SHADOW (σκιαν). The contrast here between σκια (shadow, shade caused by interruption of light as by trees, Mark 4:32) and εικων (image or picture) is striking. Christ is the εικων of God (2 Corinthians 4:4; Colossians 1:15). In Colossians 2:17 Paul draws a distinction between σκια for the Jewish... [ Continue Reading ]
ELSE THEY WOULD NOT HAVE CEASED? (επε ουκ αν επαυσαντο;). Ellipsis of condition after επε (since if they really did perfect) with the conclusion of the second-class condition (αν and the aorist middle indicative of παυομα).TO BE OFFERED (προσφερομενα). Regular idiom, participle (present passive... [ Continue Reading ]
A REMEMBRANCE (αναμνησις). A reminder. Old word from αναμιμνησκω, to remind, as in Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHOULD TAKE AWAY (αφαιρειν). Present active infinitive of αφαιρεω. Old verb and common in N.T., only here and Romans 11:27 with "sins". Cf. Hebrews 9:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN HE COMETH INTO THE WORLD (εισερχομενος εις τον κοσμον). Reference to the Incarnation of Christ who is represented as quoting Psalms 40:7-9 which is quoted. The text of the LXX is followed in the main which differs from the Hebrew chiefly in having σωμα (body) rather than ωτια (ears). The LXX... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU HADST NO PLEASURE (ουκ ευδοκησας). First aorist active indicative of ευδοκεω, common for God's good pleasure (Matthew 3:17). God took no pleasure in the animal offering (θυσιαν), the meal-offering (προσφοραν), the burnt-offering (ολοκαυτωματα), the sin-offering (περ αμαρτιας, concerning sin)... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN (τοτε). When it was plain that God could not be propitiated by such sacrifices.LO, I AM COME (Ιδου ηκω). The Messiah is represented as offering himself to do God's will (του ποιησα το θελημα σου, the genitive articular infinitive of purpose).IN THE ROLL OF THE BOOK IT IS WRITTEN OF ME (ε... [ Continue Reading ]
SAYING ABOVE (ανωτερον λεγων). Christ speaking as in verse Hebrews 10:5. "Higher up" (ανωτερον, comparative of ανω, up) refers to verses Hebrews 10:5; Hebrews 10:6 which are quoted again.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WHICH (αιτινες). "Which very things" (θυσια).THEN HATH HE SAID (τοτε ειρηκεν). That is Christ. Perfect active indicative with which compare τοτε ειπον (second aorist active) in verse Hebrews 10:7 which is quoted again.HE TAKETH AWAY THE FIRST (αναιρε το πρωτον). Present active indicative... [ Continue Reading ]
WE HAVE BEEN SANCTIFIED (ηγιασμενο εσμεν). Periphrastic perfect passive indicative of αγιαζω, to set apart, to sanctify. The divine will, unfulfilled in animal sacrifices, is realized in Christ's offering of himself. "He came to be a great High Priest, and the body was prepared for him, that by t... [ Continue Reading ]
STANDETH (εστηκεν). Perfect active indicative of ιστημ (intransitive), vivid picture.MINISTERING AND OFFERING (λειτουργων κα προσφερων). Present active participles graphically describing the priest.TAKE AWAY (περιελειν). Second aorist active infinitive of περιαιρεω, old verb to take from arou... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN HE HAD OFFERED (προσενεγκας). Second aorist active participle (with first aorist ending -ας in place of -ον) of προσφερω, single act in contrast to present participle προσφερων above.ONE SACRIFICE (μιαν θυσιαν). This the main point. The one sacrifice does the work that the many failed to d... [ Continue Reading ]
HENCEFORTH EXPECTING (το λοιπον εκδεχομενος). "For the rest" or "for the future" (το λοιπον, accusative of extent of time). The expectant attitude of Christ here is that of final and certain victory (John 16:33; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28).TILL HIS ENEMIES BE MADE (εως τεθωσιν ο εχθρο αυτου). Purpo... [ Continue Reading ]
HE HATH PERFECTED (τετελειωκεν). Perfect active indicative of τελειοω. He has done what the old sacrifices failed to do (verse Hebrews 10:1).THEM THAT ARE SANCTIFIED (τους αγιαζομενους). Articular participle (accusative case) present passive of αγιαζω (note perfect in verse Hebrews 10:10) eithe... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE HOLY GHOST ALSO BEARETH WITNESS TO US (μαρτυρε δε ημιν κα το πνευμα το αγιον). Μαρτυρεω is common in Philo for Scripture quotation. The author confirms his interpretation of Psalms 40:7-9 by repeating from Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31:31) what he had already quoted (Hebrews 8:8-12).AFTER HE HATH... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH THEM (προς αυτους). The author changes τω οικω Ισραελ (Hebrews 8:10) thus without altering the sense. He also changes the order of "heart" (καρδιας) and "mind" (διανοιαν) from that in Hebrews 8:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
Here again the writer adds "their iniquities" (των ανομιων) to "sins" of Hebrews 8:12 and reads μνησθησομα (first future passive) with ου μη rather than μνησθω (first aorist passive subjunctive) of Hebrews 8:12 (the more common idiom). It is uncertain also whether the writer means verse Hebrews 10:1... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE IS NO MORE OFFERING FOR SIN (ουκετ προσφορα περ αμαρτιας). This is the logical and triumphant conclusion concerning the better sacrifice offered by Christ (Hebrews 9:13-10). As Jeremiah had prophesied, there is actually remission (αφεσις, removal) of sins. Repetition of the sacrifice is nee... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVING THEREFORE (εχοντες ουν). The author now gives a second (the first in Hebrews 8:1-6) resume of the five arguments concerning the superior priestly work of Christ (Hebrews 10:19-25) coupled with an earnest exhortation like that in Hebrews 4:14-16, with which he began the discussion, before h... [ Continue Reading ]
BY THE WAY WHICH HE DEDICATED FOR US (ην ενεκαινισεν ημιν οδον). This "new" (προσφατον, freshly killed, newly made, from προς and the root of φατος, in the papyri, only here in N.T.) and "living" (ζωσαν) Jesus opened ("dedicated") for us by his Incarnation and Death for us. Thus he fulfilled God's... [ Continue Reading ]
A GREAT PRIEST (ιερεα μεγαν). As has been shown in Hebrews 4:14-7.OVER THE HOUSE OF GOD (επ τον οικον του θεου). As God's Son (Hebrews 3:5).... [ Continue Reading ]
LET US DRAW NEAR (προσερχωμεθα). Present middle volitive subjunctive as in Hebrews 4:16 with which exhortation the discussion began. There are three exhortations in verses Hebrews 22:25 (Let us draw near, προσερχωμεθα, let us hold fast, κατεχωμεν, let us consider one another, κατανοωμεν αλληλους)... [ Continue Reading ]
LET US HOLD FAST (κατεχωμεν). Present (keep on holding fast) active volitive subjunctive of κατεχω as in Hebrews 3:6; Hebrews 3:14.THAT IT WAVER NOT (ακλινη). Common compound adjective (alpha privative and κλινω, unwavering, not leaning, here only in N.T. It is a confession of hope, not of desp... [ Continue Reading ]
LET US CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER (κατανοωμεν αλληλους). Present (keep on doing so) active volitive subjunctive of κατανοεω. The verb used about Jesus in Hebrews 3:1.TO PROVOKE (εις παροξυσμον). Our very word "paroxysm," from παροξυνω (παρα, οξυνω from οξυς, sharp), to sharpen, to stimulate, to incit... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT FORSAKING (μη εγκαταλειποντες). "Not leaving behind, not leaving in the lurch" (2 Timothy 4:10).THE ASSEMBLING OF YOURSELVES TOGETHER (την επισυναγωγην εαυτων). Late double compound from επισυναγω, to gather together (συν) besides (επ) as in Matthew 23:37; Luke 17:27. In N.T. only here and... [ Continue Reading ]
IF WE SIN WILFULLY (εκουσιως αμαρτανοντων ημων). Genitive absolute with the present active participle of αμαρτανω, circumstantial participle here in a conditional sense.AFTER THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED (μετα το λαβειν). "After the receiving" (accusative case of the articular infinitive second aorist... [ Continue Reading ]
EXPECTATION (εκδοχη). Usually reception or interpretation from εκδεχομα (Hebrews 11:10), only here in N.T. and in unusual sense like προσδοκια, like απεκδεχομα (Romans 8:19; Romans 8:23; Romans 8:25), this sense apparently "coined by the writer" (Moffatt) from his use of εκδεχομα in Hebrews 10:13... [ Continue Reading ]
HATH SET AT NAUGHT (αθετησας). First aorist active participle of αθετεω, late compound, very common in LXX, from alpha privative and τιθημ, to render null and void, to set aside, only here in Hebrews (see Mark 7:9), but note αθετησις (Hebrews 7:18; Hebrews 9:26).WITHOUT MERCY (χωρις οικτιρμων).... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW MUCH (ποσω). Instrumental case of degree or measure. An argument from the less to the greater, "the first of Hillel's seven rules for exegesis" (Moffatt).THINK YE (δοκειτε). An appeal to their own sense of justice about apostates from Christ.SORER (χειρονος). "Worse," comparative of κακος... [ Continue Reading ]
WE KNOW HIM THAT SAID (οιδαμεν τον ειποντα). God lives and is true to his word. He quotes Deuteronomy 32:35 (cf. Romans 12:19). For εκδικησις see Luke 18:7. God is the God of justice. He is patient, but he will punish.AND AGAIN (κα παλιν). Deuteronomy 32:36.... [ Continue Reading ]
A FEARFUL THING (φοβερον). Old adjective (from φοβεω, to frighten). In N.T. only in Heb. (Hebrews 10:27; Hebrews 10:31; Hebrews 12:21). The sense is not to be explained away. The wrath of God faces wrongdoers.TO FALL (το εμπεσειν). "The falling" (articular infinitive second aorist active of εμπ... [ Continue Reading ]
CALL TO REMEMBRANCE (αναμιμνησκεσθε). Present middle imperative of αναμιμνησκω, as in 2 Corinthians 7:15 "remind yourselves." The former days were some distance in the past (Hebrews 5:12), some years at any rate. It is a definite experience of people in a certain place. Jerusalem Christians had h... [ Continue Reading ]
PARTLY (τουτο μεν)AND PARTLY (τουτο δε). Accusative of general reference (τουτο) with μεν and δε for contrast.BEING MADE A GAZING-STOCK (θεατριζομενο). Late verb to bring upon the stage, to hold up to derision. See Paul's use of θεατρον of himself in 1 Corinthians 4:9.BY REPROACHES AND AFFLIC... [ Continue Reading ]
YE HAD COMPASSION ON (συνεπαθησατε). First aorist active indicative of συνπαθεω, old verb to have a feeling with, to sympathize with.THEM THAT WERE IN BONDS (τοις δεσμιοις). Associative instrumental case, "with the prisoners" (the bound ones). Used of Paul (Ephesians 3:1; 2 Timothy 1:8).TOOK JO... [ Continue Reading ]
CAST NOT AWAY THEREFORE YOUR BOLDNESS (μη αποβαλητε ουν την παρρησιαν υμων). Prohibition with μη and the second aorist active subjunctive of αποβαλλω. Old verb to throw away from one as worthless, only twice in the N.T., here in a figurative sense and Mark 10:50 in a literal sense (garment by Bar... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH (ητις). Your boldness of verse Hebrews 10:35.RECOMPENSE OF REWARD (μισθαποδοσιαν). Late double compound, like μισθαποδοτης (Hebrews 11:6), from μισθος (reward, wages) and αποδιδωμ, to give back, to pay (repay). In N.T. only here, Hebrews 2:2; Hebrews 11:26.OF PATIENCE (υπομονης). Old wo... [ Continue Reading ]
A VERY LITTLE WHILE (μικρον οσον οσον). From Isaiah 26:20 as an introduction to the quotation from Habakkuk 2:3.HE THAT COMETH (ο ερχομενος). The article ο is added to ερχομενος in Habakkuk 2:3 and is given here a Messianic application.... [ Continue Reading ]
IF HE SHRINK BACK (εαν υποστειλητα). Condition of third class with εαν and the first aorist middle subjunctive of υποστελλω, old verb to draw oneself under or back, to withdraw, as already in Acts 20:20; Acts 20:27; Galatians 2:12. See Romans 1:17 for the quotation also of "the just shall live by... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WE (ημεις δε). In contrast to renegades who do flicker and turn back from Christ.OF THEM THAT SHRINK BACK UNTO PERDITION (υποστολης εις απωλειαν). Predicate genitive of υποστολη, as in Hebrews 12:11, from υποστελλω with same sense here, stealthy retreat in Plutarch, dissimulation in Josephu... [ Continue Reading ]