SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2020

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2:9

2:9

In the Greek text this verse is one long sentence. It may be more natural in some languages to use more than one sentence to translate the verse.

The clauses in the Greek text are in a slightly different order from most English versions. In some languages it is more natural to follow the order of the English versions and begin with the clause “we see Jesus.” See the General Comment on 2:9a–e at the end of 2:9e for examples.

2:9a

But we see Jesus: The clause But we see Jesus introduces a contrast between what we saw in the past and what we see now that Jesus has come. In the past, people did not see that everything was subject to them. But now in the present time, people understand that Jesus fulfilled what the writer of Psalm 8 predicted.

Some other ways to introduce the contrast are:

But what do we see also/now? Jesus became for some time lower than angels, but now…
-or-
But we know that this was fulfilled because of Jesus. Because he is the one who was made a little lower than the angels when he became a person. However, we see that Jesus was…
-or-
But what really happened was this: For a little while Jesus also was made more humble/unimportant than the angels…

Translate this contrast in a natural way in your language. See the next note and also the General Comment on 2:9a–e at the end of 2:9e for examples of other ways to translate it.

Jesus: Here the author used the name Jesus for the first time in Hebrews. In chapter 1 he referred to him as the “Son” of God (for, example, 1:2) and God’s “firstborn” (1:6).

2:9b–c

who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor: The phrases was made a little lower than the angels and crowned with glory and honor were taken from the OT quotation given in 2:7a. You may want to use quotation marks or bold italics to indicate that these phrases are quotations. For example:

He was made a little lower than the angels but he is now crowned with glory and honor

For the phrase a little, be sure to follow the same interpretation as you followed in 2:7. For more information, see the notes there.

was made a little lower: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as was made a little lower is passive. The context indicates that God is the one who made Jesus lower than the angels so that he could die on behalf of all people. In some languages a passive verb may not be natural here or may imply a wrong meaning. If that is true in your language, you may indicate God as the subject or cause of the action. For example:

God caused Jesus’ respect/glory to become a little less than the angels’ respect/glory
-or-
God caused Jesus to be a little smaller ⌊in status⌋ than the angels

2:9c–d

now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death: The clause because He suffered death gives the reason why Jesus was crowned with glory and honor. Jesus suffered death (2:9d), and that is why God crowned him with glory and honor (2:9c).

In some languages it is more natural to change the order of 2:9c and 2:9d so that the reason comes before the result. For example:

9d Jesus suffered death. 9c That is why he is now crowned with glory and honor.

2:9c

now crowned with glory and honor: Here the author used the phrase that applied to people in 2:7b to refer to Jesus. The verb crowned is used in a figurative way. It refers to the custom of honoring someone by placing a wreath (“crown”) of leaves on his head. Here the figure of speech indicates that God honored Jesus by giving him great authority and respect. Some other ways to translate this metaphor are:

he has been made big and given an honored position/seat
-or-
God has honored him like the honor of a king

glory and honor: See the note on glory and honor in 2:7b. In this context the phrase refers to the glory and honor that God gave Jesus. In some languages it is helpful to make the translation more emphatic here than in 2:7. For example:

God caused that…Jesus Christ is supremely respected.

2:9d

He suffered death: The phrase He suffered death means that Jesus experienced death. The word suffered refers to his death. It does not refer here to the pain that he suffered during the process of dying. Some other ways to translate the phrase are:

he suffered by dying
-or-
he died
-or-
he experienced death

2:9e

so that…He might taste death for everyone: This clause tells the purpose for Jesus’ death (2:9d). The word might helps to indicate that it was God’s purpose for Jesus to die. It does not indicate any doubt about the fact that Jesus died. God decided that Jesus should die so that everyone else would not have to die. Jesus died as a substitute for every other person. Some other ways to translate this clause are:

to die for everyone
-or-
in order that his death would replace the death of every person
-or-
so that he would die substituting for mankind

taste death: The phrase taste death is a figure of speech. It means “die.” It does not indicate that Jesus just seemed to die. When Jesus died, he was truly dead, and he remained dead until his resurrection.

In many languages, it will give a wrong meaning to translate this idiom literally. If that is true in your language, you can use the normal way in your language to say that he died. For example:

died (New Century Version)
-or-
experience death (Revised English Bible)

However, if you have a different idiom in your language that means “died,” you may be able to use it here.

for everyone: The phrase for everyone indicates here that Jesus was a substitute for all human beings. If Jesus had not died, every other person would have to die as punishment for his or her own sins. Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

to be the substitute/redemption for all mankind.
-or-
so that everyone else ⌊could be spared/saved⌋
-or-
on behalf of everyone (God’s Word)

In some languages there may be a figure of speech to express this meaning.

by the grace of God: The phrase by the grace of God means “as the result of God’s grace” or “because of God’s grace.” It indicates that the reason that Christ died on behalf of people was because God was very gracious to people. Because God is so gracious and kind, he caused Jesus to die for all people. It was not because the people deserved his kindness.

Some ways to translate by the grace of God are:

through the greatness of God’s mercy
-or-
because of God’s wonderful kindness (Contemporary English Version)

In some languages there is a figurative way to translate this meaning. For example:

because of the whiteness/bigness of God’s heart

grace of God: The phrase grace of God refers here to the kindness that God freely shows to people because he is good and generous. It implies that the people have not done anything to deserve his kindness. Some other ways to translate the phrase grace of God in this context are:

God is kind/generous
-or-
God’s merciful goodness

The word grace also occurs in 4:16, 10:29, 12:15, and 13:9. For more information, see grace, sense A2(a), in Key Biblical Terms.

General Comment on 2:9a–e

In Greek, 2:9 is one long sentence. In some languages it is more natural to use more than one sentence to translate it. For example:

What we do see is Jesus. For he was “made a little lower than the angels,” but now he is “crowned with glory and honor” because he suffered death for us. By God’s grace, Jesus died as a substitute for all other people.

© 2016, 2020 by SIL International®
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.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 4:4

4:4a

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces the basis for the author’s comment in 4:3e–f. Another way to introduce this basis is:

We know that because

Connect this basis to 4:3 in a natural way in your language.

somewhere He has spoken…in this manner: The phrase somewhere He has spoken…in this manner introduces a quotation. The word somewhere refers to a part of the Scripture. The author used a similar reference to Scripture in 2:6a, which the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as “somewhere it is testified in these words.”

Some other ways to introduce this quotation are:

somewhere in the Scriptures this is said (Good News Translation)
-or-
in God’s Word/Book it tells/says

In some languages it is more natural to use indirect speech for this verse. For example:

In fact, somewhere the Scriptures say that… (Contemporary English Version)

Use a natural way in your language to introduce a quotation from the Scriptures.

about the seventh day: The phrase about the seventh day refers to the seventh day after God began to create the world. In some languages it may be necessary to make this phrase more explicit.

Some other ways to translate the phrase about the seventh day are:

what God did on the seventh day
-or-
the seventh day ⌊after he began to create the world⌋

4:4b

And on the seventh day God rested from all His works: This clause is a quotation from Genesis 2:2b. The author used this quotation to support what he said in 4:3e–f. It indicates that on the seventh day, after God created everything, he rested.

Some other ways to translate this quotation are:

On the seventh day God rested/stopped from all his work.
-or-
It says that God rested on the seventh day, having finished the work that he had done.

on the seventh day God rested: The phrase on the seventh day God rested contrasts with the first six days, when God was creating everything. When he finished this work of creating, he rested on the seventh day. Notice that the seventh day was also mentioned in the phrase “about the seventh day” in 4:4a.

from all His works: The phrase from all His works indicates that ⌊God rested⌋ after he finished all the work of making the universe and everything in it.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 6:6

6:6a

and then have fallen away: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as have fallen away It is used only here in the New Testament. In general, it means “to fail to keep a commitment.” There are different ways to interpret the word in this context. The most likely view is that it refers here to a person refusing to keep the commitment to follow Jesus. It implies a deliberate action.

Some other ways to translate this part of the verse are:

if they deliberately retreat from their faith
-or-
and then they refuse to continue believing

In many languages it is natural to translate the meaning with a figure of speech. For example:

turn away from God (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
they have deserted ⌊Christ⌋ (God’s Word)

to be restored to repentance: The verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as restored means “renew.” It occurs only here in the NT. This is the main verb that follows “it is impossible” in 6:4a. The author indicated that it is impossible to renew/restore some people to repentance. In this context it indicates that it is impossible to cause some people to repent a second time. These are the people who trusted Jesus to save them from their sins but after that, they decided not to trust him.

Some ways to translate this passive verb are:

• As a passive verb. For example:

be led a second time to God (God’s Word)
-or-
to bring them back to a changed life again (New Century Version)

• As an active verb. For example:

to make them repent as they did at first (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
cause them to repent again

repentance: The word repentance occurred in 6:1d. You should translate it in a similar way here.

6:6b

because they themselves are crucifying the Son of God all over again:
This is figurative language. When people reject the Son of God, it is like crucifying him again. They refuse to believe that he is God’s Son and that he can save them from their sins. Rejecting him is their greatest sin. That is why it is impossible for them to repent while they are rejecting him.

The meaning here is similar to the action “turns away from the living God” in 3:12. Some other ways to translate it are:

it’s as if they are again nailing God’s Son to the cross
-or-
what they have done is like they nailed the Son of God to the cross with their own hands

they themselves: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as they themselves is more literally “to/for themselves.” Here is another way to translate this:

they again crucify to themselves the Son of God (New American Standard Bible)

There are three main ways to interpret the word “for themselves” here:

(1) It means that they themselves crucify God’s Son. For example:

they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again (New Living Translation (2004))

(2) It means “to their own loss.” For example:

for they are crucifying to their own hurt the Son of God (Revised English Bible)

(3) It adds emphasis and does not need to be translated specifically. For example:

because they are nailing the Son of God to a cross again and are shaming him in front of others (New Century Version)

(New Century Version, Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The author emphasizes that they themselves commit the same sin of rejecting Christ that the people who crucified him committed. They were not present at Christ’s crucifixion, but they figuratively crucify him again by rejecting him.

the Son of God: The title the Son of God indicates that Jesus has the same nature and character as God. See how you translated the Son of God at 4:14. For more information, see the note on “his Son” in 1:2a.

6:6c

and subjecting Him to open shame: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as subjecting Him to open shame was most often used of shaming a person by punishing him in public. Here it indicates that if people claim to be Christians and then reject Christ, they disgrace him and cause other people also to dishonor him. Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

insulting him in public (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
They cause that all the people make fun of him again.

This word occurs only here in the NT. However, in other literature it is used to refer to shaming a criminal by punishing him in public. A related word occurs in Matthew 1:19.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 1:1

Section 1:1–4

Introduction: God has spoken through his Son

The first four verses of the book of Hebrews explain what the book is about. In the past God spoke to his people through his prophets. Now during this later time, he has spoken to his people through his own Son. God’s Son shows people who God is.

In 1:1–2a the author used parallelism to show a contrast between how God spoke in the past and how he speaks now. In the past God spoke through the prophets, but now God speaks to us through his Son. In your translation, it is important to emphasize this contrast, especially the fact that God now speaks to us by the Son.

1:1
1:2

in the past
in these last days

to our fathers
to us

through the prophets
by His Son

In Greek, the four verses in 1:1–4 are one long sentence that describes who the Son is and what he has done. It is common in Greek to have long sentences like this. Most English versions divide this section into several sentences. You may do what is natural in your language.

In 1:2b–3e there are seven important facts about God’s Son:

(a) God appointed his Son to be heir of all things (an important theme in 1:5–6).

(b) God created everything through his Son (an important theme in 1:7–14).

(d) The Son shows us exactly what God is like.

(e) The Son keeps everything working by his powerful word.

(f) The Son made a way to make people clean from their sin (an important theme in 2:10–17, 5:1–10, 7:1–28, and 9:1–10:18).

(g) The Son sat down on the right side of God (see 1:13 and 8:1–2).

It is good to translate the section before you decide on a heading for it. Some other possible headings are:

God has revealed himself to us through his Son.
-or-
The greatness of the Son of God

Paragraph 1:1–4

There are several ways to arrange the phrases in 1:1–4. The Berean Standard Bible mostly follows the order of phrases in the Greek text. The New International Version uses a different order. Compare the order of the phrases in the Berean Standard Bible and New International Version below:

1 On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. 2 But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son… (Berean Standard Bible)

1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son… (New International Version)

The New International Version puts the phrase “at many times and in various ways” at the end of 1:1 instead of at the beginning, as in the Berean Standard Bible. Use an order that is natural in your language.

1:1a

On many past occasions: The phrase On many past occasions refers to past times that have already ended. It refers to the past in contrast to the present. In this context it refers to the times when God spoke to people through prophets. This time period ended several hundred years before the author of Hebrews wrote. Refer to it in a natural way in your language.

in many different ways:
The phrase in many different ways indicates that God gave different kinds of messages, including laws, promises, instructions, and prophecies. He communicated these messages in different ways, for example, by dreams, visions, direct messages, signs, and symbols, and events. The prophets who communicated the messages lived at different times in the past.

Other ways to translate the phrase “On many past occasions and in many different ways” are:

using various ways on many different occasions
-or-
at many different times and in many different ways (God’s Word)

1:1b

God spoke to our fathers through the prophets: The phrase spoke…through the prophets indicates that God told the prophets what he wanted them to tell the other people. Then the prophets told the people those messages from God. Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

God spoke to our ancestors by means of the prophets
-or-
God sent prophets to speak ⌊his messages⌋ to our forefathers

to our fathers: The phrase to our fathers refers to the ancestors of the author and readers of Hebrews. It refers in general to the people of Israel in the Old Testament, who were descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

prophets: The prophets were men who spoke messages from God. They told others what God revealed to them. Some ways to translate prophets are:

spokesmen for God
-or-
men who spoke his/God’s words
-or-
his message-speakers

It is good to use a general term that does not focus only on foretelling the future. Prophets did foretell the future, but they also gave people other messages from God. They spoke about their own times, and they told people to stop sinning and to obey God.

When choosing a term for prophets, consider how you will distinguish prophets from other words which are similar in meaning such as “angels,” “apostles,” and “preachers.”

See also prophet meaning 1A in Key Biblical Terms.

General Comment on 1:1a–b

It may be helpful in your language to reorder the phrases in 1:1. For example:

1a In the past 1b God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets 1b at many times and in various ways.
-or-

1a Long ago, 1b God spoke to our ancestors 1a at many different times and in many different ways. 1b He spoke to them through the prophets.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 3:2

3:2a

He was faithful to the One who appointed Him: This clause indicates that Jesus was faithful to God. God is the one who appointed Jesus to be the high priest for God’s people.

In some languages it may be helpful to begin a new sentence in 3:2a. It may also be helpful to refer explicitly to God as the one who appointed Jesus. For example:

He was faithful to God, who chose him to do this work (Good News Translation)
-or-
Jesus is faithful to God, who appointed him. (God’s Word)
-or-
He was trustworthy to obey God, as he did what God appointed/chose him to do

was faithful: The word faithful means “reliable, trustworthy.” Here it indicates that Jesus was worthy to be trusted. God could depend on him to do what is right and good. Some other ways to translate it in this context are:

did what ⌊God⌋ trusted him to do
-or-
was trustworthy/dependable

It was also used about Jesus in 2:17.

to the One who appointed Him: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as appointed is the common verb that is sometimes translated as “do” or “make.” Here it indicates that God gave Jesus the role of apostle and high priest. Use an appropriate verb in your language to refer to appointing someone to be a priest.

3:2b

In this part of the verse, the author quoted Numbers 12:7, where God said that he spoke to other prophets in dreams or visions. Then he said, “But this is not true of my servant Moses who is faithful in all my house.”

just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house: Here the author compared Jesus to Moses. Jesus was faithful to God, just as Moses was faithful. The phrase faithful in all God’s house indicates that Jesus and Moses were both faithful as they led all God’s people. You should translate the word faithful as you did in 3:2a.

Some other ways to translate the clause are:

just as Moses was faithful in serving all of God’s people (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
in the same way that Moses was faithful when he served/worked in God’s house
-or-
he was faithful doing the work that God ordered him to do, like Moses long ago was faithful doing his work taking care of the people of God

Moses was: Moses is mentioned here for the first time in Hebrews. The Revised Standard Version adds the word “also” to refer back to Jesus, who was mentioned in 3:1b. Moses and Jesus were both faithful.

The Jews respected Moses as their great leader and the one who gave them God’s Law. If you use footnotes, you may want to include a footnote about Moses. An example of a possible footnote is:

Moses was a great leader in the Old Testament. He led the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt, and guided them to the land that God had prepared for them. Throughout the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, he is the chief leader of Israel.

was faithful: See the note on 3:2a.

in all God’s house: There is a textual issue here concerning the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as all :

(1) Some Greek manuscripts have a word that means “whole.” For example:

with God’s entire house (New Living Translation (2004))

(2) Other Greek manuscripts do not have the word “whole.” For example:

in God’s house (Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1). In 3:5 the author includes the word “all” when he refers to the Greek text of Numbers 12:7. However, there is good support for both options in manuscripts, English versions and commentaries. You may choose to follow either text and include a footnote to give the other possibility. For example, the New Revised Standard Version has this footnote:

Other ancient authorities lack all

Other ways to translate all here are:

all God’s people
-or-
God’s entire house (New Living Translation (2004))

God’s house: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as house occurs six times between 3:2 and 3:6. It has two different meanings in these verses:

(a) household/family

(b) dwelling (building where one or more people live).

In some contexts the author has used the word in a way that can imply both of these meanings. In many languages there is no word that can have both of these meanings. If that is true in your language, you will need to translate the most likely meaning in each context.

In this context the word house refers to the people of Israel. Some ways to translate the phrase in this context are:

God’s people (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
God’s family (New Century Version)

General Comment on 3:2a–b

In some languages it may be more natural to change the order of 3:2a and 3:2b. For example:

2b Moses served God faithfully among all God’s people. In the same way, 2a Jesus worked faithfully for God who had appointed him.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 4:15

4:15a

For: The word For introduces a basis for “holding firmly to our confession” of faith (4:14c). The author already gave one basis in 4:14a (We have a great high priest, Jesus the Son of God). He introduces the second basis here at the beginning of 4:15a.

In some languages it is more natural to introduce this second basis by referring back to the word “high priest” in 4:14. For example:

Our High Priest (Good News Translation)
-or-
And this Highest Priest of ours

we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses: This statement indicates that our high priest is able to sympathize with us in our weaknesses. The two negative phrases do not have and unable (not able) emphasize the fact that our high priest is able to sympathize with us.

In some languages it is more natural to translate the statement without using two negative phrases. For example:

We have a chief priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. (God’s Word)
-or-
And this Highest Priest of ours, he knows how to feel with us in our weakness

Emphasize this statement in a natural way in your language.

sympathize with our weaknesses: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sympathize occurs only twice in the New Testament. It means to “suffer with” or “feel with” people. It implies the type of sympathy that motivates someone to offer active help.

The phrase sympathize with our weaknesses indicates that Jesus understands the ways that we are weak in resisting temptations to sin. He feels compassion for us. He is able to help us, and he offers us help. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

understands every weakness of ours (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
feeling our weaknesses with us (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
has compassion for us when we are weak/tempted

our weaknesses: The phrase our weaknesses refers to the ways that human beings are limited or inadequate. In this context it refers especially to being weak in resisting temptations to sin. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

our weakness because of our humanity
-or-
our weaknesses which lead us into sin
-or-
the ways we(incl.) are not strong to refuse sin

4:15b

but: The Greek connector that the Berean Standard Bible translates as but connects the clause in 4:15a with the one in 4:15b. These clauses have similar meanings, and 4:15b explains more about 4:15a. In some languages, a connector like but implies too much contrast in meaning between 4:15a and 4:15b.

If that is true in your language, some other ways to connect the clauses are:

• Use a connector which indicates that 4:15b explains or adds to 4:15a. For example:

15a This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, (New Living Translation (1996))

15b
for he faced all of the same temptations that we do, yet he did not sin.

• Do not use a connector. For example:

15a We have a high priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. (God’s Word)

15b He was tempted in every way that we are, but he didn’t sin.

Connect the two statements in a natural way in your language.

we have one who was tempted in every way that we are: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as tempted can also mean “tested.” (See the note on 2:18a.) Scholars disagree about what it means here:

(1) It means “tempted to sin.” For example:

he was tempted in every way that we are (Contemporary English Version)

(2) It means “tested.” For example:

in every respect has been tested as we are (New Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most English versions and many Bible scholars. This interpretation fits the context of not sinning as a result of the temptation.

one who was tempted in every way that we are: This statement indicates that our high priest has been tempted in every way, just as every human being is tempted. That is the reason that Jesus, our high priest, is able to sympathize with our weaknesses.

The verb was tempted is passive, and the clause does not specify who tempted Jesus. Other verses in Scripture indicate that Satan tempted Jesus. Some ways to translate the passive clause are:

• Keep the passive verb. For example:

he, too, has been urged to sin in all the ways that we are urged to sin

• Use a different verb that does not require specifying the tempter. For example:

our high priest experienced/faced all the kinds of temptation that we experience/face

• Use an active verb and refer to Satan as the tempter. For example:

⌊ Satan⌋has tempted him in every way like he tempts us

Translate this clause in a natural way in your language.

in every way: The phrase in every way means that Jesus experienced all the same kinds of temptations that other people have. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

all of the same testings we do (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
all the types of temptations that human beings face

that we are: The phrase that we are refers in general to human beings. (See the examples in the preceding note.) If you use a pronoun like we, it should refer to both the author and the readers.

yet was without sin: The clause yet was without sin is literally just without sin. It indicates that Jesus faced every temptation without sinning. The Berean Standard Bible adds the word yet, which is not in the Greek text. It makes explicit the contrast between Jesus and other human beings. Jesus did not sin when he was tempted, but every other human being has sinned.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

yet he did not sin (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
except that he never sinned (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
but as for him by contrast, he absolutely didn’t sin

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 6:17

6:17

In this verse the author applied what he said in 6:16 to God. God made a promise and then he also swore an oath. He used the oath to show people that he will surely do what he has promised.

6:17a

So when God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear: The word So is more literally “in which.” It indicates that God also did what the author said that human beings do (6:16). Just as a human being swears an oath so that people will believe him, God also wanted his people to believe him. So he swore an oath to show his people that he will truly do what he promised them. Here is another way to translate this:

God…wanted to make this perfectly clear (God’s Word)

the unchanging nature of His purpose: The Greek word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as the unchanging nature means “unchangeableness.” It is used to refer to something that will never change. Here it refers to what God decided and promised to do. His decision is permanent and remains the same forever. It cannot be changed. Another way to translate this part of the verse is:

he will certainly not change what he planned/decided

of His purpose: The phrase of His purpose means “of his will,” or “of what he wants.” In some languages it is more natural to translate the noun purpose as a verb: For example:

his plans ⌊for them⌋
-or-
what he decided/intended to do for them

For more translation suggestions, see the General Comment on 6:17a–c at the end of 6:17c.

6:17b

to the heirs of the promise: The phrase the heirs of the promise means “those who would later receive what God had promised.” It does not imply here that anyone will die so that others will inherit what they owned. In some languages it is more natural to translate the phrase in a different way. For example:

those who would receive what he was promising

of the promise: The phrase of the promise includes what God promised Abraham and also what God promised to all who believe in his Son.

6:17c

He guaranteed it with an oath: The clause “he confirmed it with an oath” means “he made his promise stronger by adding an oath.” The word it refers to his promise.

Other ways to translate the clause are:

made ⌊the promise⌋ stronger by adding/swearing an oath
-or-
confirmed the promise with an oath

General Comment on 6:17a–c

The author talks about several actions in this verse, and he also mentions reasons for those actions. It is important to use a natural order in your language to translate the actions and the reasons for them. For example:

17c So God added an oath 17b for those who would receive what he had promised, 17a because he wanted to show them very clearly that his purpose/will could not be changed.
-or-

17a God wanted to show very clearly 17b to those who would inherit what he had promised, 17a that he would not change his plans for them. 17c So he added an oath to what he had promised in order to make it stronger.
-or-

17a God would not change his plan. He wanted to make this perfectly clear 17b to those who would receive his promise, 17c so he took an oath. (God’s Word)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 1:12

1:12a

You will roll them up like a robe: The author continued to use a simile here. It indicates that God the Son will bring the heavens and earth to an end as easily as a person rolls or folds an old cloak before he puts it somewhere or throws it away. The context implies that the cloak is too old to be useful anymore. Some other ways to translate the simile are:

like someone folds an old robe, you will fold them
-or-
Just like a shirt is rolled up, you will roll up the heaven and earth and replace them.

Use a natural way in your language to describe this action.

them: The word them refers again to the heaven and the earth, which were mentioned in 1:10.

a robe: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as robe refers to a type of outer clothing that is “put around” someone. In the Jewish culture it often referred to a robe or cloak. Some cultures may use a shirt or cloth or some other type of outer garment. Use a natural word in your language.

1:12b

like a garment they will be changed: In this clause the author continued the figurative language of 1:11b–12a. Here he said that the universe was going to be changed just as people change their clothing. Some other ways to translate the clause are:

They will be replaced like clothes that can no longer be used.
-or-
It will be like people exchanging old clothes for new ones.

a garment: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as garment also occurred in 1:11b.

1:12c

but You remain the same, and Your years will never end: Here the author contrasted God’s Son with the universe. Hebrews 1:11b–12b described how the universe will not last forever. Hebrews 1:12c indicates that unlike the universe, God’s Son will remain the same forever. He will not change, and he will never die. He will live forever.

Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

But as for you, you remain the same, and there will never be any end to your life.
-or-
But you, you cannot be changed. You will live forever.

General Comment on 1:11–12

These verses are a quotation from Psalm 102, which is Hebrew poetry. It is natural in this type of Hebrew poetry to repeat the same meanings in different words. In some languages it will be more natural to combine 1:11–12 and have less repetition. For example:

11–12 Someday heaven and earth will become useless like old clothes, and they will be replaced. But you will continue to live forever, and you will never change.

Step into the multitudes of languages of the Bible and join the worldwide conversation!

Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2020