1
Τοιγαροῦν καὶ ἡμεῖς, τοσοῦτον ἔχοντες περικείμενον ἡμῖν νέφος μαρτύρων, ὄγκον ἀποθέμενοι πάντα καὶ τὴν εὐπερίστατον ἁμαρτίαν, δι' ὑπομονῆς τρέχωμεν τὸν προκείμενον ἡμῖν ἀγῶνα,
Therefore we too, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, laying aside every weight and the sin that so easily entangles, let us run with endurance the race set before us,
The strong inferential τοιγαροῦν gathers up the whole roll-call of faith (ch. 11) and draws the practical conclusion: the witnesses surround us, so we run. This opens the section's main exhortation, governed by the hortatory subjunctive τρέχωμεν.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
Τοιγαροῦνtherefore / for that very reasonemphatic inferential conjunction (sentence-initial)τοιγαροῦν: a strong, triple-strength inferential particle ('so then, for that very reason'); rare and weighty, marking a major drawing-together of the foregoing argument.
καὶalso / tooadjunctive/ascensive adverb (with ἡμεῖς)
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun) of τρέχωμεν
τοσοῦτονso greatAccusativeattributive adjective (with νέφος)τοσοῦτος: 'so great, so large'; quantifies the surrounding cloud — the sheer multitude of attesting saints.
ἔχοντεςhaving / since we havePres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἔχωcausal adverbial participle→ stative presentἔχω: 'have, hold'; here causal — because we have this surrounding cloud.
περικείμενονlying around / surroundingPres Mid Ptc · Acc Sg Neut · περίκειμαιattributive participle (with νέφος)→ stative presentπερίκειμαι: 'lie around, encompass' (περί + κεῖμαι); the witnesses ring the stadium like spectators encircling the track.
ἡμῖνusDativedat. of reference / advantage (with περικείμενον)
νέφοςcloudAccusativedirect object of ἔχοντεςνέφος: 'cloud, dense mass'; a classical metaphor for a vast throng (a 'cloud' of men), here the company of attesting saints.
μαρτύρωνof witnessesGenitivegenitive of content/apposition (with νέφος)μάρτυς: 'witness'; those of ch. 11 who bore testimony to faith — and who in turn testify to us; not primarily 'martyrs' but attesters.
ὄγκονweight / encumbranceAccusativedirect object of ἀποθέμενοι (fronted)ὄγκον (ὄγκος): 'bulk, mass, burden'; an athletic image — excess weight or bulk a runner sheds, here whatever impedes the spiritual race.
ἀποθέμενοιlaying asideAor Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀποτίθημιattendant-circumstance / means participle→ constative aoristἀποτίθημι (mid.): 'put off, lay aside' (as clothing); a common paraenetic verb for decisive renunciation (cf. Eph 4:22).
πάνταeveryAccusativeattributive adjective (with ὄγκον)πᾶς: 'every, all'; the encumbrance to be shed is comprehensive — not only sin but anything that hinders.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
εὐπερίστατονeasily ensnaring / clingingAccusativeattributive adjective (with ἁμαρτίαν)εὐπερίστατος: a rare word (only here in the NT), 'easily surrounding/besetting' (εὖ + περι- + ἵστημι); sin that readily encircles and trips the runner.
ἁμαρτίανsinAccusativedirect object of ἀποθέμενοι (coordinate with ὄγκον)ἁμαρτία: 'sin'; here sin in general as the entangling adversary of perseverance.
δι'through / withpreposition + genitive (manner/attendant means)
ὑπομονῆςendurance / perseveranceGenitiveobject of διά (manner)ὑπομονή: 'patient endurance, steadfastness' (ὑπό + μένω, 'remain under'); the key virtue of the race — sustained perseverance under pressure.
τρέχωμενlet us runPres Act Subj 1 Pl · τρέχωhortatory subjunctive (main verb)→ customary/durative presentτρέχω: 'run'; the present subjunctive frames the Christian life as an ongoing race, not a single sprint.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
προκείμενονset before / appointedPres Mid Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · πρόκειμαιattributive participle (with ἀγῶνα)→ stative presentπρόκειμαι: 'lie before, be set out'; the course is divinely laid out — the same verb recurs of the joy 'set before' Jesus in v. 2.
ἡμῖνus / for usDativedat. of reference (with προκείμενον)
ἀγῶναrace / contestAccusativedirect object of τρέχωμενἀγών: 'contest, struggle' (the Greek athletic 'agon'); the arena image of strenuous, public competition for a prize.
2
ἀφορῶντες εἰς τὸν τῆς πίστεως ἀρχηγὸν καὶ τελειωτὴν Ἰησοῦν, ὃς ἀντὶ τῆς προκειμένης αὐτῷ χαρᾶς ὑπέμεινεν σταυρὸν αἰσχύνης καταφρονήσας, ἐν δεξιᾷ τε τοῦ θρόνου τοῦ θεοῦ κεκάθικεν.
looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
An adverbial participle modifying τρέχωμεν: the race is run by a fixed gaze on Jesus. He is set forth as both the supreme exemplar of faith's endurance and its goal — and his enthronement is the pattern of the reward awaiting endurance.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
ἀφορῶντεςlooking away / fixing our gazePres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀφοράωadverbial participle of manner (with τρέχωμεν)→ customary/durative presentἀφοράω: 'look away (from all else) to' (ἀπό + ὁράω); to turn the eyes from every distraction and fix them on a single object — here Jesus.
εἰςto / untopreposition + accusative (direction of gaze)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
τῆςof theGenitivearticle (with πίστεως)
πίστεωςof faithGenitiveobjective/qualifying genitive (with ἀρχηγὸν καὶ τελειωτὴν)πίστις: 'faith'; the faith just illustrated in ch. 11 — Jesus is its source-leader and its consummator.
ἀρχηγὸνpioneer / founder-leaderAccusativeobject of εἰς (with Ἰησοῦν)ἀρχηγός: 'originator, trailblazer, captain' (cf. 2:10); one who leads the way and opens it for others to follow.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τελειωτὴνperfecter / consummatorAccusativeobject of εἰς (coordinate with ἀρχηγὸν)τελειωτής: 'one who completes/perfects' (a NT hapax, from τελειόω); Jesus brings faith to its appointed goal, having run the course himself.
ἸησοῦνJesusAccusativeobject of εἰς (in apposition to ἀρχηγὸν/τελειωτὴν)Ἰησοῦς: the personal name, emphatically last for climactic stress — the object of the runner's gaze.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ὑπέμεινεν)
ἀντὶfor / in exchange forpreposition + genitive (exchange/cause)ἀντί: 'in place of, in exchange for'; either 'in exchange for' (forgoing) or, more likely here, 'for the sake of' the joy he kept in view.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
προκειμένηςset before / appointedPres Mid Ptc · Gen Sg Fem · πρόκειμαιattributive participle (with χαρᾶς)→ stative presentπρόκειμαι: 'lie before, be set out'; deliberately echoing v. 1 — the joy set before Jesus answers the race set before us.
αὐτῷhim / before himDativedat. of reference (with προκειμένης)
χαρᾶςjoyGenitiveobject of ἀντίχαρά: 'joy'; the anticipated joy of his exaltation and the redeemed, the prospect that nerved his endurance.
ὑπέμεινενhe enduredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὑπομένωmain verb of relative clause→ constative aoristὑπομένω: 'remain under, endure, bear up'; the verbal cognate of ὑπομονή (v. 1) — Jesus embodies the very endurance now urged on the readers.
σταυρὸνa crossAccusativedirect object of ὑπέμεινενσταυρός: 'cross'; the instrument of the most degrading Roman execution — the extremity of what he endured.
αἰσχύνηςof shame / its shameGenitiveobjective genitive (with καταφρονήσας)αἰσχύνη: 'shame, disgrace'; the cross's social ignominy, which he reckoned beneath contempt.
καταφρονήσαςhaving despised / disregardedAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · καταφρονέωattendant-circumstance / manner participle→ constative aoristκαταφρονέω: 'look down on, disdain, think little of' (κατά + φρονέω); he treated the cross's shame as negligible in view of the joy.
ἐνat / inpreposition + dative (place)
δεξιᾷthe right handDativedat. of place (object of ἐν)δεξιά: 'right hand/side'; the place of honor and authority, alluding to Ps 110:1 — the position of cosmic enthronement.
τεand / moreoverconnective particle (linking the clauses)τε: a light connective ('and'), joining the enthronement to the endurance as its outcome.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
θρόνουthroneGenitivegenitive of possession/relation (with δεξιᾷ)θρόνος: 'throne'; the royal seat of God's sovereignty, at whose right hand the Son is enthroned.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive genitive (with θρόνου)θεός: God; the throne is his — the highest possible exaltation crowns the endurance.
κεκάθικενhas sat downPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · καθίζωmain verb (perfect of abiding result)→ intensive/consummative perfectκαθίζω: 'sit down, be seated'; the perfect stresses the abiding present state — he sat and remains seated, his work finished (cf. 1:3; 10:12).
3
ἀναλογίσασθε γὰρ τὸν τοιαύτην ὑπομεμενηκότα ὑπὸ τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν εἰς ἑαυτὸν ἀντιλογίαν, ἵνα μὴ κάμητε ταῖς ψυχαῖς ὑμῶν ἐκλυόμενοι.
For consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary, fainting in your souls.
γάρ grounds the call to look to Jesus: a deliberate, calculating reflection on his endurance of hostility is the antidote to spiritual fatigue. The ἵνα-clause names the danger to be averted — collapse of the soul.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ἀναλογίσασθεconsider / reckon upAor Mid Impv 2 Pl · ἀναλογίζομαιimperative (main verb)→ ingressive/constative aorist (urgent command)ἀναλογίζομαι: 'reckon up, weigh carefully, consider analogically' (a NT hapax); not a glance but a comparative, attentive calculation of Christ's example.
γὰρforexplanatory/causal conjunction
τὸνhim who / the one whoAccusativearticle (substantizes the participle)
τοιαύτηνsuchAccusativeattributive adjective (with ἀντιλογίαν)τοιοῦτος: 'such, of this kind'; pointing to the extreme degree of the opposition Jesus bore.
ὑπομεμενηκόταwho has enduredPerf Act Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · ὑπομένωsubstantival participle (object of ἀναλογίσασθε)→ intensive perfect (abiding example)ὑπομένω: 'endure, bear up under'; the perfect presents his endurance as a permanent, contemplable reality — a third use of this key verb (cf. vv. 1, 2).
ὑπὸfrom / at the hands ofpreposition + genitive (agency/source)ὑπό: with the genitive marks the source/agent of the hostility.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ἁμαρτωλῶνsinnersGenitiveobject of ὑπό (agents of the opposition)ἁμαρτωλός: 'sinner'; the hostile opponents of Jesus, set in contrast to his sinlessness.
εἰςagainstpreposition + accusative (opposition/direction)
ἑαυτὸνhimselfAccusativereflexive pronoun (object of εἰς)
ἀντιλογίανhostility / contradictionAccusativedirect object of ὑπομεμενηκόταἀντιλογία: 'gainsaying, opposition, contradiction' (ἀντί + λόγος); the sustained verbal and active hostility directed at Jesus.
ἵναso that / in order thatpurpose conjunction (with subjunctive)
μὴnotnegative particle (with subjunctive)
κάμητεyou grow wearyAor Act Subj 2 Pl · κάμνωsubjunctive in negative purpose clause→ ingressive aoristκάμνω: 'be weary, grow tired, faint'; the danger of exhaustion in the contest, which contemplation of Christ forestalls.
ταῖςin theDativearticle
ψυχαῖςsoulsDativedat. of reference/sphere (with ἐκλυόμενοι)ψυχή: 'soul, inner life'; the seat of the fatigue — an inward, not merely physical, exhaustion.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive
ἐκλυόμενοιfainting / losing heartPres Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἐκλύωadverbial participle of manner/result (with κάμητε)→ present (process)ἐκλύω: 'loosen, weaken, faint' (ἐκ + λύω); the picture of strength dissolving — the runner's collapse. Drawn from Prov 3:11 LXX, anticipating the next citation.
4
Οὔπω μέχρις αἵματος ἀντικατέστητε πρὸς τὴν ἁμαρτίαν ἀνταγωνιζόμενοι,
You have not yet resisted to the point of blood in your struggle against sin,
An asyndetic new movement: their endurance has not yet cost their lives, which both relativizes their suffering and opens the theme of suffering as the Father's formative discipline (vv. 5–11).
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
Οὔπωnot yetadverb of time (emphatic, sentence-initial)οὔπω: 'not yet'; signals that worse may come, and that their trial remains short of the ultimate.
μέχριςto the point of / as far aspreposition + genitive (extent/degree)μέχρι(ς): 'until, as far as'; marks the limit not reached — the shedding of their own blood.
αἵματοςbloodGenitiveobject of μέχρις (degree)αἷμα: 'blood'; here the loss of life in the struggle — martyrdom, which they have not yet faced (unlike Jesus, v. 2).
ἀντικατέστητεyou have resisted / withstoodAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀντικαθίστημιmain verb→ constative aoristἀντικαθίστημι: 'set oneself against, resist, take a stand against' (a NT hapax); a vivid military/athletic image of standing firm against an opposing force.
πρὸςagainstpreposition + accusative (opposition)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἁμαρτίανsinAccusativeobject of πρός (the adversary)ἁμαρτία: 'sin'; personified as the opponent in the contest, perhaps with the apostatizing pressure of persecution in view.
ἀνταγωνιζόμενοιstruggling / contendingPres Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀνταγωνίζομαιadverbial participle of manner (with ἀντικατέστητε)→ present (ongoing struggle)ἀνταγωνίζομαι: 'struggle against, contend with' (a NT hapax; cognate of ἀγών, v. 1); sustains the athletic-combat metaphor of the race.
5
καὶ ἐκλέλησθε τῆς παρακλήσεως, ἥτις ὑμῖν ὡς υἱοῖς διαλέγεται· Υἱέ μου, μὴ ὀλιγώρει παιδείας κυρίου, μηδὲ ἐκλύου ὑπ' αὐτοῦ ἐλεγχόμενος·
and you have forgotten the exhortation which addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, nor lose heart when reproved by him;"
καί continues the indictment: their faintheartedness shows they have forgotten Proverbs 3:11–12, which the author quotes (vv. 5b–6) as God's word addressed to them now 'as sons.' The citation reframes their suffering as fatherly παιδεία.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐκλέλησθεyou have forgottenPerf Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἐκλανθάνομαιmain verb (perfect of state)→ intensive perfect (settled forgetfulness)ἐκλανθάνομαι: 'forget utterly' (ἐκ-intensive of λανθάνομαι); the perfect marks a lapse of memory still in effect — they have lost sight of a known truth.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
παρακλήσεωςexhortation / encouragementGenitivegenitive object of ἐκλέλησθε (verb of forgetting)παράκλησις: 'exhortation, encouragement, comfort' (παρά + καλέω); the Scriptural appeal that both admonishes and consoles.
ἥτιςwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of διαλέγεται)ὅστις: the qualitative relative, 'which (being of such a kind)'; introduces the exhortation's manner of address.
ὑμῖνyou / to youDativedat. of address (with διαλέγεται)
ὡςascomparative particle (manner)
υἱοῖςsonsDativedat. (apposition to ὑμῖν; capacity)υἱός: 'son'; the keyword of the section — Scripture addresses them in the relationship that makes discipline a mark of legitimacy, not rejection.
διαλέγεταιspeaks / reasonsPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · διαλέγομαιmain verb of relative clause→ gnomic/customary presentδιαλέγομαι: 'converse, discourse, address'; Scripture is treated as a living voice still speaking to the readers.
ΥἱέsonVocativevocative of address (citation begins)υἱός (voc. υἱέ): the tender direct address opening the Proverbs citation — God speaks as a father to a son.
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive (with Υἱέ)
μὴdo notnegative particle (with imperative)
ὀλιγώρειmake light of / despisePres Act Impv 2 Sg · ὀλιγωρέωprohibition (present imperative)→ present imperative (general prohibition)ὀλιγωρέω: 'esteem lightly, treat with little regard' (ὀλίγος + ὤρα, 'care'); the first wrong response to discipline — contempt.
παιδείαςdiscipline / trainingGenitivegenitive object of ὀλιγώρειπαιδεία: 'upbringing, training, discipline' (from παῖς, 'child'); the formative education of a child, including correction — the governing concept of vv. 5–11.
κυρίουof the LordGenitivesubjective/possessive genitive (with παιδείας)κύριος: 'Lord'; the disciplining agent is the covenant Lord himself.
μηδὲnornegative coordinating conjunction
ἐκλύουlose heart / faintPres Mid Impv 2 Sg · ἐκλύωprohibition (present imperative)→ present imperative (general prohibition)ἐκλύω: 'grow faint, lose heart' (cf. v. 3); the opposite error — collapse under correction rather than contempt of it.
ὑπ'bypreposition + genitive (agency)
αὐτοῦhimGenitiveobject of ὑπό (agent)
ἐλεγχόμενοςbeing reproved / correctedPres Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἐλέγχωadverbial participle of time/cause (with ἐκλύου)→ present passive (concurrent)ἐλέγχω: 'expose, reprove, correct'; the rebuke that accompanies discipline, to be received without despair.
6
ὃν γὰρ ἀγαπᾷ κύριος παιδεύει, μαστιγοῖ δὲ πάντα υἱὸν ὃν παραδέχεται.
for whom the Lord loves he disciplines, and he scourges every son whom he receives.
The γάρ-clause (still Prov 3:12 LXX) grounds the prohibition: discipline is the proof of love and sonship, not its negation. The two parallel verbs (παιδεύει / μαστιγοῖ) intensify from training to scourging.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἀγαπᾷ, fronted)
γὰρforexplanatory/causal conjunction
ἀγαπᾷlovesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀγαπάωverb of relative clause→ gnomic presentἀγαπάω: 'love'; the divine love that motivates discipline — a timeless principle of the father-son bond.
κύριοςthe LordNominativesubjectκύριος: 'Lord'; the loving disciplinarian.
παιδεύειdisciplines / trainsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · παιδεύωmain verb→ gnomic presentπαιδεύω: 'train, instruct, discipline' (cognate of παιδεία); the verb of formative correction governing the whole paragraph.
μαστιγοῖscourges / flogsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · μαστιγόωmain verb (parallel clause)→ gnomic presentμαστιγόω: 'whip, scourge' (from μάστιξ, 'whip'); a strong, even harsh image intensifying παιδεύει — discipline can be severe.
δὲand / moreovercontinuative/developmental conjunction
πάνταeveryAccusativeattributive adjective (with υἱὸν)πᾶς: 'every'; no son is exempt — discipline is universal among the received.
υἱὸνsonAccusativedirect object of μαστιγοῖυἱός: 'son'; again the relational keyword — scourging falls precisely on sons.
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of παραδέχεται)
παραδέχεταιhe receives / acknowledgesPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · παραδέχομαιverb of relative clause→ gnomic presentπαραδέχομαι: 'receive, accept, welcome' (παρά + δέχομαι); to acknowledge as one's own — sonship and discipline go together.
7
εἰς παιδείαν ὑπομένετε· ὡς υἱοῖς ὑμῖν προσφέρεται ὁ θεός· τίς γὰρ υἱὸς ὃν οὐ παιδεύει πατήρ;
It is for discipline that you endure; God is dealing with you as with sons. For what son is there whom a father does not discipline?
The author applies Proverbs to their situation: their endurance is itself God's fatherly παιδεία, proof that he treats them as sons. The rhetorical question (τίς γάρ…) makes the point self-evident from universal experience.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
εἰςfor / untopreposition + accusative (purpose/goal)
παιδείανdisciplineAccusativeobject of εἰς (purpose, fronted for emphasis)παιδεία: 'discipline, training'; the purpose toward which their endurance is directed — God's formative end.
ὑπομένετεyou endurePres Act Indic 2 Pl · ὑπομένωmain verb (or imperative; indicative read here)→ customary presentὑπομένω: 'endure, persevere' (cf. vv. 1–3); their very endurance is the locus of God's training. (Some read as imperative, 'endure for discipline.')
ὡςascomparative particle (manner)
υἱοῖςsonsDativedat. (apposition to ὑμῖν; capacity)υἱός: 'son'; God's manner of dealing presupposes the filial relationship.
ὑμῖνyou / with youDativedat. with προσφέρεται (object of God's dealing)
προσφέρεταιdeals / behavesPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · προσφέρωmain verb (middle: 'conduct oneself toward')→ customary presentπροσφέρω (mid.): 'bring oneself to, deal with, behave toward'; an idiomatic middle — God conducts himself toward them as a father toward sons.
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεόςGodNominativesubjectθεός: God; the subject and the disciplining Father.
τίςwhat / whoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject of the question)τίς: 'who? what?'; the rhetorical interrogative expecting the answer 'none.'
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
υἱὸςsonNominativepredicate/subject of the rhetorical questionυἱός: 'son'; every genuine son is, by definition, disciplined.
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of παιδεύει)
οὐnotnegative particle
παιδεύειdisciplinesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · παιδεύωverb of relative clause→ gnomic presentπαιδεύω: 'discipline, train'; the universal practice of fatherhood, here applied to God.
πατήρa fatherNominativesubject of παιδεύειπατήρ: 'father'; the human analogy grounding the argument about God's fatherhood.
8
εἰ δὲ χωρίς ἐστε παιδείας ἧς μέτοχοι γεγόνασιν πάντες, ἄρα νόθοι καὶ οὐχ υἱοί ἐστε.
But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
δέ turns the point to the reverse: the absence of discipline would prove not divine favor but illegitimacy. A first-class condition ('if — as is not the case') drives home that discipline is the very badge of true sonship.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
εἰifconditional conjunction (protasis)εἰ: 'if'; introduces a first-class condition assumed for the argument.
δὲbutadversative/developmental conjunction
χωρίςwithout / apart fromimproper preposition + genitive (separation)χωρίς: 'apart from, without'; states the hypothetical lack of discipline.
ἐστεyou arePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb of protasis (copula)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'to be'; the verb of the condition.
παιδείαςdisciplineGenitiveobject of χωρίς (separation)παιδεία: 'discipline'; the formative correction here hypothetically absent.
ἧςof whichGenitiverelative pronoun (genitive with μέτοχοι)
μέτοχοιpartakers / sharersNominativepredicate nominative (with γεγόνασιν)μέτοχος: 'partner, sharer' (μετά + ἔχω); a Hebrews keyword (cf. 3:1, 14) — all true sons share in the common experience of discipline.
γεγόνασινhave becomePerf Act Indic 3 Pl · γίνομαιverb of relative clause (perfect of state)→ consummative perfectγίνομαι: 'become, come to be'; the perfect marks the abiding fact that all sons have, without exception, become sharers in discipline.
πάντεςallNominativesubject of γεγόνασιν (substantival)πᾶς: 'all'; universal scope — every legitimate son partakes.
ἄραthen / consequentlyinferential particle (apodosis)ἄρα: 'then, consequently'; draws the conclusion of the condition.
νόθοιillegitimate / bastardsNominativepredicate nominative (with ἐστε)νόθος: 'illegitimate child, bastard' (a NT hapax); those outside the legitimate family — having no claim to the father's formative care or inheritance.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐχnotnegative particle (with υἱοί)
υἱοίsonsNominativepredicate nominative (negated)υἱός: 'son'; the contrast — true sons, not illegitimate ones, are disciplined.
ἐστεyou arePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb of apodosis (copula)→ stative present
9
εἶτα τοὺς μὲν τῆς σαρκὸς ἡμῶν πατέρας εἴχομεν παιδευτὰς καὶ ἐνετρεπόμεθα· οὐ πολὺ μᾶλλον ὑποταγησόμεθα τῷ πατρὶ τῶν πνευμάτων καὶ ζήσομεν;
Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh as disciplinarians and we respected them; shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?
εἶτα ('furthermore') advances the argument by a qal-wāḥomer: if we submitted to flawed earthly fathers' discipline, how much more should we submit to the Father of spirits — and the reward is nothing less than life.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
εἶταfurthermore / then againadverb (continuative/sequential)εἶτα: 'then, next, furthermore'; introduces a further consideration in the argument.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with πατέρας)
μὲνon the one handparticle (correlative with implied δέ)μέν: 'on the one hand'; sets the earthly fathers over against the heavenly Father of the rhetorical question.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
σαρκὸςfleshGenitiveattributive genitive (with πατέρας)σάρξ: 'flesh'; here merely the sphere of natural, bodily descent — 'our physical fathers,' contrasted with the Father of spirits.
ἡμῶνourGenitivepossessive genitive
πατέραςfathersAccusativedirect object of εἴχομενπατήρ: 'father'; the human parents whose discipline we accepted.
εἴχομενwe had / used to haveImpf Act Indic 1 Pl · ἔχωmain verb→ customary imperfect (past habit)ἔχω: 'have'; the imperfect looks back on the habitual experience of childhood under fathers.
παιδευτὰςas disciplinariansAccusativedouble accusative (object complement of εἴχομεν)παιδευτής: 'instructor, disciplinarian' (cognate of παιδεύω); one who trains and corrects.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐνετρεπόμεθαwe respected / revered themImpf Mid Indic 1 Pl · ἐντρέπωmain verb (parallel)→ customary imperfectἐντρέπω (mid./pass.): 'feel respect/shame before, regard with reverence'; we gave our earthly fathers deference even in their imperfection.
οὐnotnegative particle (expecting 'yes' answer)οὐ: in a question expecting an affirmative answer — 'shall we not surely…?'
πολὺmuchadverbial accusative (with μᾶλλον)πολύ: 'much'; intensifies the a fortiori — 'much more.'
μᾶλλονmore / rathercomparative adverbμᾶλλον: 'more, rather'; marks the lesser-to-greater inference.
ὑποταγησόμεθαshall we be subjectFut Pass Indic 1 Pl · ὑποτάσσωmain verb of rhetorical question→ predictive/deliberative futureὑποτάσσω (pass.): 'submit, be subject to' (a military 'arrange under'); the fitting response to the Father's discipline.
τῷto theDativearticle (with πατρὶ)
πατρὶFatherDativedat. of the one submitted to (with ὑποταγησόμεθα)πατήρ: 'Father'; God as the supreme Father, in contrast to fathers 'of the flesh.'
τῶνofGenitivearticle
πνευμάτωνspiritsGenitivegenitive of relationship (with πατρὶ)πνεῦμα: 'spirit'; 'Father of spirits' designates God as the source of our spiritual being — contrasted with mere physical fatherhood (cf. Num 16:22).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (result)
ζήσομενwe shall liveFut Act Indic 1 Pl · ζάωmain verb (result of submission)→ predictive futureζάω: 'live'; submission to the Father issues in true, eschatological life — the goal of his discipline.
10
οἱ μὲν γὰρ πρὸς ὀλίγας ἡμέρας κατὰ τὸ δοκοῦν αὐτοῖς ἐπαίδευον, ὁ δὲ ἐπὶ τὸ συμφέρον εἰς τὸ μεταλαβεῖν τῆς ἁγιότητος αὐτοῦ.
For they disciplined us for a few days as seemed best to them, but he for our benefit, that we may share his holiness.
γάρ explains why divine discipline so far surpasses the human: earthly fathers acted for a short time and by their own fallible judgment; God acts unerringly for our true profit, the end being participation in his own holiness.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
οἱthey / the (fathers)Nominativearticle (substantival, = the earthly fathers)
μὲνon the one handparticle (correlative with δέ)μέν: balances the earthly fathers (οἱ μέν) against God (ὁ δέ).
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
πρὸςforpreposition + accusative (duration)πρός: with the accusative of time, 'for (the span of).'
ὀλίγαςa fewAccusativeattributive adjective (with ἡμέρας)ὀλίγος: 'few, little'; the brevity of childhood discipline — limited to a short season.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of duration (object of πρός)ἡμέρα: 'day'; 'a few days' = the brief years of upbringing.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard)
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantizes the participle)
δοκοῦνwhat seemed (best)Pres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Neut · δοκέωsubstantival participle (object of κατά)→ stative presentδοκέω: 'seem, think best'; the fathers disciplined by their own (fallible) judgment — 'as it seemed good to them.'
αὐτοῖςto themDativedat. of reference (with δοκοῦν)
ἐπαίδευονthey disciplinedImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · παιδεύωmain verb→ customary imperfectπαιδεύω: 'discipline, train'; the imperfect of habitual past practice.
ὁhe / the (one)Nominativearticle (substantival, = God)
δὲbutadversative conjunction (answering μέν)
ἐπὶfor / with a view topreposition + accusative (purpose/goal)ἐπί: with the accusative here marking goal/purpose — 'for (the sake of).'
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantizes the participle)
συμφέρονwhat is profitable / our benefitPres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Neut · συμφέρωsubstantival participle (object of ἐπί)→ stative presentσυμφέρω: 'be advantageous, profit' (συν + φέρω); God disciplines unerringly for our genuine good.
εἰςso as / untopreposition + accusative (purpose, with articular infinitive)
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with the infinitive)
μεταλαβεῖνto share / partake ofAor Act Inf · μεταλαμβάνωarticular infinitive of purpose (with εἰς)→ constative aoristμεταλαμβάνω: 'partake of, share in' (μετά + λαμβάνω); the goal of divine discipline — participation in God's own holiness.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
ἁγιότητοςholinessGenitivepartitive genitive (object of μεταλαβεῖν)ἁγιότης: 'holiness' (a rare word; cf. 2 Cor 1:12); God's own moral purity, in which his disciplined sons are made to share — anticipating ἁγιασμόν in v. 14.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (with ἁγιότητος)
11
πᾶσα δὲ παιδεία πρὸς μὲν τὸ παρὸν οὐ δοκεῖ χαρᾶς εἶναι ἀλλὰ λύπης, ὕστερον δὲ καρπὸν εἰρηνικὸν τοῖς δι' αὐτῆς γεγυμνασμένοις ἀποδίδωσιν δικαιοσύνης.
Now all discipline for the present seems not to be joyful but painful; yet afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
δέ rounds off the paragraph with a balanced μέν…δέ: discipline is painful 'for the present,' but 'afterward' it yields the peaceful harvest of righteousness — but only to those trained by it. The temporal contrast answers the readers' present distress with future fruit.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
πᾶσαall / everyNominativeattributive adjective (with παιδεία)πᾶς: 'all, every'; the generalization covers discipline as such.
δὲnow / butdevelopmental/transitional conjunction
παιδείαdisciplineNominativesubjectπαιδεία: 'discipline, training'; the section's keyword, summed up.
πρὸςforpreposition + accusative (with reference to time)πρός: with the accusative, 'with respect to, for' a period.
μὲνon the one handparticle (correlative with ὕστερον δέ)μέν: balances 'for the present' against 'afterward.'
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantizes the participle)
παρὸνpresent (time)Pres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Neut · πάρειμιsubstantival participle (object of πρός)→ stative presentπάρειμι: 'be present, be at hand' (παρά + εἰμί); τὸ παρόν = 'the present time,' the moment of undergoing discipline.
οὐnotnegative particle (with εἶναι)
δοκεῖseemsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δοκέωmain verb→ gnomic presentδοκέω: 'seem, appear'; discipline's appearance at the time, not its reality.
χαρᾶςof joy / joyfulGenitivepredicate/descriptive genitive (with εἶναι)χαρά: 'joy'; a genitive of quality — 'a thing of joy.'
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίcomplementary infinitive (with δοκεῖ)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'to be'; completes 'seems to be.'
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative conjunctionἀλλά: 'but, rather'; the sharp contrast — not joy but pain.
λύπηςof grief / painfulGenitivepredicate/descriptive genitive (with εἶναι)λύπη: 'grief, sorrow, pain'; the present sensation of discipline.
ὕστερονafterward / lateradverb of time (answering πρὸς τὸ παρόν)ὕστερον: 'later, afterward'; the turning point — discipline's eventual yield.
δὲbut / yetadversative conjunction (answering μέν)
καρπὸνfruit / harvestAccusativedirect object of ἀποδίδωσινκαρπός: 'fruit'; the agricultural metaphor for the beneficial outcome of discipline.
εἰρηνικὸνpeaceful / peaceableAccusativeattributive adjective (with καρπὸν)εἰρηνικός: 'peaceful' (from εἰρήνη); the fruit is marked by peace — the opposite of the present pain.
τοῖςto thoseDativearticle (substantizes the participle)
δι'by / throughpreposition + genitive (means)
αὐτῆςit / by itGenitiveobject of διά (= τῆς παιδείας)
γεγυμνασμένοιςhaving been trainedPerf Pass Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · γυμνάζωsubstantival participle (indirect object)→ intensive perfect (trained state)γυμνάζω: 'train, exercise (as in a gymnasium)'; the athletic image returns — discipline that trains like rigorous exercise. The perfect marks the resulting trained condition.
ἀποδίδωσινyields / gives backPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποδίδωμιmain verb→ gnomic presentἀποδίδωμι: 'give back, render, pay' (ἀπό + δίδωμι); discipline 'pays out' its return — the harvest of righteousness.
δικαιοσύνηςof righteousnessGenitivegenitive of content/apposition (with καρπὸν)δικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness'; the fruit consists in righteousness — right standing and right living wrought through trial.
12
Διὸ τὰς παρειμένας χεῖρας καὶ τὰ παραλελυμένα γόνατα ἀνορθώσατε,
Therefore strengthen the drooping hands and the weakened knees,
διό draws the practical conclusion from the discipline argument and opens a new hortatory section. Echoing Isaiah 35:3, it summons the weary to brace themselves for the road ahead — the language of revived strength after exhaustion.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
Διὸthereforeinferential conjunction (sentence-initial)διό: 'therefore, wherefore' (δι' ὅ); draws a conclusion and launches the exhortation of vv. 12–13.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with χεῖρας)
παρειμέναςdrooping / slackenedPerf Pass Ptc · Acc Pl Fem · παρίημιattributive participle (with χεῖρας)→ intensive perfect (settled slackness)παρίημι: 'let drop, relax, weaken' (παρά + ἵημι); hands hanging limp from fatigue (Isa 35:3 LXX).
χεῖραςhandsAccusativedirect object of ἀνορθώσατεχείρ: 'hand'; symbol of capacity to work and fight, here enfeebled.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with γόνατα)
παραλελυμέναweakened / paralyzedPerf Pass Ptc · Acc Pl Neut · παραλύωattributive participle (with γόνατα)→ intensive perfect (settled weakness)παραλύω: 'loosen, disable, paralyze' (παρά + λύω; cf. 'paralytic'); knees gone weak and buckling.
γόναταkneesAccusativedirect object of ἀνορθώσατε (coordinate with χεῖρας)γόνυ: 'knee'; the runner's failing knees (cf. the race, v. 1).
ἀνορθώσατεset straight / strengthenAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀνορθόωimperative (main verb)→ constative/ingressive aorist (urgent command)ἀνορθόω: 'set upright again, restore, strengthen' (ἀνά + ὀρθόω); brace what has sagged — a call to renewed resolve.
13
καὶ τροχιὰς ὀρθὰς ποιεῖτε τοῖς ποσὶν ὑμῶν, ἵνα μὴ τὸ χωλὸν ἐκτραπῇ, ἰαθῇ δὲ μᾶλλον.
and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.
A second imperative (Prov 4:26 LXX) extends the image: clear, level paths so the weak in the community are not dislocated but restored. The concern reaches beyond the self to the vulnerable 'lame' member.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τροχιὰςpaths / tracksAccusativedirect object of ποιεῖτετροχιά: 'wheel-track, path, course' (from τροχός, 'wheel'; a NT hapax); the worn track of a road — make it level and straight.
ὀρθὰςstraight / levelAccusativeattributive adjective (with τροχιὰς)ὀρθός: 'straight, upright, level'; paths without obstacle or crookedness — easy going for weak feet.
ποιεῖτεmakePres Act Impv 2 Pl · ποιέωimperative (main verb)→ present imperative (ongoing duty)ποιέω: 'make, do'; the present imperative urges a continuing practice.
τοῖςfor theDativearticle (with ποσὶν)
ποσὶνfeetDativedat. of advantage (with ποιεῖτε)πούς: 'foot'; the feet that must traverse the race-course safely.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive
ἵναso thatpurpose conjunction (with subjunctive)
μὴnotnegative particle (with subjunctive)
τὸwhat is / theNominativearticle (substantizes the adjective)
χωλὸνlameNominativesubstantival adjective (subject of ἐκτραπῇ)χωλός: 'lame, halt'; 'the lame (part/member)' — figuratively the weak or wavering believer in danger of being thrown off the way.
ἐκτραπῇbe put out of joint / turned asideAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · ἐκτρέπωsubjunctive in negative purpose clause→ ingressive aoristἐκτρέπω: 'turn aside, dislocate' (ἐκ + τρέπω); either 'be turned off the path' or, medically, 'be dislocated' — a lame limb wrenched out of joint.
ἰαθῇbe healedAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · ἰάομαιsubjunctive (positive alternative)→ ingressive aoristἰάομαι: 'heal, cure'; the hoped-for opposite outcome — restoration rather than injury.
δὲbutadversative conjunction
μᾶλλονrathercomparative adverbμᾶλλον: 'rather, instead'; sets healing over against dislocation as the intended end.
14
Εἰρήνην διώκετε μετὰ πάντων, καὶ τὸν ἁγιασμόν, οὗ χωρὶς οὐδεὶς ὄψεται τὸν κύριον,
Pursue peace with all, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord,
Asyndeton marks a fresh, weighty command opening the warnings of vv. 14–17. The double object — peace and holiness — sets the relational and the consecrated life as joint, non-negotiable pursuits, the latter sanctioned by the solemn warning that without it no one sees the Lord.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
ΕἰρήνηνpeaceAccusativedirect object of διώκετε (fronted, emphatic)εἰρήνη: 'peace'; harmony with others — the communal counterpart of the personal pursuit of holiness.
διώκετεpursuePres Act Impv 2 Pl · διώκωimperative (main verb)→ present imperative (continual pursuit)διώκω: 'pursue, chase after, press toward'; an energetic verb — peace and holiness are to be actively hunted, not passively awaited.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (association)
πάντωνallGenitiveobject of μετά (substantival)πᾶς: 'all'; the scope of the peace to be pursued — with everyone.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with ἁγιασμόν)
ἁγιασμόνholiness / sanctificationAccusativedirect object of διώκετε (second object)ἁγιασμός: 'holiness, sanctification' (from ἁγιάζω); the consecrated life set apart for God — picking up ἁγιότης (v. 10).
οὗwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (genitive with χωρὶς)
χωρὶςwithoutimproper preposition + genitive (separation)χωρίς: 'apart from, without'; the indispensability of holiness for the beatific vision.
οὐδεὶςno oneNominativesubject of ὄψεταιοὐδείς: 'no one'; the absolute negation — without holiness, vision of the Lord is impossible.
ὄψεταιwill seeFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb of relative clause→ predictive futureὁράω: 'see'; here the eschatological seeing of God (cf. Matt 5:8) — the goal that holiness conditions.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with κύριον)
κύριονLordAccusativedirect object of ὄψεταικύριος: 'Lord'; the object of the longed-for vision, reserved for the holy.
15
ἐπισκοποῦντες μή τις ὑστερῶν ἀπὸ τῆς χάριτος τοῦ θεοῦ, μή τις ῥίζα πικρίας ἄνω φύουσα ἐνοχλῇ καὶ δι' αὐτῆς μιανθῶσιν οἱ πολλοί,
watching carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and through it the many be defiled;
An adverbial participle (ἐπισκοποῦντες) qualifying the imperatives of v. 14: the pursuit of peace and holiness entails mutual oversight. Two parallel μή-clauses name the dangers — apostasy ('falling short of grace') and a contaminating 'root of bitterness' (Deut 29:18 LXX) that can defile the whole body.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
ἐπισκοποῦντεςwatching over / overseeingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἐπισκοπέωadverbial participle of manner (with διώκετε)→ present (ongoing vigilance)ἐπισκοπέω: 'look upon, oversee, take care' (ἐπί + σκοπέω; cf. ἐπίσκοπος, 'overseer'); mutual pastoral watchfulness within the community.
μήlestnegative particle (introducing apprehension clause)μή: here 'lest,' introducing the danger to be guarded against.
τιςanyoneNominativesubject of ὑστερῶν (indefinite pronoun)τις: 'someone, anyone'; the individual at risk.
ὑστερῶνfalling short / lackingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ὑστερέωpredicate participle (with implied ᾖ, 'be falling short')→ present (process)ὑστερέω: 'come short, fail to reach, be lacking' (cf. 4:1); to drift away from and miss God's grace — the language of apostasy.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
χάριτοςgraceGenitiveobject of ἀπό (that fallen short of)χάρις: 'grace'; God's saving favor, from which one may tragically fall short.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive/source genitive (with χάριτος)
μήlestnegative particle (second apprehension clause)
τιςanyNominativeindefinite adjective (with ῥίζα)τις: 'any'; an indefinite, lurking danger.
ῥίζαrootNominativesubject of ἐνοχλῇῥίζα: 'root'; from Deut 29:18 LXX — a bitter, poisonous root, a metaphor for an apostate or corrupting influence.
πικρίαςof bitternessGenitivegenitive of quality/content (with ῥίζα)πικρία: 'bitterness'; the root's poisonous nature — embittered rebellion against God that spreads.
ἄνωup / upwardadverb of direction (with φύουσα)ἄνω: 'up, upward'; the root sprouting up into visible, harmful growth.
φύουσαspringing up / sproutingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Fem · φύωattributive participle (with ῥίζα)→ present (process)φύω: 'grow, spring up, produce'; the germination of the bitter root into open trouble.
ἐνοχλῇcause trouble / annoyPres Act Subj 3 Sg · ἐνοχλέωsubjunctive in apprehension clause→ present (ongoing)ἐνοχλέω: 'trouble, harass, cause disturbance' (ἐν + ὄχλος, 'crowd/throng'); the disruptive effect of the bitter root on the community.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
δι'through / bypreposition + genitive (means)
αὐτῆςit / itGenitiveobject of διά (= the root)
μιανθῶσινbe defiled / pollutedAor Pass Subj 3 Pl · μιαίνωsubjunctive (coordinate result)→ ingressive aoristμιαίνω: 'stain, defile, pollute'; the contagion of corruption spreading to the whole — the opposite of the holiness just commanded.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with πολλοί)
πολλοίmanyNominativesubject of μιανθῶσιν (substantival)πολύς: 'many'; the wider community endangered by one corrupting root.
16
μή τις πόρνος ἢ βέβηλος ὡς Ἠσαῦ, ὃς ἀντὶ βρώσεως μιᾶς ἀπέδετο τὰ πρωτοτόκια ἑαυτοῦ.
lest there be any sexually immoral or profane person like Esau, who for a single meal sold his own birthright.
A third μή-clause names sexual immorality and profanity, embodied in Esau, who despised his birthright for one meal. Esau becomes the cautionary type of the apostate who trades the eternal inheritance for a momentary appetite.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
μήlestnegative particle (third apprehension clause)
τιςanyNominativeindefinite pronoun (subject)τις: 'anyone'; the individual to be guarded against.
πόρνοςsexually immoral personNominativepredicate nominative (with implied ᾖ)πόρνος: 'fornicator, sexually immoral person' (cf. πορνεία); one given to illicit sexual conduct.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction
βέβηλοςprofane / unholyNominativepredicate nominative (coordinate)βέβηλος: 'profane, godless, worldly' (lit. 'accessible, trodden'); one who treats the sacred as common — Esau's defining vice.
ὡςlike / ascomparative particle
ἨσαῦEsauNominativecomparison (indeclinable proper noun)Ἠσαῦ: Esau (Gen 25:29–34); the archetypal profane man who scorned his sacred privilege.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἀπέδετο)
ἀντὶfor / in exchange forpreposition + genitive (exchange)ἀντί: 'in exchange for'; the ruinous trade — birthright bartered for food.
βρώσεωςof food / a mealGenitiveobject of ἀντίβρῶσις: 'eating, food, a meal'; the trivial, perishable thing for which the eternal was forfeited.
μιᾶςone / singleGenitiveattributive adjective (with βρώσεως)εἷς (μία): 'one'; the smallness of the price magnifies the folly — a single meal.
ἀπέδετοsold / gave upAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀποδίδωμιmain verb of relative clause→ constative aoristἀποδίδωμι (mid.): 'sell, give over for a price'; Esau bartered away his sacred privilege (Gen 25:33).
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with πρωτοτόκια)
πρωτοτόκιαbirthrightAccusativedirect object of ἀπέδετοπρωτοτόκια: 'rights of the firstborn, birthright' (from πρωτότοκος); the sacred inheritance and blessing belonging to the eldest son.
ἑαυτοῦhis ownGenitivereflexive possessive genitive
17
ἴστε γὰρ ὅτι καὶ μετέπειτα θέλων κληρονομῆσαι τὴν εὐλογίαν ἀπεδοκιμάσθη, μετανοίας γὰρ τόπον οὐχ εὗρεν, καίπερ μετὰ δακρύων ἐκζητήσας αὐτήν.
For you know that even afterward, when he wished to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it earnestly with tears.
γάρ presses the warning home: Esau's later, tearful attempt to reclaim the blessing was rejected — the door of repentance had closed. The example sobers any who would presume that the despised inheritance can be casually recovered.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
ἴστεyou knowPerf Act Indic 2 Pl · οἶδαmain verb (perfect with present sense)→ stative perfect (settled knowledge)οἶδα: 'know' (perfect with present meaning); appeals to the readers' familiarity with the Esau narrative. (Possibly imperative, 'know!', but indicative is read here.)
γὰρforexplanatory/causal conjunction
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of knowing)ὅτι: 'that'; introduces the object clause of ἴστε.
καὶevenascensive adverb (with μετέπειτα)
μετέπειταafterwardadverb of timeμετέπειτα: 'afterward, later' (a NT hapax); the subsequent moment when Esau sought the blessing — too late.
θέλωνwishing / desiringPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · θέλωadverbial participle of time/concession (with ἀπεδοκιμάσθη)→ present (concurrent desire)θέλω: 'wish, will, desire'; Esau's belated longing for the blessing he had despised.
κληρονομῆσαιto inheritAor Act Inf · κληρονομέωcomplementary infinitive (with θέλων)→ constative aoristκληρονομέω: 'inherit, obtain by inheritance'; the blessing he sought to receive as heir.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with εὐλογίαν)
εὐλογίανblessingAccusativedirect object of κληρονομῆσαιεὐλογία: 'blessing, benediction' (εὖ + λόγος, 'good word'); the patriarchal blessing tied to the birthright (Gen 27).
ἀπεδοκιμάσθηhe was rejectedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀποδοκιμάζωmain verb of ὅτι clause→ constative aoristἀποδοκιμάζω: 'reject after testing, declare unfit' (ἀπό + δοκιμάζω); Esau was found wanting and turned away.
μετανοίαςof repentance / for a change of mindGenitiveobjective/descriptive genitive (with τόπον)μετάνοια: 'repentance, change of mind' (μετά + νοῦς); here either Esau's own repentance, or — more likely contextually — a means to reverse Isaac's irrevocable decision.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction (grounding ἀπεδοκιμάσθη)
τόπονplace / opportunityAccusativedirect object of εὗρεντόπος: 'place, room, opportunity'; 'no place for repentance' — no opening to undo the loss.
οὐχnotnegative particle
εὗρενhe foundAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εὑρίσκωmain verb (γάρ clause)→ constative aoristεὑρίσκω: 'find'; he could find no way back — the opportunity was gone.
καίπερalthoughconcessive particle (with participle)καίπερ: 'although, even though'; introduces the concessive participle — his tearful effort notwithstanding.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)
δακρύωνtearsGenitiveobject of μετά (manner)δάκρυον: 'tear'; the intensity of his (vain) entreaty — yet tears could not reverse the verdict.
ἐκζητήσαςhaving sought earnestlyAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἐκζητέωconcessive participle (with καίπερ)→ constative aoristἐκζητέω: 'seek out diligently, search earnestly' (ἐκ-intensive of ζητέω); his strenuous but fruitless quest to recover the blessing.
αὐτήνitAccusativedirect object of ἐκζητήσας (= the blessing)
18
Οὐ γὰρ προσεληλύθατε ψηλαφωμένῳ καὶ κεκαυμένῳ πυρὶ καὶ γνόφῳ καὶ ζόφῳ καὶ θυέλλῃ,
For you have not come to something that can be touched, a blazing fire, and darkness and gloom and tempest,
γάρ grounds the foregoing warnings in the new-covenant privilege now described. The section opens with the negative half of a great contrast: the readers have NOT come to the terrifying, tangible Sinai (vv. 18–21), a prelude to the glorious 'but you have come to Zion' of vv. 22–24.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
Οὐnotnegative particle (with προσεληλύθατε)
γὰρforexplanatory/causal conjunction
προσεληλύθατεyou have come / approachedPerf Act Indic 2 Pl · προσέρχομαιmain verb (perfect of abiding state)→ intensive/consummative perfectπροσέρχομαι: 'come/draw near' (a Hebrews cultic keyword, cf. 4:16; 10:22); the perfect frames their approach as an accomplished, standing reality — and here it is what they have NOT approached.
ψηλαφωμένῳto what can be touched / tangiblePres Pass Ptc · Dat Sg Neut · ψηλαφάωsubstantival participle (object of προσεληλύθατε)→ present (capacity)ψηλαφάω: 'touch, handle, feel'; 'a (mountain) that can be touched' — the palpable, material character of Sinai, in contrast to the heavenly Zion.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
κεκαυμένῳkindled / blazingPerf Pass Ptc · Dat Sg Neut · καίωattributive participle (with πυρὶ)→ intensive perfect (set ablaze and burning)καίω: 'kindle, burn'; the perfect pictures the fire as having been set and now blazing — Sinai aflame (Exod 19:18).
πυρὶwith fireDativedat. (coordinate object of προσεληλύθατε)πῦρ: 'fire'; the consuming fire of the Sinai theophany (cf. v. 29).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
γνόφῳdarknessDativedat. (coordinate object)γνόφος: 'darkness, thick cloud'; the murk enveloping the mountain (Exod 19:16; Deut 4:11).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ζόφῳgloom / deep darknessDativedat. (coordinate object)ζόφος: 'gloom, nether darkness'; a deeper, more oppressive dark — intensifying the terror.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
θυέλλῃtempest / whirlwindDativedat. (coordinate object)θύελλα: 'whirlwind, violent storm' (a NT hapax); the raging storm completing the fearsome scene at Sinai (Deut 5:22).
19
καὶ σάλπιγγος ἤχῳ καὶ φωνῇ ῥημάτων, ἧς οἱ ἀκούσαντες παρῃτήσαντο μὴ προστεθῆναι αὐτοῖς λόγον·
and to the blast of a trumpet, and to a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further word be spoken to them.
καί continues the catalogue of Sinai's terrors — the trumpet-blast and the dreadful voice — and adds the people's reaction: they begged to hear no more, so unbearable was the direct address of God (Exod 20:18–19; Deut 5:25).
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
σάλπιγγοςof a trumpetGenitivegenitive of source (with ἤχῳ)σάλπιγξ: 'trumpet'; the war-trumpet whose blast accompanied the theophany (Exod 19:16, 19).
ἤχῳto the sound / blastDativedat. (coordinate object of προσεληλύθατε)ἦχος: 'sound, noise, blast, echo'; the trumpet's reverberating roar.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
φωνῇto a voiceDativedat. (coordinate object)φωνή: 'voice, sound'; the divine voice speaking the words of the law.
ῥημάτωνof wordsGenitivegenitive of content (with φωνῇ)ῥῆμα: 'word, utterance'; the articulate words spoken from the mountain (the Decalogue).
ἧςwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (genitive object of ἀκούσαντες, = the voice)
οἱtheNominativearticle (substantizes the participle)
ἀκούσαντεςthose who heard / the hearersAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀκούωsubstantival participle (subject of παρῃτήσαντο)→ constative aoristἀκούω: 'hear'; the Israelites who heard the voice and recoiled.
παρῃτήσαντοbegged off / entreatedAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · παραιτέομαιmain verb of relative clause→ constative aoristπαραιτέομαι: 'ask to be excused, decline, beg off' (παρά + αἰτέομαι); they entreated that the address cease — the same verb warns 'do not refuse' in v. 25.
μὴnot / that notnegative particle (with infinitive)
προστεθῆναιto be added / spoken furtherAor Pass Inf · προστίθημιcomplementary infinitive (with παρῃτήσαντο)→ constative aoristπροστίθημι: 'add, put to'; 'that no word be added to them' — they begged that the speaking not continue.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedat. of indirect object (with προστεθῆναι)
λόγονa wordAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitiveλόγος: 'word'; the further utterance they could not bear to hear.
20
οὐκ ἔφερον γὰρ τὸ διαστελλόμενον· Κἂν θηρίον θίγῃ τοῦ ὄρους, λιθοβοληθήσεται·
For they could not endure the command that was given: "If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned."
γάρ explains why they begged to hear no more: the very command was unbearable. Even an animal straying onto the holy mountain was to be stoned (Exod 19:12–13) — the law's lethal severity underscores Sinai's inaccessibility.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἔφερον)
ἔφερονthey could endure / bearImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · φέρωmain verb (imperfect)→ conative/customary imperfectφέρω: 'bear, carry, endure'; 'they could not bear' — the imperfect of their continued inability to withstand the command.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
τὸthe (thing)Accusativearticle (substantizes the participle)
διαστελλόμενονwhat was commanded / chargedPres Pass Ptc · Acc Sg Neut · διαστέλλωsubstantival participle (object of ἔφερον)→ present passive (the standing order)διαστέλλω: 'order, charge strictly, give explicit command' (mid./pass.); the solemn prohibition delivered at Sinai.
Κἂνif even / even ifcrasis (καὶ ἐάν) introducing the condition (citation)κἄν: crasis of καὶ ἐάν, 'and if, even if'; opens the cited command's protasis.
θηρίονa beast / animalNominativesubject of θίγῃθηρίον: 'wild animal, beast'; even an irrational creature — the least culpable — was not exempt.
θίγῃtouchesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · θιγγάνωsubjunctive in conditional protasis→ ingressive aoristθιγγάνω: 'touch'; the merest contact with the holy mountain triggered the penalty.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with ὄρους)
ὄρουςmountainGenitivegenitive object of θίγῃ (verb of touching)ὄρος: 'mountain'; Sinai, made off-limits by its holiness during the theophany.
λιθοβοληθήσεταιit shall be stonedFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · λιθοβολέωmain verb of apodosis→ predictive future (legal prescription)λιθοβολέω: 'stone, pelt with stones' (λίθος + βάλλω); the prescribed death penalty for violating the boundary (Exod 19:13).
21
καί, οὕτω φοβερὸν ἦν τὸ φανταζόμενον, Μωϋσῆς εἶπεν· Ἔκφοβός εἰμι καὶ ἔντρομος.
And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I am trembling with fear."
καί caps the description with its most striking detail: even Moses, the mediator, was terrified. His confession of fear and trembling measures the awe of the old covenant's revelation — and heightens the contrast with the joyful access of Zion.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καίandcoordinating conjunction
οὕτωsoadverb of degree (with φοβερὸν)οὕτω(ς): 'so, thus, to such a degree'; intensifying the fearfulness of the scene.
φοβερὸνfearful / terrifyingNominativepredicate adjective (with ἦν)φοβερός: 'fearful, dreadful, terrifying'; the quality of the spectacle (cf. 10:31).
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb of parenthetical clause (copula)→ descriptive imperfectεἰμί: 'to be'; describes the past terror of the scene.
τὸthe (thing)Nominativearticle (substantizes the participle)
φανταζόμενονwhat appeared / the sightPres Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Neut · φαντάζωsubstantival participle (subject of ἦν)→ present passive (the appearing)φαντάζω: 'make visible, appear' (mid./pass.; a NT hapax; cf. 'phantom, phenomenon'); the awesome spectacle visible at Sinai.
ΜωϋσῆςMosesNominativesubject of εἶπενΜωϋσῆς: Moses, the mediator of the old covenant — even he is overcome with dread.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγω (εἶπον)main verb→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπον): 'say'; introduces Moses' confession (cf. Deut 9:19).
Ἔκφοβόςterrified / utterly afraidNominativepredicate adjective (with εἰμι)ἔκφοβος: 'terrified, frightened out' (ἐκ-intensive of φόβος; cf. Mark 9:6); extreme fear.
εἰμιI amPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίmain verb of citation (copula)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'to be'; Moses' present, vivid confession of dread.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἔντρομοςtremblingNominativepredicate adjective (coordinate with Ἔκφοβός)ἔντρομος: 'trembling, quaking' (ἐν + τρόμος); the bodily shaking of terror — fear so deep it convulses.
22
ἀλλὰ προσεληλύθατε Σιὼν ὄρει καὶ πόλει θεοῦ ζῶντος, Ἰερουσαλὴμ ἐπουρανίῳ, καὶ μυριάσιν ἀγγέλων, πανηγύρει
But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels in festal gathering,
The pivotal ἀλλά swings from Sinai's terror to Zion's glory. The same verb προσεληλύθατε now governs a soaring catalogue of what the new-covenant people have come to — Mount Zion, the heavenly city, festal hosts of angels — access in joy, not dread.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative conjunction (the pivot)ἀλλά: 'but, rather'; the hinge of the contrast — over against Sinai, you have come to Zion.
προσεληλύθατεyou have come / drawn nearPerf Act Indic 2 Pl · προσέρχομαιmain verb (perfect of abiding state)→ intensive/consummative perfectπροσέρχομαι: 'come/draw near'; the perfect declares an accomplished, present access — you have come and now stand near (contrast v. 18).
ΣιὼνZionDativedat. (with ὄρει; indeclinable, in apposition)Σιών: Zion; the mountain of God's dwelling and the messianic city — here the heavenly counterpart to earthly Jerusalem.
ὄρειto a mountain / MountDativedat. (object of προσεληλύθατε)ὄρος: 'mountain'; 'Mount Zion' set against the touchable mountain (v. 18) — the place of grace, not terror.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πόλειto the cityDativedat. (coordinate object of προσεληλύθατε)πόλις: 'city'; the abiding city the patriarchs sought (11:10, 16; 13:14) — God's own dwelling-place.
θεοῦof GodGenitivepossessive genitive (with πόλει)θεός: God; the city is his own.
ζῶντοςlivingPres Act Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · ζάωattributive participle (with θεοῦ)→ stative/gnomic presentζάω: 'live'; 'the living God' (a Hebrews refrain, cf. 3:12; 9:14; 10:31) — over against dead idols, the source of life.
ἸερουσαλὴμJerusalemDativedat. (apposition to πόλει; indeclinable)Ἰερουσαλήμ: Jerusalem; here the heavenly, eschatological city (cf. Gal 4:26; Rev 21:2).
ἐπουρανίῳheavenlyDativeattributive adjective (with Ἰερουσαλὴμ)ἐπουράνιος: 'heavenly, in the heavens' (ἐπί + οὐρανός); the celestial character of this Jerusalem — not the earthly city.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μυριάσινto myriads / tens of thousandsDativedat. (coordinate object of προσεληλύθατε)μυριάς: 'myriad, ten thousand,' hence 'countless thousands'; the innumerable angelic host (cf. Deut 33:2; Dan 7:10).
ἀγγέλωνof angelsGenitivepartitive/content genitive (with μυριάσιν)ἄγγελος: 'angel, messenger'; the heavenly attendants assembled in celebration.
πανηγύρειin festal assemblyDativedat. (apposition to μυριάσιν, or beginning a new member)πανήγυρις: 'festal gathering, joyous assembly' (a NT hapax; a public feast-day convocation); the angels gathered not in dread but in festal joy.
23
καὶ ἐκκλησίᾳ πρωτοτόκων ἀπογεγραμμένων ἐν οὐρανοῖς, καὶ κριτῇ θεῷ πάντων, καὶ πνεύμασι δικαίων τετελειωμένων,
and to the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
καί extends the catalogue of Zion's inhabitants: the enrolled assembly of the firstborn, God the universal judge, and the perfected righteous. The new-covenant worshiper is brought into communion with the whole redeemed and angelic city.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐκκλησίᾳto the assembly / churchDativedat. (coordinate object of προσεληλύθατε)ἐκκλησία: 'assembly, congregation, church'; the gathered company of God's people, here in its heavenly fullness.
πρωτοτόκωνof the firstbornGenitivegenitive of content (with ἐκκλησίᾳ)πρωτότοκος: 'firstborn'; the plural marks all believers as heirs of the firstborn's privilege — pointedly the opposite of Esau, who lost his birthright (v. 16).
ἀπογεγραμμένωνenrolled / registeredPerf Pass Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · ἀπογράφωattributive participle (with πρωτοτόκων)→ intensive perfect (permanently registered)ἀπογράφω: 'register, enroll, record'; their names written in heaven (cf. Luke 10:20) — the perfect marks an enrollment that abides.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
οὐρανοῖςheaven / the heavensDativedat. of place (object of ἐν)οὐρανός: 'heaven'; the register of the firstborn is kept in heaven, not on earth.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
κριτῇto a judgeDativedat. (coordinate object of προσεληλύθατε)κριτής: 'judge'; God presented as the universal arbiter — a note of awe even amid the joy (cf. v. 29).
θεῷGodDativedat. (apposition to κριτῇ)θεός: God; the judge is none other than God himself.
πάντωνof allGenitiveobjective genitive (with κριτῇ)πᾶς: 'all'; the scope of his judgment — over everyone.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πνεύμασιto the spiritsDativedat. (coordinate object of προσεληλύθατε)πνεῦμα: 'spirit'; the disembodied spirits of departed believers, now perfected and gathered in the heavenly city.
δικαίωνof the righteousGenitivegenitive of content (with πνεύμασι)δίκαιος: 'righteous, just'; the saints declared righteous — including the faithful of ch. 11 who 'apart from us would not be made perfect' (11:40).
τετελειωμένωνmade perfect / completedPerf Pass Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · τελειόωattributive participle (with δικαίων)→ consummative/intensive perfectτελειόω: 'bring to completion, perfect' (a Hebrews keyword; cf. v. 2, τελειωτής); the perfect marks the finished, abiding state of consummation Christ has secured for the righteous.
24
καὶ διαθήκης νέας μεσίτῃ Ἰησοῦ, καὶ αἵματι ῥαντισμοῦ κρεῖττον λαλοῦντι παρὰ τὸν Ἅβελ.
and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks better than that of Abel.
The catalogue climaxes where it must — at Jesus, mediator of the new covenant, and his sprinkled blood. Unlike Abel's blood, which cried for vengeance, Christ's blood speaks a 'better' word of forgiveness and access, sealing the whole contrast of the two mountains.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
διαθήκηςof a covenantGenitiveobjective genitive (with μεσίτῃ)διαθήκη: 'covenant, testament'; the new covenant of which Jesus is mediator (cf. 8:6; 9:15).
νέαςnewGenitiveattributive adjective (with διαθήκης)νέος: 'new, fresh, recent'; the new covenant — here νέα ('new in time'), complementing καινή ('new in kind') used elsewhere.
μεσίτῃto the mediatorDativedat. (coordinate object of προσεληλύθατε)μεσίτης: 'mediator, go-between' (from μέσος, 'middle'); the one who stands between God and people to establish the covenant — surpassing Moses.
ἸησοῦJesusDativedat. (apposition to μεσίτῃ)Ἰησοῦς: Jesus; named personally as the covenant mediator — the goal of the whole approach.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
αἵματιto the bloodDativedat. (coordinate object of προσεληλύθατε)αἷμα: 'blood'; the sacrificial blood of Jesus that ratifies the covenant and cleanses (cf. 9:14; 10:19, 22).
ῥαντισμοῦof sprinklingGenitivegenitive of quality/relation (with αἵματι)ῥαντισμός: 'sprinkling' (from ῥαντίζω; cf. 1 Pet 1:2); the blood applied in covenant ratification and purification (cf. Exod 24:8).
κρεῖττονbetter / a better wordadverbial accusative (with λαλοῦντι)κρείττων: 'better, superior' (the great Hebrews comparative, cf. 1:4; 7:22); the blood speaks a better message — pardon, not vengeance.
λαλοῦντιthat speaksPres Act Ptc · Dat Sg Neut · λαλέωattributive participle (with αἵματι)→ gnomic/durative presentλαλέω: 'speak'; the blood 'speaks' — personified as making continual appeal before God (cf. Abel's blood, Gen 4:10).
παρὰthanpreposition + accusative (comparison)παρά: with the accusative in comparison, 'than, beyond' — marking the superiority.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Ἅβελ)
ἍβελAbelAccusativeobject of παρά (comparison; indeclinable, art. governs case)Ἅβελ: Abel (Gen 4); his shed blood cried out for vengeance (cf. 11:4), whereas Christ's blood pleads forgiveness — the better word.
25
Βλέπετε μὴ παραιτήσησθε τὸν λαλοῦντα· εἰ γὰρ ἐκεῖνοι οὐκ ἐξέφυγον ἐπὶ γῆς παραιτησάμενοι τὸν χρηματίζοντα, πολὺ μᾶλλον ἡμεῖς οἱ τὸν ἀπ' οὐρανῶν ἀποστρεφόμενοι·
See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we turn away from him who warns from heaven;
An asyndetic, urgent imperative opens the concluding warning. By a now-familiar lesser-to-greater argument: if rejecting the earthly oracle at Sinai brought inescapable judgment, far more will rejecting the One who speaks from heaven in the gospel. The verb παραιτέομαι deliberately echoes v. 19.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
Βλέπετεsee / take carePres Act Impv 2 Pl · βλέπωimperative (main verb)→ present imperative (continual watchfulness)βλέπω: 'look, see, beware'; here 'see to it, take care' — a warning to vigilance (cf. 3:12).
μὴnot / that … notnegative particle (with subjunctive)
παραιτήσησθεyou refuse / rejectAor Mid Subj 2 Pl · παραιτέομαιsubjunctive of prohibition (with μή)→ ingressive aoristπαραιτέομαι: 'refuse, reject, beg off'; the same verb as v. 19 — do not do what the Israelites did, refusing the divine voice.
τὸνhim whoAccusativearticle (substantizes the participle)
λαλοῦνταis speakingPres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · λαλέωsubstantival participle (object of παραιτήσησθε)→ present (ongoing speech)λαλέω: 'speak'; God (in Christ / the gospel) still speaking — picking up the speaking blood of v. 24.
εἰifconditional conjunction (protasis)εἰ: 'if'; first-class condition assumed true for the argument.
γὰρforexplanatory/causal conjunction
ἐκεῖνοιthose / theyNominativesubject of ἐξέφυγον (demonstrative)ἐκεῖνος: 'that one, those'; the Sinai generation who refused God's voice.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐξέφυγονescapedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐκφεύγωmain verb of protasis→ constative aoristἐκφεύγω: 'flee out, escape' (ἐκ + φεύγω); they did not escape the consequences of their refusal.
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (place)
γῆςearthGenitiveobject of ἐπί (place of the warning)γῆ: 'earth, land'; the earthly locus of the Sinai oracle, contrasted with 'from heaven.'
παραιτησάμενοιhaving refusedAor Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · παραιτέομαιadverbial participle of cause/time (with ἐξέφυγον)→ constative aoristπαραιτέομαι: 'refuse, reject'; their refusal of the one who warned — the cause of their not escaping.
τὸνhim whoAccusativearticle (substantizes the participle)
χρηματίζονταwarned / gave the divine oraclePres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · χρηματίζωsubstantival participle (object of παραιτησάμενοι)→ present (the act of warning)χρηματίζω: 'give a divine warning/oracle, instruct from God'; the One who spoke the law at Sinai.
πολὺmuchadverbial accusative (with μᾶλλον)πολύ: 'much'; intensifies the a fortiori.
μᾶλλονmore / less (in escaping)comparative adverbμᾶλλον: 'more, rather'; 'much more' shall we not escape — the greater accountability of the greater privilege.
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject of implied 'shall not escape' (emphatic)
οἱwe whoNominativearticle (substantizes the participle)
τὸνhimAccusativearticle (object of ἀποστρεφόμενοι)
ἀπ'frompreposition + genitive (source)
οὐρανῶνheaven / the heavensGenitiveobject of ἀπό (source of the speaking)οὐρανός: 'heaven'; the heavenly source of the gospel warning — greater than the earthly Sinai voice.
ἀποστρεφόμενοιturning away fromPres Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀποστρέφωsubstantival participle (in apposition to ἡμεῖς)→ present (the act of turning away)ἀποστρέφω (mid.): 'turn away from, reject, repudiate' (ἀπό + στρέφω); the apostate's rejection of the heavenly Speaker.
26
οὗ ἡ φωνὴ τὴν γῆν ἐσάλευσεν τότε, νῦν δὲ ἐπήγγελται λέγων· Ἔτι ἅπαξ ἐγὼ σείσω οὐ μόνον τὴν γῆν ἀλλὰ καὶ τὸν οὐρανόν.
whose voice then shook the earth, but now he has promised, saying, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven."
A relative clause grounds the warning: the God who once shook the earth at Sinai now promises (Haggai 2:6) a final, cosmic shaking of earth and heaven. The τότε / νῦν contrast sets the old theophany against the coming eschatological upheaval.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
οὗwhoseGenitiverelative pronoun (possessive, with φωνὴ)
ἡtheNominativearticle (with φωνὴ)
φωνὴvoiceNominativesubject of ἐσάλευσενφωνή: 'voice'; God's voice — the agent of the earth-shaking at Sinai.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with γῆν)
γῆνearthAccusativedirect object of ἐσάλευσενγῆ: 'earth'; the earth that quaked at Sinai (Exod 19:18; Judg 5:4–5).
ἐσάλευσενshookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · σαλεύωmain verb of relative clause→ constative aoristσαλεύω: 'shake, cause to totter'; the earthquake of the Sinai theophany — the keyword of vv. 26–27.
τότεthen / at that timeadverb of time (contrast with νῦν)τότε: 'then'; the past Sinai event.
νῦνnowadverb of time (contrast with τότε)νῦν: 'now'; the present age of promise, looking to the final shaking.
δὲbutadversative/developmental conjunction
ἐπήγγελταιhe has promisedPerf Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐπαγγέλλομαιmain verb (perfect of abiding promise)→ intensive perfect (the promise stands)ἐπαγγέλλομαι: 'promise, announce'; the perfect marks a promise made and still in force — God's word through Haggai abides.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λέγωparticiple introducing direct discourse→ present (concurrent)λέγω: 'say'; the standard participle marking the citation that follows.
Ἔτιyet / stilladverb of time (citation begins)ἔτι: 'yet, still'; 'yet once more' — the phrase the author will expound in v. 27 (Hag 2:6 LXX).
ἅπαξonce / one (more) timeadverb (with Ἔτι)ἅπαξ: 'once'; ἔτι ἅπαξ = 'yet once more' — pointing to a single, final, decisive shaking.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun) of σείσω
σείσωwill shakeFut Act Indic 1 Sg · σείωmain verb of citation→ predictive futureσείω: 'shake, agitate' (cf. 'seismic'); the coming cosmic upheaval God himself will effect.
οὐnotnegative particle (with μόνον)
μόνονonlyadverb (with οὐ … ἀλλὰ καὶ)μόνον: 'only'; the 'not only … but also' construction widens the shaking from earth to heaven.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with γῆν)
γῆνearthAccusativedirect object of σείσωγῆ: 'earth'; the lower of the two realms to be shaken.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction (in οὐ μόνον … ἀλλὰ καὶ)
καὶalsoascensive adverb
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with οὐρανόν)
οὐρανόνheavenAccusativedirect object of σείσω (coordinate with γῆν)οὐρανός: 'heaven, sky'; the higher realm — the final shaking spares nothing created.
27
τὸ δὲ Ἔτι ἅπαξ δηλοῖ τὴν τῶν σαλευομένων μετάθεσιν ὡς πεποιημένων, ἵνα μείνῃ τὰ μὴ σαλευόμενα.
Now this phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of what is shaken—that is, of created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
δέ introduces the author's exegesis of 'yet once more': it implies a final removal of the shakeable (created) order, to the end that the unshakeable alone remains. The point prepares the climactic exhortation about receiving an unshakeable kingdom.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
τὸthis (phrase)Nominativearticle (substantizes the quoted phrase)τό: the article nominalizes the cited words 'Ἔτι ἅπαξ' as the subject — 'the (expression) "Yet once more."'
δὲnow / anddevelopmental/explanatory conjunction
ἜτιYetquoted adverb (subject phrase)ἔτι: 'yet'; the quoted word being expounded.
ἅπαξonce (more)quoted adverb (subject phrase)ἅπαξ: 'once'; the decisive 'once more' that implies finality.
δηλοῖindicates / makes clearPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δηλόωmain verb→ gnomic presentδηλόω: 'make clear, show, signify' (cf. 9:8); the phrase 'reveals' its theological import.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with μετάθεσιν)
τῶνof the (things)Genitivearticle (substantizes the participle)
σαλευομένωνthings being shakenPres Pass Ptc · Gen Pl Neut · σαλεύωsubstantival participle (objective genitive with μετάθεσιν)→ present passive (subject to shaking)σαλεύω: 'shake'; 'the things that are shaken' — the transient created order destined for removal.
μετάθεσινremoval / changeAccusativedirect object of δηλοῖμετάθεσις: 'transferal, removal, change' (μετά + τίθημι; cf. 7:12; 11:5); the taking-away of the shakeable order.
ὡςas / since they areparticle (causal/explanatory)ὡς: here 'as being, since they are'; explains why they are removed — because they are made/created.
πεποιημένωνhaving been made / created thingsPerf Pass Ptc · Gen Pl Neut · ποιέωpredicate participle (with τῶν σαλευομένων)→ intensive perfect (created and so standing)ποιέω: 'make, create'; the shaken things are 'made' — belonging to the created, hence provisional, order.
ἵναso thatpurpose conjunction (with subjunctive)
μείνῃmay remain / abideAor Act Subj 3 Sg · μένωsubjunctive in purpose clause→ constative aoristμένω: 'remain, abide, endure'; the goal — that the unshakeable permanently stand when all else is removed.
τὰthe (things)Nominativearticle (substantizes the participle; subject of μείνῃ)
μὴnotnegative particle (with participle)
σαλευόμεναthings not being shaken / unshakeablePres Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Neut · σαλεύωsubstantival participle (subject of μείνῃ)→ present passive (incapable of being shaken)σαλεύω: 'shake'; 'the things not shaken' — the permanent realities of God's kingdom that survive the final upheaval.
28
Διὸ βασιλείαν ἀσάλευτον παραλαμβάνοντες ἔχωμεν χάριν, δι' ἧς λατρεύωμεν εὐαρέστως τῷ θεῷ μετὰ εὐλαβείας καὶ δέους·
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may offer to God acceptable worship with reverence and awe;
διό draws the grand conclusion: because we receive an unshakeable kingdom, let us hold to grace and render acceptable worship marked by reverence and awe. The hortatory ἔχωμεν gathers the chapter's pastoral aim — grateful, reverent perseverance.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
Διὸthereforeinferential conjunction (sentence-initial)διό: 'therefore, wherefore'; draws the climactic inference from the unshakeable kingdom.
βασιλείανa kingdomAccusativedirect object of παραλαμβάνοντεςβασιλεία: 'kingdom, reign'; the unshakeable rule of God we inherit — the abiding reality of v. 27.
ἀσάλευτονunshakeableAccusativeattributive adjective (with βασιλείαν)ἀσάλευτος: 'unshaken, immovable' (alpha-privative + σαλεύω; cf. Acts 27:41); the kingdom that survives the final shaking.
παραλαμβάνοντεςreceivingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · παραλαμβάνωcausal adverbial participle (with ἔχωμεν)→ present (in process of receiving)παραλαμβάνω: 'receive, take to oneself' (παρά + λαμβάνω); the kingdom is received as a gift, not achieved — grounds for gratitude.
ἔχωμενlet us have / holdPres Act Subj 1 Pl · ἔχωhortatory subjunctive (main verb)→ customary present (continuing)ἔχω: 'have, hold'; 'let us have grace' — either 'be thankful' (idiom, χάριν ἔχειν) or 'hold fast to grace'; either way, the fitting response to the gift.
χάρινgrace / gratitudeAccusativedirect object of ἔχωμενχάρις: 'grace, favor, thanks'; the divine grace that enables acceptable worship — or, idiomatically with ἔχω, 'thankfulness.'
δι'by / throughpreposition + genitive (means)
ἧςwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (object of διά, = grace)
λατρεύωμενlet us worship / servePres Act Subj 1 Pl · λατρεύωsubjunctive in relative-purpose clause→ customary presentλατρεύω: 'serve, worship' (cultic service; cf. 9:14; 10:2); the grateful, reverent service that befits the kingdom's heirs.
εὐαρέστωςacceptably / pleasinglyadverb of manner (with λατρεύωμεν)εὐαρέστως: 'acceptably, in a well-pleasing way' (a NT hapax; from εὐάρεστος, 'well-pleasing'); worship that God accepts.
τῷtheDativearticle (with θεῷ)
θεῷGodDativedat. of the one served (with λατρεύωμεν)θεός: God; the object of the acceptable worship.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (manner/accompaniment)
εὐλαβείαςreverence / godly fearGenitiveobject of μετά (manner)εὐλάβεια: 'reverence, godly caution, devout fear' (cf. 5:7); the worshipful awe befitting God's presence.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
δέουςawe / dreadGenitiveobject of μετά (coordinate with εὐλαβείας)δέος: 'awe, reverent fear, dread' (a NT hapax); the holy fear answering the 'consuming fire' of v. 29.
29
καὶ γὰρ ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν πῦρ καταναλίσκον.
for indeed our God is a consuming fire.
καὶ γάρ ('for indeed') closes the chapter by grounding the call to reverent awe in the nature of God himself: a consuming fire (Deut 4:24). The Sinai imagery of fire (v. 18) returns, now as the abiding character of the God whose kingdom cannot be shaken — grace and gravity held together.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
καὶindeed / alsoascensive adverb (in καὶ γάρ)καὶ γάρ: 'for indeed, for in fact'; a strong confirming ground for the preceding exhortation.
γὰρforexplanatory/causal conjunctionγάρ: 'for'; grounds the reverence and awe of v. 28 in God's character.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with θεὸς)
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (of an implied ἐστιν)θεός: God; the subject of the closing declaration.
ἡμῶνourGenitivepossessive genitive (with θεὸς)
πῦρa fireNominativepredicate nominative (with implied ἐστιν)πῦρ: 'fire'; from Deut 4:24 — God's holiness pictured as fire that consumes all that opposes it (cf. v. 18).
καταναλίσκονconsuming / devouringPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Neut · καταναλίσκωattributive participle (with πῦρ)→ gnomic/durative presentκαταναλίσκω: 'consume utterly, devour' (κατά-intensive of ἀναλίσκω; a NT hapax); fire that wholly burns up — God's awesome, purifying holiness, the chapter's final, sobering note.