SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2020 – Page 9

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 3:5

3:5–6a

Now…But: In Greek, the introductory phrases for 3:5 and 3:6 are more literally:

5a and Moses, as for (him)…6a but as for Christ…

These phrases indicate a contrast between the ways that Jesus and Moses were faithful. Moses was faithful as God’s servant (3:5), but Christ was faithful as God’s Son (3:6). The word Now (literally “and”) is not used as a time word here. It implies that in 3:5–6 the author will continue to speak about what he said in 3:2–4.

Some ways to translate these connections are:

So Moses was certainly faithful…as a servant, but Christ was faithful as a son
-or-

It is true that Moses was faithful in serving…. But Christ…was rather his Child who was faithful as being in charge

Translate the connection between 3:5 and 3:6 carefully so that the contrast between Moses and Jesus is clear in your language. For another translation example, see the General Comment on 3:5–6a at the end of 3:6a.

3:5a

Moses was faithful as a servant: The words Moses was faithful as a servant implies that Moses obeyed God and did what God told him to do, just as a faithful servant should. Some ways to translate this clause are:

Moses was certainly faithful in God’s house, but only as a servant. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
It is true that Moses served faithfully in the household of God. But he was only like a servant in that household.

faithful: The word faithful describes someone who is worthy to be trusted. He is reliable and God can depend on him to do what God wants him to do. This is the same Greek word used in 3:2a. You should translate it in the same way here.

servant: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as servant appears only here in the NT. It refers to a worker who serves another person willingly, not as a slave. The service is honorable. Usually the word also implies a good relationship between the servant and the person whom he serves. Moses was a faithful servant of God.

Use an appropriate way in your language to refer to this type of relationship. Some other ways to translate it are:

worker
-or-
steward

in all God’s house: The phrase in all God’s house was also used in 3:2b. Translate it in the same way in both verses.

3:5b

testifying to what would be spoken later: This phrase tells how Moses was faithful (3:5a). He was faithful to tell the people of Israel that in the future God was planning to speak new things to them. The Greek expression which the Berean Standard Bible translates as testifying to means “for/as a testimony.” Moses testified to things that would happen after he died.

Some ways to translate this clause are:

and his work was only a foreshadowing of the truth that would be known later (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
His work was an illustration of the truths God would reveal later (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
And what he did was like a prophecy/picture of what God planned to make clear in the future.

See also Deuteronomy 18:15–19, where God promised to send a prophet greater than Moses. Bible scholars believe that this promise refers to the Messiah.

what would be spoken later: The clause what would be spoken later refers to what God would reveal at a future time (when he sent Jesus to the people). This is a passive clause. In some languages it is more natural to use an active verb and indicate that God is the subject. For example:

things God would say in the future (Good News Translation)

later: Here the word later refers to a time hundreds of years after Moses died. Use an appropriate word in your language to refer to such a time in the future.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 5:2

5:2

He is able to deal gently…since he himself is beset by weakness: This verse tells the reason that human high priests are able to be gentle with weak people. The high priests are able to be gentle (5:2a) because they know that they themselves are weak and sinful (5:2b).

In some languages it is more natural to change the order of 5:2a and 5:2b, so that the reason in 5:2b comes first. For example:

2b Since he himself is weak in many ways, 2a he is able to be gentle with those who are ignorant and make mistakes. (Good News Translation)
-or-

2b Chief Priests are just human too, and they certainly also have many weaknesses. 2a That’s why they know how to be gentle to take care of people who are not yet mature and who do not yet know the right way.

If you put the reason first like this, it may also affect the first part of 5:3. You may need to repeat information in 5:3a. For an example, see the General Comment on 5:2–3 at the end of 5:3a–b.

5:2a

He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and misguided: This clause indicates that the high priest was able to be calm and moderate with those who were weak and ignorant. He controlled himself so that he would not become angry.

Other ways to translate this clause are:

he knows how to be gentle/merciful towards ignorant people and people who go astray
-or-
he can be patient with people who do not know ⌊how to do God’s will⌋ and do wrong

deal gently with: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as deal gently with occurs only here in the New Testament. It refers to treating other people with calmness and respect. It indicates that the high priest should control his own feelings so that he will be patient even with the sinfulness of the people. He should be gentle with them and not treat them harshly.

Some other ways to translate this verb are:

be patient with
-or-
treat with compassion
-or-
feel pity for

those who are ignorant and misguided: Here the words ignorant and misguided both refer to the same type of people. These people sin because they do not know the way that God wants them to live or they do not seem to be able to live that way.

The word ignorant indicates that the people do not know how to behave. The word misguided indicates that they live without knowing what they should do. They act without being aware of the purpose of those actions. The author uses these similar words to emphasize the meaning.

Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

his fellow men who do not know what to do, who are overcome by sin because they are not strong.
-or-
his companions who go astray who don’t know that what they are doing is not right

5:2b

since he himself is beset by weakness: This clause tells the reason why the high priest was able to help weak and ignorant people (5:2a). He could help them because he himself was a weak human being, so he understood the weakness of others.

beset by weakness: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as beset by weakness is more literally “surrounded by weakness” or “clothed with weakness.” It indicates that a high priest is affected in many ways by human weakness. The word weakness refers here to a type of weakness that makes it difficult for a person to do what is right. It refers to moral or spiritual weakness, not to bodily weakness.

Some other ways to translate the phrase beset by weakness are:

he also has faults.
-or-
he also is not strong/able ⌊to overcome all sins⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 6:20

6:20a

where Jesus our forerunner has entered on our behalf: Here the word forerunner is a figure of speech. Literally, the word refers to someone who runs ahead and prepares the way for others who will come after him. Jesus is our forerunner. He has gone ahead of us into God’s presence, and he has prepared the way for us also to come to God.

Other ways to translate 6:20a are:

Jesus has entered there first on our(incl.) behalf
-or-
Jesus has gone into that holy place before us(incl.) to speak to God for us

The word where refers back to “the inner shrine.” That was the place that Jesus entered to prepare the way for us also to enter it. In some languages it is more natural to begin a new sentence here. For example:

That is the place where Jesus preceded us to speak to God for us.

our: The pronoun “us” is inclusive and refers to both the author and his hearers.

6:20b–c

Between 5:10 and 6:20, there is a long section of exhortation and warning. Now, in the last sentence of this chapter, the author repeated what he said in 5:10 about Jesus being a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. There are some changes here in 6:20. The differences in these two verses are underlined below:

5:10 having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

6:20b–c having become a high priest forever according to the order to Melchizedek.

Try to preserve the similarities and differences in these two verses in your translation.

6:20b

He has become a high priest forever: This phrase indicates that when Jesus came into the presence of God on our behalf, he had already become a high priest forever. At that time he had offered himself and his own blood as a sacrifice to atone for our sins. In some languages it is helpful to begin a new sentence here. For example:

He had become a high priest forever.

In 5:10, the author described Jesus as “designated” by God to be a high priest. Here the verb is simply “became.” Try to maintain the similarities and differences in 5:10 and 6:20 in your translation.

high priest: The author calls Jesus high priest often in Hebrews. Translate the term as you did in 2:17b or 5:1a.

forever: The word forever indicates that Jesus will always be the high priest. He will never die, so no one will ever come after him to be high priest for us. Jesus’ priesthood is eternal.

6:20c

in the order of Melchizedek: Translate this phrase as you did in 5:6b.

General Comment on 6:20a–c

In some languages it may be more natural to start a new sentence at 6:20. For example:

On our behalf Jesus has gone in there before us and has become a high priest forever, in the priestly order of Melchizedek. (Good News Translation)
-or-
Jesus has gone there ahead of us, and he is our high priest forever, just like Melchizedek. (Contemporary English Version)

In some languages it is natural to translate 6:20 as two sentences:

Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the line of Melchizedek. (New Living Translation (2004))

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2:1

Section 2:1–4

Warning: Do not ignore what God has spoken

In the last verse of chapter 1, the author mentioned “salvation.” In 2:1–4, he told the people to pay careful attention to this salvation that God’s Son brought them. He warned them that if they did not pay attention to it, God would certainly punish them. Their punishment would be greater than the punishment of people who ignored the law, since the law was brought only by angels. This warning is the first of five important warnings in the book of Hebrews.

In some languages it may be helpful to change the order of some of the parts of 2:2–3 to help readers understand the contrast between the law and the salvation that the Son brought. See the General Comment on 2:2–3 at the end of 2:3b for an example.

It is good to translate the section before you decide on a heading for it. Some other possible headings are:

Warning Against Neglecting Salvation (English Standard Version)
-or-
We must give earnest attention to what we have heard

Some translators decide to combine this section with 2:5–10. If you decide to do that, one possible section heading is:

Everything Is Under Jesus’ Control (God’s Word)

Paragraph 2:1–4

2:1a

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

must pay closer attention:
The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as must pay closer attention is literally “it is necessary much-more to hold-to.” It indicates that it is necessary to think seriously about (what God has said), to believe it and obey it carefully.

In some languages there may be a figurative way to talk about this type of careful attention. For example:

hold on all the more firmly to (Good News Translation)
-or-
take what we have heard and grip it more tightly
-or-
be more careful to follow (New Century Version)

In some languages it may not be natural to use a comparison without being specific about what is being compared. If that is true in your language, you may want to emphasize the careful attention without the comparison. For example:

listen very carefully (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
give our full attention (Contemporary English Version)

therefore: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as therefore is literally “because of this.” The Berean Standard Bible puts therefore in the middle of the clause because this is good English style, but the Greek phrase occurs at the beginning of the verse. Put the transition word or phrase wherever it is natural in your language.

The word therefore introduces what people should do as a result of what the author said in chapter 1: Now God has spoken to us through a Son (not just through angels), therefore we must pay greater attention to what we have heard through God’s Son.

Some other ways to translate this connection are:

For this reason (God’s Word)
-or-
That is why (Good News Translation)

In some languages it is necessary to refer back to the theme of chapter 1 more specifically. For example:

Since the greatness of God’s Child is like this
-or-
Because all this is true (UBS Handbook)

Connect this verse to chapter 1 in a natural way in your language.

to what we have heard: The clause to what we have heard refers to what God spoke to his people through his Son Jesus. The author and readers of Hebrews heard it from Jesus or his apostles or other people who proclaimed it. In 2:3 the author indicates that what they heard was about salvation.

In some languages it is necessary to make the phrase what we have heard more specific. For example:

the message that we have heard
-or-
the truth which was taught us
-or-
the good news which was told to us

2:1b

so that we do not drift away: The phrase so that…not introduces the purpose for the action in 2:1a. This purpose is to avoid drifting away from what God spoke through his Son. This purpose is also an implied warning. It implies that if we do not pay attention to the message (2:1a), we will drift away from it.

Some other ways to translate this purpose and warning are:

or we may drift away from it (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Then we will not drift away from it.

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

do not drift away: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as drift away often describes how a boat can be carried away by water to a different place. In this verse the verb is used as a figure of speech. It refers to the way that we might stop believing and obeying the truth if we do not pay attention to it.

In some languages this figure of speech may be difficult to understand. It may be more natural to translate the meaning in a different way. For example:

• Use a figure of speech with a similar meaning in your language. For example:

will not stray away from the truth (New Century Version)

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

will not gradually stop believing/obeying it

Some translations supply the phrase “from it” to indicate that drift away refers back to “what we have heard” in 2:2a. Make this clear in a natural way in your language.

General Comment on 2:1b

In this part of the verse the author used the action of drifting away (on a boat) as a figure of speech. In 6:19 he used a similar figure of speech. He compared our hope to an anchor (the heavy object that keeps a boat from drifting away).

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 3:16

Paragraph 3:16–19

In 3:16–18, the author asked his readers three rhetorical questions about the quotation from Psalm 95:8–11 (in 3:8–11). In these questions the people of Israel who rebelled against the Lord are an example for the readers of Hebrews. In 3:19 he stated his conclusion: the Lord did not allow the Israelites to enter the land where he planned to give them rest because they did not trust him.

In these verses the author answered his own rhetorical questions with other rhetorical questions. In some languages it is more natural to translate the answers as statements.

3:16

who were the ones who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt?: Here the author asked two rhetorical questions about the people who were “in the rebellion” (3:15). The second question answers the first question. The questions indicate that the people who heard God’s voice but then rebelled against him were the people whom Moses led out of Egypt.

Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

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

16 Who heard God’s voice and was against him? It was all those people Moses led out of Egypt. (New Century Version)
-or-
Who were the people who heard God’s voice and rebelled against him? All those who were led out of Egypt by Moses.

• Use two statements. For example:

You know who the people are who rejected the word that God spoke. They are the people whom Moses took out of Egypt.

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

3:16a

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as For here probably indicates that this verse supports earlier statements that the author has made. It may support the statement in 3:12 about not having an evil, unbelieving heart. Many English versions do not translate the conjunction.

Connect the verse to the context in a natural way in your language. In some languages a connector may not be necessary.

the ones who heard and rebelled: This phrase refers to the people who heard what God said, but they rebelled against him. In some languages it is necessary to make the meaning more explicit. For example:

who heard God’s voice and rebelled against him (Good News Translation)
-or-
who rebelled against God, even though they heard his voice (New Living Translation (2004))

3:16b

those Moses led out of Egypt: This phrase refers to all the people of Israel whom Moses led out of captivity in Egypt. The book of Exodus tells this story.

Moses: For more information about Moses, see the note on 3:2b.

Egypt: In some languages where people do not know the country of Egypt, you may need to say “⌊the country of⌋ Egypt.”

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 5:13

5:13–14

In 5:13–14, the author explained the figure of speech “You need milk, not solid food” (5:12c). People who do not know what God says about righteousness are like babies who only drink milk (5:13). Mature believers know the difference between right and wrong. They are like mature people who eat “solid food.” (5:14).

5:13a-b

For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness: This verse indicates that people who only pay attention to simple teaching are like babies who still drink only milk. They do not understand much about the word of righteousness.

In some languages it is necessary to make the comparison more explicit. For example:

for a person like that who lives only on the “milk” ⌊of simple teachings⌋ is like an infant. He does not know much about the word of righteousness.
-or-
A person ⌊who only understands simple teachings⌋ is like an infant living on milk. He is not trained in the teaching about righteousness.

5:13a

everyone who lives on milk is still an infant:
The phrase everyone who lives on milk is still an infant refers to someone who has no nourishment except milk because he is a baby. He cannot digest any food except milk until he becomes old enough to eat other food. In many cultures infants take only milk from their mother’s breast until they are ready to eat other food.

Another way to translate this meaning is

anyone who drinks/takes-in only milk because he is still ⌊like⌋ a baby

5:13b

inexperienced in the message of righteousness: The phrase inexperienced in the message of righteousness has several interpretations. The most likely interpretations are:

(1) It means that a person “is unskilled in the matter of what is right.” It indicates that he does not know how to decide what is right and what is wrong. For example:

without any experience in the matter of right and wrong (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004))

(2) It means that a person “does not understand the teaching about righteousness.” It indicates that he does not understand the teaching about Christ as high priest atoning for his people’s sins and making them righteous. For example:

not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness (New International Version)

(New International Version, NET Bible, New Century Version)

(3) It means that a person “is not experienced in speaking about what is right.” For example:

lack the experience to talk about what is right (God’s Word)

(God’s Word)

Some English versions are ambiguous. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It fits best with the contrast in 5:14 with the mature who know how to discern between right and wrong. Another way to translate this meaning is:

is not able to distinguish between what is right and what is wrong

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

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2:13

2:13a–b

In this verse the author quoted two more OT verses which he applied to Jesus. These quotations come from Isaiah 8:17–18.

And again: The phrase And again introduces another quotation from the OT. The author implied that Jesus said this about God. Introduce the quotation in a natural way in your language. Some ways to do this in English are:

He also says, “I… (Good News Translation)
-or-
Something else he caused-to-be-written says, “I…

In some languages it is helpful to use your usual key term for the Scriptures here. For example:

and in another place in God’s book/writings he said

“I will put My trust in Him.” And once again: “Here am I, and the children God has given Me.”: The phrase And once again connects two statements that are one clause in Isaiah. It emphasizes the connection between Jesus and the children (people). The pronoun I is emphatic. It implies that Jesus is the leader of his people, and they must put their trust in God, along with Jesus.

Some other ways to connect these clauses are:

“I will put my trust in him,” that is, “I and the children God has given me.” (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
“I trust God,” and he said moreover, “Here I am joined with the children of God that he has entrusted to me.”
-or-
He also said, “I put my hope in him,” and “I with the children whom God has given me.”

Use a natural way in your language to translate the emphatic connection between Jesus and his people.

I will put My trust in Him: The clause I will put My trust in Him indicates that Jesus is determined to trust in God only. It does not imply that Jesus was beginning to trust in God at the moment when he said this. He also trusted God before he said it.

Some other ways to translate the clause are:

I will keep my trust fixed on him. (Revised English Bible)
-or-
As for me, I have confidence only in God.

The context implies that Jesus trusts in God as the leader of all who follow him. Jesus trusts in God, and everyone who follows him must also trust God. In some languages it is helpful to make this clear in the introduction to the quotation. For example:

⌊ As our leader,⌋he also says “I will ⌊live by⌋ trusting in God

Here am I: The phrase Here am I is more literally “See/Look, I.” In this context it is a way for the speaker (Jesus) to focus the readers’ attention on himself. It also emphasizes the next statement. He emphasizes the connection between him and the people who follow him. Use a natural way in your language to focus attention on Jesus and his people here.

and the children God has given Me: The phrase the children God has given Me refers to all people who believe in Jesus and follow him. Jesus and the people he saves are brothers and sisters. They are part of God’s family and therefore God’s children.

Some other ways to translate this quotation are:

Here I am, accompanied by God’s children whom he has given me.
-or-
Here I am, joined with the children of God that he has entrusted to me.

given: Here the word given indicates that God gave Jesus responsibility for those who have become God’s children. Jesus will lead and care for them as the “author of their salvation” (2:10). Other ways to translate “the children whom God has given me” are:

the children of God given me to care for
-or-
God’s children whom he told me to lead

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 4:8

4:8a–b

if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day: Here the author asked his audience to imagine something that did not happen. The clause if Joshua had given them rest implies that Joshua did not give the people the type of rest that God promised. If the people already had the rest that God promised, God would not need to promise it again.

Some other ways to translate this sentence are:

We know that Joshua did not lead the people into that rest, because God spoke later about another day. (New Century Version)
-or-
Joshua was not able to cause people to rest as God promised, that is why God spoke again about another day.
-or-
Suppose that Joshua gave the people rest. Then God would not need to speak about a future day ⌊when he will give them rest⌋.

In some languages a rhetorical question may be a natural way to translate this sentence. For example:

If Joshua had given them rest, would God speak later about a different day ⌊when he will give it to them⌋ ?

4:8a

For: The word For introduces an explanation or reason for the previous statement. Many English versions leave it implied.

if Joshua had given them rest: Here the author referred to background information about 4:8a. Most people who heard or read Hebrews already knew that Joshua led the people of Israel into the land of Canaan. God wanted to give them rest there, but they disobeyed him. So they did not receive the true rest, which is a life of depending on God.

Some ways to translate if Joshua had given them rest are:

If Joshua had given the people the rest that God had promised… (Good News Translation)
-or-
Now if Joshua had succeeded in giving them this rest (New Living Translation (2004))

For more information about Joshua, see the OT book of Joshua, especially Joshua 11:23 and 23:1. God did use Joshua to give the people of Israel the promised land. But the book of Judges shows that they did not gain true rest because they did not obey the Lord.

Joshua: After Moses died, Joshua became the leader of the Israelites. It was Joshua who led the Israelites into Canaan, the land God promised them. See Joshua 1:1–11:23 to read about those events.

The name Joshua and the name “Jesus” are different forms of the same name. The King James Version has the form “Jesus” in this verse to refer to the Joshua who led the Israelites into Canaan. It is recommended that you spell the names Joshua and “Jesus” differently so that readers will not become confused.

4:8b

God would not have spoken later about another day: Here the author implies that sometime after Joshua died, God spoke again about another day when he will give his people rest. The author refers here to the quotation from Psalm 95:7b–11, where God used King David to repeat that promise about rest. King David lived hundreds of years after Joshua died.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

there would no longer have been any of God’s words speaking of another day
-or-
it would not be necessary for God to tell us again about a different ⌊future⌋ time

about another day: In this context, the phrase about another day refers to another time for people to have the opportunity to obtain God’s rest.

General Comment on 4:6b–8b

In some languages it is more natural to combine verses 4:6b–8b to tell the events in the order that they happened. One way these three verses can be combined is:

6b Those who first heard the Good News did not receive that rest, 6c because they did not believe/obey God. 8a If Joshua had given the people the rest that God had promised, 8b God would not have spoken later about another day. 7a But many years later God set another day, which he called “Today.” 7b He spoke of it through David 7c in the Scripture already quoted: 7d If you hear God’s voice today, 7e do not be stubborn.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Hebrews 2020