SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2020 – Page 9

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 3:9

3:9a–b

where your fathers tested and tried Me, and for forty years saw My works: This verse tells about the Israelites’ time in “the wilderness” (mentioned in 3:8). In many languages it may be more natural to begin a new sentence at this verse. For example:

9a There your ancestors tested and tried my patience, 9b even though they saw my miracles for forty years. (New Living Translation (2004))

In some languages it may be more natural to change the order of 3:9a and 3:9b. See the General Comment on 3:9a–b at the end of 3:9b for an example.

3:9a

where your fathers tested and tried Me: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as where your fathers tested and tried Me is more literally “where your fathers tested me with a trial.” It is an emphatic way to tell what the Israelite ancestors did.

Some other ways to translate the phrase are:

when your ancestors challenged me and put me to the test (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
when they tested God’s patience in the wilderness (New Living Translation (2004))

Translate the phrase in a natural way in your language.

fathers: The word fathers refers to the ancestors of the Hebrews to whom the author wrote. It refers specifically to the ancestors who were alive in the time of Moses. It includes both male and female ancestors.

3:9b

and for forty years saw My works: This clause implies that the way the people of Israel acted toward God was surprising and wrong. When they saw what God did, they should have obeyed him. They should not have put him to another test.

Some other ways to translate the clause are:

though for forty years they saw what I did (Revised English Bible)
-or-
yet they saw with their own eyes what I did for them for forty years

for forty years: The phrase forty years refers to the forty years when God caused the people of Israel to wander in the desert. They refused to trust him and enter the land of Canaan after they heard the report of the spies. To read more about this, see Numbers 13–14.

My works: The phrase My works refers to the supernatural acts that God did for the Israelites during their forty years in the wilderness. For example, he gave them manna and quails to eat (Exodus 16), and water out of the rock to drink (Exodus 17). These acts may also include how he punished them when they disobeyed him.

Some other ways to translate My works are:

what I did
-or-
the ⌊mighty/supernatural⌋ acts that I did

General Comment on 3:9a–b

In some languages it may be more natural to change the order of 3:9a and 3:9b. For example:

9b Although your ancestors witnessed God’s miracles for them during those forty years, 9a they repeatedly tested him.

© 2016, 2020 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 5:6

5:6a

And in another passage God says: The clause And in another passage God says introduces another quotation from the OT. It refers to another verse of scripture that tells something that God said. It does not refer to a location. Some other ways to translate the clause are:

And in another verse God also said
-or-
And there is another word written in the Holy Book which says:

Use the normal way in your language to refer to a specific verse or part of the Scriptures.

5:6b

This part of the verse is a quotation from Psalm 110:4. In Psalm 110 its author speaks about the Messiah (Christ), so the psalm is called a “Messianic psalm.” It indicates that the Messiah is a priest and also a king. Psalm 2 (quoted in 1:8) is also a messianic psalm. It speaks of the Messiah as king. The book of Hebrews indicates that Jesus our Messiah is both king and priest.

You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek: Here the author quotes from the Old Testament. This quotation tells what God spoke to Christ. God spoke to Christ and announced that Christ is a priest forever with the type of priesthood that Melchizedek also had.

Some other ways to translate this statement are:

You are a priest forever, in the way that Melchizedek was a priest.
-or-
You will be a priest forever, and your priesthood will be the type of priesthood that Melchizedek had.

priest: The word priest refers to a person who speaks to God for people and makes sacrifices on their behalf so that God will forgive their sins. The author of Hebrews often uses the terms priest and “high priest” to refer to Jesus, as well as to other priests. The word priest is a general word, and it can refer to both ordinary priests and to the high priest.

Some ways to translate priest are:

• Use a descriptive term that focuses on the function of a priest. For example:

sacrificer
-or-
man/person who offers sacrifices to God
-or-
one who represents people to God

• Use a local word for priest. This option fits best if the local word can be used in a general way to refer to any priest. Test the word carefully throughout Hebrews to be sure that it does not imply a wrong meaning. The word is more likely to fit if the duties of a local priest are similar to the duties of a priest of Israel.

The author used the term priest in this verse for the first time in Hebrews. However, he uses the term often in chapter 7 and a few times in chapters 8–10. The term you use for priest here should be the same as the one that you use in the gospels, for example, in Luke 1:5. If possible, choose a term that can be used in both Old Testament and New Testament contexts.

forever: The word forever refers to a time that continues and never ends throughout eternity. Here it refers to Jesus’ priesthood that will continue forever. He will always be a priest, so he is very different from other priests who lived and died. The word forever is similar to the word “eternal,” which is a key word in the book of Hebrews.

Some other ways to translate “You are a priest forever” are:

you will be a priest for eternity
-or-
As for you, you will be priest without ending
-or-
there is no end to your being a priest

in the order of Melchizedek: The phrase in the order of Melchizedek indicates that the priesthood of Jesus was of the same type as the priesthood of Melchizedek. It cannot refer here to a sequence of priests, because Melchizedek was the only priest of that type except for Jesus.

Some other ways to translate in the order of Melchizedek are:

like the priesthood that Melchizedek had
-or-
in the tradition of Melchizedek’s priesthood
-or-
of Melchizedek’s type

Melchizedek: This is the first time that the author mentions Melchizedek. Hebrews is the only NT book that refers to Melchizedek, but Genesis describes him as the King of Salem, and “the priest of the Most High God.” For more information about him, see Genesis 14:18–20. The author will compare Melchizedek and Christ in greater detail in chapter 7.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2:6

2:6a

But: The word But connects the preceding statement in 2:5 with a quotation (2:6b–8) from Scripture. This quotation agrees with what 2:5 says and supports it. In some languages a word like But may be confusing here. If that is true in your language, some other ways to translate the connection between 2:5 and 2:6 are:

• Use a word or phrase that introduces a supporting statement. For example:

For (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
In fact

• Do not use a conjunction. For example, the Revised Standard Version begins 2:6 with the statement itself:

It has been testified somewhere (Revised Standard Version)

Translate the connection between 2:5 and 2:6 in a natural way in your language.

somewhere it is testified: This clause refers to a quotation from the OT Scriptures. The verb is testified implies here that God inspired someone to write it, and that person affirmed that it is true. The general term somewhere does not imply that the author did not know the particular book of the Scriptures where the quote is found.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

For somewhere in the Scriptures it says (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
that is the meaning of what God caused to be written, which says:
-or-
Somewhere in the Scriptures someone says to God (Contemporary English Version)

You may want to use the term for “Scriptures” that you have used in other verses in the NT.

somewhere: The word somewhere refers here to a part of the Scriptures. In some languages it is helpful to include your word or phrase for the Scriptures. For example:

in the Holy Book

it is testified: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as it is testified means to solemnly declare the truth about something. The author used this verb to indicate the truth and importance of the part of Scripture that he was about to quote. It does not imply that it was used as a testimony in court.

Some other ways to translate the verb are:

has declared (God’s Word)
-or-
There is…this solemn assurance (Revised English Bible)

Verses 2:6b–8a are a quotation from Psalm 8:4–6. If you use footnotes in your translation, you can put the reference in a footnote.

2:6b–c

The words in 2:6b–c are a quotation from Psalm 8:5. In that psalm, 8:5 is part of a longer prayer to God. In 8:2 the psalmist addressed God directly as Lord. Here in Hebrews, it may be helpful to make explicit that the person is praying to God. For example:

Lord, what is man…
-or-
What are human beings, O God (Good News Translation)

In the Greek text the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “man” is also singular.

What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him: The words in 2:6b–c are a quotation from Psalm 8, which is Hebrew poetry. The quotation begins with two rhetorical questions that have the same meaning. In the example below, the parts that are similar in meaning are marked in similar ways:

6b What is man, that you are mindful of him,

6c or the son of man, that you care for him?

The question in 2:6c has an ellipsis. The phrase What is from 2:6b is also implied in 2:6c. In some languages it may be necessary to make it explicit in 2:6c. For example:

6c
⌊ what is⌋a human being that you care for him?

In some languages it will be more natural to combine these two questions into one. For examples of how these quotations can be combined, see the General Comment on 2:6b–c at the end of 2:6c.

2:6b

What is man that You are mindful of him: This is a rhetorical question. It expresses surprise that God should be concerned about a human being at all. Some ways to translate this surprise are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

What makes you care about a human being?
-or-
Does a man have any status/importance? ⌊No,⌋ so what causes you to care for him?

• As a statement or exclamation. For example:

⌊ I cannot understand⌋why a human being is important to you!

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

man: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as man means “human being.” The word is singular. It can refer to a single human being or to mankind in general (both male and female). Some scholars believe that the author used this singular form because he intended to be ambiguous. He wanted to use a word that could refer either to the Son of Man as Messiah (Jesus) or to human beings in general.

If it is possible in your language to be ambiguous in that way here, that is a good choice. In some languages that may not be natural or it may imply a wrong meaning. If that is true in your language, you may use a plural form like “human beings,” as in the New Revised Standard Version. The form should include both the author and the readers. Use appropriate forms in 2:7–8 also.

that You are mindful of him: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as mindful means “remember.” When it is used about God remembering a person or persons, it implies that he remembers them in order to help and care for them.

Some other ways to translate that You are mindful of him are:

that you think of him (NET Bible)
-or-
that you are concerned for him

You: The pronoun You refers to God. The psalmist was speaking to God, so he used a singular form of You.

2:6c

or the son of man that You care for him: In Greek this clause is more literally “or son of (a) human-being that you care for him.” Like 2:6b, it is also a rhetorical question. It expresses surprise and has the same meaning as 2:6b. Be sure that you have read the note on 2:6b–c before you read the rest of this note.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

What is a mortal that you should remember him… (God’s Word)

• As a statement. For example:

⌊ I am amazed⌋that you are concerned about mankind
-or-

⌊ I⌋do not know/understand why you care for a ⌊mere⌋ human being.

Translate the clause in 2:6c in the way that is natural in your language for expressing surprise. See the General Comment on 2:6b–c at the end of 2:6c for ways to combine the parts of this verse.

the son of man: In this context, the phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the son of man can refer to any human being and it can refer specifically to the Messiah. It indicates that the author wondered why God concerned himself with a human being. A human seems unimportant compared to God. In some languages it is possible to use the same key term for son of man here that you used in the Gospels.

Other ways to translate the son of man here are:

human being
-or-
person

that You care for him: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as care for means “be concerned about, show concern for.” Other ways to translate the clause are:

that you notice him
-or-
that you take good care of him

General Comment on 2:6b–c

The two questions in 2:6b and 2:6c are quoted from Hebrew poetry. It is common in Hebrew poetry for an author to use similar statements to emphasize his meaning. The rhetorical questions in 2:6b and 2:6c are very similar in meaning. In some languages it will be more natural to combine these two questions into one.

Some ways that you can combine these two questions are:

Why do you think about or care about a human being?
-or-
What is a human being that you should be concerned about him?
-or-
Why should you care about a human being?

However, the author probably interprets Psalm 8 to be speaking of the Messiah, as well as of human beings.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 4:1

Section 4:1–13

We must have faith in God and enter his rest

The word “rest” is used in 4:1, and it is the important topic that connects chapter 4 to chapter 3. The author used the word “rest” in a figurative way to refer to depending on God. God wants his people to rest from their own work, as God rested from his work on the seventh day after he created the world. In chapter 3, God promised the people of Israel a place to rest. In chapter 4, the author used a special time of rest as a symbol. This time was one day each week, which the people called the Sabbath Day (seventh day). Both the place and the time of rest are symbols of the rest that God’s people have when they depend on him for everything.

Two sentences in this section are especially important in stating this theme:

4:9
There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God. (Berean Standard Bible)

4:11
Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, (Berean Standard Bible)

The theme of this section is clear: God has planned a good life of rest for believers when they depend on him. We must be careful to believe and obey him so that we do not miss the life of rest that he promised. Some words that are connected to this theme in chapters 3 and 4 are “faith,” “believe,” “unbelief,” and “disobedience.”

Some other examples of headings for this section are:

God’s people can still experience God’s rest
-or-
We should trust God and receive his promise of rest

Paragraph 4:1–5

At the end of chapter 3, the author indicated that the people of Israel whom God led out of Egypt refused to enter his rest (3:19). Chapter 4 begins by saying that God still offers that rest to people who believe him (4:1a). Connect chapter 4 with chapter 3 in a natural way in your language. Notice the examples in the note on “Therefore” in 4:1a.

4:1a

Therefore: The word Therefore introduces the warning in the next part of the verse (4:1b). In some languages it is necessary to put the introductory word or phrase at the beginning of 4:1b to make the connections clearer. For example:

But God’s promise that he has prepared a resting place for his people can still be fulfilled to us. 1b Therefore…
-or-
God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, 1b so… (New Living Translation (2004))

while the promise of entering His rest still stands: The phrase the promise…still stands is a figure of speech. It indicates that God still promises to give rest to his people who believe and obey him. When the people of Israel refused his rest, he did not take away his promise to give rest to the people who were willing to receive it.

Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

And now, God still offers his promise that we may enter his rest
-or-
God’s promise to give his people rest can still be fulfilled to us

Languages have many ways to indicate that a promise made in the past is still valid, and it can still be fulfilled. Use a natural way in your language to translate that meaning.

the promise: A promise tells a person’s intention to do something. It indicates that the person must do what he has said. Here the promise refers to what God said about his rest. He promised to welcome people into his rest if they believe. A promise is different from an oath, so you should use different ways to translate these two words.

entering His rest: The phrase entering His rest is used as a figure of speech here. It means to begin to rest as God promised. This promise does not refer here to the land where God promised to give the people rest from their enemies. The rest that God now offers his people is a life of depending on him for everything we need.

In some languages it is not natural to speak of entering rest. Some other ways to translate the meaning are:

receive that rest (Good News Translation)
-or-
can be included in being able to rest under his care

His rest: The word rest is the theme of this section. It should be translated in the same way throughout the section. The phrase His rest symbolizes dependence on God, especially for salvation and also for everything that he has promised his people.

A minority of scholars believe that His rest may refer to heaven. It is not recommended that you follow this interpretation or make it explicit in your translation.

still stands: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as still stands refers here to a promise that is still valid. In this context, it indicates that God still makes his promise of rest available to people who will receive it. Some other ways to translate the meaning are:

is still good/valid
-or-
continues to be offered

4:1b

let us be careful: The Greek command which the Berean Standard Bible translates as let us be careful is more literally “we should fear.” It means that we should be afraid that we might not enter God’s rest. The word “fear” implies that failure to enter God’s rest is terrible. That is why we must be careful to enter his rest.

Some other ways to translate this command are:

we must be very careful
-or-
we ought to tremble with fear (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Beware! (New Jerusalem Bible)

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

that none of you be deemed to have fallen short of it: There are different ways to interpret the phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as be deemed to have fallen short of it :

(1) It means “fail to receive it.” For example:

might fail to experience it (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
will fail to enter (New Century Version)

(2) It means “will be judged/considered (by God) to have failed to receive it.” For example:

will be found to have failed to receive that promised rest (Good News Translation)
-or-
be judged to have failed to receive it (Revised Standard Version)

(3) It means “thinks that they will not attain it.” For example:

think you won’t enter his place of rest (God’s Word)

(God’s Word, New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Interpretations (1) and (2) are similar, but interpretation (1) is more general. It is also followed by more English versions and many commentaries. Interpretation (2) fits the context of serious warning, but no English version makes it explicit.

none of you be deemed to have fallen short of it: This clause indicates that the author wanted every one of his hearers to receive the rest that God offers. He implied that it is a serious matter if anyone fails to believe God and then is not able to enjoy the rest that God promised.

Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

that some of you might fail to experience it (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
that perhaps someone will not be included in that rest

you: The pronoun you is plural and refers to all the people who hear or read what the author said to them in Hebrews.

to have fallen short of it: The phrase to have fallen short of it means “to fail to gain or experience something because of one’s own fault.” The word it refers to God’s rest. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

to have failed to receive that promised rest (Good News Translation)
-or-
who is not able to enter/attain it

General Comment on 4:1a–b

In some languages it may be more natural to use more than one sentence to translate this verse. For example:

Beware! God still promises that we may enter his rest. So each of you must make sure to gain/receive it.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 6:3

6:3

And: The word And connects “go on to maturity” with “we will do this, if God permits.” In some languages it is more natural to connect these clauses in a different way. For example:

And so (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-

2 Let us not repeatedly…. 3 but rather let us

this we will do, if God permits:
The word this refers to leaving behind elementary teaching and going on to maturity (6:1–2). The author intends that he and his listeners will become mature believers who understand what God wants them to know. However, he knows that they can only become mature if God allows it.

In some languages it is necessary to repeat some implied information from 6:1 to make the meaning of the phrase this we will do clear. For example:

So let’s ⌊learn the mature/deeper teachings⌋, if God allows us.
-or-

Let us go forward ! And this is what we will do, if God allows. (Good News Translation)
-or-
And we will go on to grown-up teaching if God allows. (New Century Version)

In some languages it may be more natural to reverse the order of phrases in this verse. For example:

And God permitting, we will do so. (New International Version)

if God permits: The phrase if God permits means “if God allows.” In some languages there is a special saying to express this meaning. For example:

God willing (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
if God still gives us opportunity.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2:17

2:17a

For this reason: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For this reason introduces a conclusion from 2:16. This conclusion is also a summary and conclusion of 2:10–16. Some other ways to introduce this conclusion are:

That is why
-or-
Therefore (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
As a result

Introduce it in a natural way in your language.

He had to be made like His brothers: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as had to means “to be obligated” to do something. The clause means that Jesus was obligated to become human like other humans so that he would be a good high priest for them.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

it was necessary for him to be made…like his brothers and sisters (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
he needed to become a man/human so that he could be the same as his siblings
-or-
The reason it was necessary for Him to become a human was so that He might become like us(incl.) His siblings.

be made like His brothers in every way: The phrase be made like His brothers in every way has a special meaning in this context. It indicates that in every way Jesus became a real human being, just as his brothers and sisters were human beings. However, the phrase in every way does not imply that Jesus was sinful like other human beings.

Some other ways to translate be made like His brothers in every way are:

become completely human like his people
-or-
to become a real human being like his fellow human beings
-or-
to become just like any human being

His brothers: The phrase His brothers refers back to 2:11. There the author indicated that people whom Jesus sanctifies become his brothers and sisters. The author also implied that these brothers and sisters are the descendants of Abraham that he mentioned in 2:16. In many languages it is good to translate the phrase His brothers in the same way as you did in 2:11.

In some languages it may be necessary to add a phrase to indicate that brothers is used in a spiritual instead of a physical sense here, as it was in 2:11. For example:

⌊ us whom he calls⌋his own siblings

If you include a pronoun like “us,” it should refer to both the author and the people who heard his message.

2:17b

Here in 2:17b the author first used the term “high priest” to refer to Jesus. In Hebrews the author compared the work of a Jewish high priest in the Old Testament to what Jesus did for people. Jewish high priests represented the people and offered sacrifices to God on their behalf. Jesus also represented his people to God, and he offered himself as a perfect sacrifice so that God would forgive the people’s sins.

so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God: This clause tells the purpose for which Jesus became completely human (2:17a). He became human in order to be a good high priest for human beings. The words merciful and faithful both describe the phrase high priest. They do not indicate that Jesus was not merciful or faithful before he became human.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

so that he would be a high priest who treats people with compassion. He would also be faithful toward God and toward people as he does the work of the high priest.
-or-
Because he did that, when he does the work of the high priest, he sympathizes with the people. Both God and people can trust him.

a merciful…high priest: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as merciful means “sympathetic, compassionate.” It refers to a person who is concerned about the needs of other people and sympathizes with them. The phrase a merciful…high priest implies that as a human high priest, Jesus knows the temptations of human beings, and he has compassion for them.

See the examples in the preceding note for translation advice.

faithful high priest in service to God: The word faithful means “worthy of trust, dependable.” It refers to someone who is worthy to be believed and trusted. The phrase in service to God indicates here that Jesus was faithful to both God and people as he served God as high priest. Both God and human beings could trust him.

Some other ways to translate the phrase faithful high priest in service to God are:

a high priest who is…trustworthy as he represents us to God
-or-
to serve God as our high priest in a faithful way

high priest: The high priest was the leader of all the priests of the people of Israel. All the priests offered sacrifices on behalf of the people, but the high priest offered certain special sacrifices that no other priest could offer. Once a year, he offered the special sacrifice that atoned for the people’s sins. In a special way, he represented them to God.

Some ways to translate high priest are:

the chief/leader of all the priests
-or-
the main/principal priest
-or-
the highest/leading priest

The author described the work of Jesus as a high priest in more detail from 4:14 onwards. Translate the term high priest in the same way here and in the Gospels. For more information, see priest in Key Biblical Terms.

in service to God: There are two ways to interpret the Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in service to God :

(1) It means “toward God.” In this context it refers to service to God or to relationship with him. For example:

in his service to God (Good News Translation)

(2) It means “about God.” It refers to things concerning God or about God. For example:

things relating to God (NET Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), as most English versions and many commentators do. In this context in service to God refers to what the high priest did as he served God on behalf of the people. It refers especially to the sacrifice he made so that God would forgive the people’s sins (2:17c).

Some other ways to translate the phrase are:

to represent us to God
-or-
working the work that God gave him
-or-
as he served God

Be sure to connect this phrase to 2:17c in a natural way in your language.

2:17c

in order to make atonement for the sins of the people: This clause tells the purpose for Jesus being a merciful and faithful high priest. As a high priest like that, Jesus was able to make atonement for the people’s sins. He did this by offering himself to be killed as a sacrifice to God. Jesus himself took the punishment that people deserve for their sins so that God would forgive them. Then they themselves would not have to be killed.

Some other ways to translate this purpose are:

in order to offer sacrifice so that the people’s sins would be forgiven
-or-
so he would undergo the punishment of our sins so that it would thus be possible for our sins to be forgiven
-or-
Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. (New Living Translation (2004))

make atonement: The phrase make atonement is one word in Greek. It refers to the way that people can obtain forgiveness from God for their sins. In the Bible the word implies that people have sinned against God. God is just, and he must punish people for sin. Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice to be punished instead of other people so that God could forgive them.

In many cultures people make sacrifices for other reasons that do not fit the meaning of the Greek word. It is often necessary to use a descriptive phrase to translate it. See the translation examples in the preceding note. Since the Greek word is a key biblical term, it is especially important to check the meaning of your translation of it with other speakers of your language.

Other forms of this Greek word occur in 1 John 2:2 and 4:10. For more information, see reconcile, sense B, in Key Biblical Terms.

the sins of the people: The phrase the sins of the people refers to the sins which the people have committed. Some other ways to translate the phrase are:

the sins that the people have done
-or-
the offenses that the people committed ⌊against God⌋

sins: The word sins was used in 1:3d. You may translate it in the same way here. For more information, see the note on 1:3d.

the people: In the original context of the OT the word people refers to the same people as “the descendants of Abraham” in 2:16 and “his brothers” in 2:17a. Refer to them here in a natural way in your language.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 4:12

4:12a

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as For introduces a list of reasons why we must be diligent to obey God and enter his rest (4:11). These reasons are descriptions of the word of God. It is living, powerful, and discerning. It exposes a person’s secret thoughts. Introduce these reasons in a natural way in your language. In some languages a conjunction may not be necessary.

the word of God is living and active: This statement indicates that God’s word has power to accomplish what God intends. God used his word to create the world, and he uses it to affect what people believe and what they do. Some other ways to translate the statement are:

God’s word is alive and it does ⌊great⌋ things.
-or-
What God says has power to do/accomplish ⌊what he intends⌋.

the word of God: The phrase the word of God refers to what God says. It includes the Scriptures. It also includes whatever God says, whether it is spoken or written. Jesus is also called “the word of God” (for example, in John 1:14). Hebrews 1:2 says that God spoke in (or by) a Son. Some other ways to translate the phrase are:

God’s word/message
-or-
the Word that God speaks (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

living and active: The two words which the Berean Standard Bible translates as living and active have a similar meaning here. The author often used pairs of words with similar meanings to emphasize what he wanted to communicate. This pair indicates that God’s word has power to accomplish what God intends. God used his word to create the world, and he uses it to affect what people believe and what they do.

In some languages it may be more natural to emphasize the meaning in a different way. For example:

full of living power (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
it is powerful and it has results

Notice that there are other pairs in 4:12–13. Translate these pairs in a way that will emphasize the meaning in your language.

living: In this context the word living is used in a figurative way. It means “able to accomplish things.” Here it does not refer to breathing or to having physical life. See the preceding note for translation examples.

active: Here the word active means “effective.” It indicates that God’s word accomplishes what he intends.

4:12b

Sharper than any double-edged sword: This statement is a figure of speech. The author compared the word of God to a sword. A sword can be used to cut a person open, and then people can see what is inside his body. The Word of God can do this in a spiritual way. It can reveal a person’s mind and heart and cause him (or other people) to understand it. It reveals to a person what is right and what is wrong about his way of thinking.

Some other ways to translate this figure of speech are:

• Use a simile. For example:

God’s word cuts better than a sword that is sharp on both sides.
-or-
God’s word is like a sword with two sharp edges.

• Use a simile and also indicate the meaning. For example:

God’s Word ⌊exposes a person’s thoughts and motives,⌋ just as a sharp sword with two edges ⌊cuts into something and exposes what is in it⌋.

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

God’s Word exposes our hidden thoughts/motives.

Use a natural way in your language to translate the figure of speech.

any double-edged sword: The Greek word used here for sword occurs only three times in the New Testament. A sword (or “dagger”) is a long knife. The word double-edged indicates that the knife has two sharp (cutting) edges. A double-edged knife is more effective than a knife that has only one sharp edge. That type of knife can cut into something and divide it accurately into parts.

Another way to translate double-edged sword is:

a long knife with two sharp edges

In some languages there is an idiom to describe this. For example, in Hebrew the idiom is literally:

a sword that has two mouths

any: The word any indicates here that there is no sword (even one with two edges) that is more effective than God’s word.

4:12c–d

it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow: This part of the verse continues to describe the word of God. In Greek the phrase even to dividing is literally “as far as (the place of) division.” It implies that God’s word enters even the part of a person where soul and spirit meet or where his joints and marrow meet.

In some languages a phrase like to dividing may wrongly imply that the Word of God separates a person’s soul from his spirit and separates a person’s joints from his marrow. For that reason the Notes uses the God’s Word as the source text for 4:12c:

and cuts as deep as the place where soul and spirit meet, the place where joints and marrow meet (God’s Word)

(God’s Word) and cuts as deep as the place where soul and spirit meet, the place where joints and marrow meet: The phrase where soul and spirit meet is a figure of speech. The phrase place where joints and marrow meet is also a figure of speech. No one can tell exactly where a person’s soul and spirit meet or where joints and marrow meet.

Together these two figures of speech refer to every part of a person. Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

It penetrates even the inner-being and thinking of a person. Therefore no matter what a person’s motive is or what he intends, this word of God can reveal it.
-or-
It pierces into even our thinking and our purpose, and it shows us what God thinks about it.

(God’s Word) soul…spirit: In this context the Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as soul and spirit have similar meanings. In many scriptures the word soul refers to the inner part of a person which thinks, feels, and makes decisions. The word spirit refers to the person himself, especially to the essential part of himself that is responsible to give an account to God. Here the words soul and spirit are used together to refer to the hidden part of a person, his thoughts, and motives.

Other ways to translate soul and spirit here are:

our innermost thoughts and desires (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
a person’s inner-being and mind/thinking

Most English versions (except the New Living Translation (2004)) use the words soul and spirit. See soul, sense A1(a), and spirit, sense A1(a), in Key Biblical Terms.

(God’s Word) joints…marrow: The word joints refers to the material in the body that joins bones together. The word marrow refers to the substance inside the big bones of the body. Another way to translate the literal meaning is:

a person’s joints and the substance inside his bones

Here the phrase “the place where joints and marrow meet” is a metaphor to refer to a person’s secret thoughts and desires. It emphasizes the statement in 4:12c, which has the same meaning. In some languages the metaphor may not be natural, and you may need to translate the meaning in a different way. For example:

every part of a person

4:12e–f

It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart: Here the author says that the word of God (It) is able to judge people’s thoughts and intentions. This is figurative language. It implies that God’s word causes people to know how God wants them to think and act. When a person reads it, it teaches him whether his thoughts are good or bad. Some other ways to translate this statement are:

it pierces into even our thinking, our breath, our purpose, and it shows us what God is thinking about it.
-or-
God’s word judges a person’s thoughts and intentions. (God’s Word)
-or-
It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. (New Living Translation (2004))

In some languages it may be necessary to translate the meaning without the figurative language. For example:

God uses his Word to show people whether their way of thinking and what they intend to do is right or wrong.

It judges: The Greek word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as judges can describe a judge in a legal case. However, it is often used in a more general way. Here it refers to the ability to distinguish what is right and what is wrong. People can use what God says to examine their thoughts and intentions and know whether they are pleasing to God or not.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

examines
-or-
discovers
-or-
causes…to be exposed

thoughts and intentions: The words thoughts and intentions are used together to describe what a person thinks. The Greek word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as thoughts refers to “the process of considering something, thought, reflection, idea.” It occurs only three other times in the New Testament: Matthew 9:4, 12:25 and Acts 17:29.

The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as intentions is also rare in the New Testament. It occurs only once more, in 1 Peter 4:1. It refers to what a person thinks, his “thoughts, knowledge, and insights.”

Some other ways to translate thoughts and intentions are:

what a person thinks and plans
-or-
our thinking and the purposes in our hearts

of the heart: In both Greek and Hebrew the heart refers to the part of a person that thinks and feels. In some languages a phrase like of the heart may not be necessary in this context. The source of the “thoughts and intentions” may already be implied by referring to the person (or people) who think them. See the first example in the preceding note. For more information, see heart, sense 1(b), in Key Biblical Terms.

General Comment on 4:12a–e

In some languages you may need to make the comparison in this verse more explicit. For example:

God’s word is powerful and active. It exposes what people think and what they want/intend to do as ⌊precisely as⌋ a knife with two sharp edges cuts into ⌊skin⌋.
-or-
God’s word is strong and does great deeds. Like a knife with two sharp edges, it cuts open a person’s thoughts and shows what he secretly thinks and wants to do.

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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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2020

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 3:9

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 5:6

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2:6

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 4:1

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 6:3

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2:17

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 4:12

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 6:14

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