Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Hebrews 12:18

ψηλαφωμένῳ καὶ κεκαυμένῳ πυρί. The ὄρει of DKL Vulg. followed by the rec. is a gloss, not found in אAC and many versions. It is perhaps due to the Σιὼν ὄρει of Hebrews 12:22.

καὶ γνόφῳ καὶ ζόφῳ AC. The MSS. vary considerably, but the σκότῳ of the rec. is probably taken by L from Deuteronomy 4:11; Deuteronomy 5:22.

18. Οὐ γάρ. At the close of his arguments and exhortations the writer condenses the results of his Epistle into a climax of magnificent eloquence and force, in which he shews the transcendent beauty and supremacy of the New Covenant as compared with the terrors and imperfections of the Old.

ψηλαφωμένῳ καὶ κεκαυμένῳ πυρί. Unless we allow the textual evidence to be overruled by the other considerations, which are technically called “paradiplomatic evidence,” the verse should be rendered “For ye are not come near to a palpable and enkindled fire.” In any case the allusion is to Exodus 19:16-19; Deuteronomy 4:11, and generally to “the fiery law.” The present participle ψηλ. here means “which could be felt” because the capability is involved in the property; just as τὰ βλεπόμενα may mean “things which can be seen.” Winer, p. 431.

γνόφῳ. Deuteronomy 4:11; Deuteronomy 5:22.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Hebrews 12:18

Old Testament

New Testament