SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2020 – Page 2

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 6:14

6:14

saying: The word saying introduces the words that God said when he made his promise to Abraham. In some languages it may be more natural to begin a new sentence here. For example:

He said to Abraham

I will surely bless you and multiply your descendants: The statement I will surely bless you and multiply your descendants tells what God promised and swore to do. It is a quotation from Genesis 22:17. God repeated this promise to Abraham after Isaac was born. Since God swore by himself here, it may be helpful in some languages to refer to him more explicitly. For example:

I, the Lord, will bless you with many descendants. (Contemporary English Version)

surely: The word surely means “certainly, indeed.” It indicates that God was making a very strong promise. Some other ways to indicate this are:

Without a doubt I will bless you
-or-
I will certainly bless you richly (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Really-really I say that I will fulfill what I am promising to you: I bless you with a big blessing

bless: The word bless means “to do good to (someone).” For more information, see bless, sense A1, in Key Biblical Terms.

you: The pronoun you is singular and refers to Abraham.

multiply your descendants: The verb multiply here indicates that God will cause Abraham to have children and descendants. In this context it implies that God will cause Abraham to have many children and grandchildren for many generations.

your: The pronoun your is singular and refers to Abraham.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 1:9

1:9a

You have loved righteousness: The clause You have loved righteousness indicates that God’s Son is devoted to what is right and just. He does what is right, and he is pleased when other people do what is right. In this context the clause probably refers to how God’s Son rules people justly in his kingdom. Some other ways to translate this clause are:

You love what is right (Good News Translation)
-or-
All that is right is what you have valued
-or-
Every work/action which is good is what pleases you very much.

You have loved: The pronoun You is singular and refers to God’s Son, the Christ. The verb have loved refers to the attitude that God’s Son has always had and still has. He has always loved righteousness, and he continues to love it. Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

you love
-or-
you have ⌊always⌋ loved

righteousness: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as righteousness refers here to doing what is just and right according to a standard. In the Bible the standard of justice is determined by God.

In this context righteousness probably refers specifically to the way that God’s Son rules people with justice. This fits with 1:8 that speaks of his kingdom and way of ruling. Some ways to translate righteousness in this context are:

All that is good
-or-
what is right (Good News Translation)
-or-
justice (Contemporary English Version)

For more information, see just, sense C3, in Key Biblical Terms.

and hated wickedness: The phrase and hated wickedness indicates that God’s Son detests evil and rejects it. Some other ways to translate the phrase are:

and you reject/detest actions that are lawless
-or-
You are disgusted with evil behavior.

wickedness: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as wickedness is literally “lawlessness.” In the Bible it refers to not respecting or obeying God’s law. Some other ways to translate it are:

evil (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
what is wrong (God’s Word)
-or-
lawlessness (Revised Standard Version)

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

1:9b–c

In 1:9b–c God continued to speak directly to his Son. In some languages it is necessary to indicate this by using first person pronouns like “I.” For example:

I, your God, have chosen you. I appointed you…. (Contemporary English Version)

God…has anointed You above Your companions with the oil of joy: The custom of anointing with oil is used here in a figurative way. When kings and priests were appointed, oil was poured on their heads to dedicate them to God for their work. It was a joyful occasion. In this verse the emphasis is on the joy (joy) and honor that God gave to his Son.

Some other ways to translate the clause are:

• Translate the figure of speech and indicate its meaning. For example:

God blessed you more than your companions and anointed you with oil, ⌊the symbol of⌋ joy.
-or-
God honored you more than your companions: he poured oil on you and made you glad.

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

God…has given you the joy of an honor far greater than he gave to your companions. (Good News Translation)

Translate the meaning in a natural way in your language.

1:9b

therefore: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as therefore means “because of this,” “for this reason.” It introduces what happened because God’s Son loved righteousness and hated wickedness (1:9a). Indicate this result in a natural way in your language.

God, Your God: In the phrase God, Your God, the word God is repeated for emphasis. The phrase Your God indicates that God is the One whom Christ the Son honors as God. The context also indicates that God has honored the Son.

The phrase Your God does not mean “the God you possess.” If a literal translation of Your God has a wrong meaning in your language, you may need to express the meaning in a different way. For example, in this context you may be able to say:

God who honors you
-or-
God whom you honor/obey

Your: The pronoun Your is singular and refers to Christ, the Son of God.

1:9c

companions: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as companions means “those who share or participate together” in something. The word occurs five times in Hebrews, once in Luke, and six times in the Greek OT (LXX). The author was probably referring here to the angels. In this whole section he was comparing Christ with the angels. Some ways to translate the word here are:

comrades
-or-
everyone else

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 3:10

3:10a

Therefore: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Therefore introduces the result of the people rebelling and testing God in 3:8–9. It implies that God was angry because they tested him and did not believe in him. Some ways to translate the connection in English are:

So
-or-
As a result

I was angry with that generation: This clause explains why God was angry with the people who rebelled against him. He was angry because they did not believe him and disobeyed him. This is the way in which they “tested” him (3:9).

For more information about the way the people of Israel rebelled against the Lord, see Deuteronomy 1:19–40 and Numbers 13–14.

that generation: The phrase that generation refers to the Israelites who lived at the time when God rescued them from Egypt and led them through the desert. Consider how you refer to a group of ancestors who lived at a specific time more than a thousand years before you. In some languages a general reference back to them will be sufficient. For example:

those people/ancestors

Refer to them in a natural way in your language.

and I said: This phrase introduces what the Lord said about the people. He did not speak directly to them. Hebrews does not make explicit to whom he spoke. He probably spoke to Moses, since in Numbers 14:22 God said to Moses, “They have already tested me many times.”

Some other ways to introduce God’s decision are:

I thought
-or-
I said ⌊about them⌋

3:10b–c

Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known My ways: The two clauses in 3:10b and 3:10c are parallel. They have a similar meaning, and they are closely connected. Together they indicate that the people refused to obey God. In 3:10b the emphasis is that the people were not loyal to God. In 3:10c the emphasis is that they refused to know and follow God’s ways.

Some ways to translate these clauses are:

10b They are always disloyal 10c and refuse to obey my commands. (Good News Translation)
-or-

10b They continually go astray to someone/something else. 10c They refuse to follow my commands.
-or-

10b these people have determined that they will separate from me. 10c They do not want to follow the word I speak about how they should live.

Their hearts are always going astray: This clause is figurative. It indicates that the people were not loyal to God. They did not do what he told them to do. For ways to translate this clause, see the examples for 3:10b in the preceding note.

hearts: For more information on the use of hearts as an idiom, see the note on 3:8a.

and they have not known My ways: The clause and they have not known My ways indicates that the people did not want to understand the way that God wanted them to live. It implies that they did not choose to obey him. The people of Israel did not understand what God wanted because they refused to obey his commands. That is why he was angry with them.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

They refuse to do what I tell them. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
they will not hear/listen-to the way I teach them to live
-or-
and they have no desire to know who I am and how I want them to live

For more information on what the people of Israel did, see Deuteronomy 1:32–33.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 5:7

5:7–10

The verses in 5:7–10 are parallel to 5:1–3 in the chiasm of 5:1–10. In Greek these verses continue the long sentence that began in 5:5. The sentence continues until the end of 5:10. Most versions divide these verses into shorter sentences. Connect the clauses in a natural way in your language.

These verses describe a time or times in Jesus’ life when he prayed with great distress. Many scholars believe that the author referred to Christ’s prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane before he was arrested and killed. Other scholars point out that there are also many other times in Jesus’ life when he prayed in distress. God heard Jesus during all those times.

5:7a

During the days of Jesus’ earthly life: The phrase During the days of Jesus’ earthly life refers to the time when Jesus lived as a mortal human being. He was a person with flesh and blood, like other people on earth. He knew that he would die.

Another way to translate During the days of Jesus’ earthly life is:

During his mortal life
-or-
While he shared in human weakness

In some languages it may be helpful to translate earthly life as “life on earth,” as many English versions do. For example:

During his life on earth (God’s Word)

5:7b

He: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as He is a pronoun that is often translated as “who.” It refers back to “Christ” in 5:5 (5:5–10 is one long sentence in Greek), and some versions have the word “Christ” here.

Some versions supply the name “Jesus,” as in the New Revised Standard Version. Such versions may refer back to the phrase “Jesus, the Son of God” in 4:14. In some languages it may be helpful to refer to “Jesus Christ.” Refer to him here in a clear way in your language.

offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears: This phrase describes a time when Jesus prayed earnestly to God. The description has two emphatic phrases: offered up prayers and petitions and with loud cries and tears.

In some languages it is more natural to change the order of these phrases so that loud cries and tears comes first. For example:

he cried out weeping, petitioning, and uttering his requests
-or-
his tears flowed and he wailed as he prayed and begged ⌊God⌋

offered up prayers and petitions: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as offered up can be used in a general way to mean “bring to.” It can also mean “bring an offering to” God. Here the author used it in a figurative way to mean that Christ’s prayers and supplications were like an offering to God. This figure of speech emphasizes that Jesus prayed earnestly.

In some languages it may be more natural to translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

He prayed and pleaded (God’s Word)

prayers and petitions: Here the author used two words that have almost the same meaning. Repeating the meaning like this emphasizes it. It implies here that Jesus prayed very earnestly. In some languages it is more natural to emphasize the statement in some other way. For example:

he prayed fervently

The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as prayers means “urgent requests to God to meet certain needs.” The word petitions means “requests to God.” It occurs only here in the NT. Some ways to translate the two words are:

prayers and requests (Good News Translation)
-or-
prayers and pleadings (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
begged God, praying earnestly

loud cries and tears: The Greek word that is translated as loud cries refers to “loud calls or shouts.” The word tears refers to water that comes from a person’s eyes in times of distress or strong feeling. Some other ways to translate the phrase loud cries and tears are:

His tears flowed and he wailed
-or-
weeping and crying out loud

5:7c

to the One who could save Him from death: The phrase the One who could save Him from death refers to God. In the Greek text it is emphasized. Scholars interpret the phrase save Him from death in different ways. The three main views are:

(1) It means “save him from dying.”

(2) It means “save him out of death—to give him life again after he died.” (This happened at his resurrection.)

(3) It means “save him from the fear of death.”

Most English versions are ambiguous. God was able to save Jesus from death in every sense, because he can do anything. If you need to choose one of the interpretations, it is recommended that you choose either interpretation (1) or (2). Both interpretations are based on common uses of the Greek word that can be translated either as from or “out of.”

5:7d

and He was heard because of His reverence: The phrase because of His reverence gives the reason that Jesus was heard when he prayed to God. In some languages it is more natural for this reason to come before the result He was heard. For example:

He submitted humbly to the will/desire of God. That is why God heard his request.
-or-
And because His respect for God was great, and also His obedience to the commands of God, God heard his praying.

He was heard: The phrase He was heard is passive. It implies that God heard Jesus’ prayer. It does not only indicate that he heard what Jesus said. It also implies that God listened and gave Jesus the help that he needed.

Some ways to translate the phrase are:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

And his prayers really were answered

• Use an active verb and supply God as the subject. For example:

God heard his praying

because of His reverence: The phrase because of His reverence indicates the reason why God heard Christ’s prayer. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as reverence refers to awe or fear of God that causes a person to obey God. It implies that because of Jesus’ respect for God, he submitted to God and obeyed him. This word occurs only here and in 12:28 in the NT, but it also occurs in other Greek writings.

Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

because he honored God by submitting to him
-or-
because he humbled/lowered himself to obey what God wanted

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2:7

2:7

There is a textual issue at the end of this verse. Some Greek manuscripts include another clause that can be translated as “and set them over the works of your hands.” In these manuscripts this clause completes Psalm 8:6. The two textual options are:

(1) Most Greek manuscripts do not have this clause, and most English versions do not translate it.

(2) Other Greek manuscripts have this Greek clause. This is followed by only a few English versions. For example:

and have appointed him over the works of your hands (New American Standard Bible)

It is recommended that you follow option (1). Most English versions follow this option. However, since there is also good manuscript evidence for option (2), you may include it in a footnote, as many English versions do. For example, the Good News Translation has this footnote:

Many manuscripts add: You made them rulers over everything you made (see Psalm 8:6).

2:7a

You made him a little lower than the angels: There are two ways to interpret the phrase a little in this clause:

(1) It refers to a short time. For example:

You made him lower than the angels for a little while (NET Bible)

(2) It refers to a slightly lower status. For example:

You made him a little lower than the angels. (God’s Word)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The words that the author quoted from Psalm 2 referred to the status of people, but here in Hebrews the author used the words to refer to a period of time.

Another way to translate this interpretation is:

For this short time

him: The pronoun him is the same as the one that was used in 2:6. See the note on 2:6b. Make sure to indicate this clearly. In English this is done by using the appropriate pronoun.

lower: The word lower refers here to having less status or dignity than someone else. Some other ways to translate it are:

more humble/unimportant
-or-
power made less than

In some cultures there are figurative ways to say that someone has lower status than someone else. For example:

was downhill ⌊in status⌋ a little

Translate the meaning in a natural way in your language.

2:7b

You crowned him with glory and honor: This clause indicates that God rewarded man by giving him glory and honor. The text continues to refer here both to mankind and to the Messiah. The verb crowned is used in a figurative way. It refers to the custom of honoring someone by placing a wreath (“crown”) of leaves on his head. Here the figure of speech indicates that God honored man by giving him authority and respect.

In some languages the metaphor of a “crown” may not have this meaning. Some other ways to translate the metaphor are:

you gave him an honored position/seat
-or-
you caused him to be greatly respected

him: The pronoun him is the same as the one that was used in 2:7a.

glory and honor: In this context the words glory and honor are very similar in meaning. Both words refer to a position of great importance. In this context the importance is connected with authority to rule over God’s creation.

In some languages it may be more natural to use a single phrase to translate glory and honor. For example:

a position of great status/authority

Some other ways to translate glory and honor are:

greatly honored him like the honor of a king
-or-
made him like a great king who is admired/respected

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 4:2

4:2

The Berean Standard Bible translates 4:2a–c as one sentence. In some languages it is more natural to use more than one sentence. For example:

We heard the good news, as our ancestors did. But the message did not help our ancestors because they did not join those who accepted it with faith.

4:2a

For…also: This part of the verse begins with two Greek conjunctions that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as For and also. Some versions translate also as “indeed” here, because it emphasizes the statement in 4:2a. The word For indicates that 4:2c will explain why the good news did not help the Israelites who heard it (as 4:2b says). Connect the clauses in this verse in a natural way in your language.

we…received the good news just as they did: The Greek phrase which the Berean Standard Bible translates as we…received the good news just as they did is more literally “we were evangelized.” It uses a passive verb form, implying that someone told the listeners good news.

In this context the good news refers to the promise of rest that God offers his people. It does not refer specifically here to the gospel of salvation through Jesus’ death and resurrection. The phrase just as they did indicates that the Israelites whom Moses led out of Egypt (3:16) were also told good news.

Some ways to translate the phrases in 4:2a are:

• Use passive verbs. For example:

The good news was told to us, just as it was told to them

• Use verbs that focus on receiving the good news. For example:

We received the good news just as they did.
-or-
We have heard the good news just as they have.

• Use active verbs and supply subjects. For example:

⌊ Someone⌋told us the good news, just as ⌊someone⌋ told the good news to them.

Translate the verbs in a natural way in your language. A different form of the same verb is used again in 4:6.

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

just as they did: The phrase just as they did indicates that the readers and hearers of Hebrews received good news, just as the Israel people whom “Moses led out of Egypt” (3:16) also received good news. In some languages it may be helpful to refer to they more specifically. For example:

our ancestors
-or-
those ⌊Israel⌋ people of long ago

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

4:2b

but: The word but introduces a contrast. Both the readers of this letter and their ancestors received good news, but their ancestors failed to profit from the good news.

the message they heard was of no value to them: This clause indicates that hearing the message without believing it did not help the people of Israel. Some ways to translate this meaning are:

they listened to the message but they received no help from it
-or-
They heard his word but they gained nothing from hearing it

the message they heard: The phrase the message they heard refers to the good news that was told to the people of Israel (4:2a). It was God’s promise that he would give them rest in the land to which he was leading them. Indicate clearly that the message and the “good news” refer to the same message. For example:

this message that they heard
-or-
that good news that they heard

4:2c

since: The word since introduces the reason that God’s message did not benefit the people of Israel.

they did not share the faith of those who comprehended it: There is a textual issue concerning the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as share. The form of this word causes scholars to interpret 4:2c in different ways. The two textual options are:

(1) In some Greek manuscripts the verb share is plural. The clause indicates that the people who did not enter God’s rest (3:19) did not “join” with the people who listened to what God said. For example:

they did not share the faith of those who did listen (New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) In other Greek manuscripts the word share is singular. The clause indicates that the message was heard but was not combined with faith in some people. For example:

it was not combined with faith in those who heard it (Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow option (1). It is followed by many Greek manuscripts, including some of the oldest and most reliable ones. However, many scholars also support option (2), and it is also acceptable.

Since both options are acceptable, you may want to include a footnote in your translation to mention the option that you decide not to follow. For example, the New Revised Standard Version has this footnote:

Other ancient authorities read: “it did not meet with faith in those who listened.”

did not share the faith of those who comprehended it: This phrase refers to the time when most of the people of Israel did not believe the good news that God told them. He promised to give them rest in the land of Canaan. However, only Moses, Joshua, and Caleb trusted God to do what he said. The phrase did not share the faith indicates that most of the people refused to join the ones who listened to God and believed him.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

they did not join in with those who heard it in faith (NET Bible)
-or-
they refused to unite with the ones who believed ⌊that good message⌋

faith: In this context the word faith refers to believing the message that God was able to give the people rest in the land that he promised them. The people of Israel did not believe that this message was true. See the examples in the preceding note. For more information, see believe, sense C2, in Key Biblical Terms.

General Comment on 4:2b–c

In some languages it may be helpful to change the order of 4:2b–c. For example:

2c They, however, did not believe the good news that they heard, 2b and so it did not help them.
-or-

2c but they did not believe the good news which they heard, 2b and so it was not of any use to them

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 6:4

Paragraph Group 6:4–8

In the second (6:4–6) and third (6:7–8) paragraphs in this chapter the author gave the third warning in Hebrews (as indicated in the Outline). In 6:4–6 he warned that if people “fall away” from their faith, they bring disgrace to God’s Son. It is impossible to make them repent again. In 6:7–8 he compared faithful and unfaithful believers to fruitful and unfruitful land. Land that produces only thorns must be burned.

Paragraph 6:4–6

Paragraph 6:4–6 is one complex sentence in Greek. It indicates that people who “fall away” cannot be restored to repentance. The phrase “having fallen away, to again restore to repentance” does not occur in Greek until 6:6. In many languages, it is necessary to change the order of words and repeat certain phrases to make the meaning clear. Some ways to do this are:

• Repeat “fall away.” For example:

6 For if people…retreat from their faith, 4 they can no longer 6 be helped to repent from their sin. 4–5 At one time, they were enlightened…. 6 Yet after that, they retreated from their faith. Doing that is like crucifying the Son of God again and openly disgracing him.

• Repeat “it is impossible” in both 6:4 and 6:6. For example:

4 Some people cannot 6 be brought back again to a changed life. 4–5 They found out…6 But they fell away from Christ. 4 It is impossible to bring them back to a changed life again, 6 because they are nailing the Son of God to a cross again and are shaming him…. (New Century Version)

• Shift “it is impossible” from 6:4 to 6:6. For example:

4 Some people once had God’s light. They experienced the heavenly gift and shared in the Holy Spirit. 5 They experienced…6 Yet, they…deserted [Christ]. They are crucifying the Son of God again and publicly disgracing him. Therefore, they cannot be led a second time to God. (God’s Word)

In some languages it may be necessary to repeat a different phrase or to make changes in the order of phrases. It is fine to number the verses to fit well with the sentence structure of your language.

6:4a

The Greek begins this verse with a conjunction that is usually translated as “for” or “because.” In some versions, a conjunction introduces a warning. It is based on what the author said in 6:1–3 about becoming mature. In 6:4–6 he warned his listeners that if we do not become mature, we may “fall away” from our faith (6:6). When that happens, it is impossible to be brought back to repentance.

Notice that here a conjunction connects paragraphs (1–3 and 4–6), rather than sentences. In some languages a conjunction is not needed. It is often helpful to translate the two paragraphs before deciding how to connect them.

It is impossible for those: The phrase It is impossible for those describes an action that no one can do. No one can help certain people to repent a second time. Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

It is not possible to help certain people
-or-
as for people who deliberately retreat from their faith, they can no longer be led back to repent from their sin

Notice that the second example supplied a phrase from 6:6 (“who deliberately retreat from their faith”).

who have once been enlightened: The verb have…been enlightened is passive, and it is used as a figure of speech here. It indicates that God caused the people to know the truth. In this context it especially implies knowing the truth of the Gospel that God revealed through his Son.

Some ways to translate the figure of speech are:

• Use a figure of speech in your language that has the same meaning. For example:

their minds have already been illuminated
-or-
Some people once had God’s light. (God’s Word)
-or-
their minds/eyes had been opened

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

they understood the truth

once: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as once refers here to the time in the past when the people understood the gospel. Some other ways to translate it are:

at one time
-or-
at one point

6:4b

who have tasted the heavenly gift: The clause who have tasted the heavenly gift means “and have experienced what God gave.” The word tasted is a figure of speech that implies a full experience. It does not imply that the experience is limited. It implies that the person has not only been told about the gift—he has actually experienced it. The meaning is similar to its meaning in 2:9, where the phrase “tasted death” indicates that Jesus experienced death fully.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

enjoyed heaven’s gift (New Century Version)
-or-
they have benefited from what God has given
-or-
experienced the gift from God

the heavenly gift: The word heavenly here is an indirect way to say “from God.” The word gift probably refers here to the gift of new life through Christ. God sent Jesus to save us from sin and to bring us into fellowship with God. In some languages it is more natural to translate the noun gift with a verb phrase or clause. For example:

what God gave
-or-
the ⌊new life⌋ that God gives

6:4c

who have shared in the Holy Spirit: The phrase have shared in the Holy Spirit indicates that they were among those who experienced the Holy Spirit’s presence and power. Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

have shared in experiencing the Holy Spirit
-or-
among those who were blessed with the Holy Spirit

the Holy Spirit: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the Holy Spirit refers to the Spirit of God. Translate the term the Holy Spirit in the same way as you did in 2:4 and 3:7.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2:18

2:18

Hebrews 2:18 is one sentence which has two clauses. Hebrews 2:18a tells why Christ is able to help us (the reason) and 2:18b tells about his helping (the result). In some languages, it is more natural to reorder these two clauses or to make them separate sentences. For examples of how this verse can be reordered or translated as two sentences, see the General Comment on 2:18a–b at the end of 2:18b.

2:18a

Because: In Greek this verse begins with two connectors that many English versions translate together as “For since.” The word that the Berean Standard Bible leaves implicit (“for”) explains more about why Jesus is a merciful and faithful high priest for people (2:17). The word Because indicates that 2:18a is the reason why Jesus is able to help people when they are tempted (2:18b).

In some languages it is not necessary to make both of these connections explicit. Make the meaning clear in a natural way in your language.

He Himself suffered when He was tempted: The Greek phrase the Berean Standard Bible translates as suffered when He was tempted is literally “suffered being tempted/tested.” Scholars interpret the connection between “suffered” and “being tempted” in different ways:

(1) Jesus was tempted, and the temptation caused him to suffer. For example:

he himself suffered when he was tempted (New International Version)

(2) Jesus suffered, and the suffering caused him to be tempted. For example:

Jesus experienced temptation when he suffered (God’s Word)

(God’s Word, New Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible)

(3) Jesus was tempted and he also suffered. For example:

he himself was tempted and suffered (Good News Translation)

The meanings of these interpretations are similar, and the differences seem to be mainly a matter of emphasis. You may translate any of these interpretations in a natural way in your language.

He Himself: The phrase He Himself emphasizes Jesus in contrast to “those who are being tempted” in 2:18b. Translate this contrast in a natural way in your language. See the Display for examples.

suffered: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as suffered is a general word that can refer to enduring any kind of pain or hardship. The form of the word implies that Jesus endured this suffering over a period of time. Some other ways to translate it are:

has suffered (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
has gone through suffering (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
experienced distress/hardship

In some languages there may be an idiom that expresses this meaning.

He was tempted: The phrase He was tempted is passive. The Greek text does not specify who or what tempted Jesus. This clause may refer to temptation by Satan. It may also include other sources of temptations, such as other people or the weaknesses of human nature. For that reason, it is best not to make explicit who or what tempted him. For example:

Jesus experienced temptation (God’s Word)

However, if you must provide a subject, you may indicate that Satan tempted Jesus. For example:

⌊ Satan⌋tempted Jesus

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

(1) It means tempted. It refers here to temptation to sin. For example:

and was tempted (New Century Version)

(2) It means tested. It refers here to a test of Jesus’ faithfulness to God during suffering. For example:

he himself has passed through the test of suffering (Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It is followed by most English versions and a majority of Bible scholars.

2:18b

He is able to help those who are being tempted: This part of the verse tells the result of 2:18a. Jesus was tempted (2:18a), so he is able to help those who are being tempted. Other ways to translate this result are:

That is how/why he is able to help those who are being tempted.
-or-
therefore he can really help us when we also are tested/tempted.

Translate the result in a natural way in your language.

help: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as help is a general word that can refer to different ways to assist or support someone. In this context, Jesus helps people to resist and overcome temptation so that they do not sin.

Jesus uses many different ways to help people who are tempted. For example, he encourages them, he gives them spiritual and physical strength, he shows them what he wants them to do, and he may cause other people to help them. Having been tempted himself, Jesus understands how to help those who are being tempted.

Jesus helps those who are tempted so that they can resist the temptation and not sin against God. This is the main purpose for Jesus’ help. In some languages it may be necessary to make this purpose explicit. For example:

he can help the people who are tempted so that they are not carried to sin

those who are being tempted: The phrase those who are being tempted is a general statement that is true for anyone who is tempted. Languages have different ways to refer to people in general statements like this. For example, some languages may use “we,” “anyone,” or “whoever.” For example:

anyone who is tempted
-or-
when we are tempted

In other languages it may be more natural to refer only to the temptation without mentioning who is tempted. For example:

during the time of temptation

Use a natural option for your language.

are being tempted: The form of the Greek verb which the Berean Standard Bible translates as are being tempted indicates that the temptation continues for some time or that it happens often over a period of time. Here is another way to translate this:

are tempted (NET Bible)

Translate this meaning in a natural way in your language.

General Comment on 2:18a–b

In some languages it may be more natural to reorder the clauses in this verse. For example:

18b And now he can help those who are tempted, 18a because he himself was tempted and suffered. (Good News Translation)

In some languages it may be more natural to translate this verse as two sentences. For example:

He himself was tempted and suffered. So he is able to help us when we are tempted.

The author mentioned temptation and the help of our great high priest again in 4:15–16.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2020