GOD (ο θεος). This Epistle begins like Genesis and the Fourth Gospel with God, who is the Author of the old revelation in the prophets and of the new in his Son. Verses Hebrews 1:1-3 are a _proemium_ (Delitzsch) or introduction to the whole Epistle. The periodic structure of the sentence (Hebrews... [ Continue Reading ]
AT THE END OF THESE DAYS (επ' εσχατου των ημερων τουτων). In contrast with παλα above.HATH SPOKEN (ελαλησεν). First aorist indicative of λαλεω, the same verb as above, "did speak" in a final and full revelation.IN HIS SON (εν υιω). In sharp contrast to εν τοις προφηταις. "The Old Testament sl... [ Continue Reading ]
BEING (ων). Absolute and timeless existence (present active participle of ειμ) in contrast with γενομενος in verse Hebrews 1:4 like ην in John 1:1 (in contrast with εγενετο in Hebrews 1:14) and like υπαρχων and γενομενος in Philippians 2:6.THE EFFULGENCE OF HIS GLORY (απαυγασμα της δοξης). The w... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVING BECOME (γενομενος). Second aorist middle participle of γινομα. In contrast with on in verse Hebrews 1:3.BY SO MUCH (τοσουτω). Instrumental case of τοσουτος correlative with οσω (as) with comparative in both clauses (κρειττων, better, comparative of κρατυς, διαφορωτερον, more excellent, c... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTO WHICH (Τιν). "To which individual angel." As a class angels are called sons of God (Elohim) (Psalms 29:1), but no single angel is called God's Son like the Messiah in Psalms 2:7. Dods takes "have I begotten thee" (γεγεννηκα σε, perfect active indicative of γενναω) to refer to the resurrectio... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN HE AGAIN BRINGETH IN (οταν δε παλιν εισαγαγη). Indefinite temporal clause with οταν and second aorist active subjunctive of εισαγω. If παλιν is taken with εισαγαγη, the reference is to the Second Coming as in Hebrews 9:28. If παλιν merely introduces another quotation (Psalms 97:7) parall... [ Continue Reading ]
OF THE ANGELS (προς τους αγγελους). "With reference to" (προς) as in Luke 20:9. So "of the Son" in verse Hebrews 1:8. Note μεν here and δε in verse Hebrews 1:8 in carefully balanced contrast. The quotation is from Psalms 104:4.WINDS (πνευματα). "Spirits" the word also means. The meaning (note a... [ Continue Reading ]
O GOD (ο θεος). This quotation (the fifth) is from Psalms 45:7. A Hebrew nuptial ode (επιθαλαμιυμ) for a king treated here as Messianic. It is not certain whether ο θεος is here the vocative (address with the nominative form as in John 20:28 with the Messiah termed θεος as is possible, John 1:18)... [ Continue Reading ]
HATH ANOINTED THEE (εχρισεν σε). First aorist active indicative of χριω, to anoint, from which verb the verbal Χριστος (Anointed One) comes. See Christ's use of εχρισεν in Luke 4:18 from Isaiah 66:1.WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS (ελαιον αγαλλιασεως). Accusative case with εχρισεν (second accusative b... [ Continue Reading ]
LORD (Κυριε). In the LXX, not in the Hebrew. Quotation (the sixth) from Psalms 102:26-28 through verses Hebrews 1:10-12. Note emphatic position of συ here at the beginning as in verses Hebrews 1:11-12 (συ δε). This Messianic Psalm pictures the Son in his Creative work and in his final triumph.HAS... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY (αυτο). The heavens (ουρανο).SHALL PERISH (απολουντα). Future middle of απολλυμ. Modern scientists no longer postulate the eternal existence of the heavenly bodies.BUT THOU CONTINUEST (συ δε διαμενεις). This is what matters most, the eternal existence of God's Son as Creator and Preserve... [ Continue Reading ]
A MANTLE (περιβολαιον). Old word for covering from παριβαλλω, to fling around, as a veil in 1 Corinthians 11:15, nowhere else in N.T.SHALT THOU ROLL UP (ελιξεις). Future active of ελισσω, late form for ειλισσω, in N.T. only here and Revelation 6:14, to fold together.AS A GARMENT (ως ιματιον).... [ Continue Reading ]
HATH HE SAID (ειρηκεν). Perfect active common use of the perfect for permanent record. This seventh quotation is proof of the Son's superiority as the Son of God (his deity) to angels and is from Psalms 110:1, a Messianic Psalm frequently quoted in Hebrews.SIT THOU (καθου). Second person singul... [ Continue Reading ]
MINISTERING SPIRITS (λειτουργικα πνευματα). Thayer says that λειτουργικος was not found in profane authors, but it occurs in the papyri for "work tax" (money in place of service) and for religious service also. The word is made from λειτουργια (Luke 1:23; Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 9:21).SENT FORTH ... [ Continue Reading ]