Discovery BoxHebrews 1:1
Context1:1 After God spoke long ago 1 in various portions 2 and in various ways 3 to our ancestors 4 through the prophets,
Hebrews 2:13
Context2:13 Again he says, 5 “I will be confident in him,” and again, “Here I am, 6 with 7 the children God has given me.” 8
Hebrews 6:7
Context6:7 For the ground that has soaked up the rain that frequently falls on 9 it and yields useful vegetation for those who tend it receives a blessing from God.
Hebrews 7:11
Context7:11 So if perfection had in fact been possible through the Levitical priesthood – for on that basis 10 the people received the law – what further need would there have been for another priest to arise, said to be in the order of Melchizedek and not in Aaron’s order?
[1:1] 1 tn Or “spoke formerly.”
[1:1] 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).
[1:1] 3 tn These two phrases are emphasized in Greek by being placed at the beginning of the sentence and by alliteration.
[1:1] 4 tn Grk “to the fathers.”
[2:13] 5 tn Grk “and again,” as a continuation of the preceding.
[2:13] 6 tn Grk “behold, I,” but this construction often means “here is/there is” (cf. BDAG 468 s.v. ἰδού 2).
[2:13] 8 sn A quotation from Isa 8:17-18.
