SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2020 – Page 11

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 4:9

Paragraph 4:9–10

4:9

This verse is important in Section 4:1–13. It tells what readers should conclude from 4:1–8. In those verses the author used two OT scriptures (Psalm 95 and Genesis 2:2) to lead to this conclusion in 4:9: God still provides a sabbath rest for his people.

There remains, then: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as then introduces a deduction or conclusion from 4:1–8. It implies that the statement in 4:9 will tell what readers should realize and conclude from the preceding verses.

Some other ways to introduce it are:

That is how we know that…
-or-
This shows that…
-or-
So from all this we know/conclude that…

There remains…a Sabbath rest for the people of God: This clause indicates that a Sabbath rest is still available for God’s people to enjoy. Some other ways to translate it are:

there is still opportunity for the people of God to get rest with him. That rest is like God’s rest on the seventh day.
-or-
as for us, God’s people, it is possible for us to have rest like God’s rest on that seventh day
-or-
there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God (New Living Translation (2004))

remains: Here the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as remains means “to be reserved.” It indicates here that a sabbath rest is still available for God’s people. In this context it is God who has reserved (provided) this rest for his people. Some ways to translate it in this verse are:

is still waiting/provided
-or-

⌊ God⌋has reserved
-or-
is still coming (New Century Version)

Sabbath rest: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Sabbath rest is a rare word. It occurs only here in the Greek New Testament. The Jews rested on the seventh (final) day of every week. They called this weekly rest day the Sabbath. The phrase Sabbath rest is related to the word for “sabbath.” It is used in a figurative way here to refer to a special type of rest.

There are two main views about what this Sabbath rest refers to:

(1) It refers to a spiritual rest that begins on earth when a person believes in Christ. Then the person depends on God for salvation and for the strength to do God’s will.

(2) It refers to rest in heaven with God after a believer in Christ dies. It is symbolized in the OT by the rest that God promised the people of Israel in the land of Canaan.

Probably the word implies both of these meanings here. Some other ways to translate it are:

rest like God’s resting on the seventh day (Good News Translation)
-or-
special rest (New Living Translation (2004))

people of God: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as people often refers to a group of people who share kinship. It can also refer to people who share a common culture but are not related by blood. God created everyone, so all people belong to him. However, in the Bible the term “God’s people” is usually used in a special way to refer to the people who believe in him and obey him.

Some other ways to translate people of God here are:

the people who worship/serve God
-or-
God’s worshippers/subjects

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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 6:11

6:11

There are several ways to order the phrases in this verse. Be sure to use a natural way in your language to express the relationship of the phrases. See the General Comment on 6:11 at the end of 6:11 for examples.

We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure: There are two views about what the phrase to the very end is connected to in this verse:

(1) It is connected to “show the same diligence.” It means that they should be diligent to the very end. For example:

We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. (New International Version)

(2) It is connected to “realize the full assurance of hope.” It means that they should be eager to realize the hope until the end. For example:

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end. (New American Standard Bible)

Some English versions are ambiguous. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most English versions and commentators.

We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end: In 6:10 the author indicated that the listeners had showed love for God by serving other believers. Here in 6:11 the author told them to continue to show that same eagerness to serve until the end of their lives. Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

and we earnestly request that every one of you will continue to behave like that for as long as you live
-or-
Our great desire is that you will keep on faithfully doing this until you die

6:11a

We: The word We refers here to the author of Hebrews. It does not include the listeners. At the time when Hebrews was written, it was common for an author to use a plural form to refer to himself. In some languages it is more natural to use a singular form like “I.”

want: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as want means “to earnestly desire.” It indicates here that the author strongly desired his listeners to be diligent. Other ways to translate this meaning are:

greatly desire
-or-
earnestly beg/plead

In some languages it may more natural to use a noun to translate the meaning. For example:

great desire (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
earnest wish (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
longing

to show this same diligence: The phrase this same diligence refers to the same type of eager effort and perseverance that the listeners showed in the past when they served God’s people. It indicates that they were devoted to what they were doing. In some languages it is more natural to use a verb to translate this phrase. For example:

to persevere
-or-
to faithfully continue to do this

6:11b

to the very end: In Greek this phrase is more literally, “until the end.” There are two ways to interpret this phrase:

(1) It means “to the end of their lives.” For example:

as long as life lasts (New Living Translation (2004))

(New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version)

(2) It means “until the end of time when the Lord returns.” For example:

until the last day

Most English versions are ambiguous. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). In the context of Hebrews, the believers suffered persecution and might be killed for following Jesus. It is important for believers to be faithful to him for as long as we live.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

all your lives (New Century Version)
-or-
as long as you live

in order to make your hope sure: This clause indicates the purpose of continuing to be diligent. The listeners should continue to be diligent so that they will be sure to receive what they hope for. Some other ways to translate this clause are:

so that you will receive what you have fully/confidently expected
-or-
so you will surely get what you hope for (New Century Version)

hope: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hope refers to expecting something with confidence that it will happen. That expectation is based on a reason. In this context hope refers to being confident that God will do the good things that he promised to do for his people.

In some languages it is more natural to express hope with a clause. For instance:

what you hope for
-or-
what you confidently expect

This word occurred also in 3:6. See how you translated it there. It also occurs in 6:18, 7:19 and 10:23.

General Comment on 6:11

In this verse the author indicated that the listeners should continue to do what he praised them for doing in 6:10. Be sure that the reference back to those actions is clear. Some other ways to make it clear are:

We really request that every one of you exert effort to have behavior like that until the end so that you will indeed get what you are hoping for from God.
-or-
That is what we wish, that each one of you simply/just perseveres doing like that as long as you live so that your expectation from God will be fulfilled.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 1:6

1:6

In this verse the author quoted another verse from the OT to show that the Son is greater than the angels. God did not treat angels like sons or say that he was their father (1:5). Instead, he told them that they must worship the Son as God (1:6).

1:6a

And: The word And connects this verse closely to the preceding verses. Translate the connection in a natural way in your language. In some languages a conjunction may not be needed.

again: There are two ways to interpret the word again in this context:

(1) It introduces another OT quote to prove that Christ is greater than the angels. For example:

And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says: (English Standard Version)

(2) It refers to the second coming of Christ into the world. For example:

But when he again brings his firstborn into the world, he says: (NET Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Most commentaries and versions favor this interpretation. Some versions do not translate the word again, but still imply that the OT quote refers to the Son’s first coming into the world.

when God brings His firstborn into the world: This statement refers to the time when God brought his Son to the earth. Some other ways to translate the statement are:

when God sent his firstborn Son to this earth
-or-
when God caused his firstborn to come to the world

firstborn: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as firstborn is used figuratively. In Jewish culture the firstborn son in a family was an important person. He was the heir of his father, and his father often gave him authority to represent him in important matters. See the discussion on “heir of all things” in 1:2b.

The word firstborn is a title that emphasizes Christ’s status and importance. In some cultures the term firstborn does not express that meaning. If that is true in your culture, you may need to express the meaning in a different way. For example:

honored Son
-or-
his Son who has no equal

In some languages it may be helpful to make the term for firstborn into a different statement. For example:

This Son of God is greater than all. Therefore when God sent….

Christ is also called the firstborn in Colossians 1:15, 1:18; Romans 8:29; Revelation 1:5.

into the world: The word world refers to the whole inhabited earth. Some ways to translate into the world are:

to ⌊the people⌋ on earth
-or-

⌊ here⌋to this world

1:6b

He says: “Let all God’s angels worship Him.”: The words Let all God’s angels worship Him are quoted from the Greek translation of Deuteronomy 32:43. In this context it is a command. God commands that his angels must worship his Son.

In some languages it may not be natural to use the word God’s when God himself is speaking. You may need to use another way to refer to him. For example:

All of my angels must worship that Child of mine.
-or-
he commands all of his angels to worship him (Contemporary English Version)

He says: The phrase He says introduces what God said when he brought his Son into the world. At the time that the author of Hebrews wrote this, God had already said it. Use a natural verb form in your language to introduce what God said here.

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

worship: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as worship means to express devotion, honor, and reverence for God or for other gods. Some ways to express this worship are by praying, bowing down, or kneeling to show submission, serving God obediently, and praising him.

In this context the word worship indicates that the angels must agree that the Son is God, and they must give him honor. It probably also indicates that they must bow down or prostrate themselves before the Son to show their reverence.

Other ways to translate worship in this context are:

adore
-or-
bow down to
-or-
serve/revere

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 3:7

Section 3:7–19

Warning: Do not reject God’s offer of rest

In the earlier sections of Hebrews the author showed that Jesus was greater than both the angels and Moses. In 2:1–4 he gave a first warning not to refuse the message which Jesus brought. Here in 3:7–19 he gave a second warning not to refuse Jesus’ message, especially the “rest” that God offers through Jesus. The author quoted from Psalm 95, which says that God wanted to give the people of Israel a land where they could have rest from their enemies. When they were slaves in Egypt, he sent Moses to lead them to that land, but they rebelled against God in the wilderness. Then God did not allow them to enter the land of rest.

It is often difficult to decide how to translate “rest” in this section and in chapter 4. Psalm 95 and Hebrews do refer to the time when Moses was alive and God promised to give the people of Israel land. However, King David was already in that land when he wrote the psalm, so the “rest” could not refer to the land. It refers to a different type of “rest.” That rest is a way of trusting God and depending on him for everything. We especially trust him to save us from our sins and give us eternal life. Because of the rest that God gives, we can have peace even when we suffer.

Be careful not to imply that the rest that God promises his people today is a certain place or land. Some scholars believe that the rest refers to heaven. It is true that we will have perfect rest in heaven, but Hebrews indicates that the rest that God provides for us begins on earth when we trust in Jesus.

Some other headings for this section are:

Rest for God’s People
-or-
Warning Against Unbelief (New International Version)
-or-
We Must Continue to Follow/Obey God

Scholars differ about where to end this warning section. Some scholars end the warning at 3:19. Others make the warning section continue to 4:13. In these notes, 3:19 is the end of this second warning section, and the following section is 4:1–13.

Paragraph 3:7–11

This paragraph contains a long quotation. You should use the format which you usually use for such quotations. This quotation from Psalm 95:7b–11 refers to the years when the people of Israel were traveling through the desert to the land of Canaan. God did many miracles for them, but they often complained against him.

In 3:8a–9a the quotation from Psalm 95 probably refers to a specific time when the people of Israel complained. It may refer to Exodus 17:1–7, when they did not find water to drink where they camped. However, it is more likely that it refers to Numbers 14, where they refused to enter the land that the Lord wanted to give them. That interpretation fits well with the theme of “rest” in Hebrews 4.

In 3:9b–11 the author referred to what the people of Israel did during the whole forty year period when they wandered through the desert. In 3:7–8a he indicates that followers of Jesus must not stubbornly reject what God tells them to do, as the people of Israel did in the desert.

3:7–8

The Greek text of 3:7 refers to God’s voice as “his voice,” and in 3:8 the author does not need to refer to him explicitly. However, in 3:9–11, the author uses pronouns like “I,” “me” and “my” to refer to God. English versions differ in the way they refer to God in 3:7–8. Refer to him in those verses in a way that is clear in your language.

Some ways to translate 3:7–8 are:

As the Holy Spirit says, “If you hear God speak today, don’t be stubborn. Don’t be stubborn like those who rebelled and tested me in the desert. (God’s Word)
-or-
So then, as the Holy Spirit says, “If you hear God’s voice today, do not be stubborn, as your ancestors were when they rebelled against God, as they were that day in the desert when they put him to the test. (Good News Translation)

3:7a

Therefore: The conjunction Therefore introduces a conclusion from 3:1–6. We are God’s house (family), so we must listen to him and do what he says. Some ways to translate the conjunction are:

Because of that
-or-
Now, therefore
-or-
So

as the Holy Spirit says: This phrase introduces a quotation from Scripture. It implies that the Holy Spirit is the one who spoke those words and inspired a person to write them. The phrase is another way to refer to what Scripture says. This is the first time that the author introduced a quotation from the Old Testament in this way.

Here the author quoted what King David wrote in Psalm 95:7b–11. In some languages it may be helpful to refer to King David by name here, as the author does in 4:7, when he quotes from Psalm 95 again. Be sure to indicate or imply that the author referred to Scripture. It is often helpful to use the normal way that you refer to Scripture in your language. For example:

As the Holy Spirit said ⌊and King David wrote in God’s book⌋
-or-
The Holy Spirit spoke ⌊through King David⌋ ⌊and it was written⌋ saying

It is also helpful in some languages to include part of the meaning of the quotation in the introduction, so that it sounds more natural. Notice the implied words in the following example:

Therefore ⌊you must do⌋ as the Holy Spirit said,

Holy Spirit: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Holy Spirit refers to the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit is God, together with God the Father and God the Son. The Holy Spirit is “spirit” in the sense that he is a living being who does not have a physical body. He is “holy” in the sense that he is God and unique from every other being. He is perfect in every way and is completely pure and sinless.

Some ways to translate Holy Spirit are:

Spirit/Breath of God
-or-
Holy/Sacred Spirit

Do not imply that the Holy Spirit is like the ghost of a dead person or that God has died. The term Holy Spirit also occurred in 2:4c. See how you translated it there.

3:7b

Here the author began to quote from Psalm 95.

Today: In this context the word Today refers to the present moment or time. Some ways to translate Today in the context are:

right now
-or-
now at this time
-or-
on this very day

Here the word Today comes first in the sentence to emphasize it. It implies that when a person hears God voice, he should respond immediately. He should not delay.

if you hear His voice: There are several ways to interpret the if clause here:

(1) It means that you should listen to what God says. (It is a command or exhortation.) For example:

you must listen to his voice (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
Oh, that today you would listen…! (NET Bible)

(NET Bible, New Living Translation (1996), New Century Version)

(2) It means when you hear what God says. For example:

when you hear his voice (NLT04)

(NLT04, Revised Standard Version)

(3) It means if you hear what God says. (It is a condition.) For example:

If you hear God speak (God’s Word)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with many Bible scholars. Although more English versions have if, it may imply a wrong meaning here. In this context, the if clause does not imply that the listeners may not hear God’s voice. The author is about to tell them what God says.

you: The pronoun you is plural and refers to all the people who hear (or read) what God said.

hear His voice: The phrase hear His voice refers here to listening to what God says. It implies listening in order to obey. For example:

listen to him!
-or-
hear what he says ⌊and obey it⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 5:4

5:4a

No one takes this honor upon himself: In Greek this clause is more literally “and not to/for himself does anyone take the honor.” It indicates that no one must claim the honor of being high priest for himself. The Berean Standard Bible uses the phrase No one takes…upon himself to emphasize that no person has the right to make himself a high priest. It is God who must choose the high priest.

Some other ways to translate the clause are:

No one chooses for himself the honor of being a high priest. (Good News Translation)
-or-
To be a high priest is an honor, but no one chooses himself for this work. (New Century Version)
-or-
And no one can become a high priest simply because he wants such an honor. (New Living Translation (2004))

this honor: The phrase this honor refers to the important role and work of being a high priest. It indicates that being the high priest is a privilege. God has honored the person whom he chooses as high priest. Some other ways to translate the phrase are:

the important position of highest priest
-or-
this great respect that the high priest receives

5:4b

he must be called by God: This clause tells how a person can become the high priest. He can have that role only if he is called by God. Notice that the verb called is passive here, though the text indicates that the subject is God. In some languages it is more natural to use an active verb. For example:

but rather it is necessary that God call him
-or-
he can take that work/role only if God chooses him to do it
-or-
he receives it when called by God (New International Version)

called by God: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as called means “to choose (a person) to receive a special benefit or experience.” God chooses the person whom he wants to be the high priest and to do that special work.

Some other ways to translate the phrase called by God are:

when God chooses him ⌊and tells him to do that work⌋
-or-
God must appoint him.
-or-
It is God who chooses him.

just as Aaron was: The clause just as Aaron was is a short way to say “in the same way that Aaron was called (chosen)” or “like God chose Aaron.” Aaron was the older brother of Moses (see Exodus 7:7), and he was the first high priest. God chose him and his sons to be consecrated as priests after the people of Israel left Egypt.

Some ways to translate this clause are:

like God/he chose Aaron long ago
-or-
as Aaron was chosen by God in the past

See Exodus 28–29 and Leviticus 8–9 for more information about God choosing Aaron as the high priest.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2:3-4

2:3

Hebrews 2:3a–b is the second part of the conditional sentence which began at 2:2a. This second part of the sentence is a rhetorical question based on the condition. In some languages it is more natural to change the order of 2:3a and 2:3b. See the General Comment on 2:2–3 at the end of 2:3b for more information.

2:3a–b

how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?: In this clause the author compared the terrible results of neglecting God’s salvation with the results of disobeying the law in 2:2. If a person disobeyed the law, they were certainly punished. So also we certainly will be punished if we neglect God’s way of salvation. This clause is a rhetorical question that emphasizes that we will not escape punishment.

Some ways to translate the rhetorical question are:

• As a rhetorical question or a rhetorical question that includes a response. For example:

is it possible that we can escape being punished if we neglect such a great salvation?
-or-
will we indeed escape punishment if we neglect God’s great salvation? ⌊No, we will surely be punished.⌋

• As an emphatic statement. For example:

So we also will surely be punished if we do not pay attention to God’s great salvation.
-or-
We shall certainly not escape if we disregard this great salvation.

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

we: The pronoun we is inclusive and refers to the author and anyone who hears or reads this letter.

escape: In this context the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as escape means “to avoid.” It refers back to avoiding the “punishment” that was mentioned in 2:2, the penalty of being punished by God. In some languages you may need to make that clear here also. For example:

how shall we escape ⌊God’s punishment⌋ ?
-or-

⌊ God⌋will certainly ⌊punish⌋ us

2:3b

if we neglect such a great salvation: This clause gives another condition that is connected to the question “how shall we escape?” This condition is different from the condition in 2:2, which referred to a fact about the past: Everyone who disobeyed the law was justly punished. Here in 2:3b, the condition is present or future. It refers to the possibility that we may ignore God’s great salvation.

Some other ways to translate this condition are:

if we disregard the great salvation
-or-
on those of us who will not pay attention to this great salvation

we: The pronoun we refers to both the readers and the author, as it did in 2:1b.

neglect: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as neglect means “disregard, ignore.” The word is also used in Matthew 22:5 when people disregarded the invitation to a feast. See the translation examples in the preceding note.

such a great salvation: The phrase such a great salvation refers to the message about the great salvation that God has spoken of through his Son. The phrase indicates that this salvation is the greatest and most powerful salvation.

For more information, see the note on 1:14a–b, and see save, sense B, in Key Biblical Terms.

In some languages it is more natural to use a verb rather than the noun salvation in your translation. Some ways to translate using a verb are:

the powerful way that God now offers to save us
-or-
this great way of being saved (Contemporary English Version)

salvation: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as salvation refers to being rescued from evil or danger. In this context it refers to being rescued from sin. It implies that the people who are saved will not be judged and condemned because of sins. They will be reconciled with God and his people. Some other ways to translate it here are:

deliverance
-or-
freedom ⌊from sin/judgment⌋

See the preceding note for examples of using a verb to translate salvation.

General Comment on 2:2–3

Hebrews 2:2–3 is one long sentence. You may need to divide it into several different sentences. For example:

2 The message ⌊about the law⌋ which the angels brought could not be changed. Those who broke the law or who disobeyed it were justly punished. 3 So how can we escape ⌊being punished by God⌋ if we ignore ⌊the message about⌋ such a great salvation?
-or-

2 Angels brought a message which could not be changed. God rightly punished those who broke the law or who disobeyed it. 3 So we also cannot escape if we pay no attention when God offers to save us so wonderfully.

In the Greek text the parts of 2:1–3 are arranged as a chiasm to emphasize the contrast between the message spoken by the Lord and the message received through angels.
-or-
God verified what they said (God’s Word)

2:4b

through signs, wonders, various miracles: This phrase tells how God confirmed that the message was true. He caused the people who spoke the message to do signs, wonders, and miracles. These three words have similar meanings. They all refer to actions that are done by supernatural power.

The word signs implies that the actions have a meaning. The word wonders implies that people are amazed by the actions. The word miracles implies that the actions are done by supernatural power.

In some languages it is more natural to use verbs to describe the actions. In other languages it is more natural to use only one or two words to refer to them. You should translate the meaning in a natural way in your language. Some other ways to translate the phrase are:

he caused them to do amazing miracles to show that the message was true
-or-
God helped them to do this work in that they did miracles before the people
-or-
all kinds of miracles and wonders (Good News Translation)

These words also occur together in Acts 2:22; 2 Corinthians 12:12 and 2 Thessalonians 2:9. If you have translated these passages, see how you translated the words there. See also the notes on each word below. For more information, see miracle, sign, wonder, mighty work in Key Biblical Terms.

signs: The word signs refers to miracles that have a meaning. They show or prove something. Here the signs showed that Jesus’ message about God’s way of salvation was true.

wonders: The word wonders refers to amazing events or actions. It often occurs with the word “signs” to refer to actions that God causes his messengers to be able to perform.

various miracles: The Greek word for miracles is the plural of the noun “power.” It can refer to a miraculous act of healing or to another act which cannot be done by human power or knowledge. The word various means “many kinds.” Other ways to translate the phrase various miracles are:

many kinds of miracles (New Century Version)
-or-
other powerful acts (God’s Word)

2:4c

and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will: The phrase and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will is another way by which God showed that the message of salvation was true. In some languages it may be helpful to translate 2:4c as a separate sentence. For example:

He also confirmed the message by causing the Holy Spirit to distribute special abilities. He did this just the way he wanted to do it.

gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will: Scholars differ over the exact meaning of this phrase. The most likely meaning is that when God gives his Holy Spirit to people, the Holy Spirit causes them to have the various powers and abilities that God wants them to have. Through using these abilities (gifts), his people show that the message of salvation is true.

Some ways to translate this meaning are:

and with other gifts from the Holy Spirit as he wanted (God’s Word)
-or-
and he gave them other kinds of power from the Holy Spirit, just as he decided to give ⌊to each one⌋

Some ways to translate Holy Spirit are:

Spirit/Breath of God
-or-
Holy/Sacred Spirit

Do not imply that the Holy Spirit is like the ghost of a dead person or that God has died.

according to His will: The phrase according to His will means “just as God wanted.” In some languages it is more natural to translate the phrase His will with a verb or clause. For instance:

just as he wanted (New Century Version)
-or-
as he himself chose

See also the examples in the preceding note.

General Comment on 2:4a–c

In Greek this verse is the final part of a sentence that began in 2:2. Most English versions begin a new sentence here. Some ways to translate this verse are:

God himself confirmed their witness with signs and marvels and miracles of all kinds, and by distributing the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the various ways he wills. (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
At the same time God added his witness to theirs by performing all kinds of miracles and wonders and by distributing the gifts of the Holy Spirit according to his will. (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 3:18

3:18

And to whom did He swear that they would never enter His rest? Was it not to those who disobeyed?: This verse is one rhetorical question, which has another rhetorical question within it. It means that God swore to the people who disobeyed him that they would not enter his rest.

Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

• Use one or two rhetorical questions. For example:

To whom did God swear that they would not enter his rest? Wasn’t it to those who disobeyed him?

• Use one rhetorical question and a statement for an answer. For example:

18 And to whom was God speaking when he vowed that they would never enter his place of rest? He was speaking to those who disobeyed him. (New Century Version)
-or-
When God made his solemn promise, “They will never enter the land where I would have given them rest”—of whom was he speaking? Of those who rebelled. (Good News Translation)

• Use two statements. For example:

And you know that these are the people God became angry with because they committed sin during forty years. Therefore all of these people died there in the desert.

Translate the rhetorical question in a natural way in your language.

3:18a–b

And to whom did He swear that they would never enter His rest?: This question indicates that God swore to certain people that they would never enter his rest. This event was mentioned in 3:11: “So I swore on oath in My anger, ‘They shall never enter My rest.” (Berean Standard Bible)

In some languages it may be more natural to translate what God swore in direct speech. For example:

To whom did he swear, saying, “Now you will never enter ⌊the land⌋ that I wanted you to have as a place to rest with me?”

swear: The word swear means to take an oath or make a binding promise. In Hebrew culture, such a promise must not be broken. Here God’s promise implied that he would certainly do what he said. What he said would certainly happen.

You may be able to use the same phrase that you used in 3:11.

that they would never enter His rest: The phrase His rest refers here to the life of dependence on God that God wanted his people to live. He wanted them to depend on him and trust him for everything.

See the note on 3:11a–b. It is important to use the word rest here because the author is going to write more about rest in chapter 4.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 6:1

Paragraph 6:1–3

6:1a–b

Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity: Here the Berean Standard Bible follows the order of phrases in the Greek text. Some translations use a different order of phrases. For example:

Therefore let us go on toward perfection, leaving behind the basic teaching about Christ (New Revised Standard Version)

Choose the order that is most natural in your language.

let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity: Here the author told his listeners to stop repeating only the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to become mature. The phrase let us leave indicates that we must advance from basic teachings to learn what mature believers need to know. The phrase is not a request for permission.

Some other ways to translate this exhortation in 6:1a are:

in our study of Christ it is necessary that we become mature by learning more complex matters. Let’s not continue studying only the basic teaching.
-or-
we should stop repeating only the easiest teachings concerning Christ. Now we should learn the deeper teachings so that our faith will become mature.

6:1a

Therefore: The conjunction Therefore introduces an exhortation based on what the author told his hearers in 5:11–14. He said that they need to stop listening only to simple teaching and listen to teaching that is for mature believers. He assumes that they will now listen to the more advanced teaching about Jesus being our high priest.

Some other ways to translate Therefore here are:

So (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Because of this/that
-or-
Now therefore
-or-
With this in mind (God’s Word)

The word Therefore occurs often in Hebrews. It occurred already in 3:7 and 3:10. However, many versions translate it differently in these verses. You will need to think carefully about the connections in each context to make them clear and natural in your language.

let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ: The author implies here that his listeners need to add to the basic truths that they learned about Christ. He did not imply that they should leave the basic truths and stop thinking about them. He meant that they should not be content with only those basic truths. He wanted them to also learn more complex truths about Christ to help them to mature in their faith.

Other ways to translate this meaning are.

we must progress beyond the elementary instructions about Christ (NET Bible)
-or-
We must…start thinking about more than just the basic things we were taught about Christ. (Contemporary English Version)

the elementary teachings about Christ: The phrase elementary teachings about Christ refers to the first truths about Christ that the church teaches to a new believer in him. The phrase is similar to the phrase “basic principles” in 5:12. For more information and translation examples, see the note on 5:12a–b.

6:1b

and go on to maturity: The phrase go on to maturity is more literally “we-must-be-moved-on to maturity.” It indicates that we must develop (grow, progress) toward becoming mature as believers in Christ. It also implies that we must learn and understand the truths that mature believers need to know.

Some ways to translate the phrase go on to maturity are:

let us also learn the deeper teachings so that our faith will become mature.
-or-
let’s develop/grow and become complete ⌊in our understanding⌋

maturity: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as maturity means “completeness, perfection.” The word occurs only here and in Colossians 3:14. However, the corresponding verb “to make perfect” or “complete” occurs over twelve times in Hebrews. See the preceding note for translation examples.

6:1c–2

In 6:1d–2 the author listed six basic teachings that are part of the foundation of Christian faith. He mentions them in three pairs:

(a) repentance from dead works and faith in God,

(b) instruction about baptisms, laying on of hands,

In (a) the author summarizes the crucial first things that a person does in coming to God: he repents of his sins and puts his faith in God. In (b) the author summarizes ceremonies of the church like baptism, in which a person is publicly initiated. In (c) he summarizes beliefs about future resurrection and judgment. The author implied that the readers already knew these truths and no one should have to teach them again.

6:1c

not laying again the foundation: Here the author used a metaphor. He compared the elementary teachings about Christ to the foundation of a building. A foundation is its base and support. After the foundation is finished, the building needs walls and a roof. After a Christian has the foundation of basic beliefs, he needs to “build on” his faith by learning what mature believers need to know.

Some other ways to translate the metaphor are:

• Use a simile. For example:

Let’s not continue to repeat the same basic teachings like someone who builds only the foundation of a house

• Translate the meaning without the metaphor. For example:

without going over the fundamental doctrines again (New Jerusalem Bible)

Translate the meaning in a clear way in your language.

6:1d

repentance from dead works: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as repentance refers to a person changing his mind, heart, or will. When a person repents from dead works, he realizes that they are wrong. He is sorry and stops doing them.

Some other ways to translate repentance from dead works are:

rejecting sins, which bring death
-or-
to quit/stop doing evil, which leads to death

For more information, see repent in Key Biblical Terms.

dead works: In this context, the phrase dead works refer to deeds that are both sinful and useless. They have no value, because they do not please God. They cannot help anyone to know God and go to heaven. They actually cause a person to be separated from God, which is spiritual death.

Some ways to translate the phrase dead works are:

• Refer to them as useless actions. For example:

useless works (Good News Translation)
-or-
deeds/activities that have no value

• Refer to them as deeds that bring eternal death or punishment. For example:

not to do the evil that brings punishment

The text does not imply that the sins cause immediate physical death. Also, it does not imply that only some sins lead to death. Some other ways to translate dead works are:

⌊ sinful⌋acts, which lead to death
-or-
evil deeds (New Living Translation (2004))

6:1e

and of faith in God: The phrase faith in God refers to trusting God. It is listed here as the second teaching that is part of the foundation of Christian faith. In this context it refers especially to people trusting God to save them from sin and eternal death. In some languages it is more natural to express the noun faith as a verb. For example:

believing in God (Good News Translation)
-or-
trust in God
-or-
depending/relying on God

For more information, see believe, sense C, in Key Biblical Terms.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2020