THEREFORE (δια τουτο). Because Jesus is superior to prophets and angels and because the new revelation is superior to the old. The author often pauses in his argument, as here, to drive home a pungent exhortation.OUGHT (δε). It is necessity, necessity rather than obligation (χρη).TO GIVE HEED... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IF... PROVED STEADFAST (ε γαρ... εγενετο βεβαιος). Condition of first class, assumed as true.THROUGH ANGELS (δι' αγγελων). Allusion to the use of angels by God at Sinai as in Acts 7:38; Acts 7:53; Galatians 3:19, though not in the O.T., but in Josephus (_Ant_. XV. 156).TRANSGRESSION AND DIS... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW SHALL WE ESCAPE? (πως ημεις εκφευξομεθα;). Rhetorical question with future middle indicative of εκφευγω and conclusion of the condition.IF WE NEGLECT (αμελησαντες). First aorist active participle of αμελεω, "having neglected."SO GREAT SALVATION (τηλικαυτης σωτηριας). Ablative case after α... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD ALSO BEARING WITNESS WITH THEM (συνεπιμαρτυρουντος του θεου). Genitive absolute with the present active participle of the late double compound verb συνεπιμαρτυρεω, to join (συν) in giving additional (επ) testimony (μαρτυρεω). Here only in N.T., but in Aristotle, Polybius, Plutarch.BOTH BY SIG... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR NOT UNTO ANGELS (ου γαρ αγγελοις). The author now proceeds to show (Hebrews 2:5-18) that the very humanity of Jesus, the Son of Man, likewise proves his superiority to angels.THE WORLD TO COME (την οικουμενην την μελλουσαν). The new order, the salvation just described. See a like use of μελ... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT ONE SOMEWHERE (δε που τις). See Hebrews 4:4 for a like indefinite quotation. Philo uses this "literary mannerism" (Moffatt). He quotes Psalms 8:5-7 and extends here to Hebrews 2:8.HATH TESTIFIED (διεμαρτυρατο). First aorist middle indicative of διαμαρτυρομα, old verb to testify vigorously ... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU MADEST HIM A LITTLE LOWER (ελαττωσας αυτον βραχυ τ). First aorist active of old verb ελαττοω from ελαττων (less), causative verb to lessen, to decrease, to make less, only here, and verse Hebrews 2:9 and John 3:30 in N.T. Βραχυ τ is accusative neuter of degree like 2 Samuel 16:1, "some littl... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THAT HE SUBJECTED (εν τω υποταξα). First aorist active articular infinitive of υπατασσω in the locative case, "in the subjecting."HE LEFT (αφηκεν). First aorist active indicative (kappa aorist) of αφιημ.NOTHING THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO HIM (ουδεν αυτω ανυποτακτον). Later verbal of υποτασσω w... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN JESUS (Ιησουν). We do not see man triumphant, but we do see Jesus, for the author is not ashamed of his human name, realizing man's destiny, "the very one who has been made a little lower than the angels" (τον βραχυ τ παρ' αγγελους ηλαττωμενον), quoting and applying the language of the Psalm... [ Continue Reading ]
IT BECAME HIM (επρεπεν αυτω). Imperfect active of πρεπω, old verb to stand out, to be becoming or seemly. Here it is impersonal with τελειωσα as subject, though personal in Hebrews 7:26. Αυτω (him) is in the dative case and refers to God, not to Christ as is made plain by τον αρχηγον (author). On... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT SANCTIFIETH (ο αγιαζων). Present active articular participle of αγιαζω. Jesus is the sanctifier (Hebrews 9:13; Hebrews 13:12).THEY THAT ARE SANCTIFIED (ο αγιαζομενο). Present passive articular participle of αγιαζω. It is a process here as in Hebrews 10:14, not a single act, though in He... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTO MY BRETHREN (τοις αδελφοις μου). To prove his point the writer quotes Psalms 22:22 when the Messiah is presented as speaking "unto my brethren."CONGREGATION (εκκλησιας). The word came to mean the local church and also the general church or kingdom (Matthew 16:18; Hebrews 12:23). Here we ha... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL PUT MY TRUST IN HIM (Εγω εσομα πεποιθως επ' αυτω). A rare periphrastic (intransitive) future perfect of πειθω, a quotation from Isaiah 8:17. The author represents the Messiah as putting his trust in God as other men do (cf. Hebrews 12:2). Certainly Jesus did this constantly. The third quot... [ Continue Reading ]
ARE SHARERS IN FLESH AND BLOOD (κεκοινωνηκεν αιματος κα σαρκος). The best MSS. read "blood and flesh." The verb is perfect active indicative of κοινωνεω, old verb with the regular genitive, elsewhere in the N.T. with the locative (Romans 12:13) or with εν or εις. "The children have become partner... [ Continue Reading ]
AND MIGHT DELIVER (κα απαλλαξη). Further purpose with the first aorist active subjunctive of αππαλλασσω, old verb to change from, to set free from, in N.T. only here, Luke 12:58; Acts 19:12.THROUGH FEAR OF DEATH (φοβω θανατου). Instrumental case of φοβος. The ancients had great fear of death th... [ Continue Reading ]
VERILY (δε που). "Now in some way," only here in N.T.DOTH HE TAKE HOLD (επιλαμβανετα). Present middle indicative and means to lay hold of, to help, like βοηθησα in verse Hebrews 2:18.THE SEED OF ABRAHAM (σπερματος Αβρααμ). The spiritual Israel (Galatians 3:29), children of faith (Romans 9:7).... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE (οθεν). Old relative adverb (ο and enclitic θεν, whence of place (Matthew 12:44), of source (1 John 2:18), of cause as here and often in Hebrews (Hebrews 3:1; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 8:3; Hebrews 9:18; Hebrews 11:19).IT BEHOVED HIM (ωφειλεν). Imperfect active of οφειλω, old verb to owe,... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THAT (εν ω). Literally, "In which" (=εν τουτω εν ω, in that in which), a causal idea, though in Romans 14:22 εν ω means "wherein."HATH SUFFERED (πεπονθεν). Second perfect active indicative of πασχω, permanent part of Christ's experience.BEING TEMPTED (πειρασθεις). First aorist passive parti... [ Continue Reading ]