Hebrews 3:7

Exposition of Psalm 95: Hearing God’s Word in Faith

3:7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, ¹ 

“Oh, that today you would listen as he speaks! ² 

Hebrews 9:15

9:15 And so he is the mediator ³  of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the eternal inheritance he has promised, ⁴  since he died ⁵  to set them free from the violations committed under the first covenant.

Hebrews 12:12

12:12 Therefore, strengthen ⁶  your listless hands and your weak knees, ⁷ 

[3:7]  ¹ sn The following quotation is from Ps 95:7b-11.

[3:7]  ² tn Grk “today if you hear his voice.”

[9:15]  ³ tn The Greek word μεσίτης (mesith", “mediator”) in this context does not imply that Jesus was a mediator in the contemporary sense of the word, i.e., he worked for compromise between opposing parties. Here the term describes his function as the one who was used by God to enact a new covenant which established a new relationship between God and his people, but entirely on God’s terms.

[9:15]  ⁴ tn Grk “the promise of the eternal inheritance.”

[9:15]  ⁵ tn Grk “a death having occurred.”

[12:12]  ⁵ tn Or “straighten.”

[12:12]  ⁶ sn A quotation from Isa 35:3. Strengthen your listless hands and your weak knees refers to the readers’ need for renewed resolve and fresh strength in their struggles (cf. Heb 10:36-39; 12:1-3).