Translation commentary – Page 1338

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 4:7

4:7a

Remember that some translators begin this verse with a connector like “Therefore” or “So,” as in the God’s Word. In the Berean Standard Bible, as in the Greek text, 4:6 and 4:7 are one long sentence. The Notes separates them into more than one sentence in the examples in the Display. Use an option that is natural in your language.

God again designated a certain day as “Today”: This statement indicates that God appointed another time when people can enter his rest. The word again implies that he already set one time, which was for the Israel people whom he led out of Egypt. Now he sets another time. He called this time “today.”

Some ways to translate this statement are:

So God set another day. That day is today. (God’s Word)
-or-
again he appoints/offers a certain time and calls it “today.”

In some languages it is necessary to mention the purpose for which God set the day. God’s purpose was to give people the opportunity to enter (have) his rest. Some ways to say that are:

there is another time that God has given to people so they will have opportunity to enter, and now/today is that time.
-or-
So God set another time for entering his rest and that time is today. (New Living Translation (2004))

God again designated a certain day: The phrase God…designated a certain day indicates that God chose a particular time. The phrase a certain day refers to a particular time or to an opportunity. Some ways to translate this phrase are:

there is still a time set by God
-or-
he proclaims a further opportunity (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

In some languages it may be more natural to use a present form of the verb. For example:

again he appoints a certain day (English Standard Version)
-or-
God again designates a certain day

a certain day as “Today”: Here the Berean Standard Bible puts the word “Today” in quotation marks to emphasize it. It also uses quotation marks because it occurs in the psalm that the author will quote later in this verse. These quotation marks are not part of the original Greek text, and some other English versions use different punctuation. You should use natural punctuation in your language here.

Some other ways to translate the phrase a certain day as “Today” are:

a certain day that he calls Today
-or-
another day which God prearranged for people to enter. That day is called “This Day.”

“Today”: The word “Today” is used in part of Psalm 95, which he quoted in 3:7 and 3:15 and will quote again in 4:7e–f. The author emphasized this word “Today” several times to indicate that it is important for those who hear God’s voice to respond now. The time that he calls “Today” will not continue forever. Emphasize this meaning in a natural way in your language. Refer to the other notes and the Display of 4:7a for examples.

4:7b

when a long time later He spoke through David: The phrase spoke through David indicates that God inspired David to write the words that the author quotes in 4:7d–e. These words are from Psalm 95. They were written hundreds of years after Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt.

Some ways to translate this clause are:

God announced this through David a long time later (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
For a long time after the time of those first people who did not believe, God inspired His word in King David and David said

a long time later: David lived many years after the Israelites traveled through the desert. However, he also lived a long time before the book of Hebrews was written. Make sure you choose the right time phrase to make this clear.

4:7c

as was just stated: The phrase as was just stated refers to what the author said in 3:15. There he quoted the same words that he will quote again in 4:7d–e. Some ways to translate this clause are:

in the same Scripture used before (New Century Version)
-or-
in the words already quoted from the Psalms (Revised English Bible)
-or-
what ⌊I⌋ said/quoted a little earlier from God’s Word, which said…

These examples indicate that the words that the author quoted are from the Scriptures. You may also refer to the Scriptures in an accepted way in your language.

4:7d

Today, if you hear His voice: Translate this clause in the same way as you did in 3:7. For more information on how to translate it, see the notes on 3:7b.

4:7e

do not harden your hearts: Translate this clause in the same way as you translated it in 3:8. For more information on how to translate it, see the notes on 3:8a.

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
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SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2:13

2:13a–b

In this verse the author quoted two more OT verses which he applied to Jesus. These quotations come from Isaiah 8:17–18.

And again: The phrase And again introduces another quotation from the OT. The author implied that Jesus said this about God. Introduce the quotation in a natural way in your language. Some ways to do this in English are:

He also says, “I… (Good News Translation)
-or-
Something else he caused-to-be-written says, “I…

In some languages it is helpful to use your usual key term for the Scriptures here. For example:

and in another place in God’s book/writings he said

“I will put My trust in Him.” And once again: “Here am I, and the children God has given Me.”: The phrase And once again connects two statements that are one clause in Isaiah. It emphasizes the connection between Jesus and the children (people). The pronoun I is emphatic. It implies that Jesus is the leader of his people, and they must put their trust in God, along with Jesus.

Some other ways to connect these clauses are:

“I will put my trust in him,” that is, “I and the children God has given me.” (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
“I trust God,” and he said moreover, “Here I am joined with the children of God that he has entrusted to me.”
-or-
He also said, “I put my hope in him,” and “I with the children whom God has given me.”

Use a natural way in your language to translate the emphatic connection between Jesus and his people.

I will put My trust in Him: The clause I will put My trust in Him indicates that Jesus is determined to trust in God only. It does not imply that Jesus was beginning to trust in God at the moment when he said this. He also trusted God before he said it.

Some other ways to translate the clause are:

I will keep my trust fixed on him. (Revised English Bible)
-or-
As for me, I have confidence only in God.

The context implies that Jesus trusts in God as the leader of all who follow him. Jesus trusts in God, and everyone who follows him must also trust God. In some languages it is helpful to make this clear in the introduction to the quotation. For example:

⌊ As our leader,⌋he also says “I will ⌊live by⌋ trusting in God

Here am I: The phrase Here am I is more literally “See/Look, I.” In this context it is a way for the speaker (Jesus) to focus the readers’ attention on himself. It also emphasizes the next statement. He emphasizes the connection between him and the people who follow him. Use a natural way in your language to focus attention on Jesus and his people here.

and the children God has given Me: The phrase the children God has given Me refers to all people who believe in Jesus and follow him. Jesus and the people he saves are brothers and sisters. They are part of God’s family and therefore God’s children.

Some other ways to translate this quotation are:

Here I am, accompanied by God’s children whom he has given me.
-or-
Here I am, joined with the children of God that he has entrusted to me.

given: Here the word given indicates that God gave Jesus responsibility for those who have become God’s children. Jesus will lead and care for them as the “author of their salvation” (2:10). Other ways to translate “the children whom God has given me” are:

the children of God given me to care for
-or-
God’s children whom he told me to lead

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2:14

Paragraph 2:14–18

The final paragraph of chapter 2 explains in more detail why God’s Son had to become a human being like us. He came to defeat the devil, and stop people from being afraid to die. He also became human so that he could become the high priest for his people. In these ways, he is greater than the angels, because none of them was able to become human, defeat the devil, and free his people from fearing death.

The author briefly introduces the topic of Jesus as our high priest, which he will discuss more fully in 4:14–5:10 and 7:1–8:1.

2:14–15

In Greek, 2:14–15 is one long sentence. In many languages it is more natural to break it into two or three sentences. For examples of how this can be translated as three sentences, see the General Comment on 2:14–15 at the end of 2:15.

2:14a

Now since: This verse begins with the two Greek conjunctions that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Now since The word translated as Now is usually translated as “therefore” and introduces the connection between this paragraph and the OT quotations in 2:12–13. The word since indicates the connection between 2:14a and 2:14b. It is important to consider each of these connections and how to translate them in a natural way in your language.

Some other ways to translate the connections are:

So then, because the children…
-or-
The children have flesh and blood, so/therefore

Some versions leave the connection with the previous paragraph implicit and translate only the connection between the clauses (2:14a and 2:14b). For example:

Since all of these sons and daughters…

the children have flesh and blood: The clause the children have flesh and blood means that God’s children are human beings. The phrase flesh and blood refers to being human, and it implies the weakness of human beings. Some ways to translate this clause are:

those children being referred to are people/humans
-or-
these children are people with physical bodies (New Century Version)
-or-
the children of God that it is talking about here are people who have bodies that die

the children: The phrase the children repeats the phrase from the quotation in 2:13b. It refers to the children of God, whom Jesus said were his “brothers and sisters” in 2:12a. Indicate clearly that the author referred back to the same children that he mentioned in 2:13b. Some ways to do this in English are:

these children (New Century Version)
-or-
God’s children (New Living Translation (2004))

Refer back to them in a natural way in your language.

flesh and blood: The Greek phrase flesh and blood is literally “blood and flesh.” It is an idiom that usually refers to human bodies. It indicates that the children of God he referred to here are human beings. Use the natural way in your language to refer to humans.

2:14b

He too shared in their humanity: The clause He too shared in their humanity means that Jesus also had “flesh and blood.” It indicates that he became a human being and had a human body like the children of God whom he was leading to salvation.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

he also became a human being, (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
Jesus himself became like them and shared their human nature. (Good News Translation)
-or-
Jesus took on flesh and blood to be like them. (God’s Word)

their humanity: The phrase their humanity refers back to “flesh and blood” in 2:14a. Refer back to it in a natural way in your language.

2:14c–d

so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil: This clause tells the purpose for which Christ became a human being (2:14a–b). He came to destroy the devil’s power. The clause indicates that when Christ died, he defeated the devil and took away the devil’s power of death.

In some languages it may be more natural to make 2:14c–d a separate sentence. For example:

⌊ He/Jesus did this⌋so that by dying himself, he might destroy the devil who has power over death.

He might destroy: In this context the verb destroy means “to make powerless.” The phrase He might destroy indicates that Jesus’ purpose in dying was to take away the devil’s power. The context indicates that by dying Jesus was successful in destroying the devil’s power. The word might does not imply any doubt about that.

Some ways to translate He might destroy are:

in order that he would spoil the power of
-or-
to completely take away the power of
-or-
he would totally defeat

him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil: Scholars have different views about what the power of death refers to here:

(1) It indicates that the devil has power to tempt people to sin, which causes spiritual death (separation from God). For example:

who works to cause ⌊spiritual⌋ death

(2) It indicates that the devil brought sin and death into the world. For example:

Satan, who is the origin of death

(3) It refers to the power that the devil has to cause people’s physical death. For example:

the devil, who causes people to die

English versions are ambiguous. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) or (2). These interpretations fit the context of Hebrews and are supported by various Bible scholars. Interpretation (3) is not recommended, because the Scriptures indicate that God is the one who has power to decide when a person will die.

Some ways to translate interpretation (1) or (2) are:

his control over people, that being what leads them to death which is unending punishment
-or-
the devil’s power that causes people to die ⌊eternally⌋

the devil: The phrase the devil refers to the chief of all evil spirits. His name is Satan. In Hebrew this name means “enemy.” He is the enemy of God and God’s people. The terms the devil and “Satan” refer to the same spiritual enemy. In some languages, you may want to use one term for both terms in your translation.

Here are some ways to translate the devil :

• Use a local name or idiom that refers to the chief of all demons.

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

the leader of the evil spirits
-or-
the spirit enemy of God

• Transliterate the name “Satan.” If this word is not already known in your area, you may also want to add a descriptive phrase. For example:

Satan, the ruler of demons

If you transliterate “Satan” or borrow a word from another language, be sure that it communicates the biblical meaning to people in your culture. It is important to check this in each biblical context.

Try to use a term that is acceptable to churches in the area. It is suggested that you also add a footnote or glossary entry that further explains who the devil is. For example:

The devil is the leader of all the evil spirits or demons. Once he was an angel in heaven, but he rebelled against God. God expelled him from heaven, and now he tempts people on earth. Other names for him in the Bible are “Beelzebul,” “Satan,” “the Evil One,” “the Enemy,” and “the Tempter.”

If you have translated the Gospels, you may use the same term as you used there. For more information, see Satan, “other expressions” in Key Biblical Terms.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2:15

2:15

and free those who…were held in slavery by their fear of death: This clause tells the second purpose that Jesus had in becoming a human being (2:14b) and dying (2:14c). Jesus became human and died in order to set people free from the fear of death.

The verb free and the phrase held in slavery by are metaphors. The author used them to compare what Jesus did to the way someone rescues people from slavery. People were living like slaves because they were always afraid to die. After Jesus died for them (and came alive again), the people became free from fearing death. They did not have to be afraid to die anymore.

Some ways to translate this meaning are:

• Keep the metaphors. For example:

Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. (New Living Translation (2004))

• Use a simile and make the comparison more explicit. For example:

and free those who were like slaves all their lives because of their fear of death (New Century Version)
-or-
to release/help those who were living like slaves because they were afraid to die

• Use a different figure of speech that has the same meaning in your language. For example:

he helped those who were afraid to die and took away their fear. For as long as they lived, they were gripped/held tightly by their fear of dying.

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

But he also died to rescue all of us who live each day in fear of dying (Contemporary English Version)

Translate the figure of speech in a natural way in your language.

those who: The phrase those who is a general way to refer to everyone who feared death, that is, to human beings in general. In some languages it may be more natural to use a different way to refer to them. For example:

all of us who… (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
everyone who
-or-
we…our

who all their lives: The phrase who all their lives refers to the time that the people were alive on earth. Some other ways to translate it are:

who live each day (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
beginning from the time of their birth
-or-
since our becoming people here in this world

Refer to the people’s lifetimes in a natural way in your language.

all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death: Notice that the phrase by their fear of death is the cause or reason for the fact that all their lives people were held in slavery. In some languages it may be more natural to change the order of these phrases so that the reason comes before the result. For example:

all their lives they were afraid to die and/so they lived like slaves

General Comment on 2:14–15

In Greek 2:14–15 is one long sentence. In many languages it is more natural to translate it with two or three sentences. For example:

So because ⌊God’s⌋ children have human bodies, he also received a human body like they had. ⌊He did this⌋ so that when he died, he would make powerless the one who controls death, that is, the devil. Then he would release those people who were like slaves as long as they lived, because they were afraid to die.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2:16

2:16

For: The conjunction For indicates that 2:16 is an explanation for 2:14–15. The word For introduces the reason why Jesus became a human being, rather than an angel. He became human because human beings are the ones whom he came to earth to help. He did not come to earth to help angels. Use a natural way in your language to indicate that 2:16 is the explanation for the statement in 2:14–15.

surely: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as surely only occurs here in the NT. It introduces a fact that is obviously true. Some other ways to translate it here are:

clearly/certainly
-or-
We…know that (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Of course

it is not the angels He helps, but the descendants of Abraham: In Greek this clause first tells what Jesus did not do, and then it tells what he did do. In some languages it may be more natural to change this order. For example:

Jesus helps Abraham’s descendants rather than helping angels. (God’s Word)

Here the author compared angels and humans (the descendants of Abraham). Since Jesus became human, the author also implied a contrast between the angels and Jesus. That contrast is the theme of this division (1:5–2:18).

The author wanted to show that it was people whom Jesus came to earth to help. It was not angels whom he came to earth to help. He became a human being and shared human sorrows, sufferings, and joys. Then he died for humans so that he would be part of the same family with those who follow him. He did not do those things for angels.

Some other ways to translate this contrast are:

So Jesus helps Abraham’s descendants rather than helping angels. (God’s Word)
-or-
Clearly it is not the angels’ nature/life that he shares but rather he shares the nature/life of human beings, the descendants of Abraham.

Translate the contrast in a natural way in your language.

the angels: The word angels was also used in 1:4. Translate it in the same way as you did there.

He helps: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the phrase He helps literally means “to take hold of.” In this context it means “to be concerned about, to help.” Jesus came to earth to help human beings (the “descendants of Abraham”). Many English versions translate the word as “help” in this verse, as in the Berean Standard Bible. Another way to translate the meaning is:

his concern is not for angels, but he is concerned for Abraham’s descendants (NET Bible)

the descendants of Abraham: The phrase the descendants of Abraham has both a literal and figurative meaning here. Literally, it refers to the Jews, the people of Israel. Abraham was their ancestor. However, in this verse the phrase also expresses two figurative meanings:

(a) It refers generally to human beings in contrast to the angels.

(b) It refers especially to people who have faith in God, as Abraham did.

In some languages it is necessary to indicate in some way that the phrase has a figurative meaning. For example:

us people who are counted/considered as Abraham’s descendants
-or-
the people who follow the faith of Abraham

The author of Hebrews and also the people who heard his message were among the descendants of Abraham. In some languages, you may need to make this explicit. For example:

descendants of ⌊our (incl.) ancestor⌋ Abraham
-or-

⌊ us who are⌋Abraham’s ⌊spiritual⌋ descendants

General Comment on 2:16

In Greek this verse first tells what Jesus did not do, and then what he did do. In some languages it may be more natural to change the order of these statements. For example:

We all know that Jesus came to help the descendants of Abraham, not to help the angels. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
It is clear/obvious that Jesus helps Abraham’s descendants rather than helping angels.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2:17

2:17a

For this reason: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For this reason introduces a conclusion from 2:16. This conclusion is also a summary and conclusion of 2:10–16. Some other ways to introduce this conclusion are:

That is why
-or-
Therefore (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
As a result

Introduce it in a natural way in your language.

He had to be made like His brothers: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as had to means “to be obligated” to do something. The clause means that Jesus was obligated to become human like other humans so that he would be a good high priest for them.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

it was necessary for him to be made…like his brothers and sisters (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
he needed to become a man/human so that he could be the same as his siblings
-or-
The reason it was necessary for Him to become a human was so that He might become like us(incl.) His siblings.

be made like His brothers in every way: The phrase be made like His brothers in every way has a special meaning in this context. It indicates that in every way Jesus became a real human being, just as his brothers and sisters were human beings. However, the phrase in every way does not imply that Jesus was sinful like other human beings.

Some other ways to translate be made like His brothers in every way are:

become completely human like his people
-or-
to become a real human being like his fellow human beings
-or-
to become just like any human being

His brothers: The phrase His brothers refers back to 2:11. There the author indicated that people whom Jesus sanctifies become his brothers and sisters. The author also implied that these brothers and sisters are the descendants of Abraham that he mentioned in 2:16. In many languages it is good to translate the phrase His brothers in the same way as you did in 2:11.

In some languages it may be necessary to add a phrase to indicate that brothers is used in a spiritual instead of a physical sense here, as it was in 2:11. For example:

⌊ us whom he calls⌋his own siblings

If you include a pronoun like “us,” it should refer to both the author and the people who heard his message.

2:17b

Here in 2:17b the author first used the term “high priest” to refer to Jesus. In Hebrews the author compared the work of a Jewish high priest in the Old Testament to what Jesus did for people. Jewish high priests represented the people and offered sacrifices to God on their behalf. Jesus also represented his people to God, and he offered himself as a perfect sacrifice so that God would forgive the people’s sins.

so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God: This clause tells the purpose for which Jesus became completely human (2:17a). He became human in order to be a good high priest for human beings. The words merciful and faithful both describe the phrase high priest. They do not indicate that Jesus was not merciful or faithful before he became human.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

so that he would be a high priest who treats people with compassion. He would also be faithful toward God and toward people as he does the work of the high priest.
-or-
Because he did that, when he does the work of the high priest, he sympathizes with the people. Both God and people can trust him.

a merciful…high priest: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as merciful means “sympathetic, compassionate.” It refers to a person who is concerned about the needs of other people and sympathizes with them. The phrase a merciful…high priest implies that as a human high priest, Jesus knows the temptations of human beings, and he has compassion for them.

See the examples in the preceding note for translation advice.

faithful high priest in service to God: The word faithful means “worthy of trust, dependable.” It refers to someone who is worthy to be believed and trusted. The phrase in service to God indicates here that Jesus was faithful to both God and people as he served God as high priest. Both God and human beings could trust him.

Some other ways to translate the phrase faithful high priest in service to God are:

a high priest who is…trustworthy as he represents us to God
-or-
to serve God as our high priest in a faithful way

high priest: The high priest was the leader of all the priests of the people of Israel. All the priests offered sacrifices on behalf of the people, but the high priest offered certain special sacrifices that no other priest could offer. Once a year, he offered the special sacrifice that atoned for the people’s sins. In a special way, he represented them to God.

Some ways to translate high priest are:

the chief/leader of all the priests
-or-
the main/principal priest
-or-
the highest/leading priest

The author described the work of Jesus as a high priest in more detail from 4:14 onwards. Translate the term high priest in the same way here and in the Gospels. For more information, see priest in Key Biblical Terms.

in service to God: There are two ways to interpret the Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in service to God :

(1) It means “toward God.” In this context it refers to service to God or to relationship with him. For example:

in his service to God (Good News Translation)

(2) It means “about God.” It refers to things concerning God or about God. For example:

things relating to God (NET Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), as most English versions and many commentators do. In this context in service to God refers to what the high priest did as he served God on behalf of the people. It refers especially to the sacrifice he made so that God would forgive the people’s sins (2:17c).

Some other ways to translate the phrase are:

to represent us to God
-or-
working the work that God gave him
-or-
as he served God

Be sure to connect this phrase to 2:17c in a natural way in your language.

2:17c

in order to make atonement for the sins of the people: This clause tells the purpose for Jesus being a merciful and faithful high priest. As a high priest like that, Jesus was able to make atonement for the people’s sins. He did this by offering himself to be killed as a sacrifice to God. Jesus himself took the punishment that people deserve for their sins so that God would forgive them. Then they themselves would not have to be killed.

Some other ways to translate this purpose are:

in order to offer sacrifice so that the people’s sins would be forgiven
-or-
so he would undergo the punishment of our sins so that it would thus be possible for our sins to be forgiven
-or-
Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. (New Living Translation (2004))

make atonement: The phrase make atonement is one word in Greek. It refers to the way that people can obtain forgiveness from God for their sins. In the Bible the word implies that people have sinned against God. God is just, and he must punish people for sin. Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice to be punished instead of other people so that God could forgive them.

In many cultures people make sacrifices for other reasons that do not fit the meaning of the Greek word. It is often necessary to use a descriptive phrase to translate it. See the translation examples in the preceding note. Since the Greek word is a key biblical term, it is especially important to check the meaning of your translation of it with other speakers of your language.

Other forms of this Greek word occur in 1 John 2:2 and 4:10. For more information, see reconcile, sense B, in Key Biblical Terms.

the sins of the people: The phrase the sins of the people refers to the sins which the people have committed. Some other ways to translate the phrase are:

the sins that the people have done
-or-
the offenses that the people committed ⌊against God⌋

sins: The word sins was used in 1:3d. You may translate it in the same way here. For more information, see the note on 1:3d.

the people: In the original context of the OT the word people refers to the same people as “the descendants of Abraham” in 2:16 and “his brothers” in 2:17a. Refer to them here in a natural way in your language.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2:18

2:18

Hebrews 2:18 is one sentence which has two clauses. Hebrews 2:18a tells why Christ is able to help us (the reason) and 2:18b tells about his helping (the result). In some languages, it is more natural to reorder these two clauses or to make them separate sentences. For examples of how this verse can be reordered or translated as two sentences, see the General Comment on 2:18a–b at the end of 2:18b.

2:18a

Because: In Greek this verse begins with two connectors that many English versions translate together as “For since.” The word that the Berean Standard Bible leaves implicit (“for”) explains more about why Jesus is a merciful and faithful high priest for people (2:17). The word Because indicates that 2:18a is the reason why Jesus is able to help people when they are tempted (2:18b).

In some languages it is not necessary to make both of these connections explicit. Make the meaning clear in a natural way in your language.

He Himself suffered when He was tempted: The Greek phrase the Berean Standard Bible translates as suffered when He was tempted is literally “suffered being tempted/tested.” Scholars interpret the connection between “suffered” and “being tempted” in different ways:

(1) Jesus was tempted, and the temptation caused him to suffer. For example:

he himself suffered when he was tempted (New International Version)

(2) Jesus suffered, and the suffering caused him to be tempted. For example:

Jesus experienced temptation when he suffered (God’s Word)

(God’s Word, New Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible)

(3) Jesus was tempted and he also suffered. For example:

he himself was tempted and suffered (Good News Translation)

The meanings of these interpretations are similar, and the differences seem to be mainly a matter of emphasis. You may translate any of these interpretations in a natural way in your language.

He Himself: The phrase He Himself emphasizes Jesus in contrast to “those who are being tempted” in 2:18b. Translate this contrast in a natural way in your language. See the Display for examples.

suffered: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as suffered is a general word that can refer to enduring any kind of pain or hardship. The form of the word implies that Jesus endured this suffering over a period of time. Some other ways to translate it are:

has suffered (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
has gone through suffering (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
experienced distress/hardship

In some languages there may be an idiom that expresses this meaning.

He was tempted: The phrase He was tempted is passive. The Greek text does not specify who or what tempted Jesus. This clause may refer to temptation by Satan. It may also include other sources of temptations, such as other people or the weaknesses of human nature. For that reason, it is best not to make explicit who or what tempted him. For example:

Jesus experienced temptation (God’s Word)

However, if you must provide a subject, you may indicate that Satan tempted Jesus. For example:

⌊ Satan⌋tempted Jesus

was tempted: There are two ways to interpret the word tempted in this context:

(1) It means tempted. It refers here to temptation to sin. For example:

and was tempted (New Century Version)

(2) It means tested. It refers here to a test of Jesus’ faithfulness to God during suffering. For example:

he himself has passed through the test of suffering (Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It is followed by most English versions and a majority of Bible scholars.

2:18b

He is able to help those who are being tempted: This part of the verse tells the result of 2:18a. Jesus was tempted (2:18a), so he is able to help those who are being tempted. Other ways to translate this result are:

That is how/why he is able to help those who are being tempted.
-or-
therefore he can really help us when we also are tested/tempted.

Translate the result in a natural way in your language.

help: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as help is a general word that can refer to different ways to assist or support someone. In this context, Jesus helps people to resist and overcome temptation so that they do not sin.

Jesus uses many different ways to help people who are tempted. For example, he encourages them, he gives them spiritual and physical strength, he shows them what he wants them to do, and he may cause other people to help them. Having been tempted himself, Jesus understands how to help those who are being tempted.

Jesus helps those who are tempted so that they can resist the temptation and not sin against God. This is the main purpose for Jesus’ help. In some languages it may be necessary to make this purpose explicit. For example:

he can help the people who are tempted so that they are not carried to sin

those who are being tempted: The phrase those who are being tempted is a general statement that is true for anyone who is tempted. Languages have different ways to refer to people in general statements like this. For example, some languages may use “we,” “anyone,” or “whoever.” For example:

anyone who is tempted
-or-
when we are tempted

In other languages it may be more natural to refer only to the temptation without mentioning who is tempted. For example:

during the time of temptation

Use a natural option for your language.

are being tempted: The form of the Greek verb which the Berean Standard Bible translates as are being tempted indicates that the temptation continues for some time or that it happens often over a period of time. Here is another way to translate this:

are tempted (NET Bible)

Translate this meaning in a natural way in your language.

General Comment on 2:18a–b

In some languages it may be more natural to reorder the clauses in this verse. For example:

18b And now he can help those who are tempted, 18a because he himself was tempted and suffered. (Good News Translation)

In some languages it may be more natural to translate this verse as two sentences. For example:

He himself was tempted and suffered. So he is able to help us when we are tempted.

The author mentioned temptation and the help of our great high priest again in 4:15–16.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 3:1

Division 3:1–4:13

Jesus is greater than Moses, and he leads us to a greater rest

In chapters 1 and 2, the author showed that God has now spoken through his Son Jesus. Jesus is greater than the angels, so people must pay more attention to him than to the angels.

In 3:1–4:13, the author showed that Jesus was also greater than Moses, who led God’s people, the people of Israel, out of Egypt. Moses led them as God’s faithful servant, but Jesus leads them as God’s own Son. Now God’s people include all the people who follow his Son, whether they are people of Israel or not. Jesus is the high priest of the better covenant that God made with his people.

Section 3:1–6

Jesus is greater than Moses

In this section the author explained how Jesus is greater than Moses. Moses was faithful as a servant in God’s house, but Jesus is God’s Son. He is faithful as a Son, taking care of God’s household for God. Because of that he is worthy of more honor than Moses.

Some other examples of headings for this section are:

Moses was God’s faithful servant, but Jesus was God’s faithful Son
-or-
Jesus and Moses (NET Bible)

Some English versions include all of chapter 3 in one section. However, Section 3:7–19 is the second of the important warning sections in the book of Hebrews. (The first warning was in 2:1–4.) It is often helpful to readers to provide separate headings for each of these warning sections.

Paragraph 3:1–6

3:1

This verse is complex. In some languages it is more natural to change the order of clauses or to translate the clauses as two sentences. For examples of how to reorder the clauses in this verse, see the General Comment on 3:1a–b at the end of 3:1b.

3:1a

Therefore: The Greek word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as Therefore introduces the exhortation in 3:1 to “set your focus on Jesus.” The Greek word implies that readers should focus on him because of what was said about him in chapters 1 and 2, and more specifically because of 2:17–18. Those verses indicate that Jesus is a merciful and faithful high priest for his followers. Therefore they must think about him and pay attention to him.

Some other ways to translate this connection are:

So (New Century Version)
-or-
Because of ⌊all⌋ this
-or-
Now therefore
-or-
Because of ⌊all that I have said⌋

Translate the connection in a natural and clear way in your language.

holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling: Scholars differ about what the word holy describes in this phrase:

(1) It describes holy brothers. For example:

holy brothers and sisters (New International Version)

(2) It describes share. For example:

holy partners (New Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most English versions and many commentaries.

Here the author addressed his readers directly for the first time in Hebrews. The phrase holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling addresses the readers directly, as if the phrases were names. The author used them to focus special attention on what he was about to say in 3:1b (“set your focus on Jesus”).

In some languages it may not be natural to use a long phrase to address someone directly. So it may be more natural to translate 3:1a in a different way. For example:

holy brothers and sisters, you share in a heavenly calling
-or-
relatives, you belong to God and he has called you to enter heaven

In this sermon (letter) the author rarely used this type of direct address. The only other places are in 3:12, 10:19, 13:22 (“brothers”), and in 6:9 (“dear friends”).

holy brothers: The phrase holy brothers refers back to 2:11, where the author mentioned Jesus as the one who makes people holy. He said also that Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. They are brothers and sisters of Jesus and of each other. Translate the words holy and brothers in a similar way as you did in 2:11.

Some ways to translate holy brothers here are:

brothers and sisters dedicated to God
-or-
Relatives who belong to God

holy: The word holy means “dedicated to God,” “belonging to God,” “sanctified.” In 2:11, the author spoke of Jesus as the one who “sanctifies.” That means that he is the one who dedicates people to God so that they belong to him. See the examples in the preceding note.

The fact that God’s people are holy is one of the themes of the book. See also 10:10, 10:14, 12:10, and 12:14. For more information, see holy, sense A3(a), in Key Biblical Terms.

brothers: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as brothers refers here to fellow believers in Christ. It includes both male and female. Believers call each other “brothers and sisters” because they have all been received into God’s family through becoming followers of Jesus.

Some ways to translate the word here are:

My Christian friends (Good News Translation)
-or-
dear brothers and sisters who belong to God (New Living Translation (2004))

who share in the heavenly calling: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as who share (“sharers”) means “people who use or own (something) in common or participate together in (something).” Here it indicates that the author and readers have all been called by God (they share that calling).

In some languages, it may not be natural to share a calling. If that is true in your language, some other ways to translate the meaning are:

who share in being called by God
-or-
whom God called along with others to be in his family

This word is also used in 3:14 in the phrase “to share in Christ.” In 2:14 another form of the word referred to Jesus “sharing” blood and flesh.

heavenly calling: There are two ways to interpret the phrase heavenly calling in this context:

(1) It indicates that the calling is from God. The word heavenly is a way to refer to God. For example:

called by God (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, New Century Version, Contemporary English Version)

(2) It refers to being called to heaven. For example:

called to heaven (New Living Translation (2004))

(New Living Translation (2004))

Most English versions are ambiguous, and the interpretations are similar. However, if you must choose, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). In this context the author focuses more on the call to be in God’s family than on our call to heaven.

A heavenly calling indicates that God has invited or chosen people to be his children. Some other ways to translate this are:

God chose you to be his people.
-or-
you whom God invited/told ⌊to be his children⌋

In some languages “God called” a person implies a wrong meaning here. It implies that the person died. If that is true in your language, you should use a different word.

3:1b

In this verse the author compared Jesus to Moses. The Berean Standard Bible and other English versions use a different order of words than the Greek text uses. In Greek, 3:1b–2 is literally:

consider carefully the apostle and high priest of our confession, Jesus

Notice that the name “Jesus” is the last word in the verse. Another way to translate this order is:

Pay attention to the one who is the apostle of God and the High Priest that we believe in: He is Jesus.

In Greek this order of words emphasizes Jesus. English versions have probably changed the order to emphasize Jesus more clearly in English. Use an order of words in your language that emphasizes Jesus.

set your focus on Jesus: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as set your focus on Jesus is more literally “consider…Jesus.” This phrase means “think carefully about.” Some other ways to translate the phrase set your focus on are:

reflect on Jesus (New American Bible)
-or-
think seriously about Jesus

In some languages there is an idiom to express this. For example:

fix your thoughts on Jesus (New International Version)
-or-
turn your minds to Jesus (New Jerusalem Bible)

Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess: The phrase Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess indicates that we believe and publicly declare that Jesus is our apostle and high priest. In this context the word confess refers to “confessing the faith.” To confess the faith refers to making a statement that tells what followers of Jesus believe.

Some other ways to translate the apostle and high priest whom we confess are:

Jesus, the apostle and chief priest about whom we make our declaration of faith (God’s Word)
-or-
this Jesus whom we declare to be God’s Messenger and High Priest (New Living Translation (1996))

the apostle and high priest: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the apostle and high priest indicates the roles that God gave Jesus. God sent him (so he is called apostle), and God made him the high priest for us.

apostle: The English word apostle comes from the Greek word which means “one who is sent.” An apostle can be sent to say something or to do something. In the New Testament the word apostle usually refers to the disciples whom Jesus sent to tell people the Gospel. Here it refers to Jesus. It indicates that Jesus is the one whom God sent to people for a special purpose.

Some ways to translate apostle in this context are:

God’s Messenger (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
who was sent to us (New Century Version)

In some languages, the term for apostle in the Gospels is “the messenger of Jesus Christ.” Here in Hebrews a term like that should be changed. The term should indicate that God sent Jesus as the apostle (messenger). Also be sure to use a different term for apostle than you use for “prophet” or “angel.” For more information, see apostle, sense 1, in Key Biblical Terms.

high priest: Here the author repeated the phrase high priest that he used in 2:17. He repeated it here because he was about to teach people more about Jesus being our high priest. He gave the main part of this teaching from 4:14 onwards. Translate high priest in the same way as you did in 2:17.

whom we confess: The phrase whom we confess means “what we say/declare that we believe.” In this context the word confess refers to people making a statement in public about what they believe. It does not refer here to confessing sins.

The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as confess occurs six times in the New Testament. For translation examples, see the note on “Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess” earlier in this part of the verse.

General Comment on 3:1a–b

The clauses in 3:1 are complex. In some languages it is more natural to translate the connections in a simpler way or to use more than one sentence. For example:

My Christian friends, who also have been called by God! Think of Jesus, whom God sent to be the High Priest of the faith we profess. (Good News Translation)
-or-
My holy brothers/relatives, you share in being called by God. Think about Jesus. He is the one whom God sent to us, and he is the supreme priest of our faith.

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Category: Translation commentary

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 4:7

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2:13

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2:14

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2:15

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2:16

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2:17

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2:18

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 3:1

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