Hebrews 8:3

8:3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. So this one too had to have something to offer.

Hebrews 12:8

12:8 But if you do not experience discipline, ¹  something all sons ²  have shared in, then you are illegitimate and are not sons.

Hebrews 12:18

12:18 For you have not come to something that can be touched, ³  to a burning fire and darkness and gloom and a whirlwind

Hebrews 12:24

12:24 and to Jesus, the mediator ⁴  of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks of something better than Abel’s does. ⁵ 

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¹ tn Grk “you are without discipline.”

² tn Grk “all”; “sons” is implied by the context.

³ tn This describes the nation of Israel approaching God on Mt. Sinai (Exod 19). There is a clear contrast with the reference to Mount Zion in v. 22, so this could be translated “a mountain that can be touched.” But the word “mountain” does not occur here and the more vague description seems to be deliberate.

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 sn Abel’s shed blood cried out to the Lord for justice and judgment, but Jesus’ blood speaks of redemption and forgiveness, something better than Abel’s does (Gen 4:10; Heb 9:11-14; 11:4).