EVEN THE FIRST COVENANT (κα η πρωτη). Κα (even) is doubtful. No word for covenant with πρωτε (cf. Hebrews 8:7).HAD (ειχε). Imperfect active, used to have.ORDINANCES (δικαιωματα). Regulations (from δικαιοω) as in Luke 1:6; Romans 5:16.OF DIVINE SERVICE (λατρειας). No word for "divine," thoug... [ Continue Reading ]
A TABERNACLE THE FIRST (σκηνη η πρωτη). See Hebrews 8:2 for σκηνη. Large tents usually had two divisions (the outer and the inner or the first and the second). Note πρωτη for the first of two as with the first covenant (Hebrews 8:7; Hebrews 8:13; Hebrews 9:1). The large outer tent was entered fir... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER THE SECOND VEIL (μετα το δευτερον καταπετασμα). The first veil opened from outside into the Holy Place, the second veil opened from the Holy Place into the Holy of Holies (Hαγια Hαγιων). The word καταπετασμα is from καταπεταννυμ, to spread down, and we have already had it in Hebrews 6:19. C... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVING A GOLDEN CENSER (χρυσουν εχουσα θυμιατηριον). The present active participle εχουσα (feminine singular) agrees with σκηνη (the Holy of Holies). It is not certain whether θυμιατηριον here means censer or altar of incense. In the LXX (2 Chronicles 26:19; Exodus 8:11; IV Macc. 7:11) it means ce... [ Continue Reading ]
ABOVE IT (υπερανω αυτης). Up above, in local sense as in Ephesians 4:10, with ablative case αυτης (it, the ark).CHERUBIM OF GLORY (Χερουβειν δοξης). Hebrew word (dual form), two in number, made of gold (Exodus 25:18-22). They are called ζωα (living creatures) in the LXX (Isaiah 6:2; Ezekiel 1:5... [ Continue Reading ]
THESE THINGS HAVING BEEN THUS PREPARED (τουτων ουτως κατεσκευασμενων). Genitive absolute with the perfect passive participle of κατασκευαζω for which verb see verse Hebrews 9:2. A mere summary has been made of the furniture.GO IN (εισιασιν). Present active indicative of εισειμ, to go in, old ve... [ Continue Reading ]
ALONE (μονος). Predicate adjective with ο αρχιερευς.ONCE IN THE YEAR (απαξ του ενιαυτου). Once for each year (not ποτε, at any time) with genitive of time.NOT WITHOUT BLOOD (ου χωρις αιματος). According to Leviticus 16:14. Not even he could enter the second tent (Holy of Holies) without blood... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HOLY GHOST THIS SIGNIFYING (τουτο δηλουντος του πνευματος του αγιου). Genitive absolute with present active participle of δηλοω, to make plain. Used as in Hebrews 12:27.THE WAY INTO THE HOLY PLACE (την των αγιων οδον). Here as in verses Hebrews 9:12; Hebrews 9:25 των αγιων is used for the v... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH (ητις). "Which very thing," the first tent (της πρωτης σκηνης, division of the tabernacle), a parenthesis and explanation.A PARABLE (παραβολη). Only in the Synoptic Gospels in the N.T. and Hebrews 9:9; Hebrews 11:19. See on Matthew 13:3 for the word (from παραβαλλω, to place alongside). H... [ Continue Reading ]
ONLY WITH MEATS AND DRINKS AND DIVERS WASHINGS (μονον επ βρωμασιν κα πομασιν κα διαφοροις βαπτισμοις). The parenthesis of the Revised Version here is unnecessary. The use of επ here with the locative case is regular, "in the matter of" (Luke 12:52; John 12:16; Acts 21:24). What ritual value these... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVING COME (παραγενομενος). Second aorist middle participle of παραγινομα. This is the great historic event that is the crux of history. "Christ came on the scene, and all was changed" (Moffatt).OF THE GOOD THINGS TO COME (των μελλοντων αγαθων). But B D read γενομενων (that are come). It is a... [ Continue Reading ]
THROUGH HIS OWN BLOOD (δια του ιδιου αιματος). This is the great distinction between Christ as High Priest and all other high priests. They offer blood (verse Hebrews 9:7), but he offered his own blood. He is both victim and High Priest. See the same phrase in Hebrews 13:12; Acts 20:28.ONCE FOR A... [ Continue Reading ]
ASHES (σποδος). Old word, in N. T. only here, Matthew 11:21; Luke 10:13. Common in LXX.OF A HEIFER (δαμαλεως). Old word (δαμαλις), a red heifer whose ashes mingled with water (μετα υδατος, verse Hebrews 9:19) were sprinkled (ραντιζουσα, present active participle of ραντιζω, in LXX, though ραινω... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW MUCH MORE (ποσω μαλλον). Instrumental case, "by how much more," by the measure of the superiority of Christ's blood to that of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer.THROUGH THE ETERNAL SPIRIT (δια πνευματος αιωνιου). Not the Holy Spirit, but Christ's own spirit which is eternal as he is... [ Continue Reading ]
MEDIATOR OF A NEW COVENANT (διαθηκης καινης μεσιτης). See Hebrews 8:6 for this phrase with κρειττονος instead of καινης.A DEATH HAVING TAKEN PLACE (θανατου γενομενου). Genitive absolute, referring to Christ's death.FOR THE REDEMPTION (εις απολυτρωσιν).OF THE TRANSGRESSIONS (των παραβασεων).... [ Continue Reading ]
A TESTAMENT (διαθηκη). The same word occurs for covenant (verse Hebrews 9:15) and will (verse Hebrews 9:16). This double sense of the word is played upon also by Paul in Galatians 3:15. We say today "The New Testament" (_Novum Testamentum_) rather than " The New Covenant." Both terms are pertinen... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FIRST COVENANT (η πρωτη). Supply διαθηκη as in Hebrews 9:1.HAS BEEN DEDICATED (ενκεκαινιστα). Stands dedicated. Perfect passive indicative of ενκαινιζο, a late verb in LXX, one papyrus, and in N.T. only here and Hebrews 10:20. It means to renew, to inaugurate (1 Samuel 11:14; 2 Chronicles 1... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN EVERY COMMANDMENT HAD BEEN SPOKEN (λαληθεισης). Genitive absolute with first aorist passive participle feminine singular of λαλεω. The author uses the account in Exodus 24:3 "with characteristic freedom" (Moffatt). There is nothing there about the water, the scarlet wool (εριον, diminutive of... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS IS (τουτο). Instead of ιδου of the LXX (Exodus 24:8), just like our Lord's words in Mark 14:24, a possible reminiscence of the Master's words (Dods). The author also has ενετειλατο (he commanded) for διεθετο of the LXX.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN LIKE MANNER WITH THE BLOOD (τω αιματ ομοιως). Instrumental case of αιμα (blood). But the use of the article does not necessarily refer to the blood mentioned in verse Hebrews 9:19. In Exodus 40:9 Moses sprinkled the tabernacle with oil. It had not been erected at the time of Exodus 24:5. Josep... [ Continue Reading ]
I MAY ALMOST SAY (σχεδον). Old adverb, only three times in the N.T., here, Acts 13:44; Acts 19:26. Here it qualifies the entire clause, not just παντα.WITH BLOOD (εν αιματ). In blood. There were exceptions (Exodus 19:10; Exodus 32:30; Leviticus 5:11; Leviticus 15:5; Numbers 16:46; Number... [ Continue Reading ]
THE COPIES (τα υποδειγματα). See Hebrews 8:5 for this word, the earthly (Hebrews 8:4; Hebrews 9:1) tabernacle.WITH THESE (τουτοις). Instrumental case of ουτος, like the rites above described (verse Hebrews 9:19), perhaps with some disparagement.THEMSELVES (αυτα). The heavenly realities (Hebre... [ Continue Reading ]
MADE WITH HANDS (χειροποιητα). See verse Hebrews 9:11 for this word.LIKE IN PATTERN TO THE TRUE (αντιτυπα των αληθινων). Late compound word, only twice in N.T. (here, 1 Peter 3:21). Polybius uses αντιτυπος for infantry "opposite" to the cavalry. In modern Greek it means a copy of a book. Here i... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT HE SHOULD OFFER HIMSELF OFTEN (ινα πολλακις προσφερη εαυτον). Purpose clause with ινα and present active subjunctive of προσφερω (keep on offering himself, like Hebrews 5:1; Hebrews 5:3).WITH BLOOD NOT HIS OWN (εν αιματ αλλοτριω). So-called instrumental use of εν (accompaniment). αλλοτριος... [ Continue Reading ]
ELSE MUST HE OFTEN HAVE SUFFERED (επε εδε αυτον πολλακις παθειν). A common elliptical use of επε after which one must supply "if that were true" or "in that case," a protasis of a condition of the second class assumed to be untrue. The conclusion with εδε is without αν (verbs of necessity, obliga... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS APPOINTED (αποκειτα). Present middle (or passive) of αποκειμα, "is laid away" for men. Cf. same verb in Luke 19:20; Colossians 1:5; 2 Timothy 4:8 (Paul's crown).ONCE TO DIE (απαξ αποθανειν). Once for all to die, as once for all to live here. No reincarnation here.AFTER THIS COMETH JUDGEME... [ Continue Reading ]
ONCE (απαξ). "Once for all" (verse Hebrews 9:26) as already stated.SHALL APPEAR A SECOND TIME (εκ δευτερου οφθησετα). Future passive indicative of οραω. Blessed assurance of the Second Coming of Christ, but this time "apart from sin" (χωρις αμαρτιας, no notion of a second chance then).UNTO SALV... [ Continue Reading ]