Will become old (3822) (palaioo from palaios = old not in point of time but old in terms of use, thus "worn out", antiquated, useless, outmoded; English "paleontology," etc.) when used in the active sense means to make old, to declare or treat as obsolete (as the Old Covenant which is caused to become old and obsolete, and hence no longer valid - see note Hebrews 8:13). In the passive voice as used here in Hebrews 1:11, palaioo means to become old, to deteriorate and can include the idea of becoming useless. Wuest comments that palaioo... means “to make ancient or old, to be worn out.” The idea here is not that the heavens will become old so far as lapse of time is concerned, but old in the sense of wearing out. The Greeks had a word for “old in point of lapsed time” namely, archaios (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans or Logos) NIDNTT notes that palaioo is derived from... palaios (also from Homer onwards) is commonly used in secular Gk. meaning old: (a) positively as existing for a long time and hence venerable; (b) negatively as obsolete, worn out, and hence worthless, unusable (cf. Soph., Oedipus Rex 290, etc.). Often archaios, original, venerable, is used in the same sense, but almost always positively. palaioo (from Plato onwards) is found only in the passive in secular Greek... By giving mankind and the whole creation over to decay and corruption God passes judgment on the sin and fall of mankind (Isa. 51:6; Ps 102:26). (Brown, Colin, Editor. New International Dictionary of NT Theology. 1986. Zondervan) Here are the 3 uses of palaioo in the NT... Luke 12:33 "Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves purses which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near, nor moth destroys. Hebrews 1:11 They will perish, but Thou remainest; And they all will become old as a garment, Hebrews 8:13 (note) When He said, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete (palaioo) and growing old (gerasko) is ready to disappear. (Comment: This is entirely God’s work. Seeing that God in Christ makes a new covenant, the old covenant of the law has become obsolete. In Christ the first can be regarded only as old and fulfilled [2 Cor. 3:14]. Indeed, it may be said that the NT speaks of the old only from the standpoint of the new and for the sake of the new.) There are 22 uses of palaioo in the non-apocryphal Septuagint (LXX) (Lev. 13:11; Deut. 29:5; Jos. 9:5, 13; Neh. 9:21; Job 9:5; 13:28; 14:18; 21:7; 32:15; Ps. 6:7; 18:45; 32:3; 49:14; 102:26; Isa. 50:9; 51:6; 65:22; Lam. 3:4; Ezek. 47:12; Dan. 7:25; 11:33) Deuteronomy 29:5 "And I have led you forty years in the wilderness; your clothes have not worn out (Heb = balah; to become old; Lxx = palaioo) on you, and your sandal has not worn out on your foot. Psalm 32:3 When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away (Heb = balah = figuratively because of guilt he grew old, wasting away - Dear brother or sister, is there a secret sin you need to confess so that you might not waste away and become a dishonorable vessel, useless to the Lord?; Lxx = palaioo) Through my groaning all day long. TDNT says that in the Septuagint (LXX)... ...the verb palaioo,...denotes the uselessness of worn-out things, and figuratively the transitoriness of creaturely life (cf. Ps. 32:3; Ge 8:12; Job 21:13; Isa 65:22) Adam Clarke has an interesting note... As a garment by long using becomes unfit to be longer used, so shall all visible things; they shall wear old, and wear out; and hence the necessity of their being renewed. It is remarkable that our word world is a contraction of wear old; a term by which our ancestors expressed the sentiment contained in this verse. That the word was thus compounded, and that it had this sense in our language, may be proved from the most competent and indisputable witnesses. It was formerly written weorold, and wereld. Garment (2440) (himation) is the general word for garments and here is used as a metaphor to emphasize that like a garment becomes thread bare and useless, the universe is in the process of wearing out. This truth is presented to highlight the eternality (See attribute = eternal) and immutability (See attribute = immutable) of Jesus the Creator and Sustainer. This revelation, originally given in the Psalm 102 and now doubly verified, as it were, by being quoted in the NT, makes it clear that the universe is not evolving, but in fact is wearing out. This revelation anticipated the discovery of the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which it illustrates, by almost 3000 years. Also called the law of increasing entropy, this law is considered one of the most certain and best-proved laws of science, specifying as it does the observed fact that everything in the universe has a tendency to run down, deteriorate and eventually die. The universe, as a whole, is heading toward an ultimate heat death (see notes 2 Peter 3:7,3:10). F B Meyer writes on Psalm 102:25-27 which is quoted in this section... Of old hast Thou laid the foundation of the earth.--These magnificent verses are applied directly to our Lord (Heb. 1:8, 10, 11, 12). Granite rocks and stars of light shall fulfil their purpose and be laid aside as worn-out robes when He speaks their concluded mission (see note Revelation 21:5). But Jehovah-Jesus will ever be unchangeably the same, able to summon new creations into being with a word. (F. B. Meyer. Gems From the Psalms) Hebrews 1:12 AND LIKE A MANTLE YOU WILL ROLL THEM UP (2SPAI) LIKE A GARMENT THEY WILL ALSO BE CHANGED (3PFPI). BUT YOU ARE THE SAME, AND YOUR YEARS WILL NOT COME TO AN END." (NASB: Lockman) Greek: kai hosei peribolaion helixeis (2SPAI) autous, os himation kai allagesontai (3PFPI) su de o autos ei (2SPAI) kai ta ete sou ouk ekleipsousin. (3PFAI) Amplified: Like a mantle [thrown about one’s self] You will roll them up, and they will be changed and replaced by others. But You remain the same, and Your years will never end nor come to failure. [Ps. 102:25-27] ( (Amplified Bible - Lockman) KJV: And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. Phillips: like a cloak you will fold them up, and they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will not fail' . (Phillips: Touchstone) Wuest: And as a garment which one throws about oneself you will roll them up; as a garment also shall they be changed. But as for you, you are the same, and your years shall have no termination (Eerdmans) Young's Literal: and as a mantle Thou shall roll them together, and they shall be changed, and Thou art the same, and Thy years shall not fail.' AND AS A MANTLE THOU WILT ROLL THEM UP: kai osei peribolaion elixeis (2SFAI) autous: like a cloak you will fold them up (Phillips) as a vesture shalt thou fold them up (KJV) as a garment which one throws about oneself you will roll them up (Wuest) In the Revelation John has a similar description... And the sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. [see note Revelation 6:14] John MacArthur comments that... During the Tribulation, as if the heavens were to be stretched to the limit and the corners then cut, they will roll up just like a scroll. The stars are going to fall, come crashing down to earth, and every island and mountain will move out of its place. The whole world will fall apart. Like Peter warned the scoffers all of us are naturally tempted to think that “all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation” (see note 2 Peter 3:4). Ask God to give you a vision of the transitory, passing nature of this present age, so that you may redeem each day and order each step wisely, knowing that you are bound for eternity which shall not pass away. Only one life Twill soon pass Only what's done In Christ will last Life Application commentary has an interesting note... That the earth and the heavens will be "folded up" reveals that the earth is not permanent or indestructible (a position held by many Greek and Roman philosophies). God placed Jesus in authority over all of creation, so we dare not treat any created object or earthly resource as more important than He is. When we spend more time on ourselves than on serving Christ, we treat ourselves (His creation) as being more important than our Creator. When we regard our finances, rather than our faith in Christ, as the basis for security, we give higher status to an earthly resource than we do to God. Rather than trusting in changeable and temporary resources, trust in God, Who is eternal. F B Meyer comments "We live in a world of change. The earth is not the same today as it was ages ago, or as it will be ages on. The sun is radiating off its heat. The moon no longer as of yore burns and glows; she is but an immense opaque cinder, reflecting the sunlight from her disk. Stars have burnt out, and will. The universe is waxing old, as garments which from perpetual use become threadbare. But the wearing out of the garment is no proof of the waning strength or slackening energy of the wearer. Nay, when garments wear out quickest, it is generally the time of robustest youth or manhood. You wrap up and lay aside your clothes when they have served their purpose; but you are the same in the new suit as in the old. Creation is the vesture of Christ. He wraps himself about in its ample folds. Its decay affects him not. And, when he shall have laid it all aside, and replaced it by the new heavens and the new earth, he will be the same forevermore." LIKE A GARMENT THEY WILL ALSO WILL BE CHANGED BUT THOU ART THE SAME AND THY YEARS WILL NOT COME TO AN END: hos himation kai allagesontai (3PFPI) su de o autos ei (2SPAI) kai ta ete sou ouk ekleipsousin (3PFAI): (Heb 13:8; Ex 3:14; Jn 8:58; Jas 1:17, Ps 90:4) (Isa 46:4; Mal 3:6) thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail (KJV), But as for you, you are the same, and your years shall have no termination (Wuest) You will fold them like a coat. And, like clothes, you will change them. But you never change. And your life will never end. (ICB) Like a garment - The comparison is that just as one would roll up and toss away a worn out garment, our Lord will one day discard the present heavens and earth Wuest makes an interesting statement that I cannot entirely substantiate from other Scriptures... The angels, being part of the Son’s creation, are as subject to change and decay as are the heavens. He, the changeless One, is therefore superior to them. (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans or Logos) John MacArthur seems to support Wuest's conclusion, observing that Angels were subjected to decay, as their fall proves. Jesus Himself testified of His eternal existence (and pre-existence before Moses) saying to the Jews Truly, truly (Amen, Amen), I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am (present tense = I continually am!). (Jn 8:58) Jesus' Jewish audience clearly knew that He was making the claim of being God and they responded to what they interpreted as blasphemy... Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself, and went out of the temple. (Jn 8:59) Comment: This is a very instructive passage regarding the concept of faith or belief in the NT. Go back up to the beginning of this section in John 8:30-31 and observe how John describes them. What does this section teach about genuine saving belief? In the OT God reminded Israel that "Even to your old age, I shall be the same" (Isa 46:4) a truth reiterated in the Malachi: "I, the LORD, do not change" (Mal 3:6) Nature is at his mercy, Not He at nature's Although His creation is now decaying, the Creator and His Word remain the same forever. Matthew records that "Heaven and earth will pass away ("are passing away" under the decay law established by the primeval curse on the ground because of sin), but My words shall not pass away." (Mt 24:35) The writer of Hebrews himself adds the testimony that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever." (Heb13:8) Jesus Christ is "Alpha and Omega...Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty." (Rev 1:8-note). ><> ><> ><> F B Meyer in Our Daily Homily - Thou are the same. Thou art the same, when contrasted with nature. — The solid bases of the hills were laid in their sockets by thy hands. The blue tapestry of the sky was woven by thy fingers; and it is as easy for Thee to lay it aside and substitute new heavens as for us to lay aside a worn-out dress and take another. And as the change of dress does not affect the nature of the wearer, neither will all the changes of creation or nature affect the power of thine hand or the tenderness of thy heart. Thou art the same! Thou art the same, when contrasted with men. — They come and go. The great ones of the past — Abraham, Moses, David, Elijah — stood with Thee for a moment on the earth, and then passed into the great silence. Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Knox, wrought for Thee and with Thee, and passed away. Our own teachers and friends have not been suffered to continue by reason of death. One by one they have passed from us; but Thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail! Thou art the same, when contrasted with our own moods and impulses. — They are too fitful; like the morning dew; like the evening wind. Sometimes we feel we could die for Thee; at other times we sleep amid thy sorrows. Emotions, resolutions, methods of thought and action, are permanent only in their changefulness. But Thou art the same — changeless and timeless, our Rock of Ages, our impregnable Fortress and Home! This was the import of the Burning Bush which flamed out on the hillside in the dark night, but did not burn to the ground. Steadily, constantly, fiercely, the fire shone, but needed no fuel from the tree — symbol of the I AM. (Meyer, F. B. Our Daily Homily) ><>><>><> Writing on Psalm 102:27 which is quoted in Hebrews 1:11, F B Meyer adds that... This psalm is by an anonymous singer. All we know of him is that he was overwhelmed, and poured out his complaint before God. But that lonely, sorrowful heart caught glimpses of God, which it has transmitted to all the world, enriching it for ever more. Sometimes we are led to wander alone in desolate places to catch new visions of the Eternal, bidden from ordinary souls; thus ardent artists are indifferent to peril and privation if they can catch a mountain from some fresh point of vision, and transfer a passing glimpse to their immortal canvas. This psalm is despairful enough in its earlier passages. The smoke-wreath dissipated in the breeze, the withered grass of the desert, the declining shadow, the chirrup of a lonely sparrow — such are the images that occur naturally enough. But as he sings the man’s vision clears. He looks away from the earth-mists to the Eternal God. Here, at least, is the permanent and unchanging. Did He make all things? Then He can unmake them, and be Himself evermore the same. Let the earth vanish like a dream; let the time-sphere be ended; let the very heavens wear out like a moth-eaten garment; let the nearest and dearest pass from our embrace. Thou art the same; Thou art left; Thou remainest. “All that is transitory forsaketh us; but Christ’s seal of recognition forsaketh us not even in death, but bringeth us to the joyful heavenly host, unto our eternal fatherland.” The writer to the Hebrews attributes these words to Him who was the brightness of the Father’s glory (Hebrews 1). We should read the psalm again with this reference in our mind. Our Savior is God, and He is the unchanging Rock of Ages in whom we may shelter. (Our Daily Homily) "Copy and paste the address below into your web browser in order to go to the original page which will allow you to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion." http://www.preceptaustin.org/hebrews_111-13.htm#o