Hebrews 13:20

The God of peace. Not an O. T. phrase, and found only in Paul and Hebrews. See Romans 14:33; Romans 16:20; 1 Corinthians 14:33; Philippians 4:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 3:16. The phrase signifies God who is the author and giver of peace.

Who brought again from the dead [ο α ν α γ α γ ω ν ε κ ν ε κ ρ ω ν]. The only direct reference in the epistle to the resurrection of Christ. ch. 6 2 refers to the resurrection of the dead generally. Anagein of raising the dead, only Romans 10:7. Rend. "brought up," and comp. Wisd. 16 13. Ana in this compound, never in N. T. in the sense of again. See on Luke 8:22; Acts 12:4; Acts 16:34; Acts 27:3. The verb often as a nautical termt to bring a vessel up from the land to the deep water; to put to sea.

That great shepherd of the sheep [τ ο ν π ο ι μ ε ν α τ ω ν π ρ ο β α τ ω ν τ ο ν μ ε γ α ν]. The Greek order is, "the shepherd of the sheep the great (shepherd)." Comp. John 10:2; John 10:11; John 10:14; 1 Peter 2:25, and see Isaiah 63:11. Of God, Ezekiel 34.

Through the blood of the everlasting covenant [ε ν α ι μ α τ ι δ ι α θ η κ η ς α ι ω ν ι ο υ]. Rend. "in the blood of an eternal covenant." See Zechariah 9:11. The phrase eternal covenant N. T. o. Common in LXX; see Genesis 9:16; Genesis 17:19; Leviticus 24:8; 2 Samuel 23:5; Jeremiah 39:40; Ezekiel 16:60. Const. with the great shepherd of the sheep. It may be granted that the raising of Christ from the dead, viewed as the consummation of the plan of salvation, was in the sphere of the blood of the covenant; nevertheless, the covenant is nowhere in the N. T. associated with the resurrection, but frequently with death, especially in this epistle. See Matthew 26:28; Luke 22:20; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 9:16; Hebrews 9:17; Hebrews 9:20. The connection of the blood of the covenant with Christ's pastoral office gives a thoroughly scriptural sense, and one which exactly fits into the context. Christ becomes the great shepherd solely through the blood of the covenant. Comp. Acts 20:28. Through this is brought about the new relation of the church with God described in ch. 8 10 ff. This tallies perfectly with the conception of "the God of peace "; and the great Shepherd will assert the power of the eternal covenant of reconciliation and peace by perfecting his flock in every good work to do his will, working in them that which is well pleasing in his sight. With this agree Jeremiah 50:5; Jeremiah 50:19; Ezekiel 34:25, and the entire chapter, see especially vers. 12 - 15, 23, 31. In these verses the Shepherd of the Covenant appears as guiding, tending his flock, and leading them into fair and safe pastures. Comp. Isaiah 63:11-14, and Revelation 7:17, see note on poimanei shall shepherd. En aimati" in the blood, " is in virtue of, or in the power of the blood.