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.
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 tenseform. 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,?דבר event under BDAG 905a. So much like
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, καθαρισμον 1 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. 46 της δυναμεως, δι ἑαυτου καθαρισμον ( αὐτου) 0243 6 424 c 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) geo 2 slav Chrysostom John-Damascus; Augustine Varimadum.
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.
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,?לה שתח ות welcome respectfully under BDAG 882b. Similar to BH (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.
σου 2 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 sa, bo, fay cop arm eth geo slav Gregory-Nyssa Chrysostom Cyril Theodoret; Jerome. αὐτου 46 א B REB EU BJ. omit 1573 syr pams.
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.
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.
ἐλιξεις 3 ὡς ἱματιον και 4 3 {A} ἐλιξεις (or εἰλιξεις) 2 A B D 2 Ψ Byz [K L P] Lect it ar, b, v arm eth geo slav א 46 Chrysostom Cyril. ἀλλαξεις (see Psalm 101:27 LXX) *א D* it comp, d, t vg cl, ww Athanasius. 4 {B} ὡς ἱματιον και A B (D* omit και) 1739 (it d ) vg (syr palms ) cop fay arm. και (see Psalm א 46 101.27 LXX) D 2 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.