Text & Notes

Introduction of Jesus

 

1 [Extended Notes] God [Theos; While not the first word in the Greek text, a fitting and striking beginning in English.  When compared to the beginnings of other books, we can assume that the writer needed to immediately get the reader’s attention.], after He spoke [first aorist active participle of laleo] long ago to the fathers [of the Jewish nation] in the prophets [Amos 3:7; Extended Notes] in many portions [polumeros (4181) – i.e., many periods of times, but also in many fragments of truth] and in many ways [polutropos (4187); i.e., many methods of teaching] [such as direct inspiration resulting in law, testimony, poems and prophecies, and dreams and visions], [The Jewish Testament was divided into three sections: the Law (or Torah); the Prophets; the Writings.]

2 in these last days [Extended Notes; “The Jews divided all time into two ages – the present age and the age to come.  In between they set “The Day of the Lord.” (Barclay, Hebrews, p.12)] [Or, at the end of these days] has spoken [first aorist indicative of laleo] to us [those in the first century contrasted to the fathers of v.1; is this also equalizing the current generation to the fathers?] in His [lit., a since there is no definite article nor pronoun] Son [Son is an important concept in Hebrews – Heb.1:2; Heb.1:5; Heb.1:8; Heb.3:6; Heb.4:14; Heb.5:5; Heb.5:8; Heb.6:6; Heb.7:3; Heb.7:28; Heb.10:29; contrasted to the prophets of v.1, and by implication superior; vv.2-3 contain 7 (the Hebrew number for perfection) reasons Jesus is superior, unless the name “Son” itself is counted which He inherited (v.4)], [1] whom He appointed heir of all things [Col.1:15b; Ps.2:8 – “Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Your possession.”], [2] through [di] whom also He made the world [lit., ages] [Jn.1:3; Col.1:16] [Extended Notes].

3 And [3] He [lit., Who being] is [Ontological (essence) vs. economical (role) contrasted to “having become” (v.4)] the radiance [apaugasma (541) – in Greek can mean either the light itself or the reflection from the light (Barclay, p.14); only here in N.T.; also in Philo] of His glory [Extended Notes] and [4] the exact representation [character (5481) – seal or impression from the seal (Barclay, p.14); only here in the N.T.] of His nature, and [5] upholds [lit., upholding] all things by the word [rhema (4487) – “the spoken word; `that which is or has been uttered by the living voice’ (Thayer); an utterance, or spoken word in a specific situation (often associated with dynamic or miraculous effects when spoken by God or Christ.” (The Discovery Bible, pp.545-546); and He Himself is also the Word/Logos]] of His power [the phrase, “by the word of His power” only here, but the concept is in Col.1:17]. When [6] He had made purification of sins, [7] He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high [“Majesty on high” is a euphemism since the Jews had stopped using the personal name of God, YHWH (Yahweh).], [Ps.110:1; the High Priesthood of Jesus is a major theme developed later.]

4 having become [cf. v.3 on “is”] as much [tosoutos (5118) never used by Paul] better [kreittōn (2909) – Heb.1:4; Heb.6:9; Heb.7:7; Heb.7:19; Heb.7:22; Heb.8:6; Heb.9:23; Heb.10:34; Heb.11:16; Heb.11:35; Heb.11:40; Heb.12:24] [A key word in Hebrews occurring 13 times (twice in 8:6); the first time is here, the last in 12:24; a summary is found in 12:18-24.  This word is rarely used by Paul] than the angels [contrast to 2:9; Extended Notes], as He has inherited [perfect] [Extended Notes] a more excellent name [i.e., Son (v.5); at Phil.2:5 it is Lord/adonai] than they [lit., beside or in comparison with them]. [Complementary passages: Jn.1:1-18; Col.1:15-20]

 

First Quote: Ps.2:7

5 For to which of the angels did He ever say,

[Ps.2:7; Acts 4:25; 13:33] “You are My Son, [“In the O.T. son is applied to angels collectively, but never individually.” (Vincent, v.4, p.387)] Today I have begotten [perfect; this birth came on the day of His inauguration] You”?

 

Second Quote: 2 Sam.7:14

And again,

[2 Sam.7:14; 2 Cor.6:18] “I will be a  [eis] Father to Him

And He shall be a [eis] Son to Me”?

 

Third Quote: Ps.97:7

6 [Extended Notes] And when He again [incarnation, resurrection, or second coming? Or should the translation be, “And again, (i.e., v.5, ESV) when He brings….”  This way “again” refers to another quote, not another coming.] brings [aorist; or, again when He brings] the firstborn into the world [lit., the inhabited earth], He says,

[Ps.97:7 although the Hebrew says gods/elohim which could be understood to be angels.  In that text, Adonai receives the worship, while here it is the Son.] “And let all the angels [elohim] of God worship [proskuneo – originally, “to kiss the hand to”; sometimes translated, “bow down” (Mt.9:18; 20:20); imperative aorist active] Him [contextually refers to YHWH (Ps.97:5,8,9)].” [More proof of Jesus’ superiority to the angels, and equality with the Father. Aorist imperative] [proskuneo (4352) – “‘to fall down, prostrate oneself, adore on one’s knees’ (DNTT); to ‘do obeisance’ (Arndt/Gingrich).” (The Discovery Bible, p.546)

 

Fourth Quote: Ps.104:4

7 And of the angels He says, [Extended Notes]

[Ps.104:4] “Who makes His angels winds [pneumata; or, spirits as the Hebrew can be translated either way],

And His ministers a flame of fire.”

 

Fifth Quote: Ps.45:6-7

8 But of the Son He says,

[Ps.45:6] “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,

And the righteous [lit., straightness] scepter is the scepter of His [some manuscripts read, Your] kingdom.

9 [Ps.45:7] “You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You

With the oil of gladness above Your companions [lit., partakers; Who are these companions?].”

 

Sixth Quote: Ps.102:25-27

10 And,

 [Ps.102:25] “You, Lord [LXX (Lord), not Hebrew (YHWH); Yahweh in context, equating Jesus with Yahweh of the O.T.], in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth,

And the heavens are the works of Your hands;

11 [Ps.102:26] They will perish, but You remain;

And they all will become old like a garment,

12 [Ps.102:26-27] And like a mantle You will roll them up;

Like a garment they will also be changed.

But You are the same,

And Your years will not come to an end.”

 

Seventh Quote: Ps.110:1

13 But to which of the angels has He ever said,

 [Ps.110:1] “Sit at [ek – lit., from] My right hand,

Until I make  [aorist] Your enemies

A footstool for Your feet”? [2:8]

 

Purpose of Angels

14 Are they not all ministering [diakoneo (1247) – “to wait on others and care for their needs; to place the needs and comfort of someone else above our own in active work and service” (The Discovery Bible, p.542)] spirits, sent out [present passive participle of apostello] to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? [Humans are below the angels (2:9), and yet they serve us.] [Is this verse speaking of so-called “Guardian Angels?”  – Scriptures Used In Support: Ps.34:7; Ex.14:19; Num.22; Josh.5:13-15; 2 Kgs.6:17; Gen.22:9-12; Dan.3:28; 6:22; Mt.18:10; Ps.91:11; Dan.10:18ff; 12:1; Rev.2;3; Acts 12:15; Heb.1:14] [What is the point of the Hebrew writer saying this?  Personally I believe it is to again contrast Jesus and the angels.  We serve Jesus.  Angels serve Jesus by serving us.]

Tags: Commentary

This entry was posted by PHall on Thursday, October 15th, 2009 at 3:39 pm and is filed under Hebrews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.