Hebrews 4:2

συνκεκερασμένους. Rec. συγκεκραμένος. The accusative, with variations in the spelling, is supported by ABCDM. συγκεκραμένους EKL. See the note.

τοῖς�. This is the best supported reading, but among the many variations Nösselt conjectured τοῖς�.

2. καὶ γάρ ἐσμεν εὐηγγελισμένοι καθάπερ κἀκεῖνοι. “For we have been evangelized” (have had a Gospel preached to us) “even as also they.” If the A. V. had been correct in rendering it “For unto us was the Gospel preached,” we should have had rather “For unto them as well as unto us.” The better version however is “For indeed we too, just as they, have had a Gospel preached unto us.” The “Gospel” in this instance means the glad tidings of a future rest. The position of the ἐσμεν gives emphasis to the fact, and to the warning involved in the κἀκεῖνοι.

ὁ λόγος τῆς�. Lit., “the word of hearing.” The function of the hearer is no less necessary than that of the preacher, if the spoken word is to be profitable.

μὴ συνκεκερασμένους τῇ πίστει τοῖς�. Owing no doubt to the strangeness of the phrase “because they were not united by faith with them that heard” there is an extraordinary diversity in the readings here. The best supported seems to be that of the text, “because they were not tempered together by faith with them that heard (i.e. effectually listened to) it.” This would mean that the good news of rest produced no benefit to the rebellious Israelites, because they were not blended with Caleb and Joshua in their faith. They heard, but only with the ears, not with the heart. But there is probably some ancient corruption of the text. Perhaps instead of “with them that heard,” the true reading may have been “with the things heard.” The reading of our A. V. (συγκεκραμένος) gives an excellent sense, if it were but well supported. The verb, “to mingle” or “temper,” occurs in 1 Corinthians 12:24.