NOW FAITH IS (εστιν δε πιστις). He has just said that "we are of faith" (Hebrews 10:39), not of apostasy. Now he proceeds in a chapter of great eloquence and passion to illustrate his point by a recital of the heroes of faith whose example should spur them to like loyalty now.THE ASSURANCE OF THI... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREIN (εν ταυτη). That is, "in faith," feminine demonstrative referring to πιστις.THE ELDERS (ο πρεσβυτερο). More nearly like "the fathers," not the technical sense of elders (officers) usual in the N.T., but more like "the tradition of the elders" (Mark 7:3; Mark 7:5; Matthew 15:2).HAD WITNE... [ Continue Reading ]
BY FAITH (πιστε). Instrumental case of πιστις which he now illustrates in a marvellous way. Each example as far as verse Hebrews 11:31 is formally and with rhetorical skill introduced by πιστε. After that only a summary is given.WE UNDERSTAND (νοουμεν). Present active indicative of νοεω, old ve... [ Continue Reading ]
A MORE EXCELLENT SACRIFICE (πλειονα θυσιαν). Literally, "more sacrifice" (comparative of πολυς, much). For this rather free use of πλειων with the point implied rather than stated see Matthew 6:25; Luke 10:31; Luke 12:23; Hebrews 3:3.THAN CAIN (παρα Καιν). For this use of παρα after comparative... [ Continue Reading ]
WAS TRANSLATED (μετετεθη). First aorist passive indicative of μετατιθημ, old verb to transpose, to change as in Hebrews 7:12; Acts 7:16.THAT HE SHOULD NOT SEE DEATH (του μη ιδειν θανατον). Here again του with the infinitive usually expresses purpose, but in this case result is the idea as in Ma... [ Continue Reading ]
IMPOSSIBLE (αδυνατον). Strong word as in Hebrews 6:4; Hebrews 6:18. See Romans 8:8 for same idea with αρεσα (αρεσκω, Galatians 1:10).MUST BELIEVE (πιστευσα δε). Moral necessity to have faith (trust, πιστευω). This is true in business also (banks, for instance).THAT HE IS (οτ εστιν). The very... [ Continue Reading ]
BEING WARNED OF GOD (χρηματισθεις). First aorist passive participle of χρηματιζω, old word for oracular or divine communications as already in Hebrews 8:5 (cf. Matthew 2:12; Matthew 2:22, etc.).MOVED WITH GODLY FEAR (ευλαβηθη). First aorist passive indicative of ευλαβεομα, old verb from ευλαβης... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT KNOWING WHITHER HE WENT (μη επισταμενος που ερχετα). Usual negative μη with a participle (present middle from επισταμα, old and common verb to put the mind on). Present middle indicative (ερχετα) preserved in the indirect question after the secondary tense εξηλθεν (went out) from which επιστα... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAME A SOJOURNER (παρωικησεν). First aorist active indicative of παροικεω, old verb to dwell (οικεω) beside (παρα), common in LXX, in N.T. only here and Luke 24:18. Called παροικον (sojourner) in Acts 7:6.IN THE LAND OF PROMISE (εις γην της επαγγελιας). Literally, "land of the promise." The p... [ Continue Reading ]
HE LOOKED FOR (εξεδεχετο). Imperfect middle of εκδεχομα (see on Hebrews 10:13) picturesque progressive imperfect, his steady and patient waiting in spite of disappointment.THE FOUNDATIONS (τους θεμελιους). Not just "tents" (σκηναις, verse Hebrews 11:9). Ahraham set his steady gaze on heaven as... [ Continue Reading ]
TO CONCEIVE SEED (εις καταβολην σπερματος). For deposit of seed. See Hebrews 4:3 for καταβολη.PAST AGE (παρα καιρον ηλικιας). Beyond (παρα with the accusative) the season of age.SINCE SHE COUNTED HIM FAITHFUL WHO HAD PROMISED (επε πιστον ηγησατο τον επαγγειλαμενον). Sarah herself (αυτη--Σαρρα... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THAT AS GOOD AS DEAD (κα ταυτα νενεκρωμενου). Accusative of general reference (ταυτα), sometimes singular as in 1 Corinthians 6:8. The perfect passive participle from νεκροω, late verb to make dead, to treat as dead (Romans 4:19), here by hyperbole.BY THE SEA SHORE (παρα το χειλος της θαλασ... [ Continue Reading ]
IN FAITH (κατα πιστιν). Here a break in the routine πιστε (by faith), "according to faith," either for literary variety "or to suggest πιστις as the sphere and standard of their characters" (Moffatt).THESE ALL (ουτο παντες). Those in verses Hebrews 11:9-12 (Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob).NOT HAV... [ Continue Reading ]
A COUNTRY OF THEIR OWN (πατριδα). Land of the fathers (πατηρ), one's native land (John 4:44). Cf. our patriotic, patriotism.... [ Continue Reading ]
HAD BEEN MINDFUL (εμνημονευον)--WOULD HAVE HAD (ειχον αν). Condition of second class (note αν in conclusion) with the imperfect (not aorist) in both condition and conclusion. So it means: "If they had continued mindful, they would have kept on having (linear action in both cases in past time).O... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY DESIRE (ορεγοντα). Present middle indicative of ορεγω, old word for stretching out after, yearning after as in 1 Timothy 3:1.THEIR GOD (θεος αυτων). Predicate nominative with the epexegetic infinitive επικαλεισθα (to be called) used with ουκ επαισχυνετα (is not ashamed).... [ Continue Reading ]
BEING TRIED (πειραζομενος). Present passive participle of πειραζω. The test was still going on.OFFERED UP (προσενηνοχεν). Perfect active indicative of προσφερω, the verb so often used in this Epistle. The act was already consummated so far as Abraham was concerned when it was interrupted and it... [ Continue Reading ]
TO WHOM IT WAS SAID (προς ελαληθη). First aorist passive indicative of λαλεω (Genesis 21:12). God's very words were in the heart of Abraham now about Isaac "his only son" (τον μονογενη. Cf. Luke 7:12).... [ Continue Reading ]
ACCOUNTING (λογισαμενος). First aorist middle participle of λογιζομα. Abraham had God's clear command that contravened God's previous promise. This was his solution of his difficult situation.GOD IS ABLE (δυνατα ο θεος). God had given him Isaac in his old age. God can raise him from the dead. I... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN CONCERNING THINGS TO COME (κα περ μελλοντων). As told in Ge Hebrews 27:28-40 when Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau.... [ Continue Reading ]
LEANING UPON THE TOP OF HIS STAFF (επ το ακρον της ραβδου αυτου). From Genesis 47:31, but no word for "leaning." The quotation is from the LXX, the Hebrew having "the head of the bed," but the Hebrew word allows either meaning with different vowel points.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN HIS END WAS NIGH (τελευτων). Present active participle of τελευταω, to finish or close (Matthew 2:19), "finishing his life."OF THE DEPARTURE (περ της εξοδου). Late compound for way out, exit as here, metaphorically of death as here (Luke 9:31; 2 Peter 1:15).CONCERNING HIS BONES (περ των... [ Continue Reading ]
WAS HID (εκρυβη). Second aorist passive indicative of κρυπτω, to hide, as in Matthew 5:14.THREE MONTHS (τριμηνον). Old adjective used as neuter substantive in accusative case for extent of time, here only in N.T.A GOODLY CHILD (αστειον το παιδιον). Literally, "the child was goodly" (predicate... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN HE WAS GROWN UP (μεγας γενομενος). "Having become great" (from Exodus 2:11).REFUSED (ηρνεσατο). First aorist middle indicative of αρνεομα, to deny, to refuse. He was of age and made his choice not from ignorance.SON (υιος). Predicate nominative with λεγεσθα (to be spoken of, present pass... [ Continue Reading ]
CHOOSING RATHER (μαλλον ελομενος). "Rather having chosen" (second aorist middle of αιρεω, to take for oneself a position).TO BE ENTREATED WITH (συνκακουχεισθα). Present passive infinitive of the double compound συνκακουχεω (from συν, κακοσ, εχω), to treat ill with (associative instrumental case... [ Continue Reading ]
THE REPROACH OF CHRIST (τον ονειδισμον του Χριστου). See Psalms 89:51 for the language where "the Messiah" ("The Anointed One") is what is meant by του Χριστου, here rightly applied by the writer to Jesus as the Messiah who had his own shame to bear (Hebrews 12:2; Hebrews 13:12). There is today as... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT FEARING (μη φοβηθεις). Negative μη with first aorist passive participle of φοβεω here used transitively with the accusative as in Matthew 10:26. Moses did flee from Egypt after slaying the Egyptian (Exodus 2:15), but the author omits that slaughter and ignores it as the dominant motive in the... [ Continue Reading ]
HE KEPT (πεποιηκεν). Perfect active indicative of ποιεω, to make, "he has made," emphasizing the permanent nature of the feast.THE SPRINKLING OF THE BLOOD (την προσχυσιν του αιματος). Rather, "the pouring of the blood" (προσχυσις from προσχεω, to pour upon), only here in the N.T. (earliest known... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH ASSAYING TO DO (ης πιεραν λαβοντες). Literally, "of which taking trial" (second aorist active participle of λαμβανω, to take). The idiom πειραν λαμβανειν occurs in Deuteronomy 28:56, in N.T. only here and verse Hebrews 11:36, though a classical idiom (Demosthenes, etc.).WERE SWALLOWED UP... [ Continue Reading ]
FELL DOWN (επεσαν). "Fell," second aorist active indicative of πιπτω with first aorist endings as often in the _Koine_.AFTER THEY HAD BEEN COMPASSED (κυκλωθεντα). First aorist passive participle of κυκλοω, old verb to encircle (from κυκλος, circle) as in Acts 14:20. Antecedent action here.... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVING RECEIVED THE SPIES WITH PEACE (δεξαμενη τους κατασκοπους μετ' ειρηνης). First aorist middle participle of δεχομα, to welcome (Luke 10:8; Luke 10:10). Κατασκοπος is an old compound (κατασκοπεω, Galatians 2:4), used of scout or spy, in LXX, here only in N.T.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHAT SHALL I MORE SAY? (Κα τ ετ λεγω;). Deliberative present active subjunctive (same form as indicative, λεγω). It is both a literary and an oratorical idiom here. He feels helpless to go on in the same style as he has done from Abel to Rahab (Hebrews 11:4-31).WILL FAIL ME IF I TELL ABOUT ... [ Continue Reading ]
THROUGH FAITH (δια πιστεως). Change thus from the routine πιστε used so far.SUBDUED KINGDOMS (κατηγωνισαντο βασιλειας). First aorist middle indicative of καταγωνιζομα, _Koine_ verb to struggle against, to overcome, here alone in the N.T. Used by Josephus of David's conquests. The author has her... [ Continue Reading ]
QUENCHED THE POWER OF FIRE (εσβεσαν δυναμιν πυρος). First aorist active indicative of σβεννυμ (Matthew 12:20). See Daniel 3:19-28.ESCAPED THE EDGE OF THE SWORD (εφυγον στοματα μαχαιρης). Second aorist active indicative of φευγω, old verb to flee. "Mouths (στοματα) of the sword" (Luke 21:24). Se... [ Continue Reading ]
BY A RESURRECTION (εξ αναστασεως). Cf. 1 Kings 17:17; 2 Kings 4:8-37.WERE TORTURED (ετυμπανισθησαν). First aorist passive indicative of τυμπανιζω, late verb from τυμπανον (kettledrum, drumstick), to beat the drum, to beat to death (cf. II Macc. 7 about Eleazar and the Mother and the seven sons)... [ Continue Reading ]
OF MOCKINGS AND SCOURGINGS (εμπαιγμων κα μαστιγων). Εμπαιγμος is from εμπαιζω (Matthew 20:19), late word, in LXX, here alone in N.T. Μαστιγων (μαστιξ, a whip, a scourge) is old and common enough (Acts 22:24).... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY WERE STONED (ελιθασθησαν). Like Zechariah son of Jehoiada (2 Chronicles 24:20). "A characteristic Jewish punishment" (Vincent). First aorist passive indicative of λιθαζω (John 10:31).THEY WERE SAWN ASUNDER (επρισθησαν). First aorist passive indicative of πριω or πριζω, old verb (πριον, a s... [ Continue Reading ]
OF WHOM THE WORLD WAS NOT WORTHY (ων ουκ ην αξιος ο κοσμος) Graphic picture in a short parenthetical relative clause (ων, genitive plural with αξιος), a phrase to stir the blood of the readers.WANDERING (πλανωμενο). Present middle participle of πλαναω, like lost sheep, hunted by wolves.CAVES... [ Continue Reading ]
THESE ALL (ουτο παντες). The whole list in verses Hebrews 11:5-38. Cf. verse Hebrews 11:13.THROUGH THEIR FAITH (δια πιστεως). Here rather than πιστε as so often.RECEIVED NOT THE PROMISE (ουκ εκομισαντο την επαγγελιαν). First aorist middle of κομιζω. The Messianic promise they did not live to... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD HAVING PROVIDED (του θεου προβλεψαμενου). Genitive absolute with first aorist middle participle of προβλεπω, late compound to foresee, here only in the N.T.SOME BETTER THING (κρειττον τ). "Something better," "the better promises" of Hebrews 8:6.THAT APART FROM US THEY SHOULD NOT BE MADE PER... [ Continue Reading ]