SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2020

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 1:14

1:14a–b

Are not the angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?: This verse ends the chapter with another rhetorical question. It contrasts the role of angels with the role of God’s Son. In 1:8–13 the author showed that God’s Son rules with God. Here in 1:14 he indicates that the angels are only servants. He uses a rhetorical question to make this contrast more emphatic.

Some ways to translate the rhetorical question are:

• Use a question. For example:

Are they not all ministering spirits sent out in God’s service, for the sake of those destined to receive salvation? (Revised English Bible)

• Use a question and supply the answer. For example:

What are the angels, then? They are spirits who serve God and are sent by him to help those who are to receive salvation. (Good News Translation)

• Use a statement. For example:

But angels are only servants. They are spirits sent from God to care for those who will receive salvation. (New Living Translation (1996))

Translate the rhetorical question in a way that will emphasize the contrast between the angels and the Son in your language.

1:14a

the angels: The word angels refers to the spirit beings that serve God. It first occurs in this book in 1:4. Check to see how you have translated it there.

ministering spirits: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as ministering spirits refers to spirits who serve God. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as ministering comes from the same word as “servants” in 1:7b. See the note there.

The word spirits is related to the same word that is translated as “winds” in 1:7, but here it has a different meaning. It refers to the spiritual nature of the angels. Angels are intelligent beings. When they appeared to people in the Bible, they had bodies that resembled human bodies. However, they are often invisible to people.

In some languages a word like spirits may imply a wrong meaning. If that is true in your language, some other ways to translate ministering spirits are:

beings who serve
-or-
powerful-ones who serve

1:14b

sent to serve: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sent to serve indicates here that God tells the angels to go and help his people in certain ways. God is the one who sends them. The word that is translated as serve is different from the word “ministering” in 1:14a, so you may translate them differently. Some other ways to translate sent to serve here are:

are sent by him to help (Good News Translation)
-or-
whom God tells/commands to care for…

those who will inherit salvation: The clause those who will inherit salvation refers to people who will be rescued from sin and given eternal life with God. Some other ways to translate the clause are:

those who will receive salvation (New Century Version)
-or-
the people who will be saved/rescued
-or-
those whom ⌊God⌋ will save

See also the note on salvation below. You may also want to refer to how you translated “inherited” in 1:4.

inherit: Often, the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as inherit refers to receiving a person’s possessions after he dies. However, in this context it means “obtain.” It does not imply that God will die.

salvation: The word salvation refers to being rescued (saved) from something harmful or dangerous. A person may be saved from physical dangers like death or enemies or from spiritual dangers like sin and its punishment. In this context it refers to the spiritual sense of being saved from sin and from the punishment that a person deserves because of his sins. It also implies the blessings of being reconciled with God and being given eternal life with him.

In some languages it may be necessary to translate salvation with a verb or phrase. If that is true in your language, you may need to supply some implied information. For example:

the people who are rescued ⌊to live forever with God⌋

The word salvation and the verb “to save” are among the most important words in the NT. For more information, see save, sense B in Key Biblical Terms.

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Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
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 3:15

3:15a

As it has been said: The words As it has been said is a way to introduce a quotation of Scripture. Here it introduces a verse in Psalm 95 that has already been quoted in 3:7b–8b. The words in the quotation are the same in both Hebrews and the Psalm, but they are introduced in different ways. Some other ways to introduce this scripture are:

As the scripture ⌊that was already quoted⌋ said
-or-
But never forget the warning (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-

⌊ Always⌋remember what is written in God’s book:

Introduce the quotation here in a natural way in your language.

3:15b-d

Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion: Here the author referred back to the quotation in 3:7–11 to emphasize what he was saying. The quotation is exactly the same as the original in 3:7b–8b. It is important to translate it in exactly the same way here.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 5:12

5:12

In this verse the author rebuked his listeners for not understanding more about God’s word. He implied that they had known about Christ for a long time, so they should be ready to teach others about him. Instead they still needed someone to teach them the most basic truths that God has revealed to people.

5:12a–b

by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you: This statement implies that the listeners still did not understand basic truths about being a Christian. They had been Christians for a long time, so now they should be able to teach people about the Christian faith. However, they still needed other people to teach them.

Some other ways to translate the statement are:

By now you should have been teachers, but you still need a teacher to repeat to you what you learned before.
-or-
At a time when you should be teaching others, you need teachers yourselves (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

Notice that the word reteach refers specifically here to teaching about God’s word and the Christian faith. It does not imply that the listeners should have become professional teachers or teachers of other subjects. In some languages it is necessary to refer specifically to Christian teaching. For example:

Now for a long time ⌊you have heard about Jesus Christ⌋. If you had not been sluggish in listening, you would now be teaching other people ⌊about him⌋.

5:12a

Although: The common Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Although introduces an explanation. It supports what the author said about the readers being “dull of hearing” (5:11). The word Although indicates that what the author is about to say in 5:12a is unexpected. Some other ways to translate the connection between these clauses in English are:

There has been enough time for you to be teachers—yet you still need someone to teach you (Good News Translation)
-or-
You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
By now you should be teachers, but you need someone to teach you (New Century Version)

Connect the clauses in a natural way in your language.

by this time: The phrase by this time refers to the time when the author was writing to his listeners. The author implied that as he was writing to them, they had already been Christians for some time. He also implied that since they first trusted in Christ, they had been hearing God’s word, so now they should know enough to teach it to others. Other ways to translate the phrase are:

Actually it is time
-or-
By now (NET Bible)
-or-
by this time…⌊because you began to trust in Jesus long ago⌋

you ought to be teachers: The clause you ought to be teachers indicates that the listeners should be teaching other people about God’s word. Some other ways to translate this clause are:

you ought to be teaching others (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
you should be the ones who are teaching your companions
-or-
You ought to be able to preach/teach now

you: The pronoun you is plural and refers to the people who were listening to the book of Hebrews.

teachers: The word teachers refers to people who teach others. It is a general word that can refer to anyone who teaches, either formally or informally. It was often used to describe people who taught about God. For example, it is used of John the Baptist (Luke 3:12) and of Jesus (Mark 4:38).

In some languages it is more natural to use a verb. For example:

you(plur) should be able to explain these truths to others
-or-
By now you(plur) should be teaching other people these truths.

5:12b

you need someone to reteach you: The clause you need someone to reteach you implies that someone already taught the listeners about Christ. When they joined the Christian community, they were taught the basic truths that Christians believe. Now they seem to have forgotten these truths, so they need someone to teach them again.

Some other ways to translate 5:12b are:

you still need to have someone else to teach you again
-or-
you still have to be taught/preached-to again

the basic principles of God’s word: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as basic principles is more literally “fundamental principles of the beginning.” It refers to the simple truths and principles on which our trust in God is based.

These principles are usually the first truths that people are taught about God, Christ, and salvation when they become Christians. They are God’s word because God is the one who spoke them and revealed them to his people.

Some other ways to translate the basic principles of God’s word are:

the elementary truths of God’s word (New International Version)
-or-
the first lessons of God’s message (New Century Version)
-or-
the simplest things about what God has said (Contemporary English Version)

5:12c

You need milk, not solid food: Here the author used a metaphor. He compared basic teaching to milk. The word milk often refers to “breast milk” that babies and young children take directly from their mothers’ breasts. The author compared the teaching about Jesus being our high priest to solid food. It is a teaching for mature Christians.

In some languages this metaphor may not be clear. Some other ways to translate it are:

• Use a simile. For example:

You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
You still need basic/simple teaching that is like milk. You are not yet ready for the advanced teaching that is like solid food.

• Use a more general comparison. For example:

You are like a young child who can understand only simple teaching. You are not mature enough to understand more difficult teaching.

solid food: The phrase solid food refers to food that must be chewed, like meat or vegetables. Small babies cannot eat that kind of food because they cannot chew it. Remember that the author used solid food as a metaphor to refer to the complex truths that he wanted to teach them.

In some languages a word like solid is not necessary, because food already contrasts with milk. For example:

You again want to be like babies who are nursing, and yet it is necessary that you eat food.
-or-
It’s as if you have become a baby who still needs to nurse, because he can’t chew food.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2:12

2:12–13

In 2:12–13 the author of Hebrews quotes four statements from the OT. He indicates that these quotations were statements that Jesus said to God or about God. The quotations support what the author said about Jesus not being ashamed to call us his relatives (“brothers and sisters”). He is not ashamed to become human like us and suffer as a human being.

2:12

This verse is a quotation from Psalm 22:22. Psalm 22 is called a “messianic psalm” because it tells about the Messiah whom God promised to send to save people. The author of Hebrews quotes words that the Messiah spoke in the psalm. He indicates that Jesus spoke these words to God.

Verse 12 has two parallel poetic lines. In some languages it may be more natural to combine the two parts of the quotation into one sentence or to change the order of the parts. See the General Comment on 2:12a–b at the end of 2:12b for an example.

2:12a

He says: The words He says introduces another quotation from the OT. In the quotation, Jesus spoke to God. In many languages it may be helpful to begin a new sentence here and introduce the quotation in a fuller way. For example:

He says to God (Good News Translation)
-or-
For he said to God (New Living Translation (2004))

I will proclaim Your name to My brothers: This statement is a quotation from Psalm 22. The author of Hebrews quotes it as a poetic way to say that Jesus will tell people about God. He will tell them about God’s character and about what he has done.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

I will tell my people what you have done (Good News Translation)
-or-
I will make your fame known to my brothers (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Then, I will tell my fellow Israelites about you (New Century Version)

to My brothers: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to My brothers includes both male and female siblings here, as it usually does in the New Testament.

In this quotation Jesus referred to believers as his brothers to indicate that they are part of God’s family with him. They are God’s sons and daughters. The word brothers does not refer here to members of Jesus’ physical family while he was on earth.

2:12b

I will sing Your praises: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as I will sing Your praises is more literally “I will sing praise/hymns to you.” It has a similar meaning to “I will proclaim your name” in 2:12a. It means that Jesus will sing praise to God.

Some other ways to translate the clause are:

I will praise you with songs/hymns.

Your: As in 2:12a, Your refers to God.

in the assembly: The phrase in the assembly is parallel to the phrase “to my brothers” in 2:12a. The word in means “among” or “in the presence of.” The word assembly refers to the group of God’s people who are meeting together. Some other ways to translate in the assembly are:

in their meeting (Good News Translation)
-or-
among all your people (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
when they come together (Contemporary English Version)

assembly: The Greek word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as assembly refers to a group of people who are meeting together. In the New Testament the word is often translated as “church.” In the OT, which is quoted here, it was used for the whole Israelite community. See church, other uses in Key Biblical Terms.

General Comment on 2:12a–b

The two statements in 2:12 have similar (parallel) meanings. The parallel phrases are indicated here with underlining or italics (the order has been adjusted to match the Greek):

12a
I will proclaim your name to my brothers

12b
in the assembly I will sing your praises.

Notice that in Greek, the order of the similar phrases are reversed in 2:12b. This makes the phrase a chiasm, which emphasizes that Jesus claims us as his brothers and sisters. In some languages this order may not have that meaning, and it may be confusing. If that is true in your language, you may need to express this emphasis in a different way. For example, in some languages it may be more emphatic to begin the two clauses with this part of the meaning. For example:

To my brothers, I will declare your name. In the presence of the congregation, I will praise you.

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.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 6:9

Paragraph 6:9–12

This paragraph is an obvious contrast to 6:7–8. In 6:7–8 the author sternly warned his readers that they must not give up their faith in Christ. Here in 6:9–12 he assured them that he believed better things about them. He encouraged them not to become lazy but to keep trusting Christ so that they will obtain all that Christ promised.

6:9a–c

Even though we speak like this, beloved, we are convinced of better things in your case—things that accompany salvation: The Greek text uses a different order of clauses than most English versions. It is more literally:

But we are convinced about you, beloved, of better things and things belonging to salvation, though thus we speak.

Use the order of clauses that is most natural in your language here. See the General Comment on 6:9a–c at the end of 6:9b–c for more information.

6:9a

Even though we speak like this, beloved: Here the author introduces a contrast to what he said in 5:11–6:8. In 5:11–14 he told the listeners that they were still immature. Then in 6:1–8 he told them that it is a terrible sin to stop believing in Christ. Here in 6:9 he will begin to encourage them.

Some other ways to introduce this contrast and encouragement are:

But even if we speak like this, dear friends (Good News Translation)
-or-
My friends, we are talking this way. But (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Yet although we speak as we do, we are convinced that you, dear friends (Revised English Bible)

Notice that English versions translate the word beloved in different places in the sentence. In many languages it is most natural to put such a direct address at the beginning of the sentence. Do what is natural in your language.

we speak like this: The clause we speak like this implies that the author spoke sternly to his listeners (in 5:11–6:8). He warned them severely. He seemed to imply that maybe they had stopped believing in Christ. In some languages it may be necessary to make the meaning more explicit. For example:

Although we have spoken so sternly
-or-
We have warned you like this, but

we: The author used the word we here to refer only to himself. In some languages it is more natural to make that clear. For example:

even though my words to you are like this
-or-
even though I am speaking like this

beloved: After the severe words of the previous verses, the author addressed his listeners in a loving way. He called them beloved because he still loved them and considered them to be his fellow Christians. In some languages it is more natural to use a different phrase. Some languages use kinship terms or other terms for fellow believers. For example:

you relatives whom we love
-or-
my dear friends/brothers

In other languages it may be more natural to translate the meaning beloved as a phrase. For example:

Although we are talking to you like this, we/I love you

6:9b–c

we are convinced of better things in your case—things that accompany salvation: Here the author assured his listeners that he believed better things about them than the things he described in 6:1–8. There he described people who were going away from Christ. Here he indicates that he did not believe that his listeners were going away from Christ like that. He believed that they were receiving the blessings of salvation and doing the good things that saved people do.

Other ways to translate this clause are:

we are convinced of better things concerning you—things that accompany salvation (New International Version)
-or-
We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation (New Living Translation (2004))

better things…that accompany salvation: The phrase better things…that accompany salvation refers to at least two types of better things :

(a) It refers to good things that saved people do. For example:

But we are sure that you are doing those really good things that people do when they are…saved (Contemporary English Version)

(b) It refers to good things that God does for people who are saved. For example:

We know that you have the better blessings that belong to your salvation. (Good News Translation)

In some languages it may be necessary to focus on one of these types of better things rather than to try to mention them both. For example:

We know that you have better fruit…that is fitting for those who have obtained salvation from God.

Translate in a way that is natural in your language.

6:9b

better: The word better is one of the key words in Hebrews. It may be helpful to translate this word the same way whenever it occurs.

in your case: The phrase translated as in your case is literally “about you.” The pronoun your is plural and refers to the author’s listeners. Some other ways to translate the phrase here are:

about you (Good News Translation)
-or-
as for you

6:9c

things that accompany salvation: This phrase refers to results or evidence of salvation. It implies that people who are saved will live as Christ wants them to live and do the good things that he wants them to do. Some other ways to translate the phrase things that accompany salvation are:

your doings are good and that is a sign that you are saved already
-or-
your souls are saved, and therefore you do what is good.

General Comment on 6:9a–c

There are different ways to order the clauses in 6:9. For example, the New American Standard Bible follows the order of clauses in the Greek text:

9b But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, 9c and things that accompany salvation, 9a though we are speaking in this way. (New American Standard Bible)

In other languages it is more natural to reorder the clauses. For example:

9a But even if we speak like this, dear friends, 9b we feel sure about you. We know that 9c you have the better blessings that belong to your salvation. (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 1:4

1:4

In Greek 1:4 is part of the long sentence that began at 1:1. It concludes paragraph 1:1–4 with a statement about the Son’s greatness. This statement is also the theme of 1:5–14, so the Good News Translation and God’s Word begin a new section at 1:4. However, in most English versions 1:4 is the final statement of paragraph 1:1–4. The author of Hebrews often uses statements like this that conclude one section but also introduce the next one.

In some languages it may be more natural to change the order of clauses in this verse. See the General Comment on 1:4a–b at the end of 1:4b for suggestions.

So: In Greek 1:4 continues the sentence that began in 1:1. Some English versions supply a conjunction like So to indicate that 1:4 is a result of 1:2b–3. Some other ways to show this connection are:

Thus (NET Bible)
-or-
This shows that (New Living Translation (2004))

He became as far superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is excellent beyond theirs: This statement is a comparison. It indicates that God’s Son is much greater than the angels. The name that God gave to his Son after his Son made purification for sins (1:3d) is also much greater than the angels’ name. Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is far greater than their names. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
He received a seat/position that is higher than the seat/position of all the angels, for the name he received from God was more honored than the name given to angels.
-or-
It is true that the angels are great and their names are honorable. But God’s Son surpasses them in greatness, and the name that God has given him also surpasses their name.

Translate the comparison in a natural way in your language.

1:4a

He became…superior to the angels: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as He became…superior means “became greater than.” The Son had greater honor and authority than the angels before he came to earth. Then he became “a little lower than the angels” to die for our sins (2:9). When he finished providing that purification (1:3d), he sat down at God’s right hand (1:3e). At that time, he again became superior to the angels and received even more honor and authority than he had before.

Another way to translate He became…superior to the angels is:

has been given praiseworthiness/glory which is better than the glory of the angels

angels: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as angels means “messengers.” It refers here to spirit beings who serve God. Sometimes God sends an angel to tell a message to human beings. He also sends angels to serve him in other ways. Some ways to translate this term are:

• Use a descriptive word or phrase. For example:

messengers ⌊from God/heaven⌋
-or-

⌊ good/holy⌋spirit-beings

• Use a local term that fits the biblical meaning.

• In some areas the churches may already be using a borrowed term or a transliterated word for “angel.” Be sure that this term fits the biblical meaning. If some people do not understand the right meaning from this term, you may need to indicate the meaning in some way. For example:

angelos messengers ⌊from God⌋
-or-
sacred angelos spirits

Be sure that your term for “angel” is different from your terms for “prophet” and “apostle.” See angel Meaning 1 in Key Biblical Terms for more information. If you translated this word in other books, check to see how you translated it there.

1:4b

as the name He has inherited is excellent beyond theirs: This clause is the second part of the comparison in 1:4a. Just as the Son himself is greater than the angels, he also inherited a name (title) that is greater than their name (title). In this context the verb inherited implies that he received the name from God. In some languages it is necessary to make that explicit. For example:

and God gave him a name that is much greater than theirs (New Century Version)

the name He has inherited: The word inherited is a verb form of the noun that the Berean Standard Bible translated as “heir” in 1:2b. The verb is used in a similar way here to mean “gained” or “received.” God’s Son gained this name because God gave it to him. The verb does not imply here that the Son received the name when someone died. Some ways to translate He has inherited in this context are:

he has been given a name (God’s Word)
-or-
the name God gave him (Good News Translation)
-or-
the name that he received from God

Translate the meaning in a similar way as you translated “heir” in 1:2. In some languages it may be necessary to specify the name that the Son received. If that is true in your language, you may supply “Son” as the quotations in 1:5 indicate. For example:

he has been given the name Son of God

the name: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as name refers to the authority and role that the Son has. It does not refer here to a name that people called him, such as “Jesus” or “Emmanuel.” It may refer either to his role as God’s Son or to his role in general. Some other ways to translate name in this context are:

authority
-or-
position/status
-or-
title

excellent beyond: In this context the phrase excellent beyond has almost the same meaning as “superior to” earlier in this verse. It continues the comparison between God’s Son and the angels. As he is much greater than they are, his name is also much greater. You should use an appropriate way in your language to describe an excellent role or rank.

In some languages it may be helpful to use the same word for the comparison in both places. For example:

The Son was made greater than the angels, just as the name that God gave him is greater than theirs. (Good News Translation)

theirs: The pronoun theirs is a short way to refer to “their name,” which the author compares to the Son’s “name.” The word “name” is implied. It refers to the angels’ rank and authority. In some languages it is necessary to translate “name” explicitly here. For example:

their name
-or-
their authority/title

General Comment on 1:4a–b

In the Greek text, 1:4 is a long sentence that compares the Son and his name to the angels and their name. In some languages it is more natural to make a comparison by making two separate statements that contrast with each other. For example:

The angels are not great; the Son is great. Likewise, the name that God gave the angels is not great; the name he gave his Son is great.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 3:5

3:5–6a

Now…But: In Greek, the introductory phrases for 3:5 and 3:6 are more literally:

5a and Moses, as for (him)…6a but as for Christ…

These phrases indicate a contrast between the ways that Jesus and Moses were faithful. Moses was faithful as God’s servant (3:5), but Christ was faithful as God’s Son (3:6). The word Now (literally “and”) is not used as a time word here. It implies that in 3:5–6 the author will continue to speak about what he said in 3:2–4.

Some ways to translate these connections are:

So Moses was certainly faithful…as a servant, but Christ was faithful as a son
-or-

It is true that Moses was faithful in serving…. But Christ…was rather his Child who was faithful as being in charge

Translate the connection between 3:5 and 3:6 carefully so that the contrast between Moses and Jesus is clear in your language. For another translation example, see the General Comment on 3:5–6a at the end of 3:6a.

3:5a

Moses was faithful as a servant: The words Moses was faithful as a servant implies that Moses obeyed God and did what God told him to do, just as a faithful servant should. Some ways to translate this clause are:

Moses was certainly faithful in God’s house, but only as a servant. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
It is true that Moses served faithfully in the household of God. But he was only like a servant in that household.

faithful: The word faithful describes someone who is worthy to be trusted. He is reliable and God can depend on him to do what God wants him to do. This is the same Greek word used in 3:2a. You should translate it in the same way here.

servant: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as servant appears only here in the NT. It refers to a worker who serves another person willingly, not as a slave. The service is honorable. Usually the word also implies a good relationship between the servant and the person whom he serves. Moses was a faithful servant of God.

Use an appropriate way in your language to refer to this type of relationship. Some other ways to translate it are:

worker
-or-
steward

in all God’s house: The phrase in all God’s house was also used in 3:2b. Translate it in the same way in both verses.

3:5b

testifying to what would be spoken later: This phrase tells how Moses was faithful (3:5a). He was faithful to tell the people of Israel that in the future God was planning to speak new things to them. The Greek expression which the Berean Standard Bible translates as testifying to means “for/as a testimony.” Moses testified to things that would happen after he died.

Some ways to translate this clause are:

and his work was only a foreshadowing of the truth that would be known later (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
His work was an illustration of the truths God would reveal later (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
And what he did was like a prophecy/picture of what God planned to make clear in the future.

See also Deuteronomy 18:15–19, where God promised to send a prophet greater than Moses. Bible scholars believe that this promise refers to the Messiah.

what would be spoken later: The clause what would be spoken later refers to what God would reveal at a future time (when he sent Jesus to the people). This is a passive clause. In some languages it is more natural to use an active verb and indicate that God is the subject. For example:

things God would say in the future (Good News Translation)

later: Here the word later refers to a time hundreds of years after Moses died. Use an appropriate word in your language to refer to such a time in the future.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2020