SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2020 – Page 11

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 1:2

1:2a

But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son: The Berean Standard Bible supplies the word But because 1:2a contrasts with 1:1. However, it is also parallel to 1:1. After speaking through the prophets, he spoke through his own Son. The God’s Word translates the contrast and the parallelism without using a conjunction:

1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors…through the prophets. 2 In these last days he has spoken to us through his Son. (God’s Word)

Translate the connection between the verses in a natural way in your language.

in these last days: The phrase in these last days refers to the period of time before the world ends. The word these indicates that the last days had already begun when the author wrote Hebrews. Many scholars believe that these days began with the death and resurrection of Christ and continue until his return.

Some ways to translate in these last days are:

at the end of this present age (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
in the final days of this era/time

He has spoken to us by His Son:
The clause He has spoken to us by His Son is similar to the phrase “by the prophets” in 1:1. It indicates that God used his Son to speak to us. God’s Son spoke God’s words to people, and he also is God’s Word. He communicates to people what God wants them to know.

Some other ways to translate the clause are:

he has spoken to us through his Son (Good News Translation)
-or-
God sent his Son to speak his messages

us: The pronoun us refers to both the author and readers of Hebrews.

His Son: In the Greek text the phrase His Son is simply Son. It refers to God’s Son, Jesus. In other passages, the full title “the Son of God” is used (see 4:14 and 6:6, for example). This title was often used to refer to a savior who would be a descendant of King David. God would send this savior to rescue his people. This person was often referred to as the “Messiah” or “Christ.”

The title “the Son of God” also indicates that Jesus has the same nature and character as God. The relationship between God the Father and Jesus, his Son, is similar in some way to the relationship between human fathers and sons. God the Father does not have a physical body. He did not have a sexual relationship with Mary that resulted in her becoming pregnant and giving birth to Jesus. The Son of God existed eternally as the Son with his Father.

In areas where people do not understand the title “the Son of God” in this way, you may want to include a footnote that explains the correct meaning. Here is a suggested footnote:

This title refers to Jesus. It indicates that Jesus has the same nature and character as God. It does not mean that God the Father had a sexual relationship with Mary that resulted in her becoming pregnant and giving birth to Jesus. Mary became pregnant with Jesus in a miraculous way by the Holy Spirit of God.

In some languages, it is natural to speak of a son as a “child,” without specifying male or female. If that is true in your language, you may use a more general term, such as:

the Child of God

Other verses will usually make clear that Jesus was a male child. If you use a phrase such as “the male child of God,” be sure that it does not imply that God had another child who was female.

1:2b–3e

In 1:2b–3e the author tells seven facts about the greatness of God’s Son.

1:2b

This part of the verse tells the first fact that the author said about the greatness of God’s Son in 1:2b–3e.

whom He appointed heir of all things: When God appointed his Son as the heir, he declared that his Son owns everything, just as God himself does. God decided that his Son will own all things.

In some languages the word heir may wrongly imply that God will die and his Son will inherit his things. If that is true in your language, you should translate the meaning in a different way. For example:

God has chosen his Son to own all things (New Century Version)
-or-
God made his Son responsible for everything. (God’s Word)

heir: In this context the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as heir means “someone who receives something as his own possession.” It does not imply here that he receives it as a result of someone’s death. See the preceding note for translation examples.

1:2c

This part of the verse is similar to John 1:3 and Colossians 1:16. It is the second fact that the author said about the greatness of God’s Son in 1:2b–3e.

through whom He made the universe: The phrase through whom He made the universe indicates that God created everything by means of his Son. God caused his Son to create everything. Some other ways to translate this are:

It was through his Son that God made the universe.
-or-
God created the universe by means of his Son.
-or-
God caused his Son to be the one to create the universe.

the universe: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as universe is plural, and it refers to the whole creation. It includes not just the world itself, but everything that God created. It includes the earth, the sea, the sun, the moon, and the stars. In some languages, you may need to use a phrase to express this meaning. For example:

the earth and the sky
-or-
the whole world

General Comment on 1:2b–c

In some languages it may be more natural to reorder 1:2b–c. You may need to say that God made everything through his Son, before you say that God made him heir of everything. Several English versions follow this order. For example:

2c He is the one through whom God created the universe, 2b the one whom God has chosen to possess all things at the end. (Good News Translation)

© 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 3:3

3:3a

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as For introduces a statement that explains or supports what the author has said. In 3:2 the author showed that Jesus and Moses were both faithful to God. Here in 3:3 he shows that Jesus deserves even greater honor than Moses.

Some ways to connect the two verses are:

But Jesus, he is considered to be greater than Moses
-or-
For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses (English Standard Version)

In some languages a connector is not needed. For example:

Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses (New International Version)

Connect 3:3 with 3:2 in a natural way in your language.

Jesus has been counted worthy of greater glory than Moses: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as counted worthy of means “to consider worthy.” In this context, it is God who considered Jesus worthy to receive more glory than Moses.

Some other ways to translate this sentence are:

Jesus deserved more glory than Moses
-or-

⌊ God⌋considered that Jesus deserved more honor than Moses.
-or-
It is fitting/right that Jesus should receive more respect/praise than Moses

glory: In this context the Greek word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as glory means “honor,” “praise,” or “great respect.” For more information, see glory, sense 3(a) in Key Biblical Terms.

3:3b

just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself: In this clause the author used a comparison to illustrate the reason that Jesus deserves more glory than Moses. Just like a person who builds a house deserves more honor than the house, Jesus deserves more honor than Moses. Some other ways to translate the comparison are:

like a person who builds a house deserves more praise than the house itself
-or-
just as the one who builds a house is greater than the house

the builder of a house: The phrase the builder of a house refers to the person who plans and builds a house. He causes the house to exist.

General Comment on 3:3a–b

In 3:2 the author showed that Jesus was similar to Moses. Both were faithful in doing what God wanted them to do. In 3:3, the author showed that Jesus was more important than Moses. Just as a housebuilder is more important than the house he builds, so Jesus was more important than Moses. In some languages it may be more natural to change the order of clauses in this verse. For example:

3b A man who builds a house receives more honor than the house itself. 3a In the same way Jesus is worthy of much greater honor than Moses. (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 4:16

4:16a

Let us then: Here the word then introduces an exhortation that is based on 4:14–15. It is the same word that was used in 4:14a. Connect this exhortation with 4:15 in a way that is natural in your language.

Let us…approach the throne of grace with confidence: In this exhortation the author used a figure of speech. Literally, the word throne refers to the chair or seat on which a king sits to rule his people. Figuratively, the phrase approach the throne refers to coming to God by praying to him. The phrase of grace indicates that God rules with kindness and generosity. The author used the whole exhortation to encourage his listeners to pray to God with confidence (confidence).

Some ways to translate this clause are:

we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
let’s come to God’s seat with confidence, knowing that he is gracious

In some languages a translation like “come to the throne of God” may wrongly imply that a person dies and comes to God in heaven. If that is true in your language, you should translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

let’s pray with assurance to God, our gracious King
-or-
let’s come with confidence into the presence of God. He shows grace/kindness

Let us…approach: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Let us…approach is an exhortation. The English words Let us indicate that the exhortation includes the author. It is not a request for permission here. In many languages (as in Greek), words like “let us” are not needed because the form of the verb indicates who should approach. Another way to translate this exhortation is:

we should approach
-or-
let’s come/pray to

approach: The verb approach is important in this context. It implies that God’s people can now freely come to God by praying. In the OT, no one except the high priest could approach the “mercy seat,” which symbolized God’s presence. Now because of Jesus, all of God’s people can come to him.

Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

get near to God by means of praying
-or-
come into God’s presence
-or-
go/come to God

the throne of grace: The word throne usually refers to a special chair that is reserved for the king. It also refers to the king’s authority. The phrase the throne of grace is a figure of speech to refer to God himself. It indicates that he rules with grace and mercy. The term throne of grace is similar to the term “mercy seat,” which was used in the OT. It also symbolized God’s presence.

Some other ways to translate the throne of grace are:

• Translate the figure of speech. For example:

God on his Seat in heaven

If you use this option, be sure that it does not imply coming to God in heaven after death.

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

God who rules with mercy/grace
-or-
God, the source/owner of grace
-or-
God praying to him because he loves and is merciful

For more translation examples, see the note on grace in the next part of the verse.

with confidence: The phrase with confidence refers here to having a confident attitude toward God, not being afraid of him. It was also used in 3:6, where the Berean Standard Bible translated it as “confidence.” and it will occur again in 10:19 and 10:35.

Some ways to translate with confidence are:

confidently
-or-
without fear

4:16b–c

so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need: This clause tells the purpose of coming near to God in 4:16a. We come to him so that he will be merciful to us, and so that he will help us with his grace. Another way to translate this purpose is:

so that we will receive help and gracious kindness when we need it

The context indicates that God is the source of the mercy and grace that we receive. In some languages it is more natural to make that explicit in this clause. For example:

so that God will be merciful to us and graciously help us when we are in need

mercy: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as mercy refers to an act of kindness for someone in need. It does not refer only to feeling pity for a person. In this verse it refers to the kind of help that God gives to people in need. He heals them, forgives their sins, and provides what they need. He comforts and sustains them when they endure sorrow, danger, or persecution.

Some other ways to translate mercy are:

show kindness
-or-
have compassion/pity ⌊on us⌋

The word mercy occurs only here in Hebrews. For more information, see mercy, sense 2, in Key Biblical Terms.

find grace: The phrase find grace refers to receiving grace. The grace is given by God, just as “mercy” is in the preceding phrase. In some languages a word like find may imply the wrong meaning that the grace was discovered by accident. The context indicates that God is the source of the grace, and this should be clear in your translation of the verse.

Other ways to translate find grace are:

receive grace
-or-
experience grace

grace: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as grace, refers to kindness or help that is given to people freely, not because they have done anything to deserve it. In this context, the word refers to God’s grace. He is good to people because he loves them. The people have not done anything to deserve his goodness.

Some other ways to translate grace in this context are:

kindness
-or-
generous help

In many languages it may be more natural to translate grace with a verb or verb phrase. In this context the implied subject is God. For example:

so that God will be kind/generous to you
-or-
so that God will graciously help you

For more information, see grace, sense A2(b), in Key Biblical Terms.

to help us in our time of need: The phrase to help us in our time of need means “to help us when we need help.” Some ways to translate the phrase are:

whenever we need help (NET Bible)
-or-
and He will help us at the time of difficulties

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 6:18

6:18

In this verse the author showed that God gave us two things (a promise and an oath), so that we would be very encouraged. In some languages it is more natural to change the order of clauses in this verse. See the General Comment on 6:18a–d at the end of 6:18d for examples.

6:18a

Thus: The Greek conjunction translated Thus introduces the purpose for God confirming his promise with an oath (in 6:17). Indicate this purpose in a natural way in your language.

by two unchangeable things: The phrase by two unchangeable things indicates the means by which God assured people that he will do what he said. He reassured them in two ways: (1) by making a promise to them and (2) by confirming his promise with an oath.

Some ways to translate by two unchangeable things are:

by saying two things which cannot be changed
-or-
He did that so there would be two unchanging means by which people will know…

6:18b

in which it is impossible for God to lie: This part of the verse refers to the two unchangeable things mentioned in 6:18b. It indicates that God cannot fail to keep either his promise or his oath. He is certain to keep both of them. Another way to translate this is:

and God cannot break either of them

to lie: The verb to lie refers here to not doing what was said or promised. Here it indicates that God will never fail to do what he says. He will always do what he says he will do, and no one can ever truly say that God has not kept his promise. Another way to say this is:

to not fulfill his promise

6:18c

we who have fled: Here the author described his readers and himself as people who have fled to find refuge. He did not say what they had found refuge from. He said what they found refuge in. They took refuge in their certainty that God will do what he promised them. In many languages it is helpful to make God explicit here. For example:

we have run to God for safety (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
we have fled to him for refuge (New Living Translation (2004))

we: The pronoun we is inclusive and refers to both the author and the readers.

have fled: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as have fled also means “flee to a place.” It implies fleeing somewhere where they will be safe. In this context the refuge is God, and people trust him to save them.

6:18d

to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged: The phrase may be strongly encouraged is more literally “will have strong encouragement.” It indicates God’s purpose for giving us his promise and oath. He wanted to give us great courage to persevere in trusting him to fulfill his promise. Some other ways to translate 6:18d are:

can have great confidence as we hold to the hope (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
we will persevere in hoping/expecting ⌊what he has promised⌋

the hope: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hope refers here to what we expect with confidence (from God). It includes all the good things that God has promised and prepared for us, including eternal life. It occurs also in 3:6, 6:11, 7:19, 10:23.

set before us: The phrase set before us is one word in Greek. It means “lying before us,” and it refers to what God will do for us in the future. The verb is passive. In some languages it is more natural to translate this with an active verb. For example:

which God has given to us
-or-
that God promised us

us: The pronoun us is inclusive and refers to both the author and the readers.

General Comment on 6:18a–d

In 6:18 the author indicated that God gave us both his promise and his oath to give us great confidence that he will save us as he promised. Neither the promise nor the oath can be broken, because it is impossible for God to lie.

In some languages it may be helpful to change the order of phrases in this verse. For example:

So we have both his promise and his oath which cannot be broken because it is impossible for God to lie. God confirmed his promise with an oath so that we might be very encouraged. We are people who have found refuge and firmly expect with hope what God has for us.
-or-
God did this so that we would be encouraged. God cannot lie when he takes an oath or makes a promise. These two things can never be changed. Those of us who have taken refuge in him hold on to the confidence we have been given. (God’s Word)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 1:13

Paragraph 1:13–14

In this paragraph the author concluded the chapter with a final contrast between the Son and the angels. It shows again that God’s Son is far greater than the angels.

1:13

This verse contains the seventh and final quotation from the Old Testament in this section. The author quoted from Psalm 110:1. The words of Psalm 110:1 are quoted in Matthew 22:44; Mark 12:36; Luke 20:42–43; and Acts 2:34–35, and they are also referred to in other passages.

1:13a

Yet: The conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Yet introduces the final point in this chapter. Another way to introduce it in English is:

Moreover

Consider how you introduce an important point in your language. In some languages a conjunction may not be necessary.

to which of the angels did God ever say: This clause is the first part of a rhetorical question. It is almost exactly the same as 1:5a, which began this section. It emphasizes the fact that God never said to any of the angels what he said to his son in 1:13b–c. It also implies a contrast. God did say those words to his Son. You should translate 1:13a in the same way (or a very similar way) as you translated 1:5a.

angels: The word angels refers to the spirit beings that serve God. This word occurred in 1:4. You may translate it in the same way here.

1:13b–c

The quotation in 1:13b–c is from Psalm 110:1. The author referred to it in 1:3.

Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet: Here God invited his Son to sit with him on his right side while God conquered his Son’s enemies. The context implies that God’s Son will also continue to sit with him after his enemies are conquered. In some languages a word like until may imply a limited time. If that is true in your language, it is better to translate it in a different way. For example:

Sit at my right side and I will make your enemies a footstool for you.
-or-
Sit here at my right while I make your enemies your footstool.

1:13b

Sit at My right hand: The clause Sit at My right hand has the same figurative meaning as the phrase “sat down at the right hand” in 1:3e. It indicates that God told his Son to take the place of greatest honor and authority with God. You should translate the meaning in a similar way here. Some ways to translate it are:

Sit by me at my right side (New Century Version)
-or-
Come sit here with me, ⌊sharing my authority⌋
-or-
Sit in honor at my right hand (New Living Translation (2004))

1:13c

until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet: This clause refers to a custom of kings at that time. When a king defeated his enemies, he put his feet on them to show that he had complete power over them. In this context, the custom is a metaphor. It means that God will defeat his Son’s enemies, and the Son will have complete power over them. It does not indicate that the Son will literally place his feet on his enemies.

Some other ways to translate the figurative language are:

• Use the same or different figurative language. For example:

until you put your feet on the necks of your enemies
-or-
until I make your enemies kneel before you

• Use figurative language and make the meaning explicit. For example:

until I humble your enemies so that they are like a resting-place for your feet

• Translate the meaning without the figurative language. For example:

until I have subdued your enemies completely
-or-
until I make all your enemies submit to you

Translate the meaning in a natural way in your language. This metaphor is used again in 10:12–14.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 3:14

3:14

Verse 14 is similar to verse 6, both in meaning and in actual words. It is good to consider how you translated verse 6 as you translate verse 14. Below are some of the parallels between the two verses:

Verse 6
Verse 14

We are His house
We have come to share in Christ

Christ
Christ

if
if

confidence
assurance

hold firmly
hold firmly

3:14a

The Greek begins this verse with a word that many versions translate as “For.” It introduces the basis for the warning in 3:13. Believers must encourage one another so that we will resist sin, because we have become partners of Christ. Some English versions, including the Berean Standard Bible, leave the connection implied. Show the relationship between these verses in a way that is natural in your language.

We have come to share in Christ: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as share was also used in 3:1. The clause We have come to share in Christ means “we all share in the life of Christ himself.” This sharing includes all those who have become believers in him.

Some ways to translate this are:

we share in Christ (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Because as for us, Christ is our constant companion

We: The pronoun We includes both the author and his readers.

3:14b

if we hold firmly to the end the assurance we had at first: This clause tells the condition for 3:14a. We continue to share in Christ’s life if we firmly continue to have confidence in him. Some other ways to translate this clause are:

if we are faithful to the end, trusting…just as firmly as when we first believed (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
if we keep till the end the sure faith we had in the beginning (New Century Version)

The word hold occurred in 3:6c with the same sense as it has here. The author wrote about perseverance at other places in the letter of Hebrews. See, for example, 4:14 and 10:23.

we: The pronoun we is inclusive and refers to the author and his readers and hearers.

to the end: The phrase to the end means “to the end of our lives” or “always.”

the assurance we had at first: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as assurance was also used in 1:3, where it referred to God’s “nature” (what he is really like). Here it refers to the reality of the things which the readers strongly believed when they first committed their lives to Jesus. They trusted Jesus himself and they also had confidence in what they were taught about him.

Another way to translate the assurance we had at first is:

trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
our initial conviction ⌊that Jesus is the Messiah⌋
-or-
the sure faith we had in the beginning (New Century Version)

General Comment on 3:14a–b

In some languages it may be more natural to change the order of 3:14a and 3:14b. For example:

14b For only if we maintain firmly to the very end the original assurance, 14a then are we sharers of Christ

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 5:11

Section 5:11–6:12

Grow up in your faith, and do not give up

In Section 5:11–6:12 the author interrupted his teaching about God appointing Christ as the high priest in order to tell his listeners to mature in their faith and to warn them not to stop believing in Christ. After this warning (6:4–12), he will continue to teach them in 6:13–7:28 about the priesthood of Jesus and Melchizedek.

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

Warning about abandoning Christ
-or-
Do not be lazy but become mature followers of Christ

Paragraph 5:11–14

In verses 11–14 the author told his listeners that they were like babies who do not understand much about God and his Word. He told them that they ought to be like teachers, not like babies.

5:11a

We have much to say about this: The author put the phrase about this at the beginning of the sentence to emphasize it. In some languages it is more natural to begin the sentence in a different way, as modelled by the Berean Standard Bible. In other languages it may be preferable to follow the Greek word order. For example:

About this we have much to say (New Revised Standard Version)

We: Here the author used the word We to refer to himself, as was common for Greek authors. The word We does not include the readers, and it does not indicate that there is more than one author of Hebrews. In many languages it is more natural and accurate to use “I” here. See the examples in the following note on “have much to say.”

have much to say: In Greek the phrase have much to say is more literally “much (is) the word.” It indicates that the author wants to explain much more about Christ being our high priest in the order of Melchizedek. Some other ways to translate the phrase are:

there is much to tell you
-or-
There are many more things I would like to tell you

The author already said something about Christ and Melchizedek in 5:7 and 10. So in some languages it may be helpful to indicate that he has more to say about that topic. For example:

There is much more we would like to say about this (New Living Translation (2004))

about this: The phrase about this refers to the topic that the author has been discussing in 4:14–16 and 5:1–10. That topic is that Christ is our great high priest and his priesthood is like the priesthood of Melchizedek (5:10).

Some ways to refer back to this topic are:

• Refer to the topic in a general way. For example:

About this topic/matter

• Refer to the topic more specifically. For example:

There is much that I could say here concerning the priesthood of Jesus and Melchizedek

5:11b

but it is hard to explain, because you are dull of hearing: In this part of the verse the author tells his listeners why it is difficult to explain Christ’s high priesthood to them. The reason is that they are dull of hearing. As a result, it is hard to explain the topic to them in a way that they can understand. Some other ways to translate this result and its reason are:

it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand (New International Version)
-or-
it is not easy to explain it to you because you do not seem to really listen

In some languages it is more natural to change the order of the reason and result so that the reason comes first. For example:

But you don’t seem to listen, so it’s hard to make you understand. (New Living Translation (1996))

hard to explain: The Berean Standard Bible phrase hard to explain is one word in Greek. This word often refers to a topic that is difficult to understand in itself. However, in this context the author indicates that his topic is hard to explain to them because they are lazy in listening to it. They do not think about it carefully enough to understand it. Some other ways to translate this word are:

difficult to make it clear to you
-or-
hard to make you know/understand

because you are dull of hearing: This clause tells the reason why it was difficult for the author to explain the high priesthood of Christ to his listeners. The reason is that they were too lazy (slow) to understand it. The word the Berean Standard Bible translates as dull means “slow/lazy” and is translated as “sluggish” in 6:12, but it does not occur anywhere else in the NT.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

because you are so slow to understand (Good News Translation)
-or-
you have become too dull/lazy to understand it

In some languages there is a figure of speech for this meaning. For example:

your heads/ears have become too hard

The author said this to encourage his listeners to try harder to understand what he wanted to teach them. Translate this meaning in a natural way in your language.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2:11

2:11a–b

both the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified: The phrase the One who sanctifies refers to Jesus. In some languages it may be necessary to make that explicit. For example:

Jesus who is making us into the holy people of God and we whom he is making holy

2:11a

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces another reason why it was fitting for God to cause Jesus to suffer in order to bring many people to glory. Some English versions, such as the New International Version, imply this connection without using a conjunction. Show the connection in the way that is most natural in your language.

sanctifies: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sanctifies means “makes holy.” It refers here to dedicating people to God so that they become God’s people and are purified from their sins. Some other ways to translate sanctifies in this context are:

for he who consecrates (Revised English Bible)
-or-
who makes people holy (God’s Word)
-or-
the one who dedicates people to God

For more information, see holy, sense B1, in Key Biblical Terms.

2:11b

and those who are sanctified: The phrase those who are sanctified refers to the people whom Jesus is making holy. In this context it refers to the same people as the “many children” who are saved by Jesus (2:10a).

The verb are sanctified is the passive form of the verb that was translated as “sanctifies” in 2:11a. In some languages it is more natural to use an active form here and indicate Jesus as the subject. For example:

and the people whom he sanctifies
-or-
and we whom he purifies from our sins
-or-
and the people whom he dedicates ⌊to God⌋

are of the same family: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as of the same family is more literally “all from one.” There are two ways to interpret the word same here:

(1) It refers to one Father (God). God is the father of Jesus and all people whom Jesus sanctifies. They are part of the same family. For example:

are all from one Father (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
all have one Father (New Revised Standard Version)

(2) It refers to one humanity or origin. For example:

share a common humanity (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

This interpretation is also translated in various other ways, such as “origin” or “source.”

Both interpretations are true. Jesus and the people whom he sanctifies are all children of God, and Jesus has also become like them in sharing their humanity. However, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It fits the immediate context of “bringing many children to glory,” and it has good commentary support.

2:11c

So: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So introduces the result of 2:11a–b. Because Jesus and the people whom he sanctifies have the same father (2:11b), Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers (2:11c). Some other ways to introduce this result are:

That is why (Good News Translation)
-or-
For this reason (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
And because of this

Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers: This clause indicates that Jesus is not ashamed to say that he is in the same family with the people whom he sanctifies. The context implies that although Jesus is perfectly holy and much greater than human beings, he accepts people as his brothers and sisters because he and they all have God as their father. Some other ways to translate the clause are:

Jesus is not ashamed to say that we are his relatives.
-or-
Jesus is not ashamed of us but rather he calls us his younger siblings.

Different cultures have different beliefs about shame. In some cultures the negative statement Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers may imply a wrong meaning. If that is true in your language, you may translate the meaning without a negative. For example:

Jesus is glad to call them his brothers and sisters
-or-
Jesus considers it right/proper to call them his brothers and sisters

to call them brothers: In this context the phrase to call them brothers means to accept or acknowledge them as his siblings. The author of Hebrews was a believer in Christ, and he was writing to other believers. In some languages it may be more natural to use a form that refers to both the author and his readers. For example:

to say/acknowledge that we(incl.) are siblings

brothers: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as brothers includes both males and females. In some languages it is necessary to use different words for males and females. For example:

brothers and sisters (New Revised Standard Version)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2020