SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2020 – Page 12

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2:2

2:2–3

Hebrews 2:2a–3b is one long sentence. In many languages it may be necessary to divide the sentence into two or more sentences. See the General Comment on 2:2–3 at the end of 2:3b for examples.

In 2:2–3 the author used a certain type of logical reasoning. First, he used an example about Moses’ Law that everyone already accepted. Then he gave a similar example about Jesus’ message that was based on more powerful reasons. He did this to convince his readers that it was even more important to pay attention to the message of Jesus than to the law of Moses.

2:2a

For: The conjunction For introduces a reason for what the author said in 2:1. The author explained why we must pay more attention to the message from God’s Son than to the message from angels. Connect this reason to 2:1 in a natural way in your language.

if: The word if introduces a clause that tells two facts about the angels’ message. This type of clause indicates that the facts in it are true. Both the author and the readers already knew these facts, and the author used those facts as the basis and support for what he said in 2:3. Here is another way to translate this basis and introduce the conclusion:

⌊ We know that⌋the message that angels brought was valid. ⌊We also know that⌋ every violation or disobedience of it was justly punished. So…

See the General Comment on 2:2–3 at the end of 2:3b for examples of ways to translate the basis and conclusion in these verses.

the message spoken by angels: The phrase the message refers here to God’s Law (literally “word”) that was spoken by angels. It contrasts with what was spoken by the Lord (2:3). The Scriptures suggest that God used angels to give his law to Moses, and then Moses gave the law to the Israelites.

God’s law consisted of many laws (which are written in Genesis-Deuteronomy). The word message does not refer to only one particular law. It also does not refer to the type of message that is a short statement or request.

Some other ways to translate the phrase are:

God’s word spoken through angels (Revised English Bible)
-or-
those laws of God that he caused the angels to speak
-or-
the laws/words that God gave ⌊people⌋ through the angels

spoken: The verb spoken is passive. In some languages it is more natural to use an active verb. For example:

the message which angels spoke/gave…

angels: The word angels occurred in 1:4. You should translate it in the same way here.

was binding: The word binding means “legally binding, firm, and in force.” It indicates here that those who received the law had to obey it. The context implies that God would enforce the law. Other ways to translate the word in this context are:

proved to be so firm that… (NET Bible)
-or-
it was not possible to ignore/change that law
-or-
it was required/necessary that people obey that law

The author will use the word again in 3:6, 3:14, 6:19, and 9:17.

2:2b

The clause in 2:2b is the second part of the condition that began in 2:2a.

and every transgression and disobedience received its just punishment: This clause indicates that everyone who broke the law or disobeyed it was justly punished. In some languages it may be necessary to indicate explicitly that 2:2b is also part of the condition that began in 2:2a. For example:

and if anyone broke ⌊that law⌋ or disobeyed it, that person was justly punished
-or-
and since everyone breaking that law received/suffered the proper penalty

In the law God specified the proper punishment for various offenses. The leaders and the whole community of Israel were responsible to ensure that the people were punished in those ways.

In some languages it may be necessary to indicate who punished the people. If that is true in your language, you may supply “God” as the subject or you may use an indefinite subject. For example:

⌊ God/They⌋justly punished everyone who violated or disobeyed it.

every transgression and disobedience: The words transgression and disobedience have a similar meaning. In some languages it is helpful to translate this meaning with one phrase. For example:

all who did not do what the law told them to do

every transgression: The word transgression refers to doing something that God forbids in the law or not doing something that he commands. This word is used again in 9:15, as well as in other places in the NT. Some other ways to translate every transgression are:

every time a person did not follow/obey it
-or-
whenever anyone broke it

For more information, see “transgression” under sin, other words to compare in Key Biblical Terms.

disobedience: The word disobedience refers to a refusal to listen and obey. The implied object is the message, which was the law that the angels brought. Some other ways to translate it are:

did not…obey it (Good News Translation)
-or-
rejected it

its just punishment: The phrase its just punishment implies that in the law there was a proper punishment for each disobedience. The law specified the particular punishment that a person should receive for various disobedient actions. The word just means “right, fair, deserved.” A just punishment was a fair or right punishment.

Other ways to translate this meaning are:

and whenever a person disobeyed any of the laws, he was punished in a fair way

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
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SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 3:17

3:17

And with whom was God angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?: In this verse there are another two rhetorical questions about the people who were “in the rebellion” (3:15). As in 3:16, the second question answers the first question. The meaning is that the people who angered God were those who sinned. They were the ones who died in the wilderness because they sinned against God.

Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

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

17 And with whom was God angry for forty years? He was angry with those who sinned, who died in the desert. (New Century Version)
-or-
With whom was God angry for forty years? With the people who sinned, who fell down dead in the desert. (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 questions in a natural way in your language. See Numbers 14:29, 14:32 for an account of this event.

3:17a

And: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as And introduces a question that has a similar meaning as the one in 3:16. Most English versions have And here or do not use a conjunction. Do what is natural in your language.

with whom was God angry for forty years: This rhetorical question implies that the people angered God many times during the forty years when he was leading them through the wilderness. It does not imply that he held onto his anger over one particular sin for forty years. Translate in a way that will imply the right meaning. For example:

who was he angry with during those forty years?
-or-
who was it who angered God ⌊repeatedly⌋ during forty years?

3:17b–c

Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness: This part of the verse answers the rhetorical question in 3:17a. It indicates that the people who sinned were the ones who made God angry. Because God was angry with them, he let them die in the wilderness. Some other ways to translate this part of the verse are:

And you know that these are the people God became angry with because they sinned, and they died there in the desert.
-or-
They were the same descendants of Israel who sinned against God and because of this, He punished them and they died there in the land where no people live.

whose bodies fell: The phrase whose bodies fell is figurative. It indicates that the people died. Some other ways to translate it are:

• Use a different figurative expression that has the same meaning in your language. For example:

fell down dead in the desert (Good News Translation)

• Translate the meaning directly. For example:

died in the desert (God’s Word)

Translate the phrase in a natural way in your language.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 5:14

5:14a

But solid food is for the mature: This clause contrasts with 5:13b. Everyone who lives on “milk” is still an infant. In contrast, mature people eat solid food. In the Greek text, the word mature comes first in the sentence. For example:

Mature people ⌊eat⌋ solid food.

Translate the contrast in a natural way in your language. In some languages a conjunction is not needed. For example:

Solid food is for mature people (Contemporary English Version)

solid food: The phrase solid food was used in 5:12c. It refers to food which needs to be chewed. It also refers figuratively to teaching that requires a person to think seriously before he can understand it. See how you translated this phrase in 5:12.

mature: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as mature means “full-grown, mature, adult.” It contrasts with “infant” in 5:13. Some other ways to translate it are:

adults (Good News Translation)
-or-
a mature person

Here the word mature is used in two different ways:

(a) It refers literally to adults in contrast to infants.

(b) It refers figuratively to people who are mature in following Christ and understanding Christian teaching.

The figurative use (b) will become clear in 5:14b–c, where the text speaks of being able to distinguish good from evil.

5:14b–c

who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil: This part of the verse describes the mature people in 5:14a. They have the ability to distinguish good and evil because they have been trained by experience to know the difference. Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

whose minds are trained by practice to know the difference between good and evil (God’s Word)
-or-
who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong (New Living Translation (2004))

5:14b

by constant use have trained: The verb have trained means “have trained themselves” or “have learned.” The phrase by constant use refers to the experience that a person gains when he does something many times. A mature person has made decisions many times about whether various actions or attitudes are good or evil.

Some other ways to translate the phrase by constant use have trained are:

by constant use are trained/able
-or-
through training/practice have the skill
-or-
has accustomed his mind

their senses: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as senses refers to a person’s ability to perceive and discern. His senses make him able to know the difference between good and evil so that he can decide which actions or attitudes are right and which are wrong.

Languages have different ways to refer to a person’s ability to distinguish good and evil. In some languages a specific part of a person is used to describe this ability. In other languages it is more natural to refer to a person himself, rather than to a part of the person. Use a natural way in your language to speak about a person’s ability to discern good and evil.

Some other ways to translate it are:

his mind/conscience
-or-
have the skill to (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
their senses (New American Standard Bible)

5:14c

to distinguish good from evil: The phrase to distinguish good from evil refers to making decisions about what is morally right and what is morally wrong. It describes a person who is able to know the difference between what God considers good and what he considers evil.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

tell what is the difference between what is the good way and what is the evil way.
-or-
choosing/deciding what is right and what is wrong
-or-
has the ability to know the difference between what is right to do and what is wrong ⌊and to choose to do what is right⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2:14

Paragraph 2:14–18

The final paragraph of chapter 2 explains in more detail why God’s Son had to become a human being like us. He came to defeat the devil, and stop people from being afraid to die. He also became human so that he could become the high priest for his people. In these ways, he is greater than the angels, because none of them was able to become human, defeat the devil, and free his people from fearing death.

The author briefly introduces the topic of Jesus as our high priest, which he will discuss more fully in 4:14–5:10 and 7:1–8:1.

2:14–15

In Greek, 2:14–15 is one long sentence. In many languages it is more natural to break it into two or three sentences. For examples of how this can be translated as three sentences, see the General Comment on 2:14–15 at the end of 2:15.

2:14a

Now since: This verse begins with the two Greek conjunctions that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Now since The word translated as Now is usually translated as “therefore” and introduces the connection between this paragraph and the OT quotations in 2:12–13. The word since indicates the connection between 2:14a and 2:14b. It is important to consider each of these connections and how to translate them in a natural way in your language.

Some other ways to translate the connections are:

So then, because the children…
-or-
The children have flesh and blood, so/therefore

Some versions leave the connection with the previous paragraph implicit and translate only the connection between the clauses (2:14a and 2:14b). For example:

Since all of these sons and daughters…

the children have flesh and blood: The clause the children have flesh and blood means that God’s children are human beings. The phrase flesh and blood refers to being human, and it implies the weakness of human beings. Some ways to translate this clause are:

those children being referred to are people/humans
-or-
these children are people with physical bodies (New Century Version)
-or-
the children of God that it is talking about here are people who have bodies that die

the children: The phrase the children repeats the phrase from the quotation in 2:13b. It refers to the children of God, whom Jesus said were his “brothers and sisters” in 2:12a. Indicate clearly that the author referred back to the same children that he mentioned in 2:13b. Some ways to do this in English are:

these children (New Century Version)
-or-
God’s children (New Living Translation (2004))

Refer back to them in a natural way in your language.

flesh and blood: The Greek phrase flesh and blood is literally “blood and flesh.” It is an idiom that usually refers to human bodies. It indicates that the children of God he referred to here are human beings. Use the natural way in your language to refer to humans.

2:14b

He too shared in their humanity: The clause He too shared in their humanity means that Jesus also had “flesh and blood.” It indicates that he became a human being and had a human body like the children of God whom he was leading to salvation.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

he also became a human being, (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
Jesus himself became like them and shared their human nature. (Good News Translation)
-or-
Jesus took on flesh and blood to be like them. (God’s Word)

their humanity: The phrase their humanity refers back to “flesh and blood” in 2:14a. Refer back to it in a natural way in your language.

2:14c–d

so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil: This clause tells the purpose for which Christ became a human being (2:14a–b). He came to destroy the devil’s power. The clause indicates that when Christ died, he defeated the devil and took away the devil’s power of death.

In some languages it may be more natural to make 2:14c–d a separate sentence. For example:

⌊ He/Jesus did this⌋so that by dying himself, he might destroy the devil who has power over death.

He might destroy: In this context the verb destroy means “to make powerless.” The phrase He might destroy indicates that Jesus’ purpose in dying was to take away the devil’s power. The context indicates that by dying Jesus was successful in destroying the devil’s power. The word might does not imply any doubt about that.

Some ways to translate He might destroy are:

in order that he would spoil the power of
-or-
to completely take away the power of
-or-
he would totally defeat

him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil: Scholars have different views about what the power of death refers to here:

(1) It indicates that the devil has power to tempt people to sin, which causes spiritual death (separation from God). For example:

who works to cause ⌊spiritual⌋ death

(2) It indicates that the devil brought sin and death into the world. For example:

Satan, who is the origin of death

(3) It refers to the power that the devil has to cause people’s physical death. For example:

the devil, who causes people to die

English versions are ambiguous. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) or (2). These interpretations fit the context of Hebrews and are supported by various Bible scholars. Interpretation (3) is not recommended, because the Scriptures indicate that God is the one who has power to decide when a person will die.

Some ways to translate interpretation (1) or (2) are:

his control over people, that being what leads them to death which is unending punishment
-or-
the devil’s power that causes people to die ⌊eternally⌋

the devil: The phrase the devil refers to the chief of all evil spirits. His name is Satan. In Hebrew this name means “enemy.” He is the enemy of God and God’s people. The terms the devil and “Satan” refer to the same spiritual enemy. In some languages, you may want to use one term for both terms in your translation.

Here are some ways to translate the devil :

• Use a local name or idiom that refers to the chief of all demons.

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

the leader of the evil spirits
-or-
the spirit enemy of God

• Transliterate the name “Satan.” If this word is not already known in your area, you may also want to add a descriptive phrase. For example:

Satan, the ruler of demons

If you transliterate “Satan” or borrow a word from another language, be sure that it communicates the biblical meaning to people in your culture. It is important to check this in each biblical context.

Try to use a term that is acceptable to churches in the area. It is suggested that you also add a footnote or glossary entry that further explains who the devil is. For example:

The devil is the leader of all the evil spirits or demons. Once he was an angel in heaven, but he rebelled against God. God expelled him from heaven, and now he tempts people on earth. Other names for him in the Bible are “Beelzebul,” “Satan,” “the Evil One,” “the Enemy,” and “the Tempter.”

If you have translated the Gospels, you may use the same term as you used there. For more information, see Satan, “other expressions” in Key Biblical Terms.

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

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⌋

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2020