make the angels rulers over”

τὴν οἰκουμένην τὴν μέλλουσαν

Here, the world refers to the people who live there. And is coming 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

This verse begins a quotation from the book of Psalms in the Old Testament. It continues on through verse 8.

τί ἐστιν ἄνθρωπος, ὅτι μιμνῄσκῃ αὐτοῦ, ἢ υἱὸς ἀνθρώπου, ὅτι ἐπισκέπτῃ αὐτόν?

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 think about them and take care of them!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

υἱὸς ἀνθρώπου

The idiom a son of man refers to human beings. Alternate translation: “any human being” (See: Idiom)

υἱὸς ἀνθρώπου

The verb may be supplied from the previous question. Alternate translation: “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: “You made him to be less important than the angels” (See: Metaphor)

ἠλάττωσας αὐτὸν, βραχύ τι…ἐστεφάνωσας αὐτόν

Here, these two phrases do not refer to a specific person but to humans in general. Alternate translation: “You made humans a little lower … you crowned them” (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

αὐτὸν…αὐτόν

Here, both occurrences of him include both males and females. Alternate translation: “men and women … them” (See: 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, his and him do not refer to a specific person but to humans in general. Alternate translation: “their feet … to them” (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

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 nothing not means that all things will be subjected to Christ. Alternate translation: “God made everything subject to them” (See: Double Negatives)

οὔπω ὁρῶμεν αὐτῷ τὰ πάντα ὑποτεταγμένα

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

Hebrews 2:9

ἠλαττωμένον

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “whom God made” (See: Active or Passive)

βραχύ τι 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: “having saved many sons” (See: Metaphor)

πολλοὺς υἱοὺς

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

τὸν ἀρχηγὸν τῆς σωτηρίας αὐτῶν

This could mean: (1) the word translated here as author can mean “founder” and 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” (2) the word translated here as author can mean “prince” or “leader” and speaks of Jesus as the leader who goes before the people and leads them to salvation. Alternate translation: “the one who leads people to salvation” (See: Metaphor)

τελειῶσαι

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

Hebrews 2:11

This verse is a prophetic quotation that comes from a Psalm of King David.

ὅ…ἁγιάζων

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

οἱ ἁγιαζόμενοι

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “those whom he makes holy” or “those whom he makes pure from sin” (See: Active or Passive)

ἐξ ἑνὸς

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

οὐκ ἐπαισχύνεται

Alternate translation: “Jesus is not ashamed”

οὐκ ἐπαισχύνεται ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοὺς καλεῖν

This double negative not ashamed means that he will claim them as his brothers. Alternate translation: “is pleased to call them his brothers” (See: Double Negatives)

ἀδελφοὺς

Here, brothers 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

Alternate translation: “when believers come together to worship God”

Hebrews 2:13

The prophet Isaiah wrote these quotations.

καὶ πάλιν,

Alternate translation: “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. See how you translated children in verse 13. (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)

καὶ αὐτὸς παραπλησίως μετέσχεν τῶν αὐτῶν

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

διὰ τοῦ θανάτου

You can state the abstract noun death as a verb. Alternate translation: “by dying” (See: Abstract Nouns)

τὸ κράτος ἔχοντα τοῦ θανάτου

You can state the abstract noun death 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 had taken someone into 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 2:17

ὤφειλεν

Alternate translation: “it was necessary for Jesus”

τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς ὁμοιωθῆναι

Here, brothers refers to people in general. Alternate translation: “to become 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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “when Satan tempted him” (See: Active or Passive)

πειραζομένοις

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “whom Satan is tempting” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 3

Hebrews 3 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)

κλήσεως ἐπουρανίου, μέτοχοι

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

τὸν ἀπόστολον

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 house. Alternate translation: “to all of God’s people” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 3:3

οὗτος…ἠξίωται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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 house. See how you translated this in Hebrews 3:2. (See: Metaphor)

εἰς μαρτύριον τῶν λαληθησομένων

Here, testimony probably refers to all of Moses’ work. Alternate translation: “and Moses’ life and work pointed to the things that will be spoken of in the future” (See: Metonymy)

λαληθησομένων

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “Jesus would say in the future” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 3:6

Υἱὸς

Son 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 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 house. Alternate translation: “and we are God’s people” (See: Metaphor)

ἐὰν τὴν παρρησίαν καὶ τὸ καύχημα τῆς ἐλπίδος κατάσχωμεν

You can state the abstract nouns confidence and hope 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.

ἐὰν τῆς φωνῆς αὐτοῦ ἀκούσητε

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

Hebrews 3:8

τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν

Here, hearts is a metonym for a person’s mind. Alternate translation: “the way you think” (See: Metonymy)

μὴ σκληρύνητε τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν

The phrase harden your hearts is a metaphor for being stubborn. Alternate translation: “do not be stubborn” (See: Metaphor)

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

You can state the abstract nouns rebellion and testing 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

προσώχθισα

Alternate translation: “I was angry with” or “I was greatly unhappy with”

ἀεὶ πλανῶνται τῇ καρδίᾳ

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

τῇ καρδίᾳ

Here, hearts is a metonym for minds or desires. Alternate translation: “in the way they think” (See: Metonymy)

οὐκ ἔγνωσαν τὰς ὁδούς μου

Here, my ways 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, brothers refers to fellow Christians, including males and females. Alternate translation: “brothers and sisters” or “fellow believers” (See: Metaphor)

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

Refusing to believe and obey God is spoken of as if the heart did not believe and it physically fell 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: Metaphor)

καρδία πονηρὰ ἀπιστίας

Here, heart is a metonym that represents a person’s mind or will. Alternate translation: “an evil attitude of not believing God” (See: Metonymy)

Θεοῦ ζῶντος

Alternate translation: “the true God who is really alive”

Hebrews 3:13

ἄχρις οὗ, τὸ σήμερον, καλεῖται

Alternate translation: “while there is still opportunity,”

μὴ σκληρυνθῇ τις ἐξ ὑμῶν ἀπάτῃ τῆς ἁμαρτίας

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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 hardened or having a hard heart. The hardness is a result of being deceived by sin. 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: Metaphor)

ἀπάτῃ τῆς ἁμαρτίας

You can translate the abstract noun deceitfulness as the verb “deceive.” Alternate translation: “because you are deceived by sin” (See: Abstract Nouns)

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: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

ἐάνπερ τὴν ἀρχὴν τῆς ὑποστάσεως…βεβαίαν κατάσχωμεν

Alternate translation: “if we continue, as we first did, to confidently trust in him”

τὴν ἀρχὴν

Alternate translation: “from when we first begin to believe in him”

μέχρι τέλους

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

Hebrews 3:15

λέγεσθαι

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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

You can state rebellion 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

πάντες οἱ

The phrase, all those refers to the disobedient Israelites. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

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

The author uses these two questions to teach his readers. The 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 these two questions to teach his readers. The questions can be joined as one statement, if needed. Alternate translation: “For 40 years, God was angry with those who sinned, and he let them die in the wilderness.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

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 come into the place of rest” or “they would not experience his blessings of rest” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 3:19

δι’ ἀπιστίαν

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

Hebrews 4

Hebrews 4 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

Alternate translation: “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: “so that none of you fail to enter into God’s rest, which he promised to us” or “so that 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

καὶ γάρ ἐσμεν εὐηγγελισμένοι καθάπερ κἀκεῖνοι

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “For we also heard the good news just as they did” (See: Active or Passive)

καθάπερ κἀκεῖνοι

Here, them 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

The author is talking about a second group of people who heard the message but who did not believe it. You can state this in positive form. Alternate translation: “But that message benefited only those who believed and obeyed it” (See: Double Negatives)

Hebrews 4:3

ὡς ὤμοσα ἐν τῇ ὀργῇ μου, εἰ εἰσελεύσονται εἰς τὴν κατάπαυσίν μου

This quotation is from a psalm.

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

Alternate translation: “just as God said”

ὡς ὤμοσα ἐν τῇ ὀργῇ μου

Alternate translation: “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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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

The word seventh is the ordinal number for “seven.” (See: Ordinal Numbers)

καὶ κατέπαυσεν ὁ Θεὸς ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν ἔργων αὐτοῦ

This quotation is from Moses’ writings.

Hebrews 4:5

εἰ εἰσελεύσονται εἰς τὴν κατάπαυσίν μου

This quotation is from the same psalm as the quotation in verse 3.

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: “God still allows some people to enter his place of rest” or “God still allows some people to experience his blessings of rest” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 4:6

ἀπολείπεται τινὰς εἰσελθεῖν εἰς αὐτήν

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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)

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)

τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν

Here, hearts is a metonym for a person’s mind. See how you translated this in Hebrews 3:8. (See: Metonymy)

μὴ σκληρύνητε τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν

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: Metaphor)

Hebrews 4:8

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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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

Here, disobedience is spoken of as if it were a hole that a person could physically fall into by accident. (See: Metaphor)

ἐν τῷ αὐτῷ…ὑποδείγματι πέσῃ τῆς ἀπειθείας

You can reword this passage to express the abstract noun disobedience with the verb “disobey.” Alternate translation: “will disobey in the same way as they did” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Hebrews 4:12

ζῶν…ὁ λόγος τοῦ Θεοῦ

Here, the 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

The soul and the spirit 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 joints are what hold 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 decide whether a person’s thoughts were right or wrong. Alternate translation: “exposes” (See: Personification)

ἐνθυμήσεων καὶ ἐννοιῶν καρδίας

Here, 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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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 container that is open. Alternate translation: “everything is completely exposed” (See: Metaphor)

γυμνὰ καὶ τετραχηλισμένα

The two words bare and open 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

Alternate translation: “who has entered where God is”

τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ

Son of God 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 ταῖς ἀσθενείαις ἡμῶν, πεπειρασμένον δὲ

This double negative not … not means that, in fact, Jesus does feel sympathy with people. Alternate translation: “we have a high priest who can feel sympathy when we are weak, and who was tempted” (See: Double Negatives)

πεπειρασμένον…κατὰ πάντα καθ’ ὁμοιότητα

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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, yet” (See: Active or Passive)

χωρὶς ἁμαρτίας

Alternate translation: “but he did not sin”

Hebrews 4:16

τῷ θρόνῳ

Here, the 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 5 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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “whom God chooses from among the people” (See: Active or Passive)

καθίσταται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God appoints” (See: Active or Passive)

ὑπὲρ ἀνθρώπων καθίσταται

Alternate translation: “is appointed to represent the people”

Hebrews 5:2

πλανωμένοις

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “whom others have deceived” or “who believe what is false” (See: Active or Passive)

πλανωμένοις

Alternate translation: “who believe false things and so behave badly”

περίκειται ἀσθένειαν

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

ἀσθένειαν

the desire to sin

Hebrews 5:3

ὀφείλει

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God also requires him” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 5:4

λαμβάνει τὴν τιμήν

Here, 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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God called him, just as he called Aaron” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 5:5

Υἱός μου εἶ σύ, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε

This quotation is from the Psalms in the Old Testament.

ὁ λαλήσας πρὸς αὐτόν

Alternate translation: “God said to him”

Υἱός μου εἶ σύ, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε

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

Υἱός

Son is important title 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

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

ἐν ἑτέρῳ

Alternate translation: “in another place in the scriptures”

κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισέδεκ

Here, the order of Melchizedek rules and practices that Melchizedek followed and the authority he had as a priest of God. 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 stands for Jesus’ earthly life. Alternate translation: “while he lived on earth” (See: Metonymy)

δεήσεις…καὶ ἱκετηρίας

Both prayers and requests mean basically the same thing. (See: Doublet)

τὸν δυνάμενον σῴζειν αὐτὸν ἐκ θανάτου

This could mean: (1) God was able to save Christ so that he would not die. Alternate translation: “to save him from dying” (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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God heard him” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 5:8

υἱός

Here, son 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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God made him perfect” (See: Active or Passive)

τελειωθεὶς

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

ἐγένετο πᾶσιν τοῖς ὑπακούουσιν αὐτῷ αἴτιος σωτηρίας αἰωνίου

You can state the abstract noun salvation 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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God designated him” or “God appointed him” (See: Active or Passive)

κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισέδεκ

Here, the order of Melchizedek 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

ἡμῖν ὁ λόγος

Here, the plural pronoun us includes both the author and the people to whom he is writing. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

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

τὰ στοιχεῖα τῆς ἀρχῆς

Here, principles means a guideline or standard for making decisions. Alternate translation: “of the 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: “of milk instead of solid food that adults can eat” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 5:13

μετέχων γάλακτος

Here, takes stands for “drinks.” Alternate translation: “who 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 6 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

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” (See: Metaphor)

νεκρῶν ἔργων

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

Hebrews 6:2

βαπτισμῶν διδαχὴν, ἐπιθέσεώς τε χειρῶν, ἀναστάσεώς τε νεκρῶν, καὶ κρίματος αἰωνίου

The writer continues from the previous verse speaking about basic teachings as if they were a building whose construction begins by laying a foundation. Alternate translation: “nor the basic teaching about baptisms, and laying on of hands, and resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment” (See: Metaphor)

ἐπιθέσεώς…χειρῶν

The practice of laying on of hands 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

Alternate translation: “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

Son of God 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 a 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 all the worthless things 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)

τὰ κρείσσονα

Here, better things 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

You can state the abstract noun salvation 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 not unjust 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

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

πρὸς τὴν πληροφορίαν τῆς ἐλπίδος

Alternate translation: “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: “who … receive what God promised them” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 6:14

λέγων

God said

πληθύνων, πληθυνῶ σε

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

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

Alternate translation: “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, οἱ καταφυγόντες 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: “we who have fled for refuge will continue to trust in God just has he encouraged us to do” (See: Metaphor)

προκειμένης

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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…τῆς ψυχῆς, ἀσφαλῆ τε καὶ βεβαίαν

Here the words reliable and steadfast mean basically the same thing and emphasize the complete reliability of the anchor. Alternate translation: “an anchor for the soul that is completely reliable” (See: Doublet)

ἣν…καὶ εἰσερχομένην εἰς τὸ ἐσώτερον τοῦ καταπετάσματος

Here, which refers back to our “hope” in the previous verse. This hope is spoken of as if it were a person who could go into the most holy place of the temple. (See: Personification)

τὸ ἐσώτερον

The inner place 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

The order of Melchizedek 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 7 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

Salem was the name of a city during the time of Abraham. (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

ᾧ

Alternate translation: “and it was to Melchizedek”

βασιλεὺς δικαιοσύνης…βασιλεὺς εἰρήνης

Alternate translation: “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

Alternate translation: “Melchizedek was”

Hebrews 7:5

οἱ μὲν ἐκ 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

Alternate translation: “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

The phrase from the loins of Abraham 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

Alternate translation: “the one 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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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. (See: Metaphor)

μαρτυρούμενος ὅτι ζῇ

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “scripture shows that he lives on” (See: 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 when Abraham met Melchizedek. In this way, the author argues that Levi paid tithes to Melchizedek through Abraham. (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 7:10

ἔτι…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

Here, So 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

Alternate translation: “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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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

Here, whom refers to Jesus.

ἐφ’ ὃν…λέγεται ταῦτα

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “about whom I am speaking” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 7:14

γὰρ

For 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

Alternate translation: “from the tribe of Judah”

Hebrews 7:15

This quote comes from a psalm of King David.

περισσότερον ἔτι κατάδηλόν ἐστιν

Alternate translation: “we can understand even more clearly”

εἰ…ἀνίσταται ἱερεὺς ἕτερος

Alternate translation: “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…γέγονεν

Alternate translation: “his becoming priest was not based on a 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)

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 7:19

οὐδὲν…ἐτελείωσεν ὁ νόμος

Here, 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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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 as to come 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

You can state this clearly who made this oath. Alternate translation: “And God did not choose this new priest without swearing an oath!” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

καὶ καθ’ ὅσον οὐ χωρὶς ὁρκωμοσίας

The double negative not without emphasizes that Jesus became a priest through an oath. Alternate translation: “And it was because God swore an oath that the Lord became the new priest!” (See: 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

Alternate translation: “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 priesthood. Alternate translation: “he is a priest permanently” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Hebrews 7:25

ὅθεν

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

τοὺς προσερχομένους δι’ αὐτοῦ τῷ Θεῷ

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

Hebrews 7:26

ὑψηλότερος τῶν οὐρανῶν γενόμενος

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

τῶν ἰδίων…ἐποίησεν…ἑαυτὸν

Here, his own refers to the Levitical priests. The second he and the word 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

Alternate translation: “men who are spiritually weak” or “men who are weak against sin”

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

Here, 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

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

τετελειωμένον

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “who has completely obeyed God and become mature” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 8

Hebrews 8 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

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

ἔχομεν ἀρχιερέα

The author is including the readers here, so the word We is inclusive. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “For God appoints every priest” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 8:4

οὖν

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

κατὰ νόμον

Alternate translation: “as God requires in the law”

Hebrews 8:5

οἵτινες ὑποδείγματι καὶ σκιᾷ λατρεύουσιν τῶν ἐπουρανίων

The words copy and shadow are metaphors meaning that something is not the real thing but it is similar to the real thing. Alternate translation: “who serve what is a vague image of the heavenly things” or “who serve what is only similar to the heavenly things” (See: Metaphor)

ὑποδείγματι καὶ σκιᾷ…τῶν ἐπουρανίων

The words copy and shadow have similar meanings and emphasize that the priesthood and the earthly temple were only images of Christ, the true high priest, and the heavenly temple. (See: Doublet)

καθὼς κεχρημάτισται Μωϋσῆς, μέλλων

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “just as God warned Moses when Moses was about” (See: Active or Passive)

μέλλων ἐπιτελεῖν τὴν σκηνήν

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

ὅρα

Alternate translation: “Make sure that”

τὸν τύπον

Alternate translation: “the design”

τὸν δειχθέντα σοι

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “that I showed you” (See: Active or Passive)

ἐν τῷ ὄρει

You can make explicit that the 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.

τέτυχεν

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God has given Christ” (See: Active or Passive)

κρείττονός…διαθήκης μεσίτης

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

ἥτις ἐπὶ κρείττοσιν ἐπαγγελίαις νενομοθέτηται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “which God made based on better promises” or “in which God promised better things when he made this covenant” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 8:7

ἡ πρώτη…δευτέρας

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

ἦν ἄμεμπτος

Alternate translation: “had been perfect”

Hebrews 8:8

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

αὐτοῖς

Alternate translation: “with the people of Israel”

ἰδοὺ

Alternate translation: “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 as if he were holding their hands in order to physically lead them out of Egypt. Alternate translation: “when 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

Alternate translation: “after that time”

διδοὺς νόμους μου εἰς τὴν διάνοιαν αὐτῶν

God’s laws 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. (See: Metonymy)

ἐπὶ καρδίας αὐτῶν ἐπιγράψω αὐτούς

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: Metaphor)

ἔσομαι αὐτοῖς εἰς Θεόν

Alternate translation: “I will be the God they worship”

αὐτοὶ ἔσονταί μοι εἰς λαόν

Alternate translation: “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

You can state this direct quotation 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 fellow citizen and brother mean the same thing and refer to fellow Israelites. (See: Doublet)

γνῶθι τὸν Κύριον…πάντες εἰδήσουσίν με

Know here stands for acknowledging God. (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 8:12

ταῖς ἀδικίαις αὐτῶν

Here, evil deeds 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 9 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

Now marks a new part of the teaching.

ἡ πρώτη

See how you translated first covenant in Hebrews 8:7.

εἶχε…δικαιώματα

Alternate translation: “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. If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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 these are specific things that the author assumes that his readers already know about.

ἡ Πρόθεσις τῶν ἄρτων

You can reworded the abstract noun presentation to express it with the verb “display” or “present.” Alternate translation: “the bread on display before God” or “the 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

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

Hebrews 9:4

ἐν ᾗ

Alternate translation: “inside the ark of the covenant was”

ἡ ῥάβδος Ἀαρὼν ἡ βλαστήσασα

This was the rod that 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

Alternate translation: “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 refers to the carved figures of two cherubim. (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 9:6

τούτων…οὕτως κατεσκευασμένων

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “after the priests prepared these things” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 9:7

οὐ χωρὶς αἵματος

You can state the double negative not without in positive form. Alternate translation: “enters, and he always brings 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

Here, the holy place could refer to: (1) the inner room of the tabernacle on earth. (2) God’s presence in heaven.

ἔτι τῆς πρώτης σκηνῆς ἐχούσης στάσιν

This could mean: (1) the outer room of the tabernacle was still standing. (2) the earthly tabernacle and the sacrificial system still existed. (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 9:9

ἥτις παραβολὴ

Alternate translation: “and this first tabernacle is a picture”

εἰς τὸν καιρὸν τὸν ἐνεστηκότα

Alternate translation: “for now”

προσφέρονται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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)

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

Alternate translation: “until God created the new order”

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.

τῶν…ἀγαθῶν

Here, good things 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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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 holy place, the innermost room in the tabernacle. (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 9:13

σποδὸς δαμάλεως, ῥαντίζουσα τοὺς κεκοινωμένους

The priest would throw 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 exclamation 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: Exclamations)

τὸ αἷμα τοῦ Χριστοῦ

The blood of Christ refers to his death. (See: Metonymy)

ἄμωμον

A blemish 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)

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

Alternate translation: “as a result” or “because of this”

διαθήκης καινῆς μεσίτης ἐστίν

Here being a mediator means Christ caused the new covenant between God and humans to exist.

τῇ πρώτῃ διαθήκῃ

See how you translated first covenant in Hebrews 8:7.

εἰς ἀπολύτρωσιν τῶν ἐπὶ τῇ πρώτῃ διαθήκῃ παραβάσεων

Here, their transgressions is a metonym for: (1) the guilt of their transgressions. Alternate translation: “to take away the guilt of those who were under the first covenant” (2) the punishment for their transgressions. Alternate translation: “to take away the punishment for the transgressions of those who were under the first covenant” (See: Metonymy)

οἱ κεκλημένοι

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “those whom God has chosen to be his children” (See: Active or Passive)

τῆς αἰωνίου 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

θάνατον ἀνάγκη φέρεσθαι τοῦ διαθεμένου

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “So God did not even establish the first covenant without blood” (See: Active or Passive)

ὅθεν οὐδ’ ἡ πρώτη χωρὶς αἵματος ἐνκεκαίνισται

You can state the double negative not even … without in positive form. Alternate translation: “So God established even the first covenant with blood” (See: Double Negatives)

πρώτη

See how you translated first covenant 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 τῶν μόσχων, καὶ τῶν τράγων, μετὰ ὕδατος, καὶ ἐρίου κοκκίνου, καὶ ὑσσώπου, αὐτό τε τὸ βιβλίον καὶ 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

Hyssop was 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 death of the animals that brings into effect the covenant” (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 9:21

ἐράντισεν

Alternate translation: “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”

τῷ αἵματι

Here the animal blood refers to 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. Alternate translation: “almost everything is made acceptable to God by being cleansed with blood” (See: Metaphor)

σχεδὸν ἐν αἵματι πάντα καθαρίζεται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “the priests use blood to cleanse almost everything” (See: Active or Passive)

χωρὶς αἱματεκχυσίας, οὐ γίνεται ἄφεσις

Here, shedding of blood refers to something dying as a sacrifice to God. Alternate translation: “without the death of something, there is no forgiveness” (See: Metonymy)

χωρὶς αἱματεκχυσίας, οὐ γίνεται ἄφεσις

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: 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.

ἀνάγκη…τὰ μὲν ὑποδείγματα τῶν ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς τούτοις καθαρίζεσθαι

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “the priests must use these animal sacrifices to cleanse what are copies of things that are in heaven” (See: Active or Passive)

αὐτὰ δὲ τὰ ἐπουράνια κρείττοσι θυσίαις παρὰ ταύτας

That is, the sacrifices to cleanse the heavenly things are better than the sacrifices used to cleanse the earthly copies. If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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.” Alternate translation: “the most holy place made by humans” (See: Synecdoche)

χειροποίητα…ἅγια

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “the most holy place, which humans made” (See: Active or Passive)

τῶν ἀληθινῶν

Alternate translation: “of the true most holy place”

Hebrews 9:25

οὐδ’

Alternate translation: “And he did not enter heaven”

ἐν αἵματι ἀλλοτρίῳ

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

Hebrews 9:26

ἐπεὶ

Alternate translation: “since 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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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, 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

Alternate translation: “not the real things themselves”

Hebrews 10:2

οὐκ ἂν ἐπαύσαντο προσφερόμεναι, διὰ τὸ μηδεμίαν ἔχειν ἔτι συνείδησιν ἁμαρτιῶν, τοὺς λατρεύοντας ἅπαξ κεκαθαρισμένους?

The author uses a question to state that the sacrifices were limited in their power. Alternate translation: “they would have ceased being offered because no one would still have consciousness of sins, those who worship having been cleansed once for all.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

οὐκ ἂν ἐπαύσαντο προσφερόμεναι

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “they would have ceased offering those sacrifices” (See: Active or Passive)

τοὺς λατρεύοντας ἅπαξ κεκαθαρισμένους

Here having been cleansed represents no longer being guilty of sin. Alternate translation: “those who worship no longer being guilty of sin” (See: Metaphor)

τοὺς λατρεύοντας ἅπαξ κεκαθαρισμένους

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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: Active or Passive)

τὸ μηδεμίαν ἔχειν ἔτι συνείδησιν ἁμαρτιῶν

Alternate translation: “they 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

Here, 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)

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 the words Sacrifices and offerings in Hebrews 10:5.

ὁλοκαυτώματα…περὶ ἁμαρτίας

See how you translated whole burnt offerings and sin offerings in Hebrews 10:6.

αἵτινες…προσφέρονται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “that priests offer” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 10:9

ἰδοὺ

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

ἀναιρεῖ τὸ πρῶτον, ἵνα τὸ δεύτερον στήσῃ

Stopping the first practice is spoken of as if it were an object that could be taken away. Starting the second practice 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: Metaphor)

τὸ πρῶτον…τὸ δεύτερον

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

Hebrews 10:10

ἡγιασμένοι ἐσμὲν

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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

οὐδέποτε δύνανται περιελεῖν ἁμαρτίας

This speaks of sins as if they are objects 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. Alternate translation: “until God humiliates Christ’s enemies and they become like a stool for his feet” (See: Metaphor)

ἕως τεθῶσιν οἱ ἐχθροὶ αὐτοῦ ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν αὐτοῦ

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “until God makes Christ’s enemies like a stool for his feet” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 10:14

τοὺς ἁγιαζομένους

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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

Alternate translation: “with my people”

μετὰ τὰς ἡμέρας ἐκείνας

Alternate translation: “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. (See: Metonymy)

διδοὺς νόμους μου ἐπὶ καρδίας αὐτῶν

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: 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

This is the second part of the Holy Spirit’s testimony (Hebrews 10:15-16).

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

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

ὅπου…ἄφεσις τούτων

You can reword this to express the abstract noun forgiveness with the verb “forgive.” Alternate translation: “when God has forgiven these things” (See: Abstract Nouns)

οὐκέτι προσφορὰ περὶ ἁμαρτίας

You can reword this to express the abstract noun sacrifice with 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, brothers refers to all believers in Christ whether male or female. Alternate translation: “brothers and sisters” or “fellow believers” (See: Metaphor)

τῶν ἁγίων

Here, the holy place refers to 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 πρόσφατον καὶ ζῶσαν

This could mean: (1) the new way to God that Jesus has provided results in believers living forever. (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 represented 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

Alternate translation: “in charge of the house”

τὸν οἶκον τοῦ Θεοῦ

This speaks about God’s people as if they were a literal house for him. 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

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

ἐν πληροφορίᾳ πίστεως

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

ῥεραντισμένοι τὰς καρδίας

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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. (See: Metonymy)

ῥεραντισμένοι τὰς καρδίας

Being made clean is a metaphor for being forgiven and being given the status of righteousness. (See: 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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “as if he had washed our bodies in pure water” (See: Active or Passive)

λελουμένοι τὸ σῶμα ὕδατι καθαρῷ

This washing stands for the believer being made acceptable to God. (See: Metaphor)

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. (See: Metonymy)

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. (See: Metaphor)

κατέχωμεν τὴν ὁμολογίαν τῆς ἐλπίδος

You can translate the abstract nouns confession and hope as verbs. Alternate translation: “Let us be determined to continue confessing the things that we confidently expect from God” (See: 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

Here, the day refers to when Jesus will return. (See: Metonymy)

ὅσῳ βλέπετε ἐγγίζουσαν τὴν ἡμέραν

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

Hebrews 10:26

The writer now gives his fourth warning.

ἑκουσίως…ἁμαρτανόντων ἡμῶν

Alternate translation: “if we know we are sinning but we do it again and again”

μετὰ τὸ λαβεῖν τὴν ἐπίγνωσιν τῆς ἀληθείας

Here, 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

This refers to 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

Here, judgment, refers to when God will judge. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

πυρὸς ζῆλος ἐσθίειν μέλλοντος τοὺς ὑπεναντίους

God’s zeal 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 τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ καταπατήσας, καὶ τὸ αἷμα τῆς διαθήκης κοινὸν ἡγησάμενος, ἐν ᾧ ἡγιάσθη, καὶ τὸ Πνεῦμα 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 who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has considered the blood of the covenant—by which he was sanctified—{as} profane, and has insulted the Spirit of grace!” (See: Exclamations)

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

Son of God 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: “treated 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 τῆς διαθήκης κοινὸν…ἐν ᾧ ἡγιάσθη

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “the blood by which God sanctified him as profane” (See: Active or Passive)

τὸ Πνεῦμα τῆς χάριτος

Alternate translation: “the Spirit of God, who provides grace”

Hebrews 10:30

οἴδαμεν

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: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

ἐμοὶ ἐκδίκησις; ἐγὼ ἀνταποδώσω…κρινεῖ Κύριος τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ

These two quotations come from the law that Moses gave in the Old Testament.

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 were to fall into God’s hands. Alternate translation: “to receive the full punishment” (See: Metaphor)

τὸ ἐμπεσεῖν εἰς χεῖρας

Here, hands refers to God’s power to judge. Alternate translation: “into the judgment” (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 10:32

τὰς πρότερον ἡμέρας

Alternate translation: “the time in the past”

φωτισθέντες

Learning the truth is spoken of as if God shined a light on the person. Alternate translation: “after you had learned the truth about Christ” (See: Metaphor)

φωτισθέντες

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “after God had shown you the truth about Christ” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 10:33

ὀνειδισμοῖς τε καὶ θλίψεσιν θεατριζόμενοι

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “people ridiculed you both by insulting and by persecuting you in public” (See: Active or Passive)

κοινωνοὶ τῶν…γενηθέντες

Alternate translation: “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 away his confidence, like a person would discard something worthless. Alternate translation: “do not stop being confident, because you will receive a great reward for being confident” (See: Metaphor)

μὴ ἀποβάλητε οὖν τὴν παρρησίαν ὑμῶν, ἥτις ἔχει μεγάλην μισθαποδοσίαν

You can translate the abstract noun confidence with the adjective “confident” or the adverb “confidently.” Alternate translation: “do not stop confidently trusting in God, who will reward you greatly” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Hebrews 10:37

ἔτι γὰρ μικρὸν ὅσον, ὅσον

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

ἔτι…μικρὸν ὅσον, ὅσον

Alternate translation: “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

Here, my righteous one, he, and him 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…ψυχή μου

Here, both occurrences of my refer to God.

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. Alternate translation: “so that his soul will live with God forever” (See: Metaphor)

εἰς περιποίησιν ψυχῆς

Here, soul refers to the whole person. Alternate translation: “so that he will live with God forever” (See: 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

Now 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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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 things being hoped for 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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “proof of what we still have not seen” or “proof of what still have not happened” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 11:2

ἐν ταύτῃ γὰρ

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

ἐμαρτυρήθησαν οἱ πρεσβύτεροι

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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 their Hebrew ancestors. Alternate translation: “our ancestors” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Hebrews 11:3

κατηρτίσθαι τοὺς αἰῶνας ῥήματι Θεοῦ

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “that God created the universe by commanding it to exist” (See: Active or Passive)

τὸ μὴ ἐκ φαινομένων, τὸ βλεπόμενον γεγονέναι

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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: “dying” (See: Metaphor)

πρὸ…τῆς μεταθέσεως

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “before God took him” (See: Active or Passive)

μεμαρτύρηται εὐηρεστηκέναι τῷ Θεῷ

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. This could mean: (1) God said that Enoch had pleased him. (2) people said that Enoch pleased God. (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 11:6

χωρὶς δὲ πίστεως

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

χωρὶς…πίστεως, ἀδύνατον εὐαρεστῆσαι

You can state the double negative without … impossible 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

Alternate translation: “he rewards those who seek”

τοῖς ἐκζητοῦσιν αὐτὸν

People 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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “because God told him” (See: Active or Passive)

περὶ τῶν μηδέπω βλεπομένων

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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, the 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 receiving righteousness is spoken of as if he were inheriting property and wealth from a family member. Alternate translation: “received from God the righteousness” (See: Metaphor)

κατὰ πίστιν

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

Hebrews 11:8

καλούμενος

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “when God called him” (See: Active or Passive)

ἐξελθεῖν εἰς τόπον

Alternate translation: “to leave 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 going to receive. Alternate translation: “that God would give him for an inheritance” (See: Metaphor)

ἐξῆλθεν

Alternate translation: “he left his home”

Hebrews 11:9

παρῴκησεν εἰς γῆν τῆς ἐπαγγελίας ὡς ἀλλοτρίαν

You can express the abstract noun promise with the verb “promised.” Alternate translation: “he lived as a foreigner in the land God had promised to him” (See: Abstract Nouns)

τῶν συνκληρονόμων

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

Hebrews 11:10

τὴν τοὺς θεμελίους ἔχουσαν πόλιν

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

ἧς τεχνίτης καὶ δημιουργὸς ὁ Θεός

Alternate translation: “which God designed and built” or “which God would design and build”

τεχνίτης

An architect a person who designs buildings and cities.

Hebrews 11:11

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

The verbs received and considered could be either masculine or feminine. Some versions interpret this verse as referring to Abraham. “By faith Abraham, even though Sarah herself was beyond the time of full age, received power to bear children, since he considered”

πίστει

You can express the abstract noun faith with the verb “believe.” This could mean: (1) this happened because of Abraham’s faith. Alternate translation: “It was because Abraham believed God” (2) this happened because of Sarah’s faith. Alternate translation: “It was because Sarah believed God” (See: Abstract Nouns)

δύναμιν εἰς καταβολὴν σπέρματος ἔλαβεν

Alternate translation: “received ability to become a father” or “received ability to have a child”

ἐπεὶ πιστὸν ἡγήσατο τὸν ἐπαγγειλάμενον

Alternate translation: “because he believed God, who had given 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

Here, countless as the sand along the shore of the sea 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 the 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

Alternate translation: “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

Alternate translation: “a country for them to belong to”

Hebrews 11:16

ἐπουρανίου

Alternate translation: “a heavenly country” or “a country in heaven”

οὐκ ἐπαισχύνεται αὐτοὺς ὁ Θεὸς, Θεὸς ἐπικαλεῖσθαι αὐτῶν

You can express this in active form. Alternate translation: “God is not ashamed that they call him their God” (See: Active or Passive)

οὐκ ἐπαισχύνεται αὐτοὺς ὁ Θεὸς, Θεὸς ἐπικαλεῖσθαι αὐτῶν

The writer expressed this in a negative form to stress that God was proud to be their God. You can express this in positive form. Alternate translation: “God is proud to have them say that he is their God” (See: Litotes)

Hebrews 11:17

πειραζόμενος

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “when God tested him” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 11:18

πρὸς ὃν ἐλαλήθη

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God had said to him” (See: Active or Passive)

κληθήσεταί σοι σπέρμα

Here, named means assigned or designated. Alternate translation: “your descendants will be designated” (See: Metonymy)

κληθήσεταί σοι σπέρμα

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “I will designate your descendants” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 11:19

καὶ ἐκ νεκρῶν ἐγείρειν δυνατὸς ὁ Θεός

Alternate translation: “God was able to cause Isaac to live again”

καὶ ἐκ νεκρῶν ἐγείρειν

Here, to raise up is to make alive again. The words from the dead speak of all dead people together in the underworld.

ἐν παραβολῇ

Here the phrase in a parable 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. Alternate translation: “in a manner of speaking”

ὅθεν

Alternate translation: “from the dead”

αὐτὸν…ἐκομίσατο

Alternate translation: “Abraham received Isaac back”

Hebrews 11:22

τελευτῶν

Here, an 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

Alternate translation: “spoke of when the children of Israel would leave Egypt”

τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ

Alternate translation: “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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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

Alternate translation: “having become an adult”

ἠρνήσατο λέγεσθαι

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “refused to allow people to call him” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 11:26

τὸν ὀνειδισμὸν τοῦ Χριστοῦ

You can reword the abstract noun reproach with the verb “disrespect.” Alternate translation: “the experience of people disrespecting him because he did what Christ would want” (See: Abstract Nouns)

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)

Hebrews 11:27

τὸν…ἀόρατον ὡς ὁρῶν, ἐκαρτέρησεν

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

τὸν…ἀόρατον

Alternate translation: “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

Here, the sprinkling of the blood 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

διέβησαν τὴν Ἐρυθρὰν Θάλασσαν

Alternate translation: “the Israelites passed through the Sea of Reeds”

κατεπόθησαν

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “the water swallowed up the Egyptians” (See: Active or Passive)

κατεπόθησαν

The Egyptians are spoken of as if an animal swallowed them as it would swallow water or food. Alternate translation: “the Egyptians drowned in the water” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 11:30

κυκλωθέντα ἐπὶ ἑπτὰ ἡμέρας

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “the Israelites had marched around them for seven days” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 11:31

δεξαμένη τοὺς κατασκόπους μετ’ εἰρήνης

Alternate translation: “who had peacefully received the spies”

Hebrews 11:32

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: “there are many more examples.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

ἐπιλείψει…με…ὁ χρόνος

Alternate translation: “I will not have enough time”

Βαράκ

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

Hebrews 11:33

οἳ διὰ πίστεως

Here, who 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: “people like these through faith”

οἳ διὰ πίστεως κατηγωνίσαντο βασιλείας

Here, kingdoms refers to the people who lived in them. Alternate translation: “who through faith defeated the people of foreign kingdoms”

ἔφραξαν στόματα λεόντων

The mouths of the lions represents the entire lions. (See: Metonymy)

ἔφραξαν στόματα λεόντων

This phrase begins a list of some of the ways God saved believers from death. Preventing the lions from eating them is spoken of as stopping the mouths of the lions. Alternate translation: “kept lions from eating them” (See: Metaphor)

Hebrews 11:34

ἔσβεσαν δύναμιν πυρός

The power of fire represents being burned to death by fire. (See: Metonymy)

ἔσβεσαν δύναμιν πυρός

Preventing fire from burning them to death them is spoken of as extinguishing the power of fire. Alternate translation: “prevented fire from burning them” (See: Metaphor)

ἔφυγον στόματα μαχαίρης

The edge of the sword represents the entire sword and its ability to kill. (See: Metonymy)

ἔφυγον στόματα μαχαίρης

Avoiding being killed by the sword is spoken of as escaping the edge of the sword. Alternate translation: “avoided being killed by the sword” (See: Metaphor)

ἐδυναμώθησαν ἀπὸ ἀσθενείας

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “received healing from God” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 11:35

ἔλαβον γυναῖκες ἐξ ἀναστάσεως τοὺς νεκροὺς αὐτῶν

You can state the abstract noun resurrection with a verb. Alternate translation: “Women received their dead back alive” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ἔλαβον γυναῖκες ἐξ ἀναστάσεως τοὺς νεκροὺς αὐτῶν

The word dead is a nominal adjective. You can state this as a verb. Alternate translation: “Women received back alive those who had died” (See: Nominal Adjectives)

ἄλλοι δὲ ἐτυμπανίσθησαν, οὐ προσδεξάμενοι τὴν ἀπολύτρωσιν

It is implied that their enemies would have released them from prison under certain conditions. Alternate translation: “but others were tortured rather than denying their faith in order to be released from prison” or “but others were tortured rather than doing what their enemies required of them in order to release them” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἄλλοι δὲ ἐτυμπανίσθησαν, οὐ προσδεξάμενοι τὴν ἀπολύτρωσιν

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “but others accepted torture rather than release from prison” (See: Active or Passive)

κρείττονος ἀναστάσεως

This could mean: (1) these people will experience a better life in heaven than what they experienced in this world. (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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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

You can express the abstract nouns mocking, whippings, and imprisonment with 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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “People threw stones at others and sawed others in two and killed others with the sword” (See: Active or Passive)

περιῆλθον

Alternate translation: “they went from place to place” or “they lived all the time”

ἐν μηλωταῖς, ἐν αἰγίοις δέρμασιν

Alternate translation: “wearing only the skins of sheep and goats”

ὑστερούμενοι

Alternate translation: “having nothing” or “being very poor”

Hebrews 11:38

οὐκ ἦν ἄξιος ὁ κόσμος

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

πλανώμενοι

They wandered about because they had no place to live.

Hebrews 11:39

οὗτοι πάντες μαρτυρηθέντες διὰ τῆς πίστεως, οὐκ ἐκομίσαντο τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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

Here, the promise stands for “what God had promised them.” (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 11:40

ἵνα μὴ χωρὶς ἡμῶν τελειωθῶσιν

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “in order that God not would perfect them without also perfecting us” (See: Active or Passive)

ἵνα μὴ χωρὶς ἡμῶν τελειωθῶσιν

You can state the double negative without … not in positive form. Alternate translation: “in order that God would perfect both us and them together” (See: Double Negatives)

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

ἡμεῖς…ἡμῖν…τρέχωμεν…ἡμῖν

The word we and each occurrence of us refers to the author and his readers. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

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.

καὶ 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. Alternate translation: “since there are so many examples of faithful people about whom we learn in the scriptures” (See: Metaphor)

μαρτύρων

Here, witnesses refers to the Old Testament believers in chapter 11 who lived faithful lives previously.

ὄγκον ἀποθέμενοι πάντα καὶ τὴν εὐπερίστατον ἁμαρτίαν

Here, every weight and the 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

Here, 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)

δι’ ὑπομονῆς, 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: “the 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 Jesus hated the shame of dying on a cross, even though he allowed that to happen.

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: “and sat down at the place of honor and authority beside the throne of God” (See: Symbolic Action)

Hebrews 12:3

μὴ κάμητε, ταῖς ψυχαῖς ὑμῶν ἐκλυόμενοι

The words you and your are plural and here refer to the readers. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

ταῖς ψυχαῖς ὑμῶν

Here, souls represents a person’s thoughts and emotions. (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 12:4

οὔπω…ἀντικατέστητε, πρὸς τὴν ἁμαρτίαν ἀνταγωνιζόμενοι

Here, sin is spoken of as if it were a person against whom someone fights in a battle. Alternate translation: “You have not yet bled from resisting the 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 exhort others. Alternate translation: “what God has instructed you in the scriptures to exhort 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, μὴ ὀλιγώρει παιδείας Κυρίου, μηδὲ ἐκλύου 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

You can state this in positive form. Alternate translation: “take it very seriously when the Lord disciplines you, and remain encouraged” (See: Litotes)

ὑπ’ αὐτοῦ ἐλεγχόμενος

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “when 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

ὡς υἱοῖς ὑμῖν προσφέρεται ὁ Θεός

This compares God disciplining his people to a father disciplining his sons. (See: Simile)

ὡς υἱοῖς ὑμῖν προσφέρεται ὁ Θεός

You can state clearly the understood information. Alternate translation: “God deals with you the same way a father deals with his sons” (See: Ellipsis)

υἱοῖς…υἱὸς

You can translate sons and son to include males and females. Alternate translation: “to children … child is there” (See: When Masculine Words Include Women)

τίς γὰρ υἱὸς ὃν οὐ παιδεύει πατήρ?

The author makes the point through this question that every good father disciplines his children. This can be expressed as a statement. Alternate translation: “For every good 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 with 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

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

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

τῷ Πατρὶ τῶν πνευμάτων

The idiom Father of spirits contrasts with fathers of our flesh earlier in this verse. Alternate translation: “our spiritual Father” or “our Father in heaven” (See: Idiom)

καὶ ζήσομεν

Alternate translation: “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

Here, 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

The discipline or correction done by the Lord is spoken of as if it were the Lord himself. Alternate translation: “for those who have been trained by God” (See: Personification)

τοῖς δι’ αὐτῆς γεγυμνασμένοις

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “whom God has trained by disciplining them” (See: 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. (See: Metaphor)

μὴ…ἐκτραπῇ

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “will not sprain his ankle” (See: Active or Passive)

ἰαθῇ δὲ μᾶλλον

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “but instead become strong” or “but instead God will heal him” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 12:14

εἰρήνην διώκετε μετὰ πάντων

Here, peace is spoken of as if it were something that a person must chase after. Alternate translation: “Seek to be at peace with everyone” (See: Metaphor)

εἰρήνην διώκετε μετὰ πάντων

You can translate the abstract noun peace with an adverb. Alternate translation: “Try to live peacefully with everyone” (See: Abstract Nouns)

καὶ τὸν ἁγιασμόν, οὗ χωρὶς οὐδεὶς ὄψεται τὸν Κύριον

You can express the double negative without … no one 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

You can state the double negative no one … lacking in positive form. Alternate translation: “everyone receives enough of God’s grace” (See: Double Negatives)

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 that is 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 12:16

Ἠσαῦ

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

Hebrews 12:17

ἀπεδοκιμάσθη

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “his father, Isaac, refused to bless him” (See: Active or Passive)

μετανοίας γὰρ τόπον οὐχ εὗρεν

You can translate the abstract noun repentance 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 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…προσεληλύθατε

Here, you refers to the Hebrew believers to whom the author wrote.

οὐ γὰρ προσεληλύθατε, ψηλαφωμένῳ

You can state the implicit information 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)

οὐ…ψηλαφωμένῳ

This means that believers in Christ have not come to a physical mountain like Mount Sinai that a person can touch. If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “you have not come a mountain that you can touch” or “ you have not come a mountain that you can perceive with your senses” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 12:19

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

Here, voice refers to someone speaking. (See: Metonymy)

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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 12:20

τὸ διαστελλόμενον

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “what God commanded” (See: Active or Passive)

λιθοβοληθήσεται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “you must stone it” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 12:22

Σιὼν Ὄρει

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

μυριάσιν ἀγγέλων

Alternate translation: “to an uncountable number of angels”

Hebrews 12:23

πρωτοτόκων

Here, the firstborn is plural and 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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “whose names God has written in heaven” (See: Active or Passive)

τετελειωμένων

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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: “to the sprinkled blood of Jesus that says better things than the blood of Abel” (See: Personification)

τὸν Ἂβελ

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

αἵματι ῥαντισμοῦ

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

Hebrews 12:25

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

The word you continues to refer to believers. (See: Forms of You)

μὴ παραιτήσησθε τὸν λαλοῦντα

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

ἡμεῖς

The word we continues to refer to the writer and the readers who are believers. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

εἰ…ἐκεῖνοι οὐκ ἐξέφυγον

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

ἐπὶ γῆς…τὸν χρηματίζοντα

This could refer to: (1) Moses, who warned them here on earth. (2) God, who warned them at Mount Sinai.

ἡμεῖς οἱ τὸν ἀπ’ οὐρανῶν ἀποστρεφόμενοι

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

Hebrews 12:26

οὗ ἡ φωνὴ τὴν γῆν ἐσάλευσεν τότε

Alternate translation: “when God spoke at that time, the sound of his voice caused the earth to shake”

ἔτι ἅπαξ ἐγὼ σείσω, οὐ μόνον τὴν γῆν, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὸν οὐρανόν

This quotation is from the prophet Haggai in the Old Testament.

ἐσάλευσεν…σείσω

Translate shook and shake with words for what an earthquake does when it moves 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

δηλοῖ τῶν σαλευομένων μετάθεσιν

You can translate the abstract noun removal with the verbal phrase “take away.” Alternate translation: “to the taking away of the things that can be shaken” (See: Abstract Nouns)

δηλοῖ τῶν σαλευομένων μετάθεσιν, ὡς πεποιημένων

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “means that God will remove the things that he can shake, that is, the things that he created” (See: Active or Passive)

τῶν σαλευομένων

Translate shaken with the word for what an earthquake does when it moves 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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “of what God has created” (See: Active or Passive)

τὰ μὴ σαλευόμενα

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “the things that do not shake” or “the things that cannot shake” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 12:28

βασιλείαν ἀσάλευτον 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 an unshakeable kingdom” or “because God is making us members of his kingdom which cannot be shaken” (See: Connecting Words and Phrases)

ἔχωμεν χάριν

Alternate translation: “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

Alternate translation: “Continue to show your love for other believers as you would for members of your family”

Hebrews 13:2

μὴ ἐπιλανθάνεσθε

You can state this in positive form. Alternate translation: “Be sure to remember” (See: Litotes)

φιλοξενίας

Alternate translation: “to welcome and show kindness to strangers”

Hebrews 13:3

ὡς συνδεδεμένοι

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “as if someone tied you to them” or “as if you were in prison with them” (See: Active or Passive)

τῶν κακουχουμένων

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “and those whom others are mistreating” or “and those 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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “Everyone should consider that marriage is a good and honorable thing” (See: Active or Passive)

ἡ κοίτη ἀμίαντος

Here, the marriage bed is a polite way to refer to the act of sexual union of a married couple. (See: Euphemism)

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: 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” (See: Metonymy)

Hebrews 13:6

Κύριος ἐμοὶ βοηθός, καὶ οὐ φοβηθήσομαι; τί ποιήσει μοι ἄνθρωπος?

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

τί ποιήσει μοι ἄνθρωπος?

The author uses a question to emphasize that he does not fear people because God is helping him. Alternate translation: “I will not fear what a man can do to me!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

τί ποιήσει μοι ἄνθρωπος?

Here, man means any person in general. Alternate translation: “What can another person do to me?” (See: When Masculine Words Include Women)

Hebrews 13:7

τὴν ἔκβασιν τῆς ἀναστροφῆς

Alternate translation: “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 and strange teachings is spoken of as if a person were being carried away by a force. If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “Do not be persuaded by various and strange teachings” (See: Metaphor)

διδαχαῖς ποικίλαις καὶ ξέναις, μὴ παραφέρεσθε

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “Do not let others persuade you to believe their various strange teachings” (See: Active or Passive)

διδαχαῖς ποικίλαις καὶ ξέναις

Alternate translation: “by 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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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: 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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “while the priests burn the animals’ bodies” (See: Active or Passive)

ἔξω τῆς παρεμβολῆς

Alternate translation: “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

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

ἔξω τῆς πύλης

Here, outside the gate 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

Here, reproach 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

Alternate translation: “we are waiting for”

Hebrews 13:15

θυσίαν αἰνέσεως

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

αἰνέσεως διὰ παντὸς τῷ Θεῷ, τοῦτ’ ἔστιν καρπὸν χειλέων ὁμολογούντων τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ

Here, praise is spoken of as if it were fruit produced by the lips of people. Alternate translation: “praise to God in every situation 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

You can state this in positive form. Alternate translation: “let us always remember to do good and to 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, good conscience 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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this 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

Now 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, Ἰησοῦν

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

ἐκ νεκρῶν

Here, the dead describes all dead people together in the underworld. To bring someone up 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

Alternate translation: “may he give you every good thing you need in order to do his will” or “may he 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: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

ᾧ ἡ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων

Alternate translation: “whom all people will praise forever”

Hebrews 13:22

δὲ

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

ἀδελφοί

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

ἀνέχεσθε τοῦ λόγου τῆς παρακλήσεως

Alternate translation: “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

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “is no longer in prison” (See: Active or Passive)

Hebrews 13:24

ἀσπάζονται ὑμᾶς οἱ ἀπὸ τῆς Ἰταλίας

This could mean: (1) the author is not in Italy, but there is a group of believers with him who have come from Italy. (2) the author is in Italy while writing this letter.

τῆς Ἰταλίας

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