Hebrews 9

Hebrews 9:1

23

24

25

Hebrews 9:2

26

27

Hebrews 9:3

28

Hebrews 9:4

29

Hebrews 9:5

30

31

Hebrews 9:8

1 tn Grk “Paul.” The word “from” is not in the Greek text, but has been supplied to indicate the sender of the letter.

2 tn Traditionally, “servant” or “bondservant.” Though δοῦλος (doulos) is normally translated “servant,” the word does not bear the connotation of a free individual serving another. BDAG notes that “‘servant’ for ‘slave’ is largely confined to Biblical transl. and early American times…in normal usage at the present time the two words are carefully distinguished” (BDAG 260 s.v.). The most accurate translation is “bondservant” (sometimes found in the ASV for δοῦλος), in that it often indicates one who sells himself into slavery to another. But as this is archaic, few today understand its force.

sn Undoubtedly the background for the concept of being the Lord’s slave or servant is to be found in the Old Testament scriptures. For a Jew this concept did not connote drudgery, but honor and privilege. It was used of national Israel at times (Isaiah 43:10), but was especially associated with famous OT personalities, including such great men as Moses (Joshua 14:7), David (Psalms 89:3; cf. 2 Samuel 7:5, 8) and Elijah (2 Kings 10:10); all these men were “servants (or slaves) of the Lord.”

3 tn Grk “for the faith,” possibly, “in accordance with the faith.”

Hebrews 9:9

4 tn Grk “before eternal ages.”

Hebrews 9:10

5 tn The Greek text emphasizes the contrast between vv. 2b and 3a: God promised this long ago but now has revealed it in his own time.

Hebrews 9:13

6 tn Grk “if anyone is blameless…” as a continuation of v. 5b, beginning to describe the elder’s character.

7 tn Or “married only once,” “devoted solely to his wife.” See the note on “wife” in 1 Timothy 3:2; also 1 Timothy 3:12; 5:9.

8 tn Or “believing children.” The phrase could be translated “believing children,” but the parallel with 1 Timothy 3:4 (“keeping his children in control”) argues for the sense given in the translation.

Hebrews 9:14

9 sn The overseer is another term for the same official position of leadership as the “elder.” This is seen in the interchange of the two terms in this passage and in Acts 20:17, 28, as well as in the parallels between these verses and 1 Timothy 3:1-7.

10 tn Grk “as God’s steward.”

Hebrews 9:16

11 tn Grk “the faithful message in accordance with the teaching” (referring to apostolic teaching).

12 tn Grk “the healthy teaching” (referring to what was just mentioned).

Hebrews 9:17

13 tc ‡ The earliest and best mss lack καί (kai) after πολλοί (polloi; so א A C P 088 81 104 365 614 629 630 al sy co), though the conjunction is found in several significant witnesses, chiefly of the Western and Byzantine texts (D F G I Ψ 33 1739 1881 Ï lat). Although it is possible that some scribes omitted the word, thinking it was superfluous, it is also possible that others added the conjunction for clarification. Judging by the pedigree of the witnesses and the inconclusiveness of the internal evidence, the shorter reading is considered to be most likely original. NA27 puts the conjunction in brackets, indicating some doubts as to its authenticity.

14 tn Grk “those of the circumcision.” Some translations take this to refer to Jewish converts to Christianity (cf. NAB “Jewish Christians”; TEV “converts from Judaism”; CEV “Jewish followers”) while others are less clear (cf. NLT “those who insist on circumcision for salvation”).

Hebrews 9:19

15 sn A saying attributed to the poet Epimenides of Crete (6th century b.c.).

Hebrews 9:21

16 sn Jewish myths were legendary tales characteristic of the false teachers in Ephesus and Crete. See parallels in 1 Timothy 1:4; 4:7; and 2 Timothy 4:4.

Hebrews 9:25

1 tn Grk “say what is fitting for sound teaching” (introducing the behavior called for in this chapter.).

Hebrews 9:26

2 tn Or “sensible.”

3 sn Temperate…in endurance. See the same cluster of virtues in 1 Thessalonians 1:3 and 1 Corinthians 13:13.

Hebrews 9:28

4 The Bible.org ministry has provided the NET Bible® at no cost for inclusion in this Bible study software. You can learn about bible.org’s Ministry First model where we share the NET Bible and thousands of other copyrighted biblical materials at www.bible.org/ministryfirst . Ministry First means what it implies, that we’ve chosen to put ministry ahead of money. We believe that the Bible teaches the ministry first concept very clearly – and we think everyone in the world should have free access to trustworthy Bibles and study materials. Tell your friends to get their free NET Bible and free access to thousands of trustworthy Bible study materials online at www.bible.org . This free NET Bible® module includes all the translators’ notes for the first chapter of each book plus all the notes on verses 1-3 for the remaining 1,123 chapters in the Bible.

We encourage you to upgrade this free version to the premier full NET Bible® version containing all 60,932 notes. This is the most complete set of translators’ notes in any Bible translation and illuminates many important issues of translation and interpretation. You can upgrade by going to www.bible.org/upgrade where you can purchase the full NET Bible or even download basic versions with all 60,932 translators’ notes for free! Your purchases and donations help ensure the ongoing supply of new resources and tools from Bible.org, which is the world’s largest source of trustworthy – and free – Bible study materials.

5