Hebrews 1:1

Introduction: God Has Spoken Fully and Finally in His Son

1:1 After God spoke long ago ¹  in various portions ²  and in various ways ³  to our ancestors ⁴  through the prophets,

Hebrews 3:4

3:4 For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.

Hebrews 5:4

5:4 And no one assumes this honor ⁵  on his own initiative, ⁶  but only when called to it by God, ⁷  as in fact Aaron was.

Hebrews 9:20

9:20 and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that God has commanded you to keep.” ⁸ 

Hebrews 13:16

13:16 And do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, ⁹  for God is pleased with such sacrifices.

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¹ tn Or “spoke formerly.”

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).

³ tn These two phrases are emphasized in Greek by being placed at the beginning of the sentence and by alliteration.

⁴ tn Grk “to the fathers.”

⁵ sn Honor refers here to the honor of the high priesthood.

⁶ tn Grk “by himself, on his own.”

⁷ tn Grk “being called by God.”

⁸ tn Grk “which God commanded for you (or in your case).”

sn A quotation from Exod 24:8.

⁹ tn Grk “neglect doing good and fellowship.”