SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2020

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 1:10

Paragraph 1:10–12

Hebrews 1:10–12 contains the sixth quotation from the Old Testament. It is from Psalm 102:25–27. In that Psalm, the psalmist said these words to God. But when the author of Hebrews quoted them in these verses, God spoke them to his Son. He called him “Lord.” God’s Son is the Lord who created heaven and earth. Heaven and earth will come to an end, but he is eternal and unchanging.

1:10a

And: The author used the word And here to introduce another statement that God said to his Son. It is also a quotation from the Old Testament. Some other ways to introduce it are:

God also said (God’s Word)
-or-
He also says to the Son (New Living Translation (2004))

Introduce the quotation in a natural way in your language.

1:10b–c

In the Greek text, 1:10b–c are in a different order, more literally:

And you from ⌊the⌋ beginning, Lord, founded the earth, and the heavens are works of your hands.

The word “you” is emphasized. God emphasized that his Son is God, the one who created the earth and the heavens. Use a natural word order in your language. Here is another way to translate this:

Lord, in the beginning you made the earth, and your hands made the skies. (New Century Version)

In some languages there may be a different way to emphasize the word “you.” For example:

It was you, Lord, who in the beginning…

O Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands: In 1:10b–c there are two parallel statements:

10b Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth,

10c and the heavens are the work of Your hands.

The heavens refer to the sky and all that is in the sky. Together the phrases the earth and the heavens represent everything that God created. In some languages it may be more natural to combine these statements in one clause. For example:

you Lord are the one who created the earth and everything that is in the sky

1:10b

In the beginning: The phrase In the beginning refers to the time when God began to create everything that exists. At that time nothing existed. This phrase is similar to the first words of Genesis 1:1 and the first words of John 1:1. If you have translated those books, you may be able to use the same expression here. Some other ways to translate it are:

Before anything was created
-or-
At the beginning of time
-or-
Long ago

If you use a phrase like “Before anything existed,” be sure that it does not imply that God himself did not exist.

laid the foundations of the earth: Here the author used figurative language to indicate that the Lord caused the earth to exist. The phrase does not mean that the earth has a literal foundation, as a building does.

In some languages it is more natural to translate the meaning without using this figurative language. For example:

created the earth
-or-
caused the earth to exist
-or-
made the earth

If you have a figurative way in your language to describe God creating the earth, you may be able to use it here.

1:10c

the heavens are the work of Your hands: The phrase the work of Your hands is a figure of speech. It emphasizes the fact that the Son himself created the heavens. Many languages may be able to translate this figure of speech directly. For example:

With your own hands you made the heavens (God’s Word)
-or-
It was your hands that made the sky.

In some languages it may be more natural to translate the meaning of the figure of speech more directly. For example:

and you are the one who made the heavens

the heavens: The phrase the heavens refers to the sky and everything in it, such as the sun, moon, and stars. The Berean Standard Bible probably uses the plural form of the English word heavens here because the Hebrew word is always plural. Use a natural way in your language to speak of the sky and what is in it. For example:

the sky
-or-
the skies and everything in them

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 3:11

3:11

There are two ways to interpret the way 3:11 connects to 3:10. The connection depends on the interpretation of the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “So”:

(1) The word “So” indicates that God’s oath was a result of the people’s disobedience (3:8–10). For example:

So I vowed in my anger (Revised English Bible)

(2) The word “So” implies that the people who disobeyed will not enter God’s rest, just as God said they will not enter it. For example:

As I swore in my wrath (English Standard Version)

Several English versions (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, and New Century Version) do not translate the word “So.” It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with the majority of English versions and commentaries.

3:11a–b

So I swore on oath in My anger, ‘They shall never enter My rest’: The clause So I swore on oath in My anger indicates that God was angry when the people disobeyed him, so he vowed that they would never enter his rest. Some other ways to translate the clause are:

I was angry and made a promise, “They will never enter my rest.” (New Century Version)
-or-
So in my anger I made a vow: “They will never enter my place of rest.” (New Living Translation (2004))

They shall never enter My rest: Here God vowed that those who did not trust and obey him would never receive the type of rest that he wanted to give them. Some ways to translate the meaning in this context are:

They will never receive the rest that I ⌊planned to give them⌋.
-or-
they certainly will not be able to rest under my care

For information on how to translate rest in this context, refer again to the introduction to Section 3:7–19.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 5:8

5:8a–b

Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered: This statement expresses surprise that even Christ, the Son of God, needed to suffer in order to fully obey God. The phrase learned obedience does not imply that the Son was disobedient or that he did not know how to obey. It indicates that when the Son was a man on earth, he had to suffer in order to obey the Father. Then he learned the type of obedience that involves suffering or causes suffering.

In some languages it may be helpful to mention “suffering” before learned obedience. For example:

He, being Son ⌊of God⌋, still suffered. Through his suffering, he learned/experienced obedience.

Some other ways to translate the meaning are:

but Son though he was, he had to prove the meaning of obedience through all that he suffered (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
Even though Christ was the Son of God, yet in order that he might obey God, he let himself go through suffering.

5:8a

Although He was a Son: In Greek this phrase is more literally, “Though being Son.” It emphasizes Christ’s identity as the Son of God. It does not imply that there was more than one son. In some languages it is necessary to supply the word for “God.” For example:

But even though he was God’s Son (Good News Translation)
-or-
Jesus is God’s own Son, but still… (Contemporary English Version)

5:8b

He learned obedience from what He suffered: The phrase He learned obedience indicates that Christ learned (experienced) submitting to God even when the submission caused him to suffer. In some languages a phrase like learned obedience wrongly implies that Christ was only pretending to obey. In other languages it wrongly implies that Christ was disobedient until he learned from suffering that he ought to obey.

If this phrase implies such a wrong meaning in your language, use a different way to describe Jesus’ experience of obeying God as he suffered. For example:

he experienced the meaning of obeying God through/by what he suffered
-or-
through all that he endured, he realized the meaning of following/obeying God
-or-
he too underwent suffering, and he submitted to God like mankind

obedience: The word obedience refers to listening to someone (here, listening to God) and doing what he says to do. In some languages it is more natural to translate obedience as a phrase or clause. For example:

to obey ⌊God⌋
-or-
to listen ⌊to God⌋ ⌊and do as he says/commands⌋

from what He suffered: The phrase from what He suffered indicates the means by which Christ “learned obedience.” He learned it by suffering and in the process of suffering. The phrase what He suffered is a general way to refer to all the pain, sorrow, tortures, and agony that Christ endured when he died to atone for our sins.

For translation examples, see the first note on 5:8b.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2:8

2:8a

and placed everything under his feet: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as placed everything under his feet means “put under his authority,” “made him ruler over.” It indicates that God gave the Messiah and/or mankind authority to rule over everything that God created. It does not indicate that the things were literally located under his or their feet.

In some languages it is more natural to translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

and made him ruler over all things (Good News Translation)
-or-
The Lord God gives mankind authority to rule everything.

everything: The word everything refers to all that God created. Another way to translate everything is:

all the things you have made

If you have a figure of speech in your language that has this meaning, you may be able to use it here.

his: See the note on 2:6b. Make sure that you translate the whole quotation in 2:6–8 so that the parts agree with each other. For example, if you used a pronoun like his in the previous parts of this quotation, you should also use his here. If you used “us(incl.) ” there, you should use “our(incl.) ” here.

General Comment on 2:7a–8a

In some languages it is more natural to translate 2:7a, 2:7b, and 2:8a as separate sentences. Some ways to do this are:

You made him for a little while lower than the angels. You crowned him with glory and honor. You put everything under his control.
-or-
You made him lower than the angels for a while. Yet you crowned him with glory and honor. And you gave him authority over everything.

2:8b

In some languages it will be more natural to combine 2:8b and 2:8c. See the General Comment on 2:8b–c at the end of 2:8c.

This verse begins with a Greek conjunction that is often translated as “for.” As in 2:2a, it introduces a statement that explains something about what the author has just said. Introduce the statement in a natural way in your language. In some languages a connecting word is not necessary.

When God subjected all things to him: The phrase subjected all things is repeated from 2:8a, where the Berean Standard Bible uses “placed.” The word When indicates that the author will explain what the phrase implies. Other ways to translate When God subjected all things to him are:

when he said that he subjected everything under their feet, he meant/implied that…
-or-
when it says “all things,” it means that… (New Living Translation (2004))

2:8c

He left nothing outside of his control: This clause is a way of repeating what the author said in 2:8a. God put everything under the authority of mankind. When he gave mankind this authority, he did not mention anything that he would not allow them to control. Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

He gave them control over every single thing.
-or-
He did not say that there was something that they could not control.

General Comment on 2:8b–c

In 2:8b the author repeated part of the quotation from Psalm 8. In 2:8c he explained the meaning of that part of the quotation. Connect the statements in a natural way in your language.

2:8d

Yet at present: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Yet at present is more literally “but now.” It indicates a contrast between the quotation in 2:8a and what humans experience now. Some other ways to express this contrast are:

however…now (Good News Translation)
-or-
But (New Living Translation (2004))

we do not see everything subject to him: The clause we do not see everything subject to him indicates that people do not yet rule or control everything else that God created. The clause contrasts with 2:8a–c, and it repeats some of the words in those clauses. Some other ways to translate this clause are:

But we have not yet seen all things put under their authority. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
But until the present time we do not see that all the things are ruled by the people.

In this statement the word we refers to people in general. Some other ways to translate the statement are:

But today/now, this has not yet happened.
-or-
But people have not yet seen all this happen.

see: In this context the verb see refers to being aware that something has happened or to experiencing it. It does not refer here to seeing with the eyes.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 4:3

4:3a

Now we who have believed enter that rest: The word Now introduces an explanation of what the author said in 4:2. It also introduces a contrast. We who have believed contrasts with the people who did not believe what God promised. They could not enter God’s rest. Instead, we who have believed are the ones who enter the rest that he promised.

Some ways to translate this explanation and contrast are:

For only we who believe can enter his rest. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
It is only we who believe who will enter that resting-place
-or-
But as for us, because we believed ⌊the word that God spoke⌋, now we are able to enter the rest.

we who have believed: The pronoun we includes the author and everyone who believes the good news (4:2a), which is the message (4:2b) about the promise of entering his rest (4:1a). The word believed is used in the same sense as “faith” in 4:2, and the Greek words are closely related.

In some languages it is necessary to indicate what is believed. In this context they believed the good news that they heard in 4:2. Some ways to refer back to it are:

we who believed it
-or-
we who believe ⌊the message⌋
-or-
we who have trusted/accepted ⌊the good news⌋

Remember that the “message” and the “good news” in 4:2 referred to what Joshua, Caleb, and Moses told the people. They told the people that God was able to give them rest, just as he promised them. In 4:3 we also believe the good news that God still offers rest to us, and he is able to give us that rest.

enter that rest:
The phrase enter that rest has the same meaning as “entering his rest” in 4:1. Translate it in a similar way here.

4:3b

just as God has said: In this part of the verse, the author spoke again about the people who did not believe God. The phrase just as God has said introduces what God said about them. In many languages it may be necessary to make this explicit. For example:

As for those who didn’t believe, God said (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
This agrees with what God said in the Scripture about those who did not believe him:

Translate the connection in a natural way in your language.

4:3c–d

So I swore on oath in My anger, ‘They shall never enter My rest’: These words from Psalm 95:11 were quoted in 3:11. You should translate them exactly as you did there.

4:3e–f

And yet His works have been finished since the foundation of the world: The word yet implies that the clause in 4:3e–f tells an unexpected fact. The clause indicates that when God finished creating the world, his work was done (and he rested). It implies that at that time, he also provided rest for his people. However, the people whom he led out of Egypt will never enjoy that rest (4:3a–d).

Some other ways to translate this unexpected fact are:

Yet from when God created the world, he has been resting.
-or-
But God’s work was finished from the time he made the world.
-or-
even though this rest has been ready since he made the world (New Living Translation (2004))

since the foundation of the world: The phrase since the foundation of the world refers to the time when God created the world (and everything in it). Then he rested. God’s “work” came before his “rest.” He finished his work of creating the world a long time before the people of Israel made their journey to Egypt.

In some languages it is more natural to translate foundation (“creation”) as a verb. For example:

the time he created the world (Good News Translation)
-or-
when he created everything

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 6:5

6:5a–b

Most scholars indicate that 6:5a–b adds two experiences to the list in 6:4:

(a) The people experienced for themselves the goodness of God’s word (5a).

(b) They also experienced the powers of the coming age (5b).

In 6:5b the author did not imply that people were able to visit the future. He indicated that some people were already able to experience miracles that will be common in the age to come.

who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age: The verb tasted is the same verb that was used in the phrase “tasted the heavenly gift” 6:4b. As in 6:4b, the word tasted means “to actually experience” something. It does not imply that the experience is limited like a little taste of food.

Languages have different ways to speak of experiencing something. They may use verbs that mean “see” or “feel.” There may also be different ways to speak of different types of experiences. In some languages it is necessary to translate tasted in two different ways in 6:5a and 6:5b. For example:

They found out how good God’s word is, and they received the powers of his new world. (New Century Version)
-or-
they knew from experience that God’s word is good, and they had felt the powers of the coming age (Good News Translation)

Translate the verb in a natural way in your language for this context.

6:5a

the goodness of the word of God: The phrase the goodness of the word of God indicates that God’s message is good. The word of God probably refers specifically here to the good message that God saves us through Christ. Some other ways to translate it are:

the good message of God (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
that God’s word is good

6:5b

the powers of the coming age: This phrase implies that in the future God will show his power in special ways. Miracles will be common. God will give his people special power to do great things. The word powers does not imply that the power will come from any spirit or “god” except the Creator.

Some other ways to translate the phrase are:

the power ⌊of God⌋ that he will make clear in the future
-or-
the powerful ⌊miracles⌋ that ⌊will be common⌋ in the coming age
-or-
what can be done through the power which God will reveal in the future at the last days

powers: In this context the word powers refers to actions that require God’s power to accomplish. These actions will be miraculous and extraordinary. The word is plural because the author referred to more than one event or miracle. It also occurs with the words “wonders” and “signs” in Acts 2:12 and 2 Corinthians 12:12. See the preceding note for translation examples.

the coming age: The coming age refers to a new period of time that will begin in the future. The text does not specify exactly which future time that will be.

Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

the future world (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
in the coming time

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.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 4:14

Division 4:14–8:13

Jesus is greater than any other high priest

Division 4:14–8:13 is the second major division of Hebrews. In this division the author discusses Jesus’ work as high priest for us his people. It is important to remember that in the OT God gave the people of Israel instructions about who could serve as high priest. Only one person served as high priest, and he served until he died. Then another priest was chosen. Only the high priest could make atonement for the people’s sins on the Day of Atonement. The other priests had different duties. As you translate, be sure that your translation fits with this background information.

Section 4:14–16

So let’s be faithful to Jesus, our great high priest

This short section (4:14–16) has three main points:

(a) It encourages the readers to continue to believe the truth about Jesus that they publicly accepted.

(b) It repeats that Jesus is our high priest (see 2:17), and it describes what kind of priest he is.

Remember to translate the section before choosing a heading for it. Some other possible headings are:

Jesus Is the Great High Priest (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Jesus Our Compassionate High Priest (NET Bible)
-or-
Christ Is Superior to Other Chief Priests (God’s Word)

Paragraph 4:14–16

4:14

This verse summarizes what the author taught in 4:1–13.

4:14a

Therefore, since we have: The phrase Therefore, since we have is more literally “Having, therefore.” The word “therefore” implies that the author already taught his listeners about their great high priest (4:14a). He taught them that he is Jesus, the Son of God (4:14b). These teachings are the basis for what the author told them to do (4:14c). He told them to hold firmly to their confession of faith, because they know that their great high priest is Jesus the Son of God.

Some ways to translate 4:14a–c are:

So now we understand that we have a great high priest, Jesus the Son of God, and he has gone into heaven. So let us firmly continue to believe our confession of faith.
-or-
We have a great high priest, who has gone into heaven, Jesus the Son of God. That is why we must hold on to what we have said about him. (Contemporary English Version)

In some languages it may be more natural to change the order of the clauses in this verse. See the General Comment on 4:14a–c at the end of 4:14c for examples.

we have a great high priest: The phrase we have a great high priest indicates that there is a great high priest who represents us to God.

Some other ways to translate we have a great high priest are:

there is a great high priest for us
-or-
the most powerful/important of all chief priests ⌊represents⌋ us

we: The pronoun we refers to both the author and the people who listened to him. This applies to each we and “us” in the rest of the chapter.

great high priest: The people of Israel had one great high priest, who was the leader of all the other priests. He was greater than all of them, and he was responsible to make atonement for the people’s sins. Here the word great is added to the term high priest to emphasize even more the supreme greatness of Jesus.

You should translate high priest as you did in 2:17 and emphasize his greatness in a natural way in your language. See the examples in the preceding note. For more information on how to translate high priest, see the note on 2:17b.

4:14b

who has passed through the heavens: The clause who has passed through the heavens is a figure of speech. It indicates that Jesus entered heaven and came to God. It implies a comparison between Jesus and each high priest of Israel.

Once a year the person who was the high priest of Israel came into the tabernacle. He passed through the outer room and came into the inner room. After he finished his work in that room, he left. In contrast with those high priests, Jesus came to God himself in heaven, and he is still in the presence of God.

Some ways to translate who has passed through the heavens are:

who has gone up into heaven
-or-
He went through the sky/heavens and came to God

Jesus the Son of God: The phrase Jesus the Son of God expresses the fact that Jesus has the same nature and character as God. This is the only place in Hebrews where the author puts the name Jesus and the phrase the Son of God together. For more information about how to translate the title the Son of God, see the note on “his Son” in 1:2a.

4:14c

let us hold firmly to what we profess: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as let us hold firmly is a command. It means that we must continue to be firmly committed. (Remember that it is not a request for permission.) The phrase what we profess refers here to a statement of what we believe (about Jesus). It includes a declaration of commitment to him.

Some other ways to translate this command are:

we must hold firm to our profession of faith (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
it is necessary/essential that we continue to be committed to our declaration of faith in Jesus

Translate this command in a way that is natural in your language.

what we profess: The phrase what we profess means “what we say/declare that we believe.” The word profess refers here to making a statement about what followers of Jesus believe. A follower of Jesus makes this statement in public and expresses agreement with those beliefs. It is a way for the person to publicly state his allegiance (devotion) to Jesus. The word profess does not refer here to confessing sins.

Some other ways to translate what we profess are:

what we believe about Jesus
-or-
acknowledging Jesus ⌊as our Lord⌋

The Greek word translated here as profess occurs six times in the NT. Three of those are in the book of Hebrews (here and in 3:1 and 10:23).

General Comment on 4:14a–c

In 4:14c the author told his listeners to hold firmly to their profession of faith. In some languages it may be more natural to put this exhortation at the beginning of 4:14, and then give the description of Jesus in 4:14a–b. Then that description will connect with the description of the high priest in 4:15. For example:

14c Let us, then, hold firmly to the faith we profess. 14a For we have a great high priest 14b who has gone into the very presence of God—Jesus, the Son of God. 15 Our High Priest is not one who cannot feel sympathy for our weaknesses. (Good News Translation)
-or-

14c So then, we must hold firmly to what we believe and declare 14b about Jesus. He is the Son of God, and he has gone into heaven 14a as our great high priest to represent us. 15 This high priest of ours understands our weaknesses…

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2020