SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2020 – Page 10

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

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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.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 3:13

3:13a

But: The word But introduces what believers should do in contrast to what the author warned believers not to do in 3:12. Instead of turning away from God and not believing him, they must encourage each other every day to keep away from sin and unbelief. Some other ways to translate this connection are:

Instead (Good News Translation)
-or-
Rather (Revised English Bible)

In some languages no conjunction is needed. For example:

You must warn each other (New Living Translation (2004))

exhort one another daily: This clause tells what believers should do (in contrast to refusing to trust the Lord in 3:12). Believers should encourage each other to continue to trust in God. The Greek verb which the Berean Standard Bible translates as exhort occurs frequently in the NT.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

Encourage each other every day (God’s Word)
-or-
Every day strengthen/advise each other

In some languages it may not be natural to use a word like “encourage” or exhort when telling people what they should not do. If that is true in your language, use a word that is natural for this context. For example:

You must warn each other every day (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
What you should do daily until our days are used up is to admonish one another

3:13b

as long as it is called today: The clause as long as it is called today is a figure of speech. It refers to this present time period while people still have the opportunity to hear God’s voice and obey him, as the quotation of the psalm in 3:7b said (“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts”). When the time ends and they have not obeyed him, God will punish them, as he punished the Israelites who disobeyed him.

This special meaning of the word today is discussed more fully in chapter 4.

Some other ways to translate 3:13b are:

While you are still living in the time that is called “today”
-or-
while you have the opportunity (God’s Word)

3:13c

so that: The conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as so that introduces the purpose for encouraging one another (3:13a). The purpose of encouraging one another is so that sin will not harden any of the readers.

none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness: This clause refers back to the quotation in 3:7–11. It is similar to the phrase “Do not harden your hearts” in 3:8a. Here the warning is even more explicit. It indicates that if the people continue to sin, the sin will deceive them and they will not be able to know the truth. The phrase may be hardened indicates that they may become stubborn and refuse to listen to God (as the Israelites did in the wilderness).

Some other ways to translate this purpose clause are:

If you do this, none of you will be deceived by sin and become stubborn. (God’s Word)
-or-
so that none of you will be deceived by sin to the point that your hearts cannot understand/obey what God says

you: The pronoun you is plural and refers to all the readers and hearers of Hebrews.

be hardened: The phrase be hardened is a figure of speech. It refers to becoming stubborn and refusing to listen to God. In some languages there may be a figure of speech to describe this. For example:

make your minds numb/insensitive
-or-
so that our breaths might not become hard

sin’s deceitfulness: The phrase sin’s deceitfulness is figurative. It means “sin that deceives.” It indicates that when a person sins (especially when he continues to sin for some time), the sins cause him to be unable to understand the truth. He believes what is not true. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

your sinning causes you to believe lies
-or-
you sin and become deceived/confused

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 5:10

5:10

In this final verse of Section 5:1–10 the author said that God appointed Christ as a high priest in the order of Melchizedek. In 5:6 the author quoted the words that God said to Christ at that time: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” The author repeated what God said to Christ to emphasize the importance of Jesus being a priest in the order of Melchizedek.

5:10a

and was designated by God as high priest: The people of Israel had only one high priest at a time, and each high priest served until his death. Since God appointed Christ as high priest and Christ will never die again, he will be the only high priest forever.

The verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as designated only occurs here in the NT. Its meaning is similar to the verb that is translated as “appointed.” The form of the verb is passive, but God is mentioned as the one who appointed Christ to be high priest.

Some other ways to translate the statement are:

and God declared him to be high priest (Good News Translation)
-or-
God appointed him to become the high priest

high priest: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as high priest was used in 5:1, but the more general word “priest” was used in 5:6. Use the same word or phrase that you used in 5:1a.

5:10b

in the order of Melchizedek: The phrase in the order of Melchizedek was used in 5:6b. Translate it in the same way here.

General Comment on 5:10a–b

In some languages it is more natural to translate 5:10 as a separate sentence. For example:

God appointed him chief priest in the way Melchizedek was a priest. (God’s Word)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2:10

Paragraph 2:10–13

In this paragraph the author explained more fully why Jesus became a man and suffered and died for us. He did it so that people may share God’s glory and become part of God’s family. This paragraph is still part of the section which establishes that Jesus is greater than the angels. It implies that no angel provided salvation for us like Jesus did by suffering and dying for us.

Some versions do not begin a new paragraph until 2:11. That is because 2:10 is a verse that links Paragraph 2:5–9 with this new paragraph.

2:10

This verse gives an explanation for 2:9e. It explains why it was fitting for God to cause Jesus to suffer and die in order to be the perfect Savior for mankind. In the Greek text, this explanation is introduced by a conjunction that is often translated as “for” or “because.” Some English versions begin 2:10 with such a conjunction, and others do not. Connect the explanation to 2:9e in a natural way in your language.

In some languages it is more natural to change the order of clauses in this verse. For examples, see the General Comment on 2:10a–d at the end of 2:10d.

2:10a

In bringing many sons to glory: The phrase In bringing many sons to glory means “as part of the process of bringing many sons to glory.” There are two views about who is bringing many sons to glory in this verse:

(1) God is bringing them. For example:

while God was bringing many sons and daughters to glory (God’s Word)

(2) Jesus is bringing them. For example:

as Jesus led many of God’s children to be saved and to share in his glory (Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), as most English versions and commentaries do.

bringing many sons to glory: In this context the phrase bringing many sons to glory indicates that God causes his many people to have the glory that is mentioned in 2:7b and 2:9c. You should translate glory in a similar way as you did there. The text does not specify here how God brings his children to glory.

The phrase many sons implies that God has many people. It does not imply a contrast with “all.”

Some other ways to translate bringing many sons to glory are:

while God was bringing many sons and daughters to glory (God’s Word)
-or-
God did that so that many would be his children whom he would call to heaven to share in his greatness.

many sons: The word sons refers here to children of (or for) God. It includes both males and females, as it often does in the NT. It also includes people of all ages. It does not refer only to children. Another way to translate the phrase is:

many sons and daughters (God’s Word)

In this context the word many contrasts with the one God. However, in some languages a phrase like many sons may imply that God did not bring all of his children to glory. (It may imply that he brought only some of them.) If that is true in your language, you should translate in a different way. For example:

his many children (New Living Translation (1996))

2:10b

it was fitting for: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as it was fitting for means “It was appropriate/right that…” It was right and proper for God to cause Jesus to suffer and die in order to become the perfect savior for people.

Some other ways to translate the phrase it was fitting are:

It was right/proper
-or-
This decision…is very appropriate
-or-
So what ⌊God⌋ did was fitting

2:10c

God, for whom and through whom all things exist: The Berean Standard Bible has supplied the word God here. It is not in the Greek text. The phrase for whom and through whom all things exist describes God. The phrase for whom indicates that everything exists to give God honor, pleasure, or benefit. The phrase through whom indicates that God is the one who caused all things to exist. They exist because he created them.

In many languages it may be more natural to translate the long description of God as a separate sentence. For example:

God is the One who made all things, and all things are for his glory. (New Century Version)
-or-
God is the one who created everything and everything was created in order that he would be praised/honored

all things: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as all things refers to everything that God created. See how you translated this word in 1:2, 1:3, and 2:8.

2:10d

to make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering: This part of the verse indicates that God made Jesus perfectly able to lead people to salvation through what Jesus suffered. It does not imply that Jesus was sinful or less than morally perfect.

The phrase the author of their salvation refers to Jesus. Be sure that the reference to him is clear in your language. In some languages it may be necessary to repeat the name Jesus. For example:

Exactly correct then was his plan to make Jesus our proper…leader through the hardship he endured because Jesus is the one who leads us in our being saved.

make…perfect: The verb phrase make…perfect means “make complete.” In this context it implies that Jesus became fully equipped to lead people to salvation. It does not imply that Jesus was sinful and needed to suffer in order to become morally perfect. The word perfect refers here to becoming completely ready to be our leader and savior. Here is another way to translate this:

God made him a perfect leader (New Living Translation (2004))

the author of their salvation: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as author refers to a strong leader who saves his people from their enemies. As the pioneer/leader, Jesus saves his people from the devil and from sin and death. He leads them to God to share in his glory. The author of Hebrews also used this title for Jesus in 12:2.

Some other ways to translate the author of their salvation are:

the leader who saves them
-or-
the one who made a way for them to be saved

through suffering: The phrase through suffering indicates the way that Jesus became a perfect leader. Because of the sufferings that Jesus endured, especially the sufferings of bearing people’s sins on the cross and of enduring temptation, he became the perfect leader for God’s people. Some other ways to translate the meaning in this context are:

from the things that Jesus suffered, he became a Redeemer who has no lack
-or-
through/in the torment that Jesus endured, he became completely able to be the Savior of his people

General Comment on 2:10a–d

In some languages it may be helpful to reorder 2:10. For example:

10c God created/made everything for himself, and he is the one who is 10a bringing/leading many children to ⌊share in his own⌋ glory/presence. 10b So it was right/necessary that 10d he made Jesus to be the perfect leader who saves them through what he suffered.
-or-

10c God is the one who made everything for himself. 10a And since ⌊he wanted to⌋ bring many children to share his glory, 10b it was right that 10d he should make Jesus the perfect leader who would save them by what he suffered.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 4:5

4:5a

And again, as He says in the passage above: The phrase And again introduces another quotation from the Scriptures. The author already quoted this Scripture in 3:11 and in 4:3. The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in the passage above is literally “that place.” The author was referring to the same quotation that he used in 4:3.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

but to repeat the verse that was quoted earlier:
-or-
This same matter is spoken of again: (Good News Translation)

4:5b

They shall never enter My rest: Here the author repeats the same verse that he just quoted in 4:3c–d. Because it is an exact repetition, you should translate it here in the same way as you did there.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 6:7

Paragraph 6:7–8

This paragraph illustrates two different ways that people respond to the blessings of following Christ. These two ways are like the ways that a farm may respond to rain. When God sends rain on a farm, it may produce useful plants. It is like people who use God’s blessings to do what pleases him. Another farm may receive rain but produce only thorns, so that the owner must burn it to destroy the thorns. This is like people who do not respond properly to God’s blessings.

See the General Comment on 6:7–8 at the end of 6:8b for an example of how to translate this illustration.

6:7a

For: This verse illustrates two different responses to the blessings of following Christ. Some of these blessings are listed in 6:4–5 (“the heavenly gift, the Holy Spirit, the word of God, the powers of the coming age”). The author introduces the illustration with the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For.

Some other ways to introduce the illustration are:

• Use a phrase that indicates what the paragraph will illustrate. For example:

Some people are like land that…. (New Century Version)
-or-
An example of this is earth/ground. If it is…

• Change the order of phrases in the verse so that 6:7c (“receives a blessing from God”) comes at the beginning. For example:

God blesses the land which… (Good News Translation)
-or-

⌊ The people whom⌋God blesses are like land…

It is good to read 6:4–8 carefully again before you decide how to connect 6:4–6 with 6:7–8. In some languages an introductory word or phrase may not be needed, as in the New Revised Standard Version. See the General Comment on 6:7–8 at the end of 6:8b for more information.

land that drinks in the rain often falling on it: This phrase describes a farm or garden that often receives rain. The verb drinks in means “absorbs” or “soaks in.” It implies that the farm has a type of soil that absorbs the rain so that the plants can use it. Describe this process in a natural way in your language.

Some ways to translate this phrase are:

the ground that has soaked up the rain that frequently falls on it (NET Bible)
-or-
Some people are like a farm that receives plenty of rain

land: The word land refers here to land that is farmed. Some other ways to translate it are:

farm
-or-
field
-or-
ground

6:7b

that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is tended:
This clause refers to land where useful plants grow. These plants could be food crops or crops that are used for other purposes. In some languages it is not natural to speak of ground or land producing a crop. Some other ways to translate the meaning are:

where plants grow that are useful to the land owner
-or-
the plants are healthy there and this is of great value to the owner of the land

for whom it is tended: The verb it is tended is passive. The phrase implies that people farm the land for themselves or for other owners. In some languages it is more natural to use an active verb. For example:

The land produces a good crop for those who cultivate/dig (New Century Version)

6:7c

receives the blessing of God: The phrase receives the blessing of God indicates that God does good to the land. He continues to cause it to be fruitful. For example:

God blesses well-watered land that produces a crop.
-or-

⌊ People who are like⌋such land receive God’s favor.

the blessing: The word blessing refers to favor from God. It implies that God is pleased with the person or things that he blesses, and he does good things for them. See blessing, sense C1(a), in Key Biblical Terms.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2020