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÷÷HEBREWS 1

HEBREWS 1

PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS*

 *Although they are not inspired, paragraph divisions are the key to understanding and following the original author's intent. Each modern translation has divided and summarized the paragraphs. Every paragraph has one central topic, truth, or thought. Each version encapsulates that topic in its own distinct way. As you read the text, ask yourself which translation fits your understanding of the subject and verse divisions.
  In every chapter we must read the Bible first and try to identify its subjects (paragraphs), then compare our understanding with the modern versions. Only when we understand the original author's intent by following his logic and presentation can we truly understand the Bible. Only the original author is inspired—readers have no right to change or modify the message. Bible readers do have the responsibility of applying the inspired truth to their day and their lives.
  *emsp;Note that all technical terms and abbreviations are explained fully in the following Special Topics: Brief Definitions of Greek Grammatical Structure,  Textual Criticism, and Glossary.

READING CYCLE THREE (see Bible Interpretation Seminar)

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS

1. The author is related to Alexandrian Judaism
   1. He uses rabbinically interpreted models (see SPECIAL TOPIC: RABBINICAL HERMENEUTICS)
   2. He quotes from LXX exclusively. It was used by Jews living outisde of Palestine because it was written in 1^st or 2^nd century B.C. in Koine Greek
   3. He knew the procedures of the tabernacle in the wilderness (i.e., Exodus ‒ Deuteronomy)
   4. He was familiar with the wisdom book attributed to Solomon, written in the 1^st century B.C., called "The Wisdom of Solomon," which was included in the LXX but not the MT.
   5. He was familiar with the Alexandrian Jewish teacher/philosopher, Philo, who wrote many books between 23-50 A.D.
   6. This implies the author was emersed in Egyptian Judaism, which would fit Apollos and Barnabas.
   
   
2. The first paragraph is a poetic/hymnic presentation of Jesus' cosmic and redemptive achievements possibly church liturgy). He is Lord of all creation and especially Lord of this planet. This is spelled out in seven descriptive phrases (i.e., highly structured literature). It is one of the highest Christologies in the NT (cf. John 1:1-18; Phil. 2:6-11; Col. 1:15-17; and Revelation 1).
   1. the heir of the Father's creation because He is the only "son" (Heb. 1:2)
   2. the agent of the Father's creation (Heb. 1:2)
   3. radiance of the Father's glory (Heb. 1:3)
   4. exact image of the Father's nature (Heb. 1:3)
   5. the sustainer of the Father's creation (Heb. 1:3, i.e., Elohim)
   6. the means of forgiveness of the Father's creation (i.e., priest, Heb. 1:3)
   7. the royal (i.e., "sat down at down at the right hand") and priestly (i.e., "made purification of sins") Messiah sent by the Father (i.e., king, Heb. 1:3; reflects usage of YHWH)
   
   
3. Verses 1-3 deal primarily with how God has spoken to us in a new way through "a son," Jesus of Nazareth. No longer do we receive revelation bit by bit through servants (i.e., the prophets of the OT), but now through a full revelation of a family member ("a son," cf. Heb. 1:2; 3:6; 5:8; 7:28) who has been with the Father before time (i.e., John 1:1).
   
   
4. Hebrews 1:1-3 displays Jesus, the Anointed One, as being the ultimate fulfillment of all three OT anointed offices (i.e., prophet, priest and king).
   
   

   SPECIAL TOPIC: ANOINTING IN THE BIBLE

5. The second paragraph (Heb. 1:4-14) continues the theme of Jesus' superiority.
   1. in Heb. 1:1-3 He is a more superior revelation than the prophets
   2. in Heb. 1:4-14 He is a more superior mediator than the angels; confirmed by a series of seven OT texts from the Septuagint (mostly from the Psalms):
      1. Psalm 2:7
      2. 2 Sam. 7:14
      3. Ps. 97:7
      4. Ps. 104:4
      5. Ps. 45:6-7
      6. Ps. 102:25-27
      7. Ps. 110:1
   3. Notice that the author is structuring his/her text in careful rabbinical ways. Seven is the number of perfection in Jewish numerology (i.e., the seven days of Genesis 1).
      SPECIAL TOPIC: SYMBOLIC NUMBERS IN SCRIPTURE, #4

WORD AND PHRASE STUDY

÷HEBREWS 1:1-4

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: HEBREWS 1:1-4
 ¹God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, ²in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. ³And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, ⁴having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.

1:1 "God, after He spoke" "God" is not first (i.e., fronted) in the Greek sentence; therefore, this text is not emphasizing the doctrine of revelation, but the manner of revelation in the past (AORIST ACTIVE PARTICIPLE).

▣ "in the prophets" The Jews believed that prophets wrote Scripture. This is why Moses was considered a prophet (cf. Deut. 18:15) and why the Jews labeled the historical books of Joshua through Kings as the "former prophets." Therefore, this phrase does not refer to the OT prophets only, but to all the OT writers.

The phrase "in (en) the prophets" (v. 1) is parallel to "in (en) His Son" (v. 2). There is an obvious contrast between the two means of revelation. One was a servant and one is a family member (i.e., "a son," cf. 3:6; 5:8; 7:28). The first was only partial but the second is full and complete (cf. John 1:18; Col. 1:15-17).

SPECIAL TOPIC: PROPHECY (OT)

The OT revelation was piece-meal in form and content. This phrase is placed first (fronted) in the Greek text of Heb. 1:1 to show the author's emphasis. Each OT writer had an important, but partial, message (i.e., Isaiah may be the most complete).

God revealed Himself:

1. to Moses in a burning bush
2. to the High Priest by the Urim and Thummim
3. to Elijah in a still, small voice
4. to Ezekiel in visions
5. to Hosea through a bad marriage
6. to Jonah through a fish, plant, worm, wind
7. to Habakkuk through a foreign invasion

SPECIAL TOPIC: WAYS OF REVELATION

1:2 "in these last days" This period of time goes by several phrases.

1. end of the days, Num. 24:14; Deut. 8:16; Dan. 2:28; 10:14
2. in the last days, Jer. 23:20; 30:24; 49:39; Ezek. 38:8,16; Hosea 3:5; Joel 2:28 (Acts 2:17); John 6:39,40,44,54; 11:24; 12:48; 2 Tim. 3:1; James 5:3
3. in the Last Time, 1 Pet. 1:5
4. at the end of the times, 1 Pet. 1:20
5. during the last of the days, 2 Pet. 3:3
6. the last hour, 1 John 2:18

At the end of the last days is the "day of the Lord" (i.e., "the consummation," Matt. 13:39,40; 24:3; 28:20; Heb. 9:26; 1 John 3:2).

The Jews of the interbiblical period saw two ages (i.e., especially I Enoch): the current evil age of rebellion and sin (starting at Genesis 3) and the coming age of righteousness inaugurated by the coming of the Messiah in the power of the Spirit. The OT emphasizes the coming of the Messiah in judgment and power to establish the new age. However, it failed to see clearly the first coming of Jesus as

1. wounded champion of Gen. 3:15
2. the rejected one of Psalm 22
3. the "Suffering Servant" in Isaiah 53
4. the humble One riding the colt of a donkey in Zech. 9:9
5. the pierced One of Zech. 12:10

From NT progressive revelation we know that God planned two comings of the Messiah. The period between the Incarnation (the first coming) and the second coming involves the overlapping of the two Jewish ages. This is designated in the NT by the phrase "last days." We have been in this period for over 2000 years.

SPECIAL TOPIC: THIS AGE AND THE AGE TO COME

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE LAST DAYS

SPECIAL TOPIC: A SUFFERING MESSIAH

▣ "His Son" The ANARTHROUS phrase is literally "a son" and should not be capitalized (nor have the PRONOUN His) because the reference here is to the manner of revelation, not a title for Jesus (cf. Heb. 3:5-6; 5:8; 7:28). Jesus is not a servant like Moses or the prophets, but a family member ("a son"). This is a specialized use of this term "son." Jesus, in most other places, is "the Son of God."

SPECIAL TOPIC: SON OF GOD

▣ "whom He appointed" This is an AORIST ACTIVE INDICATIVE, which implies completed action (AORIST TENSE) in past time (INDICATIVE MOOD). When did God appoint Jesus heir? Was it at His baptism (cf. Matt. 3:17) or resurrection (cf. Rom. 1:4)? This question led to the heresy of "adoptionism," which said that Jesus became the Messiah at some point in time. This, however, contradicts John 1:1-18; 8:57-58; Phil. 2:6-7; and Col. 1:17. Jesus has always been Deity (cf. John 1:1-2); therefore, heirship must even predate the incarnation in an ontological sense.

SPECIAL TOPIC: ADOPTIONISM

SPECIAL TOPIC: DEITY OF CHRIST FROM THE OT

▣ "heir of all things" As the "Son of God," the unique son of God (cf. John 3:16), He is the heir (cf. Matt. 21:33-46; Ps. 2:8). The amazing thing is that sinful humanity, through faith in Him, shares His heirship (cf. Heb. 1:14; 6:12; Acts 20:32; Rom. 8:17; Gal. 3:29; 4:1-7; Eph. 3:6; Titus 3:7; 1 Pet. 1:4; Rev. 21:7).

SPECIAL TOPIC: BELIEVERS' INHERITANCE

▣ "through whom also He made the world" It is always difficult to know for certain how related terms are to be interpreted. There is only a certain semantic overlap between synonyms. The technical Greek term for creation out of nothing is ktizō, yet the word in this text is poieō, which meant to form something from a pre-existing substance. Is the author using these terms synonymously or is a specific distinction intended? It is doubtful that a technical distinction is intended because the theological context (i.e., Heb. 1:3) refers to creation by the spoken word (ex nihilo, cf. Gen. 1:6,9,16,20,24,26, but in Gen. 2:7 God formed man). See the new books by John Walton, The Lost World of Genesis One and Genesis 1 As Ancient Cosmology.

The term "world" is literally "ages" (aiōnos). This can refer to the earth (cf. Matt. 28:20) or to the ages (i.e., time). Jesus is surely the creator of both (cf. John 1:3; Col. 1:16; 1 Cor. 8:6). The author of Hebrews uses both aiōnos (cf. Heb. 1:2; 6:5; 11:3) and kosmos (cf. Heb. 4:3; 9:26; 10:5; 11:7,38), apparently as synonymous terms. See note at Heb. 1:6.

SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER (Greek idiom)

SPECIAL TOPIC: KOSMOS

The word "radiance" (apaugasma) is used only here in the NT.

1. In Philo it was used of the Messiah's relationship to YHWH in the sense that the logos was a reflection of Deity.
2. The early Greek church fathers used it in the sense of Christ as the reflection or effulgence of God.
3. In a popular sense to see Jesus is to see God (cf. John 14:8-9), as a mirror reflects the light of the full sun.
4. This phrasing may be related to Prov. 8:22-31, where "wisdom" (the term is FEMININE in both Hebrew and Greek) is personified as God's first creation (cf. Sirach 1:4) and agent of creation (cf. Wisdom of Solomon 9:9). This same concept is developed in the apocryphal book Wisdom of Solomon 7:15-22a and 22b-30.

In Prov. 8:22 wisdom fashions all things,

1. in Prov. 8:25 wisdom is pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty
2. in Prov. 8:26 wisdom is the reflection of eternal light, a spotless mirror of the working of God
3. in Prov. 8:29 compared with the light (i.e., sun and stars) she is found to be superior."

In the OT the most common Hebrew word for "glory" (kabod) was originally a commercial term (which referred to a pair of scales) which meant "to be heavy." That which was heavy was valuable or had intrinsic worth. Often the concept of brightness was added to the word to express God's majesty during the Wilderness Wandering Period (Shekinah Cloud of Glory, cf. Exod. 16:10; 24:16-17; Lev. 9:6). He alone is worthy and honorable. He is too brilliant for fallen mankind to behold. God can only be truly known through Christ (cf. Matt. 17:2; Heb. 1:3; James 2:1).

SPECIAL TOPIC: GLORY OR RADIANCE

SPECIAL TOPIC: GLORY (doxa, NT)

SPECIAL TOPIC: GLORY (kabod, OT)

SPECIAL TOPIC: SHEKINAH

This phrase is found only here in the NT but is found often in the writings of Philo, who completes and adds to the previous characterization. This Greek term was originally used of an engraving tool, but it came to represent the mark it made. Jesus not only reflects Deity, He bears the unique stamp of Deity (cf. John 14:9, REB).

There are two Greek terms used to describe Christ's relationship to the Father:

1. eikon, which means image (cf. 2 Cor. 4:4; Col. 1:15)
2. charaktēr (cf. Heb. 1:3)

The former is the more common in the NT but the latter term is stronger in meaning (cf. KJV "the exact image"). What is God like? He is exactly like Jesus of Nazareth, who is the full and complete revelation of the invisible God!

▣ "upholds all things" This is the common term "to bear or carry" (pherō), but in this context it has the connotation of "to uphold," "to maintain," "to sustain." This conveys the theological concept of "Providence" (cf. Col. 1:17 and another possible allusion to Wisdom of Solomon 8:1). Not only did Jesus create the universe (another possible meaning of pherō) by the spoken word (cf. Gen. 1), but He sustains it by the spoken word!

▣ "by the word of His power" In Jewish thought God's power was presented by the spoken word. Elohim creates by the spoken word (cf. Gen. 1:3,6,9,14,20,24). YHWH's word had an independent force to accomplish His will (cf. Isa. 45:23; 55:11). It is not by accident that the Christ is called "the Word" in John 1:1 (i.e., here, Rehma, in John 1, (i.e., here, Rehma in John 1 Logos).

▣ "When He had made purification of sins" This is an AORIST MIDDLE PARTICIPLE which emphasizes the subject (MIDDLE VOICE) and describes a completed act (AORIST TENSE, i.e., once for all, cf. Heb. 7:27; 9:12,28; 10:10). Jesus, as High Priest, has acted on behalf of sinful mankind (cf. Mark 10:45; 2 Cor. 5:21). Jesus is called High Priest only in Hebrews (cf. Heb. 2:17; 3:1; 4:14,15; 5:5,10; 6:20; 7:26; 8:1; 9:11; 10:21).

The term "purification" is used in the NT in several senses.

1. ceremonial cleansing (cf. Luke 2:22; 5:14; John 2:6)
2. physical healing (cf. Mark 1:44)
3. imagery for expiation (cf. Heb. 1:3; 2 Pet. 1:9, so says William D. Mounce in his Analytical Lexicon to the Greek New Testament, p. 257)

We get the English word "catharsis" from this Greek term.

Notice the descriptive PLURAL phrase "of sins." There are two possible ways to understand this phrase:

1. it is OBJECTIVE GENITIVE PLURAL "of sins," not ABLATIVE "from sins." Jesus' death dealt with the human sin problem once for all
2. it is PLURAL which does not imply mankind's Adamic nature, "the sin problem," but individual acts of sin. Jesus dealt with the guilt of mankind's rebellion (past and present).

This text is accepted by the UBS⁴ scholars, but there is another possibility. In the Alexandrian textual family represented by P⁴⁶ the phrase "through himself" (dia heautou) occurs instead of "His" (autou), which makes it refer to the previous clause. This same type of manuscript variant is found in 1 John 5:18b. It is interesting that this "through himself" is lacking in other Alexandrian textual family representatives (א and B). It is surely possible that orthodox scribes feared that the phrase "through himself made purification of sins" might lead to Gnostic speculation and changed "di'heautou" to "autou."

SPECIAL TOPIC: TEXTUAL CRITICISM

SPECIAL TOPIC: GNOSTICISM

▣ "He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high" This is a figurative way of stating Jesus' finished work and exaltation (cf. Ps. 110:1; Luke 22:69). God does not have a right hand. This is biblical imagery for (anthropomorphic) power, authority, and preeminence. No OT priest ever sat down! Jesus' earthly work is finished. In a sense this is a kingly, royal imagery (cf. Ps. 2; 45; and 110:1-3) linked to a priestly function (cf. Ps. 110:4 and Zechariah 4). The Dead Sea community expected two Messiahs, one priestly (i.e., line of Aaron, tribe of Levi), one kingly (i.e., line of Jesse, tribe of Judah). Jesus f ulfills all three OT anointed offices:

1. prophet (cf. Deut. 18:18)
2. priest (cf. Ps. 110:4)
3. king (cf. 2 Sam. 7:13,16; Ps. 2; 110:1-3)

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PROBLEMS AND LIMITATIONS OF HUMAN LANGUAGE

This is a circumlocution. Jews were afraid to use God's name lest they take it in vain (cf. Exod.20:7) so they inserted many alternate terms and phrases (i.e., "Kingdom of heaven," "throne," etc.) or used the PASSIVE VOICE to refer to Him.

1:4 This verse seems to be a transition between Heb. 1:1-3 and Heb. 1:5-14. Today's English Version (TEV) begins the discussion (i.e., paragraph) of Jesus' superiority over the angels with Heb. 1:4.

The "name" which Jesus has been given that is greater than the angels (cf. Rom. 8:38-39; Eph. 1:21; Phil. 2:9; Col. 2:15) is

1. "son" (cf. Heb. 1:5 [twice] and 8)
2. "Lord" (cf. Heb. 1:10 and Eph. 1:21; Phil. 2:9-11)

The heart of the book of Hebrews is the comparison between the Mosaic covenant and the new covenant in Christ. This contrast is often expressed by the term "greater" (kreittou/kreissou), which means "better," "superior," "more excellent," "more valuable," "higher rank." This is a recurrent key theme in Hebrews.

1. much better than the angels (cf. Heb. 1:4)
2. better things concerning you (cf. Heb. 6:9)
3. lesser is blessed by the greater (cf. Heb. 7:7)
4. a better hope (cf. Heb. 7:19)
5. a better covenant (cf. Heb. 7:22)
6. a better covenat based on better promises (cf. Heb. 8:6)
7. with better sacrifice (cf. Heb. 9:23)
8. a better possession which abides (cf. Heb. 10:34)
9. a better resurrection (cf. Heb. 11:35)
10. a better country (cf. Heb. 11:16)
11. God has provided something better (cf. Heb. 11:40)
12. His sprinkled sprinkled blood speaks better than Abel's (cf. Heb. 12:24)

SPECIAL TOPIC: JESUS IS GREATER THAN

▣ "as He has inherited a more excellent name then they" Jesus "inherits" (PERFECT TENSE, a settled state) because He is a family member (lit. "a son," cf. Heb. 1:2; 3:5-6; 5:8; 7:28), while angels are created beings (i.e., elohim, see SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, C.).

Rabbinical Judaism saw angels as intermediaries between YHWH and humanity (cf. Acts 7:38,53; Gal. 3:19) but they were jealous and tried to prevent YHWH's revelation.

This context addresses the place of angels in the Hebrew Bible. There are some interesting elements to this subject.

1. Elohim of Gen. 1:26-27 used an angelic council ("us"). This is corroborated by Ps. 82:1 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: HEAVENLY COUNCIL OF ANGELIS BEINGS  and  SPECIAL TOPIC: holy ones
2. According to the Septuagint translation of Deut. 32:8, YHWH divided the nations and set their boundaries by the "sons of God" (i.e., national angels, cf. Daniel 10's use of "prince").
3. Some scholars (i.e., Michael S. Heiser, The Unseen Realm, even assert that
   1. Adam and Eve were given "dominion" over lthe earth (cf. Gen. 1:26,28; Ps. 8:6-8).
   2. Humanity forfeited this by their willful act of disobedience in Genesis 3.
   3. God, therefore, put national angels in charge of the nations to rule them righteously, but they failed (Psalm 82; Heiser uses I Enoch as further evidence).
   4. Therefore, redeemed humanity will one day be restored to the "heavenly council" as the rightful rulers/custodians of this planet/kosmos.
4. I reject #3. It is inconceivable to me that Psalm 82 should become a key focal text to view all Scripture through!

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: HEBREWS 1:5-14
⁵For to which of the angels did He ever say,
 "You are My Son,
 Today I have begotten You"?
And again,
 "I will be a Father to Him
 And He shall be a Son to Me?"
⁶And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says,
 "And let all the angels of God worship Him."
⁷And of the angels He says,
 "Who makes His angels winds,
 And His ministers a flame of fire."
⁸But of the Son He says,
 "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,
 And the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom.
 ⁹You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness;
 Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You
 With the oil of gladness above Your companions."
¹⁰And,
 "You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth,
 And the heavens are the works of Your hands;
 ¹¹They will perish, but You remain;
 And they all will become old like a garment,
 ¹²And like a mantle You will roll them up;
 Like a garment they will also be changed.
 But You are the same,
 And Your years will not come to an end."
¹³But to which of the angels has He ever said,
 "Sit at My right hand,
 Until I make Your enemies
 A footstool for Your feet"?
¹⁴Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?

1:5 "you are my son" This is the first in a series of seven OT passages quoted from the Septuagint to prove the superiority of the Messiah over the angels. The first phrase comes from the Royal Messianic Psalm 2:7, while the second OT quote in v. 5 is from 2 Sam. 7:14. This first phrase is used several times in the Gospels to refer to Christ:

1. at His baptism (cf. Matt. 3:17; Luke 3:22)
2. at the Transfiguration (cf. Matt. 17:5; Mark 9:7)
3. at the Resurrection (cf. Acts 13:33; Rom. 1:4)

The term "son," used in both quotes of Heb. 1:5, is from the OT where it can refer to different people/groups (see full note at Heb. 2:7).

1. angels (cf. Gen. 6:2,4; Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7; Ps. 29:1, always PLURAL)
2. the nation of Israel (cf. Hosea 11:1)
3. the Israeli king (cf. 2 Sam. 7:14; Ps. 89:27)
4. the Messiah (cf. Ps. 2:7)

SPECIAL TOPIC: SON OF GOD

▣ "Today I have begotten you" This is the second line of the poetry of Ps. 2:7. Jesus has always been Deity (cf. John 1:1-18; Phil. 2:6-8). Therefore, this cannot refer to the essence of His nature, but to His manifestation in time (i.e., the incarnation).

1. Some commentators relate it to the resurrection (cf. Rom. 1:3-4).
2. Some rabbis saw Ps. 2:7 as the Messiah brought back to life after divine suffering (cf. Isaiah 53).

The VERB is a PERFECT ACTIVE INDICATIVE which means "have begotten." This may be a rabbinical allusion to Prov. 8:22-31, where "wisdom" (which is FEMININE in Hebrew) was the first creation of God and became God's agent in further creation (also see Wisdom of Solomon 7:1-8:1). This is alluded to

1. not to bring in a feminine aspect to deity
2. nor to affirm Jesus as a created being
3. but to affirm Jesus of Nazareth as God the Father's agent of creation (cf. Heb. 1:10; John 1:3; 1 Cor. 8:6; Col. 1:16, which was mentioned in Heb. 1:2)

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE TRINITY, III.

SPECIAL TOPIC: ADOPTIONISM

▣ "I will be a Father to Him" This second quote from v. 5 is from the Septuagint of 2 Sam. 7:14, which initially referred to Solomon. The author of Hebrews applies it to Jesus. This dual reference is similar to the "virgin birth" prophecy of Isa. 7:14. Both are examples of multi-fulfillment prophecy. The NT authors under inspiration used the OT in rabbinical ways, typological ways, and word plays which are not appropriate for later interpreters. See Fee and Stuart, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, pp. 127-148; Richard N. Longnecker, Biblical Exegesis in the Apostolic Period.

SPECIAL TOPIC: TYPOLOGY

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD

This does not refer to a second coming of the son. It is a literary way of introducing a new quote (cf. Heb. 1:5d; 2:13; 4:5; 10:30).

Notice that NASB, NKJV, NRSV, and NJB have "bring," while TEV has "send." The first would emphasize the ascension of the glorified Christ (cf. Acts 1); the second would refer to the incarnation at Bethlehem. Because the Father‒Son analogy begins with Jesus' incarnation, the TEV fits the context best.

▣ "firstborn" This phrase is used

1. in the OT where the firstborn child received a double inheritance to take care of the parents
2. in Ps. 89:27 to refer to the king of Israel
3. in Rabbinical Judaism it came to be a phrase for pre-imminence (cf. Rom. 8:29; Col. 1:15,18; Rev. 1:5). This phrase was the heart of the Arius/Athanasius controversy. Arius asserted that Jesus was God's highest creation, quoting this passage and Ps. 89:27. Athanasius asserted that Jesus was full Deity and quoted verses 2 and 3
4. in a figurative sense, Christ is "the first-born of a new humanity (cf. Rom. 8:29; Col. 1:18), which is to be glorified, as its exalted Lord is glorified. . .one coming forth from God to found the new community of saints" (from A Greek-English Lexicon by Bauer, Arndt, Gingrich, and Danken, p. 726)
5. in the Greco-Roman world the firstborn acted as priest for the family (cf. The Vocabulary of the Greek Testament by Moulton and Milligan, p. 557).

SPECIAL TOPIC: FIRSTBORN

▣ "into the world" This implies the pre-existent Jesus (i.e., John 1:1,15,18,30; 9:23,58; 16:28; 17:5,24; Phil. 2:6; Col. 1:15-17; Heb. 1:2), who has always been Deity, but a new stage of His redemptive ministry began at Bethlehem when He took on human flesh (cf. John 1:14; Phil. 2:6-8a). This is not the more common term kosmos, but oikoumenē, which was used of the surface of the earth which was inhabited by humans. This term is also used in Heb. 2:5 as imagery for the new age.

▣ "He says, 'And let all the angels of God worship him'" This is a quote from the Septuagint of either Deut. 32:43 or Ps. 97:7. The Hebrew word for "angels" used in Ps. 97:7 is Elohim. From Cave #4 of the Dead Sea Scrolls we have a corroboration of this Septuagint translation. The term Elohim can refer to God, angelic beings, human judges (cf. Exod. 21:6; 22:8-9), or even a deceased human spirit (cf. 1 Sam. 28:13). See full note in Special Topic below.

This quote is not meant to teach that angels did not worship Christ until the incarnation. In context it is showing the superiority of the Son by the fact that angels worship Him.

Notice the text from Deuteronomy is attributed to God Himself. All Scripture is God-breathed (cf. 2 Tim. 3:16).

SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, C.

SPECIAL TOPIC: INSPIRATION

SPECIAL TOPIC: JESUS IS GREATER THAN

1:7 "Who makes his angels winds" This begins a comparison between angels being changeable (cf. LXX of Ps. 104:4 and v. 11) in contradistinction to Jesus who is permanent and unchanging (cf. Heb. 1:8,11,12; 13:8). The rabbis, quoting Lam. 3:23 or Dan. 7:10, said that God created the angels new every morning.

SPECIAL TOPIC: SPIRIT IN THE BIBLE, I. D. and III. C.

1:8 "Your throne, O God, is forever" This is a quote from the Septuagint of Ps. 45:6, which addresses the Messianic King. In the OT context the PRONOUN is very ambiguous and can refer to God the Father or God the Son. However, in this text it seems that this is one of the strongest affirmations of the Deity of Christ found anywhere in the Scriptures (cf. John 1:18; 20:28).

Notice in this context the strong affirmations of Jesus' Deity.

1. the seven affirmations of vv. 1-3
2. the list of things in which Jesus is superior to angels, 1:4-2:18
   1. "a son," not a created being, 1:5-6
   2. angels worship Him, 1:7
   3. permanency of Jesus, 1:8
   4. above all "companions," 1:9
   5. unchangeable, 1:11-12
   6. place of power and authority at YHWH's right hand, v. 13

There is a significant Greek manuscript problem at this point. Some very early manuscripts (P⁴⁶, א, and B) have the PRONOUN (autou, i.e., "His throne") which adds to the ambiguity. The United Bible Society's fourth edition supports "your" with a "B" rating (the text is almost certain). This form is found in the uncial manuscripts A and D and is the exact quote from the Septuagint of Ps. 45:6.

The modern academic discipline of Textual Criticism judges manuscript variants based on the following.

1. the most unusual reading is probably original
2. the variant reading that explains the other variants is probably original
3. the reading with a wide geographical distribution (not just one family of manuscripts) is probably original

SPECIAL TOPIC: TEXTUAL CRITICISM

SPECIAL TOPIC: TITLES/FUNCTIONS USED FOR JESUS IN HEBREWS

▣ "forever and ever" This obviously does not refer to a millennial reign, but the eternal reign (cf. Isa. 9:8; Dan. 7:14,18; alluded to in Micah 5:2; Luke 1:33; 2 Pet. 1:11; Rev. 11:15).

The Greek idiomatic phrase, "unto the ages" (cf. Luke 1:33; Rom. 1:25; 11:36; 16:27; Gal. 1:5; 1 Tim. 1:17), may reflect the Hebrew 'olam. See Robert B. Girdlestone, Synonyms of the Old Testament, pp. 321-319. Other related phrases are

1. "unto the age" (cf. Matt. 21:19 [Mark 11:14]; Thess. 1:55; John 6:58; 8:35; 12:34; 13:8; 14:16; 2 Cor. 9:9)
2. "of the age of the ages" (cf. Eph. 3:21)
3. There seems to be no distinction between these idioms for "forever."

The term "ages" may be PLURAL in a figurative sense of the rabbinical grammatical construction called "THE PLURAL OF MAJESTY", or it may refer to the concept of several "ages" in the Jewish sense of

1. "age of innocence"
2. "age of wickedness"
3. "age to come"
4. "age of righteousness"

SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER ('olam)

SPECIAL TOPIC: THIS AGE AND THE AGE TO COME

1:9 "you have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness" This is a quote from the Septuagint of Ps. 45:7 which relates to the earthly life of Jesus Christ. The Messiah acted opposite of

1. Israeli judges and rulers (cf. Psalm 82)
2. national angels (cf. Deut. 32:8 [LXX]; Daniel 10; and/or Psalm 82)

SPECIAL TOPIC: RIGHTEOUSNESS

▣ "has anointed you" This is a quote from the LXX of Isa. 61:1. The Hebrew term "anointed" (mashiach, BDB 603, KB 643) is the OT word for Messiah (masiah). In the OT prophets, priests, and kings were anointed with olive oil as a symbol of God's choice and provision for an assigned task. In this context it also refers to the cultural usage of olive oil at a time of joy and feasting (cf. Isa. 53:11).

SPECIAL TOPIC: ANOINTING IN THE BIBLE (BDB 603)

SPECIAL TOPIC: MESSIAH

▣ "above your companions" This is a continuation of the quote from the Septuagint of Ps. 45:6-7. Every detail of the Psalm should not be forced into a theological affirmation relating to Jesus. The phrase could relate to Jesus' superiority over

1. angels (i.e., heavenly council; see SPECIAL TOPIC: HEAVENLY COUNCIL)
2. Israel's kings
3. worldly rulers
4. redeemed mankind (my choice based on Hebrews 2)

SPECIAL TOPIC: JESUS IS GREATER THAN

1:10 "You Lord" Only the Septuagint translation of Ps. 102:25 includes the word "Lord" which refers to YHWH, but in this context it refers to Jesus. This is another contextual reason why Heb. 1:9 refers to Jesus as "God" (i.e., transfer of names and actions of YHWH to Jesus).

SPECIAL TOPIC: ARCHĒ

SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D.

▣ "laid the foundation of the earth,
  And the heavens are the works of your hands" This is an allusion to Heb. 1:2 of Jesus being the Father's agent in creation (cf. John 1:3,10; 1 Cor. 8:6; Col. 1:16).

Genesis 1 asserts Elohim's creation by the spoken word (cf. Gen. 1:3,6,9,14,20,24,26), while Genesis 2 affirms YHWH's direct personal involvement, implying "hands on" fashioning of Adam and Eve from clay (cf. Gen. 2:7,8,19,22). This quote (Ps. 102:25) extends the personal imagery to all physical creation. Jesus was YHWH's agent in creation along with the Spirit (cf. Gen. 1:2).

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE EARTH

SPECIAL TOPIC: ANTHROPOMORPHIC LANGUAGE TO DESCRIBE GOD

1:11"They will perish but you will remain;
   And they all will become old like a garment" This is a continuing quote from Ps. 102:26-27. It again shows the eternality of the Son. In the OT the prophets often use a court scene to communicate YHWH's displeasure at His rebellious wife, Israel. He takes "her" (Israel) to divorce court and calls on the two required witnesses (cf. Num. 35:30; Deut. 17:6; 19:15)—the two most permanent witnesses, "heaven and earth"—to corroborate His testimony. Even these two most permanent witnesses will pass away.

This quote suggests two possible scenarios:

1. the first VERB (apollumi) has the connotation of violent destruction (cf. 2 Pet. 3:10)
2. the second phrase implies a growing old and passing away like a piece of clothing (cf. v. 12)

This is another comparison of the instability of the created order (angels, creation) versus the permanence and stability of God's throne and Son!

1:12 "but you are the same" This is a quote from the Septuagint of Ps. 102:27. This same concept (immutability) is used in Heb. 13:8 to describe the unchangingness of Jesus. Angels change, heaven and earth change, Jesus does not change, the Father does not change (cf. Mal. 3:6; James 1:17), herein is mankind's hope.

SPECIAL TOPIC: CHRISTIAN ASSURANCE

▣ "Your years will not come to an end" As the previous phrase addresses the stability of Jesus' character, this one addresses the permanence of His person.

1:13 "Sit at My right hand" This is a quote from the Septuagint of Ps. 110:1. This is a wonderful Messianic Psalm quoted and alluded to often in Hebrews (cf. Heb. 1:3,13; 5:6,10; 6:20; 7:3,11,17,21; 8:1; 10:12-13; 12:2). It combines the royal (Heb. 1:1-3) and priestly (Heb. 1:4-7) aspects of the Messiah (as do the two olive trees of Zech. 4). Notice the two forms of "lord" in Psalm 110; the first is YHWH, the second is Adon (Lord). David's Lord (the Messiah) sits on YHWH's (Lord) throne, in the place of authority and power. This never, never, never happens to angels!

SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D.

SPECIAL TOPIC:LORD (adon and kurios)

1:14 "Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation" Angels exist to serve God and mankind. Redeemed mankind is a higher spiritual order of creation than the angels.

1. Angels are not created in the image and likeness of God (cf. Gen. 1:26-27).
2. Jesus did not die to redeem the angels (cf. Heb. 2:14-16).
3. Believers will judge the angels (cf. 1 Cor. 6:3).

SPECIAL TOPIC: SALVATION (GREEK VERB TENSES)

▣ There are many examples of angels helping Jesus during His time on earth, but there are also a few texts about angels helping/protecting/messenging believers.

1. Ps. 34:7; 91:11
2. Acts 5:19; 10:3; 12:6-11; 27:23
3. Matt. 18:10; Acts 12:15 (guardian angels)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.

1. What is the emphasis of Heb. 1:1?
2. What is the difference between natural and special revelation?
3. List the seven aspects of Jesus' person and work in verses 2-3.
4. Why is this description of Jesus so important to the recipients?
5. How are angels related to Jesus' ministry?

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