9:15 And so he is the mediator 4 of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the eternal inheritance he has promised, 5 since he died 6 to set them free from the violations committed under the first covenant.
1 tn Or “he was obligated.”
2 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 2:11.
3 tn Or “propitiation.”
4 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.
5 tn Grk “the promise of the eternal inheritance.”
6 tn Grk “a death having occurred.”
7 tn Grk “we had our earthly fathers as discipliners.”
8 tn Grk “the fathers of our flesh.” In Hebrews, “flesh” is a characteristic way of speaking about outward, physical, earthly life (cf. Heb 5:7; 9:10, 13), as opposed to the inward or spiritual dimensions of life.
9 tn Grk “and live.”
sn Submit ourselves…to the Father of spirits and receive life. This idea is drawn from Proverbs, where the Lord’s discipline brings life, while resistance to it leads to death (cf. Prov 4:13; 6:23; 10:17; 16:17).
10 tn Grk “by diverse and strange teachings.”
11 tn Grk “foods,” referring to the meals associated with the OT sacrifices (see the contrast with the next verse; also 9:9-10; 10:1, 4, 11).