The metaphors of anchor and curtain conflict, because anchor is related to the picture of a ship, while curtain is related to the Temple. Several translations modify at least one of these metaphors in some way. (a) The simplest way of doing this is to take hope rather than anchor as the subject of It is safe (Revised Standard Version, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, Translator’s New Testament). This is possible and makes no difference to the basic meaning, since hope is compared to an anchor. (b) Some English translations weaken the metaphor of the anchor by using related words like “anchoring” (Moffatt) or “anchorage” (Knox). (c) Biblia Dios Habla Hoy expands the translation so as to make the clash of metaphors less abrupt: “This hope keeps our soul firm and secure, as the anchor keeps the boat firm. This anchor which we have is firmly secured behind the curtain of the heavenly temple” (a note is added on “curtain”). (d) In principle it would be possible to replace anchor by a nonfigurative expression, especially in cultures where anchors are not used. Here it may be possible to use a nonfigurative expression such as “that which we hope for makes our lives secure” or “… causes us to live secure.” It would be difficult to replace curtain, since this feature of Jewish worship is mentioned again in 9.3 and 10.20, and refers back to Leviticus 16.2-3, 12, 15.
Of these possibilities, (a) is often the best in translation, though it may not follow the grammatical structure of the original text. Grammatically, the anchor must be an image of hope, but the author is already thinking of Jesus (verse 20) as the substance or object of this hope, and this may be made explicit if it makes the translation clearer.
We have this hope must be restructured in some languages as “This is what we hope for.” The statement about hope may then be combined with anchor as “This that we hope for is like an anchor for us.”
On our lives (Revised Standard Version “the soul”), see comments on “soul” in 4.12. Good News Translation generally avoids “soul,” since this word is little used outside religious language.
There is no noticeable difference in meaning between safe and sure. They are used together for emphasis, but may be combined (“absolutely secure”) if this is more natural in the receptor language. Since safe and sure refers to hope, it is possible to translate It is safe and sure as “What we hope for makes us safe and sure” or “… causes us to be secure and certain.”
Some translations (Moffatt, Jerusalem Bible) mark “enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain” (Revised Standard Version) as a quotation (Lev 16.2). “Shrine” or sanctuary is understood. To mark the phrase as a quotation does not seem necessary for such a short phrase, but a cross reference may be useful. Indeed, the curtain here is an example of extended meaning rather than a metaphor in the strict sense.
The equivalent for curtain is in many languages an expression meaning a “hanging.” “Curtain” might be used only of something which is drawn across a window, while a “drape” or “hanging” may be employed across an entrance way, as in Hebrews. See also the comment on 9.3.
The heavenly temple may be rendered as “the temple in heaven,” and the inner sanctuary may be expressed as “the holy room on the inside,” “the most holy room on the inside of the temple,” or “the most holy room in the temple.”
It may be meaningless in some languages to speak of “hope going through the curtain of the heavenly temple.” This would make no sense, but since the object of the hope is Jesus, one may be justified in making this identification explicit. And goes through the curtain of the heavenly temple into the inner sanctuary may be rendered as “and the one in whom we place our hope is Jesus, who goes through the curtain of the heavenly temple into the inner sanctuary.”
Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Letter of the Hebrews. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .