Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12

(1:1)

Πολυμερῶς = “in various parts” under BDAG 847a. “Many render in many ways

so NRSV: ‘in many and various ways’. If ‘many ways’ in such rendering refers to

a variety of Scripture passages, the translators have the support of the Vulgate. But

to avoid a suggestion of banality, it is best to render along the line suggested

above. Also the rhetorical structure of Hebrews requires some preparation in the

prologue for the numerous references to the Old Testament”.

πολυτρόπως = “pertaining to a variety of modes of expressing something, in many

ways” under BDAG 850b. Hapax in the NT.

πάλαι = “pertaining to a point of time in the past, long ago, formerly; pertaining to

a relatively long period of time, looking back from the present to a point of time in

the past, for a long time; pertaining to a point of time within a relatively short time

looking back from the present, already” under BDAG 751a.

λαλήσας – aorist active participle λαλέω.

πατήρ, πατρός, ὁ = “the immediate biological ancestor, parent; one from whom one

is descended and generally at least several generations removed, forefather,

ancestor, progenitor, forebear; one who provides moral and intellectual upbringing;

a title of respectful address, father; revered deceased persons with whom one

shares beliefs or traditions, fathers, ancestors; the supreme deity, who is

responsible for the origin and care of all that exists, Father, Parent” under BDAG

786b.

προφήτης, ου, ὁ = “to proclaim an inspired revelation, prophesy; to tell about

something that is hidden from view, tell, reveal; to foretell something that lies in

the future, foretell, prophesy” under BDAG 890a.

(1:2)

ἔσχατος, η, ον = “pertaining to being at the farthest boundary of an area, farthest,

last; pertaining to being the final item in a series, least, last”; pertaining to furthest

extremity in rank, value, or situation” under BDAG 397b.

ἐλάλησεν – aorist active λαλέω.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+1%3A1-4%2C+2%3A5-12&version=NRSV;SBLGNT

υἱός, οῦ, ὁ = “a male who is in a kinship relationship either biologically or by legal

action, son, offspring, descendant; a person related or closely associated as if by

ties of sonship, son” under BDAG 1024b.

ἔθηκεν – aorist active τίθημι.

κληρονόμος, ου, ὁ = “one who is designated an heir, heir; one who receives

something as a possession, beneficiary” under BDAG 548a.

ἐποίησεν – aorist active ποιέω. Good and clear example of a regular aorist tense-

form.

αἰών, ῶνος, τό = “a long period of time, without reference to beginning of end; a

segment of time as a particular unity of history, age; the world as a spatial concept,

the world; the Aeon as a person, the Aeon” under BDAG 32a.

(1:3)

ἀπαύγασμα, ατος, τό = “radiance, effulgence; (passive) reflection” under BDAG

99a.

χαρακτήρ, ῆρος, ὁ = “a mark or impression placed on an object, (of coinage)

impress, reproduction, representation; something produced as a representation,

reproduction, representation; characteristic trait or manner, distinctive mark; an

impression that is made, outward aspect, outward appearance, form” under

BDAG 1077b.

ὑπόστασις, εως, ἡ = “the essential or basic structure/nature of an entity,

substantial nature, essence, actual being, reality (underlying structure, often in

contrast to what merely seems to be); (a strong claim can be made for) realization;

a plan that one devises for action, plan, project, undertaking, endeavor;

situation, condition, frame of mind; a guarantee of ownership/entitlement, title

deed” under BDAG 1040b.

φέρων – present active participle φέρω.

ῥῆμα, ατος, τό = “that which is said, word, saying, expression, or statement of ay

kind; (after the Hebrew) an event that can be spoken about, thing, object, matter,

event” under BDAG 905a. So… much like דבר?

δύναμις, εως, ἡ = “potential for functioning in some way, power, might, force,

capability; ability to carry out something, ability, capability; a deed that exhibits

ability to function powerfully, deed of power, miracle, wonder; something that

serves as an adjunct of power, resource; an entity of being, whether human or

transcendent, that functions in a remarkable manner, power; the capacity to convey

thought, meaning” under BDAG 262a.

καθαρισμός, οῦ, ὁ = “cleansing from cultic impurity, purification; cleansing from

inward pollution, purify” under BDAG 489a.

ποιησάμενος – aorist middle participle ποιέω.

ἐκάθισεν – aorist active καθίζομαι.

μεγαλωσύνη, ης, ἡ = “a state of greatness or preeminence, majesty (used only of

God)” under BDAG 623b.

ὑψηλός, ή, όν = “pertaining to considerable extension upward, tall, high;

pertaining to being arrogant, exalted, proud, haughty; pertaining to being of high

quality, noble, sublime” under BDAG 1044b.

της δυναμεως αὐτου, καθαρισμον1

Grammatical note = Genitive Case. Attributive. The attributive genitive is also

called the “Hebrew genitive” or “genitive of quality”. It denotes an attribute of the

head term, conveying an emphatic adjectival idea. This use of the genitive is

common in Hebrew where a construct chain is used to describe an adjectival

relationship… If you can take the genitival modifier and place it in adjectival form

in front of the head noun in your English translation (and that construction conveys

the biblical author’s meaning) then the genitive is rightly labeled as an attributive

genitive. For more examples of the attributive genitive… Wallace distinguishes the

attributive genitive from the attributed genitive (see also… James 3:9). “He

sustains all things by His powerful word”. Literally, the phrase reads “by the word

of his power”. Again, “his” is a possessive genitive. KMP, 90-91.

1 {B} της δυναμεως αὐτου, καθαρισμον א A B H* P Ψ 075… Didymus

dub Cyril John-amascus

mss.

της δυναμεως, δι’ἑαυτου καθαρισμον ( 46 αὐτου) 0243 6 424c 1739 1881*. της δυναμεως αὐτου, δι’ἑαυτου (or αὑτου or αὐτου) καθαρισμον D H

c 104… Byz [K L] Lect it

ar, b, comp, d vg

ms… (eth)

geo2 slav Chrysostom John-Damascus; Augustine Varimadum.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james+3%3A9&version=NRSV;SBLGNT

Grammatical note = Adjectival Uses of the Genitive. Attributive. Denotes an

attribute or innate quality of the head term, conveying an emphatic adjectival idea.

See KMP, 106.

Grammatical note = Temporal. A temporal participle answers the question

“When?” in relation to the main or controlling verb. Base on its aspect, the

participle can communicate the perfective (aorist participle), imperfective (present

participle), or stative aspect (perfect participle). Perfective participles depict a

given action wholistically, that is, as simply having occurred; imperfect participles

portray an action progressively, that is, as ongoing or customary; and stative

participles depict a state resulting from a preceding action or event. Perfective

Aspect. “After making purification for sins, He sat down”. See KMP, 327-328.

Grammatical note = Verbal Participles (Adverbial). Temporal. The aorist

participle communicates perfective aspect, depicting an action as simply occurring

or having occurred. Perfective Aspect. “After making purification for sins, He sat

down”. See KMP, 345.

(1:4)

κρείττων – comparative ἀγαθός, ή, όν = “pertaining to meeting a relatively high

standard of quality, useful, beneficial; possessions, treasures; pertaining to meeting

a high standard of worth and merit, good” under BDAG 3a.

γενόμενος – aorist middle participle γίνομαι.

ἄγγελος, ου, ὁ = “a human messenger serving as an envoy, an envoy, one who is

sent; a transcendent power who carries out various missions or tasks, messenger,

angel” under BDAG 8a.

ὅσος, η, ον = “pertaining to an extent of space or time that is of the same extent as

another extent of the same order, as great, as far, as long; pertaining to a

comparative quantity or number of objects or events, how much (many), as much

“(many) as; pertaining to degree of correlative extent” under BDAG 729a.

διαφορώτερον – comparative διάφορος, α, ον = “pertaining to being different, with

focus on distinctiveness, different; pertaining to being different, with focus on

value, outstanding, excellent” under BDAG 239b.

κεκληρονόμηκεν – perfect active κληρονομέω = “to be an inheritor, inherit;

acquire, obtain come into possession of (something)” under BDAG 547b.

τοσούτῳ κρείττων γενόμενος τῶν ἀγγέλων ὅσῳ διαφορώτερον παρ᾽ αὐτοὺς

κεκληρονόμηκεν ὄνομα – Phew. I find the syntax of this verse difficult to sort out.

Grammatical note = Discourse Boundaries. What objective basis do we have for

saying that Paul begins a new argument or that his letter breaks into three main

sections? Discourse analysis looks at some of the following features: (1)

Uniformity of Content. (2) Initial Markers. (3) Final Markers. There are also

certain stylistic feature[s] that an author uses to conclude a section. These include:

(1) doxologies; (2) summaries; (3) tail-head links (“angels” in Hebrews 1:4-5 or

“endure” in Hebrews 12:2-3). See KMP, 459.

(1:5)

σήμερον = “(adverb of time) today” under BDAG 921b.

γεγέννηκά - perfect active γεννάω = “to become the parent of, beget; to give birth

to, bear” under BDAG 193b.

πάλιν = “pertaining to return to a position or state, back; pertaining to repetition in

the same (or similar) manner, again, once more, anew; marker of a discourse or

narrative item added to items of a related nature, also, again, furthermore,

thereupon; marker of contrast or an alternative aspect, on the other hand, in

turn” under BDAG 752a.

ἐγὼ ἔσομαι αὐτῷ εἰς πατέρα – Interesting construction. Reads like Biblical

Hebrew. Or is this normal in Koine Greek?

(1:6)

ὅταν = “pertaining to an action that is conditional, possible, and, in many instances,

repeated, at the time that, whenever, when; marker of a point of time

simultaneous with an action and functioning with causal force, inasmuch” under

BDAG 730b.

εἰσαγάγῃ - aorist active subjunctive εἰσάγω = “bring or lead in/into” under

BDAG 293b.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+1%3A4-5+&version=NRSV;SBLGNThttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+12%3A2-3&version=NRSV;SBLGNT

πρωτότοκος, ον = “pertaining to birth order, firstborn; pertaining to having special

status associated with a firstborn, firstborn” under BDAG 894a.

οἰκουμένη, ης, ἡ = “the earth as an inhabited area, exclusive of the heavens above

and nether regions, the inhabited earth, the world; the world as an administrative

unit, the Roman Empire” under BDAG 699b.

προσκυνησάτωσαν – aorist active imperative προσκυνέω = “to express in attitude

or gesture one’s complete dependence on or submission to a high authority figure,

(fall down and) worship, do obeisance to, prostrate oneself before, do reverence to,

welcome respectfully” under BDAG 882b. Similar to BH להׁשתחֹות?

(1:7)

λειτουργός, οῦ, ὁ = “one engaged in administrative or cultic service, servant,

minister (the formal sense); one engaged in personal service, aide, assistant”

under BDAG 591b.

πῦρ, ός, τό = “fire” under BDAG 898a.

φλόξ, φλογός, ἡ = “flame” under BDAG 1060b.

(1:8)

θρόνος, ου, ὁ = “chair, seat; (specifically a chair set aside for one of high status)

throne; supreme power over a political entity, dominion, sovereignty; name of a

class of powerful beings, earthly or transcendent, the enthroned (plural)” under

BDAG 460b.

αἰών, ῶνος, τό = “a long period of time, without reference to beginning of end; a

segment of time as a particular unity of history, age; the world as a spatial concept,

the world; the Aeon as a person, the Aeon” under BDAG 32a.

ῥάβδος, ου, ἡ = “a relatively slender piece of wood varying in length, rod, staff,

stick” under BDAG 903b.

εὐθύτης, ητος, ἡ = “righteousness, uprightness” under BDAG 406b.

σου2

Grammatical note = Nominative. Other Uses. Other uses of the nominative

involve a construction in which the nominative is grammatically independent from

the rest of the sentence. These include the nominative of address, the nominative of

appellation, the nominative absolute, and the hanging nominative.

Address. Occasionally in the NT a nominative is used in the place of a vocative in

direct address. This use is in keeping with the nature of the nominative as a

“naming” case. Blass observes that there is a “tendency for the nominative to usurp

the place of the vocative” even as far back as Homer. Examples include a majority

of articular uses and a few anarthrous instances (with or without ὦ). “Your throne,

O God, is forever and ever” (Hebrews 1:8). The finite verb “is” is implied. See

KMP, 57.

Grammatical note = The Article and the Adjective. Going Deeper. The deity of

Jesus does not rest solely on the Granville Sharp Rule and the passages to which it

may apply… Other NT passages likewise affirm Jesus’s deity both explicitly and

implicitly. See… Hebrews 1:8. See KMP, 152 and n3.

(1:9)

ἠγάπησας – aorist active ἀγαπάω = “to have a warm regard for and interest in

another, cherish, have affection for, love; to have high esteem for or satisfaction

with something, take pleasure in; to practice/express love, prove one’s love”

under BDAG 5a.

δικαιοσύνη, ης, ἡ = “the quality, state, or practice of judicial responsibility with

focus on fairness, justice, equitableness, fairness; quality or state of juridical

correctness with focus on redemptive action, righteousness; the quality or

characteristic of upright behavior, uprightness, righteousness” under BDAG

247a.

ἐμίσησας – aorist active μισέω = “to have a strong aversion to, hate, detest; to be

disinclined to, disfavor, disregard” under BDAG 652b.

2 {B} σου (see Psalm 45:7) A D Ψ… Byz [K L P] Lect it

ar, b, comp, d, t, v vg syr

p, h, palms cop

sa, bo, fay

arm eth geo slav Gregory-Nyssa Chrysostom Cyril Theodoret; Jerome. αὐτου 46 א B REB EU BJ. omit 1573 syr

pams.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews%201%3A8&version=NRSV;SBLGNThttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews%201%3A8&version=NRSV;SBLGNThttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+45%3A7&version=NRSV;WLC

ἀνομία, ας, ἡ = “state or condition of being disposed to what is lawless,

lawlessness; the product of a lawless disposition, a lawless deed” under BDAG

85a.

ἔχρισέν – aorist active χρίω = “anoint” under BDAG 1091b. Very rare.

ἔλαιον, ου, τό = “oil extracted from the fruit of the olive tree, olive oil; (especially

used for anointing); olive orchard” under BDAG 313a.

ἀγαλλίασις, εως, ἡ = “a piercing exclamation, exultation” under BDAG 4b.

μέτοχος, ον = “sharing/participating in (as adjective with genitive of person or

thing); (substantive) (business) partner, companion” under BDAG 643a.

Interesting word choice in this context.

Grammatical note = Genitive Case. Source. The genitive of source indicates the

origin of the head noun (note the translation “from” rather than “of”). Brooks and

Winbery note that there will be times where a distinction between the genitive of

source and the subjective genitive will be hard to make, since what a person

produces (subjective genitive) has its origin in that person (genitive of source). The

way to distinguish between the two is by keeping in mind that the subjective

genitive is normally used with nouns conveying action. For example the reference

to “the Father’s promise”… in Acts 1:4 may at first appear to be a genitive of

source, since the promise comes from the Father. But ἐπαγγελιαν is a noun of

action so this is probably an instance of a subjective genitive.

Possible instances of the genitive of product are… Hebrews 1:9. See KMP, 93-94

and n31.

(1:10)

ἐθεμελίωσας – aorist active θεμελιόω = “to provide a base for some material object

or structure, lay a foundation, found; to provide a secure basis for the inner life

and its resources, establish, strengthen” under BDAG 449a.

ἔργον, ου, τό = “that which displays itself in activity of any kind, deed, action;

manifestation, practical proof; deed, accomplishment; that which one does as

regular activity, work, occupation, task; that which is brought into being by work,

product, undertaking, work; something having to do with someone under

discussion, thing, matter” under BDAG 390a.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts+1%3A4&version=NRSV;SBLGNThttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews%201%3A8&version=NRSV;SBLGNT

χείρ, χειρός, ἡ = “hand; an acting agent, hand (of)” under BDAG 1082a.

(1:11)

ἀπολοῦνται – future middle ἀπόλλυμι = “to cause or experience destruction; ruin,

destroy; to fail to obtain what one expects or anticipates, lose out on, lose; to lose

something that one already has or be separated from a normal connection, lose, be

lost” under BDAG 115b.

διαμένω = “to continue in an activity, state, or condition, remain; continue to exist,

live on; to continue in association with someone, remain continually with

someone” under BDAG 233b.

ἱμάτιον, ου, τό = “clothing, apparel, (generally of any garment); cloak, robe”

under BDAG 475a.

παλαιωθήσονται – future passive παλαιόω = “make old, declare/treat as obsolete;

(passive) become old (often with the connotation of becoming useless)” under

BDAG 751b.

(1:12)

περιβόλαιον, ου, τό = “an article of apparel that covers much of the body,

covering, wrap, cloak, robe” under BDA 800a. Very rare.

ἑλίξεις – future active ἑλίσσω = “to cause something to take the shape of a roll, roll

up” under BDAG 317b. Very rare.

ἀλλαγήσονται – future passive ἀλλάσσω = “to make something other or different,

change, alter; to exchange one thing for another, exchange” under BDAG 45b.

ἔτος, ους, ὁ = “year” under BDAG 401b.

ἐκλείψουσιν – future active ἐκλείπω = “to be no longer in existence, fail, give out,

be gone (of money); to go away from a place, depart; to cease as state or event,

fail, die out” under BDAG 306a.

ἐλιξεις3

ὡς ἱματιον και4

3 {A} ἐλιξεις (or εἰλιξεις) 46 2א A B D2 Ψ… Byz [K L P] Lect itar, b, v arm eth geo slav

Chrysostom Cyril. ἀλλαξεις (see Psalm 101:27 LXX) א* D* itcomp, d, t

vgcl, ww

Athanasius. 4 {B} ὡς ἱματιον και 46 א A B (D* omit και) 1739 (itd) vg (syrpalms) copfay arm. και (see Psalm

101.27 LXX) D2 Ψ… Byz [K L P] Lect it

ar, b, comp, t, v vg syr

(p), h, (palms) cop

sa, bo eth geo slav

Athanasius Chrysostom Cyril.

https://en.katabiblon.com/us/index.php?text=LXX&book=Ps&ch=101https://en.katabiblon.com/us/index.php?text=LXX&book=Ps&ch=101https://en.katabiblon.com/us/index.php?text=LXX&book=Ps&ch=101