HEBREWS CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION TO THIS STUDY
The purpose of this study work is to
give you the original Greek language words and definitions for all the
key words in this selected Bible text. This work does not make any effort
to interpret the text in question, though some interpretation may occur
naturally as a result of the study. The English translation used is the
King James (Authorized) Version, not because it is the best translation
available, but because I just plain prefer it for study!
All Scripture text will be presented in normal cased lettering,
and all notes within the text will be in
TRUE
TYPE FONT, as shown. This (I hope)
will allow you to avoid confusion between God's Word and my notes. As I
update this website, I will continue to embellish the text so that anyone
using NETSCAPE or MSIE 3.0 or higher will be able to read the document
easier. Greek tenses are abbreviated as follows:
-
GREEK TENSES:
-
PR= Present Tense: Shows action in present time. When
used with Active Voice, and Indicative Mood, often shows linear or continuing
action.
-
AO= Aorist Tense : Simple, undefined action. The time
of the action is undefined, except in the indicative mood.
-
FUT= Future Tense : Shows action of the verb as defined
in the future.
-
PER= Perfect Tense: The action was completed in the past,
but has lasting and continuing results into the future.
-
IMP= Imperfect Tense: Used only in the indicative mood,
and refers to continuous or linear action in past time. As in "I was having".
-
PLPF= Pluperfect Tense: The action was completed in the
past, with continuing results in the past.
-
GREEK CASES:
-
GEN= Genitive Case: Usually indicates possession, though
it can denote source of the action.
-
INST = Instrumental Case: Usually denotes action on the
object of the verb.
-
DAT= Dative Case
-
NOM= Nominative Case
-
ACC= Accusative
-
GREEK VOICES:
-
AC= Active Voice: Action was completed by the subject
of the verb.
-
PAS= Passive Voice: The subject receives the action of
the verb.
-
MID= Middle Voice: The subject acts in some way upon itself
or to itself.
-
GREEK MOODS:
-
IND= Indicative Mood : Makes an assertion of fact, and
is used with all Greek tenses. Example: they will go, she saw.
-
OPT= Optative Mood: Rarely used, it usually expresses
a wish or desire.
-
IMP= Imperative Mood: A command to do something.
-
SUBJ= Subjective Mood: Makes an assertion about which
there is some doubt, uncertainty, or indefiniteness.
-
OTHER ABBREVIATIONS:
-
PART= Participle : A verbal adjective, such as "having
gone, receiving the gift".
-
ABL= Ablative of source: When something is out of something.
Example, The Spirit out of God.
-
INF= Infinitive: A verbal noun, examples = to see, to
go, to throw.
If you discover obvious errors (as I am human, and do make
mistakes), please let me know. Do not contact me to argue about the doctrinal
differences that you may have with my teaching. I do not argue Theology
with anyone, so all Legalists, cultists, and others with extremist views,
please save your (and my) time. If you want to discuss your doctrinal differences,
or share a viewpoint, please contact me at Didaskalos
Ministries. I am not so arrogant as to think I know it all, or even
1% of what the scripture teaches.

1:1
God, (<- HO THEOS = THE
GOD refers to God the Father)
who at sundry times (POLUMEROS
= IN MANY DIFFERENT PORTIONS of scripture)
and in divers manners (<-
POLUTROPOS = MANY DIFFERENT WAYS)
spake (<- LALEO, AO
AC PART = HAS COMMUNICATED IN TIME)
in time past (<- PALAI
= IN TIMES PAST)
unto the fathers (<-
DAT PL, PATER = TO THE FATHERS ancestors of the Jews)
by the prophets, (<-
EN + INST CASE = BY MEANS OF THE PROPHETS)
1:2
Hath in these last days (<-
LITERALLY, IN THE LAST OF THESE DAYS. refers to the remainder of the Church
age)
spoken (<- AO AC IND,
LALEO = HAS SPOKEN)
unto us by (<- EN +
INST CASE = BY MEANS OF)
[his] Son, whom he hath appointed (<-
TITHEMI, AO = CHOSE)
heir (KLERONOMOS, ACC SG
= HEIR AND POSSESSOR)
of all things, by whom (<-
DIA + GEN CASE = THROUGH WHOM)
also he made (<- POIEO,
AO AC PART = WORKED ON, DESIGNED)
the worlds; (<- AIONAOS
= AGES, DISPENSATIONS)
-
NOTE 1 : Five views on the authorship
of this book,
-
Luke wrote the book. This was the view
held by Origen and Calvin because the Greek in it's writing is very polished,
similar to his style. However, the extreme amount of Jewish tradition taught
in the book argues against it being written by a Gentile as Luke was.
-
Clement of Rome wrote the book. This
view was held by the Church Fathers Eusebius, Arasmus, and Origen, who
held it as an alternate theory. Again, the excessive amount of Jewish tradition
in the book argues against a Gentile author. When God inspired the authors
of Holy Scripture He used them as filters through which He sent His Word.
You would expect the author to at least be Jewish, with some intimate knowledge
of Jewish tradition.
-
Barnabas wrote the book. This view
was held by the Church Fathers Tertuilian and Goude. Barnabas had a Levitical
background steeped in Jewish tradition, and seems to be the best guess
as to being the author of this book.
-
Apollos wrote the book. This is a very
rare view held by Martin Luther, and is totally unprovable and without
substantiation.
-
Paul wrote the book. This view was
held by Clement of Alexandria, Athanacius, Jerome, Augustine, and in the
Chester Beattie Papyri. However, much of the content of the book argues
against this position. It's not like Paul to omit his name when he writes,
and he usually gives his name at the beginning of a book. Paul often also
quoted his claims to Apostleship so as to authenticate his texts as commandments
from God. The Greek style of writing through the book is unlike Paul's
other writings, being very smooth rather than elliptical as he normally
writes. Paul also quoted many Old Testament passages from the Hebrew texts,
but the writer of the book of Hebrews quoted all Old Testament passages
from the Septuagint, which was the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old
Testament. Though this is the most popular and often taught view of the
authorship of the book of Hebrews, this view holds the least support (other
than the previous view, above) of any of the views of authorship.
-
In conclusion, we can say that the
third view of the authorship of the book of Hebrews is the most likely,
but God the Holy Spirit deliberately obscured the author of the book so
that we can't know for certain. Why? Because the message in the book is
so important that God doesn't want anyone concentrating on the author,
but on the message of the book.
-
NOTE 2: This book is the second
warning to the Jews of their imminent discipline from God if they don't
get in fellowship. The first warning is given by Jesus in Luke 21.20-24.
-
NOTE 3: The purpose of the book
of Hebrews is many-fold.
-
First, it warns Jewish believers regarding
apostasy, and in how to avoid the coming discipline of God.
-
Second, it clarifies the true issues
concerning the believer and the angelic conflict. Believers are represented
as ambassadors of God in the Devil's world, with the Devil trying to destroy
their credibility and lives through temptations and sin.
-
Third, the book contains materiel which
is required knowledge for Christian Maturity.
-
Fourth, the book reveals the glory
and High Priesthood of the person of Jesus Christ.
-
Fifth, the book teaches the believer
of his priesthood and how to exercise his priesthood through Grace principles.
-
Sixth, the book distinguishes between
the Age of Israel and the Church Age.
-
Seventh, the book relates the priesthood
of the believer to every facet of life on this earth.
-
NOTE 4: OUTLINE OF CHAPTER ONE
-
vvs 1-4, Christ as the victor in the
Angelic Conflict
-
vvs 5-13, The Old Testament documentation
concerning Christ's superiority to angels
-
vvs 14, The superiority of Christ to
the priesthood of the Old Testament
1:3
Who being (<- EIMI, PER
= ALWAYS BEING)
the brightness (<- APAUGASMA,
COMPOUND NOUN = RADIANCE, SHINING FORTH)
of [his] glory, (<-
DOXZA = ESSENCE, GLORY OF GOD. SEE ROMANS 3.23)
and the express image (<-
CHARAKTER = AN ENGRAVING TOOL FOR HARD SUBSTANCES, IMPRESSION, EXACT IMAGE)
of his person, (<- HUPOSTASIS
= ESSENCE)
and upholding (<- PR
AC, PHERO = TO HOLD UP, BEAR, CARRY ALWAYS)
all things by the word (<-
REMA = SPOKEN WORD, THOUGHT, DIRECTION)
of his power, (<- DUNAMIS
= DYNAMIC OR INHERENT POWER)
when he had by himself (<-
POIEO, AO MID PART = DO OR ACCOMPLISH IN A POINT OF TIME)
purged (<- KATHARISMOS,
NOUN = CLEANSING)
our sins, (<- HARMARTIA
+ HO = THE SINS)
sat down (<- AO AC IND,
KATHIZO = SAT DOWN. refers to the fact that Christ had completed His work)
on the right hand (<-
DEZIOS = THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF, POSITION OF POWER)
of the Majesty (<- MEGALOSUNE
= OF THE MAJESTY, OF THE MAJESTIC ONE)
on high; (<- EN + LOCATIVE
PL, HUPSELOS = IN THE SPHERE OF THE HIGHEST)
1:4
Being made (<- GINOMAI,
AO MID PART = BECAME)
so much better (<- TOS
+ OUTO + KREITTON = HAVING BECOME SO MUCH MORE SUPERIOR. Refers to the
humanity, not the deity of Christ)
than the angels, as (<-
INST, HOSOS = BY SO MUCH AS)
he hath by inheritance (<-
KLERONOMEO, PER = INHERITED WITH RESULTS THAT HE CONTINUES TO INHERIT)
[obtained] a more excellent (<-
DIAPHOROS, ACC SG NEUTER = MORE SUPERIOR)
name (<- ONOMA = NAME,
REPUTATION)
than they (<- PARA +
AUTOS, PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE =.BY THE SIDE OF THEM)
1:5
For (<- EXEGETICAL USE
OF GAR = FOR BECAUSE, FOR IN ADDITION TO WHAT HAS ALREADY BEEN STATED)
unto which (<- DAT SG,
INTEROGGATIVE PRONOUN, TIS = TO WHICH)
of the angels said (<-
AO AC IND, LEGO = SAID)
he at any time, (<-
HOTE = AT ANY TIME)
Thou art (<- EIMI, PR
AC IND = YOU ALWAYS ARE)
my Son, (HUIOS + ME = MY
ADULT OR MATURE SON)
this day (<- SEMERON
= TODAY)
have I begotten (GENNAO,
PER AC IND = GAVE BIRTH TO. refers to the humanity of Christ)
thee? And again, I will be (<-
FUT AC IND, EIMI = SHALL BE)
to him (<- REFLEXIVE
PRONOUN, AUTOS = TO HIM AND ONLY HIM)
a Father, (<- EIS +
ACC, PATER FOR A FATHER)
and he shall be to me a Son? (<-
EIS + ACC, HUIOS = FOR A MATURE SON)
1:6
And again, when (<- HOTAN
= ON THE OCCASION OF)
he bringeth in (<- EISAGO,
AO AC SUBJ = TO BRING SOMEONE BACK INTO SOMETHING)
the firstbegotten (<-
PROTOTOKOS, FIRST BORN, PRE-EMINENT ONE)
into the world, (<-
EIS + OIKOUNOME = TO THE CIVILIZED WORLD)
he saith, (<- PR AC
IND, LEGO = KEPT ON SAYING)
And [let] all the angels of God worship
(PROSKUNEO
= TO KISS FACE TO FACE, TO WORSHIP)
him.
1:7
And of (<- PROS + ACC =
FACE TO FACE WITH)
the angels he saith, (<-
PR AC IND, LEGO KEPT ON SAYING)
Who maketh (<- POIEO,
PR AC PART = THE ONE MAKING)
his angels spirits, (<-
PNEUMA, ACC PL = SPIRITS. SEE MATTHEW 8.16; MARK 1.27; 6.7; ACTS 5.16;
1 PETER 3.19)
and his ministers (<-
LEITURGEOS = SACRED SERVANTS)
a flame of fire.
1:8
But unto (<- PROS + ACC,
FACE TO FACE WITH)
the Son [he saith], Thy throne, (HO
+ THRONOS + SU = THIS THRONE OF YOURS)
O God, [is] for ever and ever: a sceptre (HE
+ RABDOS = THE ROD OF RULERSHIP AND AUTHORITY. SEE LEVITICUS 27.32; MICAH
7.14)
of righteousness (<-
GEN OF SOURCE = FROM THE SOURCE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS)
[is] the sceptre of thy kingdom.
1:9
Thou hast loved (<- AO
AC PART, AGAPAO = LOVING, HAVING LOVED)
righteousness, (<- DIKAIOSUNE
= RIGHTEOUSNESS)
and hated (<- MISEO,
AO AC = HATING, BEING INDIGNANT OVER)
iniquity; (ANOMIA = LAWLESSNESS)
therefore (<- DIA +
ACC, HOUTOS = BECAUSE OF THIS)
God, [even] thy God, hath anointed (AO
AC IND, CHRIEO = ANOINTED, APPOINTED TO AN ABSOLUTE POSITION)
thee with the oil (ACC
SG, ELAION = CEREMONIAL OIL used to anoint a King in the Old Testament
times as a bestowal of office)
of gladness (AGALLIASIS
= OPTIMUM HAPPINESS)
above (<- PARA = ABOVE,
BEYOND)
thy fellows. (METOCHOS
= ASSOCIATES, PARTNERS. Refers to other believers, in union with Christ)
1:10
And, Thou, (<- EMPHATIC
USE OF SU = YOU AND ONLY YOU)
Lord, (<- KURIOS, VOCATIVE
SC = LORD, MASTER, GOD)
in the beginning (<-
PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE, KATARCHAS = WITH REFERENCE TO THE BEGINNINGS)
hast laid the foundation (<-
AO, THEMELIOO = ESTABLISHED A FOUNDATION BASED ON ARCHITECTURAL PLANS)
of the earth; and the heavens are (<-
PR AC IND, EIMI = KEEPS ON BEING)
the works of thine hands: (<-
CHEIR, GEN PL = OF YOUR HANDS. Not an anthropomorphism here, since Christ
does have a literal body and hands)
1:11
They (<- REFLEXIVE PRONOUN,
AUTOI = THEY THEMSELVES)
shall perish; (<- FUT
MID IND, APOLLUMI = SHALL BE DESTROYED)
but thou remainest; (PR
AC, DIAMENO = CONTINUE TO ABIDE THROUGH ALWAYS)
and they all shall wax old (FUT
PAS IND, PALAIOO = SHALL BE SUPERCEDED)
as doth a garment;
1:12
And as (<- HOSEI = LIKE)
a vesture (<- PERIBOLAION
= MANTLE THAT YOU WRAP AROUND YOURSELF)
shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed:
(<-
FUT PAS IND, ALLASSO = SHALL BE REPLACED)
but thou art (<- EIMI,
PR AC IND = YOU KEEP ON BEING)
the same, and thy years shall not fail.
(<-
FUT AC IND, EKLEIPO = SHALL NOT COME TO AN END)
1:13
But to which of the angels (<-
PROS + ACC CASE = FACE TO FACE WITH WHICH OF HIS ANGELS)
said (<- PER AC IND,
LEGO = HAS HE SAID)
he at any time, Sit (<-
KATHEMI, DRAMATIC PR, NOT LINEAR AKTIONSART = SIT!)
on my right hand, until I make (<-
TITHEMI, AO AC SUBJ = APPOINT)
thine enemies (<- Refers
to fallen angels. SEE MATTHEW 5.35)
thy footstool? (<- HUPOPODION
+ GEN PL, POUS = THE FOOTSTOOL OF YOUR FEET. Idiomatic for military victory,
walking over the enemy.)
1:14
Are they not all ministering (<-
LEITURGRKOS = SPIRITS THAT ARE SUBORDINANT, SERVING)
spirits, sent forth (<-
PR PAS, APOSTELLO = CONTINUALLY SENT FORTH)
to minister (<- EIS
+ ACC, DIAKONIA FOR THE PURPOSE OF MINISTRY)
for them (<- DIA + ACC
= BECAUSE OF THEM)
who shall be (MELLO = ARE
ABOUT TO BE)
heirs (<- PR AC INF,
KLERONOMEO = CONTINUAL SHARERS OR HEIRS)
of salvation? (<- SOTERIA
= DELIVERANCE. Refers to the Rapture of the Church yet to come)
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