Hebrews 1
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Commentaries
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God, who at sundry times and in divers manners - We can scarcely conceive any thing more dignified than the opening of this epistle; the sentiments are exceedingly elevated, and the language, harmony itself! The infinite God is at once produced to view, not in any of those attributes which are essential to the Divine nature, but in the manifestations of his love to the world, by giving a revelation of his will relative to the salvation of mankind, and thus preparing the way, through a long train of years, for the introduction of that most glorious Being, his own Son. This Son, in the fullness of time, was manifested in the flesh that he might complete all vision and prophecy, supply all that was wanting to perfect the great scheme of revelation for the instruction of the world, and then die to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. The description which he gives of this glorious personage is elevated beyond all comparison. Even in his humiliation, his suffering of death excepted, he is infinitely exalted above all the angelic host, is the object of their unceasing adoration, is permanent on his eternal throne at the right hand of the Father, and from him they all receive their commands to minister to those whom he has redeemed by his blood. in short, this first chapter, which may be considered the introduction to the whole epistle is, for importance of subject, dignity of expression, harmony and energy of language, compression and yet distinctness of ideas, equal, if not superior, to any other part of the New Testament. Sundry times - Πολυμερως, from πολυς, many, and μερος, a part; giving portions of revelation at different times. Divers manners - Πολυτροπως, from πολυς, many, and τροπος, a manner, turn, or form of speech; hence trope, a figure in rhetoric. Lambert B…
Open source ↗THE HIGHEST OF ALL REVELATIONS IS GIVEN US NOW IN THE SON OF GOD, WHO IS GREATER THAN THE ANGELS, AND WHO, HAVING COMPLETED REDEMPTION, SITS ENTHRONED AT GOD'S RIGHT HAND. (Heb 1:1-14) at sundry times--Greek, "in many portions." All was not revealed to each one prophet; but one received one portion of revelation, and another another. To Noah the quarter of the world to which Messiah should belong was revealed; to Abraham, the nation; to Jacob, the tribe; to David and Isaiah, the family; to Micah, the town of nativity; to Daniel, the exact time; to Malachi, the coming of His forerunner, and His second advent; through Jonah, His burial and resurrection; through Isaiah and Hosea, His resurrection. Each only knew in part; but when that which was perfect came in Messiah, that which was in part was done away (Co1 13:12). in divers manners--for example, internal suggestions, audible voices, the Urim and Thummim, dreams, and visions. "In one way He was seen by Abraham, in another by Moses, in another by Elias, and in another by Micah; Isaiah, Daniel, and Ezekiel, beheld different forms" [THEODORET]. (Compare Num 12:6-8). The Old Testament revelations were fragmentary in substance, and manifold in form; the very multitude of prophets shows that they prophesied only in part. In Christ, the revelation of God is full, not in shifting hues of separated color, but Himself the pure light, uniting in His one person the whole spectrum (Heb 1:3). spake--the expression usual for a Jew to employ in addressing Jews. So Matthew, a Jew writing especially for Jews, quotes Scripture, not by the formula, "It is written," but "said," &c. in time past--From Malachi, the last of the Old Testament prophets, for four hundred years, there had arisen no prophet, in order that the Son might be the more…
Open source ↗God, who at sundry times and in divers manners,.... The apostle begins the epistle with an account of the revelation God has made of his mind and will in former times: the author of this revelation is God, not essentially, but personally considered, even God the Father, as distinguished from his Son in the next verse; for the revelation under the Old Testament is divine, as well as that under the New; in this they both agree, in whatsoever else they differ: and this revelation was made at several times, at different seasons, and to different persons; and consisted of a variety of things relating to doctrine and worship, and concerning the Messiah, his person and office; of whom, at different times, there were gradual discoveries made, both before and after the giving of the law, from the beginning of the world, or the giving forth of the first promise, and in the times of the patriarchs, of: Moses, David, Isaiah, and other prophets: and this was delivered in various manners; sometimes by angels; sometimes in a dream; at other times by a vision; and sometimes by Urim and Thummim: and this he spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets; by Moses, and other succeeding prophets, as David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Micah, Zechariah, Malachi, and others; who were sent to the Jewish fathers, the ancestors of the people of the Jews, to whom they prophesied and declared the will of God, as they were moved and inspired by the Holy Ghost: and the apostle suggests, by this way of speaking, that it was a long time since God spake to this people; for prophecy had ceased ever since the times of Malachi, for the space of three hundred years; and this time past includes the whole Old Testament dispensation, from the beginning to the end of it, or of prophecy in it.
Open source ↗Here the apostle begins with a general declaration of the excellency of the gospel dispensation above that of the law, which he demonstrates from the different way and manner of God's communicating himself and his mind and will to men in the one and in the other: both these dispensations were of God, and both of them very good, but there is a great difference in the way of their coming from God. Observe, I. The way wherein God communicated himself and his will to men under the Old Testament. We have here an account, 1. Of the persons by whom God delivered his mind under the Old Testament; they were the prophets, that is, persons chosen of God, and qualified by him, for that office of revealing the will of God to men. No man takes this honour to himself, unless called; and whoever are called of God are qualified by him. 2. The persons to whom God spoke by the prophets: To the fathers, to all the Old Testament saints who were under that dispensation. God favoured and honoured them with much clearer light than that of nature, under which the rest of the world were left. 3. The order in which God spoke to men in those times that went before the gospel, those past times: he spoke to his ancient people at sundry times and in divers manners. (1.) At sundry times, or by several parts, as the word signifies, which may refer either to the several ages of the Old Testament dispensation - the patriarchal, the Mosaic, and the prophetic; or to the several gradual openings of his mind concerning the Redeemer: to Adam, that the Messiah should come of the seed of the woman, - to Abraham, that he should spring from his loins, - to Jacob, that he should be of the tribe of Judah, - to David, that he should be of his house, - to Micah, that he should be born at Bethlehem, - to Isaiah, that…
Open source ↗1:1-4 Ancient sermons often began with an introduction meant to grab the hearer’s attention and introduce the sermon’s main topics. In Hebrews, the first four verses form a single, eloquent Greek sentence built around the main clause, God . . . has spoken. Most English translations present these verses as several sentences for ease of reading. 1:1-2 Long ago. . . . And now: These verses deal with two time periods in which God has spoken, addressing the differences between the two eras in parallel fashion. 1:1 Long ago referred to the time before the Messiah’s coming. For the author of Hebrews, this primarily meant the Old Testament era. Throughout that past era, God spoke many times and in many ways—through dreams, visions, mighty acts, stories, commands, exhortations, angelic appearances, and appearances of God himself. • The prophets were all those through whom God gave his revelation (see 2 Pet 1:19-21).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very πολυμερῶς (polymerōs, G4181) — in many portions, i.e. variously as to time and agency (piecemeal) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πολυτρόπως (polytrópōs, G4187) — in many ways, i.e. variously as to method or form λαλέω (laléō, G2980) — to talk, i.e. utter words πάλαι (pálai, G3819) — (adverbially) formerly, or (by relatively) sometime since; (elliptically as adjective)… πατήρ (patḗr, G3962) — a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. προφήτης (prophḗtēs, G4396) — a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet
Open source ↗λαλέω (laléō, G2980) — to talk, i.e. utter words ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… τούτων (toútōn, G5130) — of (from or concerning) these (persons or things) ἔσχατος (éschatos, G2078) — farthest, final (of place or time) ἡμέρα (hēméra, G2250) — day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but… ἡμῖν (hēmîn, G2254) — to (or for, with, by) us ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. υἱός (huiós, G5207) — a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively,… ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that τίθημι (títhēmi, G5087) — to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive… κληρονόμος (klēronómos, G2818) — a sharer by lot, i.e. inheritor (literally or figuratively); by implication, a possessor πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other…
Open source ↗ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ὤν (ṓn, G5607) — being ἀπαύγασμα (apaúgasma, G541) — an off-flash, i.e. effulgence δόξα (dóxa, G1391) — glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… χαρακτήρ (charaktḗr, G5481) — a graver (the tool or the person), i.e. (by implication) engraving (("character"), the… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ὑπόστασις (hypóstasis, G5287) — a setting under (support), i.e. (figuratively) concretely, essence, or abstractly,… τέ (té, G5037) — both or also (properly, as correlation of G2532 (καί)) φέρω (phérō, G5342) — to "bear" or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively, as follows) πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ῥῆμα (rhēma, G4487) — an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or… δύναμις (dýnamis, G1411) — force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a… ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
Open source ↗γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… τοσοῦτος (tosoûtos, G5118) — apparently from G3588 (ὁ) and G3739 (ὅς)) and G3778 (οὗτος) (including its variations);… κρείττων (kreíttōn, G2909) — stronger, i.e. (figuratively) better, i.e. nobler ἄγγελος (ángelos, G32) — compare G34 (ἀγέλη)) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by… ὅσος (hósos, G3745) — as (much, great, long, etc.) as κληρονομέω (klēronoméō, G2816) — to be an heir to (literally or figuratively) διάφορος (diáphoros, G1313) — varying; also surpassing ὄνομα (ónoma, G3686) — a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character) παρά (pará, G3844) — properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the…
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions) ἄγγελος (ángelos, G32) — compare G34 (ἀγέλη)) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by… ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) ποτέ (poté, G4218) — indefinite adverb, at some time, ever σύ (sý, G4771) — thou εἶ (eî, G1488) — thou art μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me υἱός (huiós, G5207) — a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively,… σήμερον (sḗmeron, G4594) — on the (i.e. this) day (or night current or just passed); generally, now (i.e. at… γεννάω (gennáō, G1080) — to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to… ἐγώ (egṓ, G1473) σέ (sé, G4571) — thee καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. πάλιν (pálin, G3825) — (adverbially) anew, i.e. (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally)… ὅταν (hótan, G3752) — whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively… εἰσάγω (eiságō, G1521) — to introduce (literally or figuratively) πρωτότοκος (prōtótokos, G4416) — first-born (usually as noun, literally or figuratively) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… οἰκουμένη (oikouménē, G3625) — land, i.e. the (terrene part of the) globe; specially, the Roman empire λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… προσκυνέω (proskynéō, G4352) — to fawn or crouch to, i.e. (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do… πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ἄγγελος (ángelos, G32) — compare G34 (ἀγέλη)) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… μέν (mén, G3303) — properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a… ἄγγελος (ángelos, G32) — compare G34 (ἀγέλη)) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by… λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,… λειτουργός (leitourgós, G3011) — a public servant, i.e. a functionary in the Temple or Gospel, or (genitive case) a… φλόξ (phlóx, G5395) — a blaze πῦρ (pŷr, G4442) — "fire" (literally or figuratively, specially, lightning)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… υἱός (huiós, G5207) — a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively,… σοῦ (soû, G4675) — of thee, thy θρόνος (thrónos, G2362) — a stately seat ("throne"); by implication, power or (concretely) a potentate θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… αἰών (aiṓn, G165) — properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world;… ῥάβδος (rhábdos, G4464) — a stick or wand (as a cudgel, a cane or a baton of royalty) εὐθύτης (euthýtēs, G2118) — rectitude βασιλεία (basileía, G932) — properly, royalty, i.e. (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or…
Open source ↗ἀγαπάω (agapáō, G25) — to love (in a social or moral sense) δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosýnē, G1343) — equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… μισέω (miséō, G3404) — to detest (especially to persecute); by extension, to love less ἀνομία (anomía, G458) — illegality, i.e. violation of law or (genitive case) wickedness διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) τοῦτο (toûto, G5124) — that thing θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very σοῦ (soû, G4675) — of thee, thy χρίω (chríō, G5548) — to smear or rub with oil, i.e. (by implication) to consecrate to an office or religious… σέ (sé, G4571) — thee ἔλαιον (élaion, G1637) — olive oil ἀγαλλίασις (agallíasis, G20) — exultation; specially, welcome παρά (pará, G3844) — properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… σύ (sý, G4771) — thou κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… ἀρχή (archḗ, G746) — (properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of… θεμελιόω (themelióō, G2311) — to lay a basis for, i.e. (literally) erect, or (figuratively) consolidate γῆ (gē, G1093) — soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe… οὐρανός (ouranós, G3772) — the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power,… εἰσί (eisí, G1526) — they are ἔργον (érgon, G2041) — toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act σοῦ (soû, G4675) — of thee, thy χείρ (cheír, G5495) — the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by Hebraism) a means or…
Open source ↗αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἀπόλλυμι (apóllymi, G622) — to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. σύ (sý, G4771) — thou διαμένω (diaménō, G1265) — to stay constantly (in being or relation) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole παλαιόω (palaióō, G3822) — to make (passively, become) worn out, or declare obsolete ὡς (hōs, G5613) — which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows) ἱμάτιον (himátion, G2440) — a dress (inner or outer)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ὡσεί (hōseí, G5616) — as if περιβόλαιον (peribólaion, G4018) — something thrown around one, i.e. a mantle, veil ἑλίσσω (helíssō, G1667) — to coil or wrap αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἀλλάσσω (allássō, G236) — to make different δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. σύ (sý, G4771) — thou εἶ (eî, G1488) — thou art σοῦ (soû, G4675) — of thee, thy ἔτος (étos, G2094) — a year ἐκλείπω (ekleípō, G1587) — to omit, i.e. (by implication) cease (die) οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions) ἄγγελος (ángelos, G32) — compare G34 (ἀγέλη)) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by… ἐρέω (eréō, G2046) — an alternate for G2036 (ἔπω) in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. speak or say ποτέ (poté, G4218) — indefinite adverb, at some time, ever κάθημαι (káthēmai, G2521) — and (to sit; akin to the base of G1476 (ἑδραῖος)); to sit down; figuratively, to remain,… ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me δεξιός (dexiós, G1188) — the right side or (feminine) hand (as that which usually takes) ἄν (án, G302) ἕως (héōs, G2193) — a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place) τίθημι (títhēmi, G5087) — to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive… σοῦ (soû, G4675) — of thee, thy
Open source ↗εἰσί (eisí, G1526) — they are οὐχί (ouchí, G3780) — not indeed πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole λειτουργικός (leitourgikós, G3010) — functional publicly ("liturgic"); i.e. beneficient πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,… ἀποστέλλω (apostéllō, G649) — set apart, i.e. (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… διακονία (diakonía, G1248) — attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively (eleemosynary) aid, (official) service… διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) μέλλω (méllō, G3195) — to intend, i.e. be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially… κληρονομέω (klēronoméō, G2816) — to be an heir to (literally or figuratively) σωτηρία (sōtēría, G4991) — rescue or safety (physically or morally)
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself.
as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.”
But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that He would place one of his descendants on his throne.
And now we proclaim to you the good news: What God promised our fathers
Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.”
So they set a day to meet with Paul, and many people came to the place he was staying. He expounded to them from morning to evening, testifying about the kingdom of God and persuading them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets.
For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every transgression and disobedience received its just punishment,
to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant,
But because Moses gave you circumcision, you circumcise a boy on the Sabbath (not that it is from Moses, but from the patriarchs.)