6:19–20

Some versions begin a new paragraph here. In 6:18 the author said that we can be absolutely certain or sure of the things we hope for. In 6:19–20 he used three different figures of speech to describe what this hope is like, and what its results are. The three figures are an anchor, the curtain covering the inner part of the temple, and a forerunner. These figures of speech follow immediately one after the other.

6:19a

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure: Here the author compared our hope to an anchor. Literally, an anchor is a heavy object to which a boat is tied, so that it will not move. As a metaphor, it indicates that our souls are secure. We are supported by our confidence that Jesus has become the source of eternal salvation for us (5:9).

In many cultures anchors are unknown. Some other ways to translate the metaphor are:

• Translate anchor as a simile. For example:

This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
The way we hope in God is like the heavy weight that keeps a boat from drifting away.

• Use a similar figure of speech or one that is more general. For example:

That hoping of ours is like a foundation stone that makes our hearts stay so that our faith does not shake/rock.

• Translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

This hope of ours, that is what makes firm/stable our faith, because it is certain to be fulfilled.

We: The pronoun We is inclusive and refers to both the author and the readers.

this hope: The hope refers to looking forward to something and expecting it with confidence. It does not imply that a person is not sure that he will receive it, as the English word sometimes does. Some other ways to translate it are:

confidence (God’s Word)
-or-
our hoping
-or-
our expecting ⌊to receive the promise⌋

The phrase this hope refers specifically to expecting that we will receive “the promise” that the author mentioned in 6:17. Receiving what God promised is the hope that the author referred to in 6:18d.

anchor for the soul: The phrase anchor for the soul implies here that our confidence in God makes us firm and steadfast in trusting him. Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

our hope helps us trust ⌊God⌋ steadily
-or-
it is like a firm foundation that keeps us from moving away ⌊from God⌋

soul: The word soul refers to the inner part of a person which thinks and feels and makes decisions. It was also used in 4:12c–d.

For more information, see soul, sense A_1c, in Key Biblical Terms.

firm and secure: Here the author used two similar words to emphasize his meaning (as he often does in Hebrews). The word firm means “stable, steadfast, and strong.” The word secure means “safe,” or “reliable.” Some other ways to translate this emphasis are:

strongly/completely trust

6:19b

It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain: This statement is a figure of speech. The pronoun It refers here to confidence in God’s promise and oath. It indicates that because of this confidence, we can approach God himself.

In many languages it is not natural to speak of It as entering a place. If that is true in your language, you may need to make the meaning more explicit. For example:

Because of our hope, it is as if we have already entered the exact place of God like the entering of the highest priest into the Holiest Room in the Temple which a curtain hid from view.

enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain: The phrase enters the inner sanctuary means “goes inside the most holy place behind the curtain ⌊where God is⌋.” In the OT, the inner sanctuary behind the curtain was the holiest part of the tabernacle. It was the place where God met with the high priest. The high priest represented the people of Israel there. This shrine was separated from the rest of the tabernacle by a curtain. The shrine was such a holy place that only the high priest could enter it, and he entered it only once a year. In 9:1–7 the author describes this place again.

The inner sanctuary was a place, not an altar. It was the most holy place of all in both the tabernacle and the temple, and was the place where God himself dwells. The phrase behind the curtain implies “into the presence of God.”

the curtain: In the Gospels, the word curtain always refers to the curtain that divided the most holy place in the temple from the other parts of the temple. This curtain was torn apart when Jesus died, as a sign that the way into God’s presence was now open (Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38 and Luke 23:45). The author will refer to this curtain again later in 9:3 and 10:20.

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