Hebrews 1:1

Introduction: God Has Spoken Fully and Finally in His Son

1:1 After God spoke long ago ¹  in various portions ²  and in various ways ³  to our ancestors ⁴  through the prophets,

Hebrews 9:2

9:2 For a tent was prepared, the outer one, ⁵  which contained ⁶  the lampstand, the table, and the presentation of the loaves; this ⁷  is called the holy place.

Hebrews 9:8-9

9:8 The Holy Spirit is making clear that the way into the holy place had not yet appeared as long as the old tabernacle ⁸  was standing. 9:9 This was a symbol for the time then present, when gifts and sacrifices were offered that could not perfect the conscience of the worshiper.

Hebrews 7:2

7:2 To him ⁹  also Abraham apportioned a tithe ¹⁰  of everything. ¹¹  His name first means ¹²  king of righteousness, then king of Salem, that is, king of peace.

¹ tn Or “spoke formerly.”

² tn Or “parts.” The idea is that God’s previous revelation came in many parts and was therefore fragmentary or partial (L&N 63.19), in comparison with the final and complete revelation contained in God’s Son. However, some interpret πολυμερῶς (polumerw") in Heb 1:1 to mean “on many different occasions” and would thus translate “many times” (L&N 67.11). This is the option followed by the NIV: “at many times and in various ways.” Finally, this word is also understood to refer to the different manners in which something may be done, and would then be translated “in many different ways” (L&N 89.81). In this last case, the two words πολυμερῶς and πολυτρόπως (polutropw") mutually reinforce one another (“in many and various ways,” NRSV).

³ tn These two phrases are emphasized in Greek by being placed at the beginning of the sentence and by alliteration.

⁴ tn Grk “to the fathers.”

⁵ tn Grk “the first,” in order of approach in the ritual.

⁶ tn Grk “in which [were].”

⁷ tn Grk “which,” describing the outer tent.

⁹ tn Grk “the first tent.” The literal phrase “the first tent” refers to either (1) the outer chamber of the tabernacle in the wilderness (as in vv. 2, 6) or (2) the entire tabernacle as a symbol of the OT system of approaching God. The second is more likely given the contrast that follows in vv. 11-12.

¹³ tn Grk “to whom,” continuing the description of Melchizedek. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.

¹⁴ tn Or “a tenth part.”

¹⁵ sn A quotation from Gen 14:20.

¹⁶ tn Grk “first being interpreted,” describing Melchizedek.