1
Ὅθεν, ἀδελφοὶ ἅγιοι, κλήσεως ἐπουρανίου μέτοχοι, κατανοήσατε τὸν ἀπόστολον καὶ ἀρχιερέα τῆς ὁμολογίας ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦν,
Therefore, holy brothers, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the apostle and high priest of our confession, Jesus,
The first hortatory 'therefore' of the letter draws its conclusion from the incarnation argument of ch. 2: because the Son became a merciful and faithful high priest (2:17), fix your mind on him.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
Ὅθενtherefore / for which reasoninferential adverb (drawing a conclusion)ὅθεν: 'whence, for which reason'; a favorite Hebrews connective (2:17; 7:25; 8:3) marking a logical consequence.
ἀδελφοὶbrothersVocativevocative of direct addressἀδελφός: 'brother'; the family term grounded in 2:11–12, where the Son is unashamed to call them brothers.
ἅγιοιholyVocativeattributive adjective (with ἀδελφοί)ἅγιος: 'holy, set apart'; the readers are consecrated ones, sanctified by Christ (2:11).
κλήσεωςof a callingGenitiveobjective/descriptive genitive (with μέτοχοι)κλῆσις: 'calling, summons'; the divine invitation in which they share.
ἐπουρανίουheavenlyGenitiveattributive adjectiveἐπουράνιος: 'heavenly, of the heavens' (ἐπί + οὐρανός); a Hebrews keyword (6:4; 8:5; 11:16; 12:22) — the calling originates and terminates above.
μέτοχοιpartakersVocativeappositional vocative (to ἀδελφοί)μέτοχος: 'sharer, partner' (μετά + ἔχω); a Hebrews term (1:9; 3:14; 6:4; 12:8) for those who hold a thing in common.
κατανοήσατεconsider / fix your mind onAor Act Impv 2 Pl · κατανοέωmain verb (imperative)→ ingressive/constative aorist imperative (urgent appeal)κατανοέω: 'observe attentively, consider closely' (κατά-intensive of νοέω); more than a glance — a fixed, perceptive contemplation.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ἀπόστολονapostleAccusativedirect object (of κατανοήσατε)ἀπόστολος: 'one sent, envoy'; uniquely applied to Jesus here — the one sent from God to humanity (the Godward 'apostle' answering the manward 'high priest').
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀρχιερέαhigh priestAccusativedirect object (coordinate with ἀπόστολον)ἀρχιερεύς: 'high priest, chief priest'; the letter's central title for Jesus (2:17; 4:14–5:10), the one who represents the people to God.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
ὁμολογίαςconfessionGenitiveobjective genitive (whom our confession confesses)ὁμολογία: 'confession, profession' (lit. 'saying the same thing'); the faith jointly professed (cf. 4:14; 10:23).
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship/subject
ἸησοῦνJesusAccusativeaccusative in apposition (naming the object)Ἰησοῦς: 'Jesus'; the human name, placed emphatically last — the one to be contemplated is the incarnate Son.
2
πιστὸν ὄντα τῷ ποιήσαντι αὐτὸν ὡς καὶ Μωϋσῆς ἐν ὅλῳ τῷ οἴκῳ αὐτοῦ.
who was faithful to the one who appointed him, as Moses also was in all his house.
A participial clause defining Jesus by the quality that drives the chapter — faithfulness — and introducing the comparison with Moses on the common ground of being 'faithful in God's house.'
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
πιστὸνfaithfulAccusativepredicate adjective (with ὄντα)πιστός: 'faithful, trustworthy'; the keyword of vv.2–6, echoing 2:17 and Num 12:7 LXX (Moses πιστός in God's house).
ὄνταbeing / who wasPres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · εἰμίadverbial/attributive participle (modifying Ἰησοῦν)→ stative present (concurrent state)
τῷto the (one)Dativearticle (substantizes the participle)
ποιήσαντιwho appointed / madeAor Act Ptc · Dat Sg Masc · ποιέωsubstantival participle (dat. of reference: faithful 'to' him)→ constative aoristποιέω: here in the sense 'appoint, install' (a Septuagintal idiom; cf. 1 Sam 12:6, Mark 3:14) — God who appointed Jesus to his office, not 'created' him.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object (of ποιήσαντι)
ὡςascomparative conjunctionὡς: 'as, just as'; introducing the Moses comparison.
καὶalsoadverbial/ascensive conjunction
ΜωϋσῆςMosesNominativesubject (of implied ἦν πιστός)Μωϋσῆς: Moses; the supreme servant-mediator of the old covenant, the benchmark of faithfulness (Num 12:7).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ὅλῳall / wholeDativeattributive adjectiveὅλος: 'whole, entire'; from Num 12:7 — Moses faithful in the whole household, not merely a part.
τῷtheDativearticle
οἴκῳhouseDativedative of sphere (the realm of service)οἶκος: 'house, household'; the keyword binding vv.2–6 — both the building and the family of God (cf. v.6, 'whose house we are').
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (God's house)
3
πλείονος γὰρ οὗτος δόξης παρὰ Μωϋσῆν ἠξίωται, καθ' ὅσον πλείονα τιμὴν ἔχει τοῦ οἴκου ὁ κατασκευάσας αὐτόν·
For this one has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by as much as the one who built the house has more honor than the house.
The point of the comparison: Jesus' faithfulness is not merely equal to Moses' but accompanied by greater glory — argued through the builder/house ratio.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
πλείονοςmore / greaterGenitiveattributive adjective (comparative, with δόξης)πλείων: 'more, greater'; the comparative of πολύς, fronted for emphasis — the theme of 'greater' runs through Hebrews.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
οὗτοςthis oneNominativesubject (demonstrative, = Jesus)
δόξηςgloryGenitivegenitive of the thing valued (with ἠξίωται)δόξα: 'glory, honor'; the splendor of worth — the verb ἀξιόω regularly takes a genitive of that of which one is deemed worthy.
παρὰthan / beyondpreposition + accusative (comparison)παρά: with the accusative in comparisons, 'than, more than' — a Hebrews idiom (1:4, 9; 9:23).
ΜωϋσῆνMosesAccusativeobject of παρά (point of comparison)
ἠξίωταιhas been counted worthyPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀξιόωmain verb→ intensive perfect (an abiding, settled worthiness)ἀξιόω: 'deem worthy, count worthy' (from ἄξιος); the perfect marks Christ's honor as an established, enduring fact.
καθ'according to / in proportion aspreposition + accusative (measure/degree)κατά: here measuring degree — καθ' ὅσον … 'by as much as.'
ὅσονas much asAccusativecorrelative pronoun (degree)ὅσος: 'as much/great as'; with κατά forms a proportional comparison.
πλείοναmore / greaterAccusativeattributive adjective (comparative, with τιμήν)πλείων: 'more, greater' — the comparative repeated to drive the proportion.
τιμὴνhonorAccusativedirect object (of ἔχει)τιμή: 'honor, value, price'; the esteem belonging to the builder over the building.
ἔχειhasPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔχωmain verb (subordinate clause)→ gnomic present (general truth)ἔχω: 'have, hold'; the gnomic present states a principle valid always.
τοῦthan theGenitivearticle
οἴκουhouseGenitivegenitive of comparison (more honor than the house)οἶκος: 'house'; the building, contrasted with its maker — the lesser term of the analogy.
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes the participle)
κατασκευάσαςwho built / furnishedAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · κατασκευάζωsubstantival participle (subject of ἔχει)→ constative aoristκατασκευάζω: 'construct, build, furnish, equip' (more than raise walls — to fit out a household); the builder outranks his handiwork.
αὐτόνitAccusativedirect object (of κατασκευάσας)
4
πᾶς γὰρ οἶκος κατασκευάζεται ὑπό τινος, ὁ δὲ πάντα κατασκευάσας θεός.
For every house is built by someone, but the one who built all things is God.
A parenthetical maxim supporting v.3: every house presupposes a builder; and behind all building stands God. The clause quietly identifies the builder-of-all with God, lifting Christ's 'builder' role toward deity (cf. 1:2, 10).
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
πᾶςeveryNominativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'every, all'; the universalizing premise.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
οἶκοςhouseNominativesubjectοἶκος: 'house'; the maxim's subject — any house whatever.
κατασκευάζεταιis builtPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · κατασκευάζωmain verb (passive)→ gnomic present (timeless principle)κατασκευάζω: 'build, furnish'; the passive points to an unnamed agent supplied by ὑπό τινος.
ὑπόbypreposition + genitive (agent)ὑπό: with the genitive, marking the personal agent of a passive verb.
τινοςsomeoneGenitiveobject of ὑπό (indefinite agent)τις: 'someone, a certain one'; indefinite — every house has some builder.
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes the participle)
δὲbutcontrastive conjunctionδέ: 'but, and'; here lightly adversative, turning from the general maxim to its theological apex.
πάνταall thingsAccusativedirect object (of κατασκευάσας)πᾶς: 'all'; neuter plural 'all things' — the totality of creation (cf. 1:3, 'upholding all things').
κατασκευάσαςwho builtAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · κατασκευάζωsubstantival participle (subject)→ constative aoristκατασκευάζω: 'build, fashion'; the maker of all is the climactic builder.
θεόςis GodNominativepredicate nominative (verbless clause)θεός: God; the anarthrous predicate identifies the universal builder as God himself.
5
καὶ Μωϋσῆς μὲν πιστὸς ἐν ὅλῳ τῷ οἴκῳ αὐτοῦ ὡς θεράπων εἰς μαρτύριον τῶν λαληθησομένων,
And Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of the things that would be spoken,
The μέν … δέ (vv.5–6) sets the decisive antithesis: Moses faithful as a servant within the house, his role witness-bearing and anticipatory; Christ faithful as a Son over the house.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΜωϋσῆςMosesNominativesubjectΜωϋσῆς: Moses — honored, yet placed in the lesser, servant role.
μὲνindeed / on the one handparticle (correlative with δέ in v.6)μέν: marks the first of a balanced pair, anticipating the answering δέ ('on the one hand … on the other').
πιστὸςfaithfulNominativepredicate adjective (verbless: 'was faithful')πιστός: 'faithful'; the shared virtue, conceded fully to Moses — the contrast lies not in faithfulness but in status.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ὅλῳall / wholeDativeattributive adjectiveὅλος: 'whole'; again echoing Num 12:7.
τῷtheDativearticle
οἴκῳhouseDativedative of sphereοἶκος: 'house'; Moses serves within it — a member, not its lord.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (God's house)
ὡςascomparative conjunction (defining role)ὡς: 'as'; introducing Moses' capacity — namely servant.
θεράπωνservant / attendantNominativepredicate nominative (role)θεράπων: 'attendant, ministering servant' — an honorable, personal service (the very word of Num 12:7 LXX for Moses, θεράπων κυρίου); not the menial δοῦλος, yet still a servant within the household.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose)
μαρτύριονa testimonyAccusativeobject of εἰς (purpose of his service)μαρτύριον: 'testimony, witness'; Moses' ministry pointed beyond itself — bearing witness to a coming revelation.
τῶνof the (things)Genitivearticle (substantizes the participle)
λαληθησομένωνthat would be spokenFut Pass Ptc · Gen Pl Neut · λαλέωsubstantival participle (objective genitive: testimony to them)→ predictive future (anticipating later revelation)λαλέω: 'speak'; the rare future passive participle marks Moses' witness as forward-pointing — to the word God would yet speak in the Son (1:1–2).
6
Χριστὸς δὲ ὡς υἱὸς ἐπὶ τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ· οὗ οἶκός ἐσμεν ἡμεῖς, ἐάν τὴν παρρησίαν καὶ τὸ καύχημα τῆς ἐλπίδος κατάσχωμεν.
but Christ as a Son over his house — whose house we are, if indeed we hold fast the confidence and the boast of the hope.
The answering δέ completes the antithesis (Son over the house vs. servant in it) and then pivots: 'we are that house' — but the conditional ἐάν makes belonging contingent on persevering confidence, launching the warning of vv.7–19.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
ΧριστὸςChristNominativesubjectΧριστός: 'Anointed, Messiah'; here the superior counterpart to Moses, named by his messianic title.
δὲbut / on the other handcontrastive particle (answering μέν of v.5)δέ: completing the μέν … δέ — the decisive contrast in status.
ὡςascomparative conjunction (defining role)ὡς: 'as'; Christ's capacity — namely Son.
υἱὸςa SonNominativepredicate nominative (role; verbless: 'was faithful')υἱός: 'Son'; the decisive term — Christ belongs to the house as its heir and lord, not as a servant within it (cf. John 8:35).
ἐπὶoverpreposition + accusative (authority/position)ἐπί: with the accusative here 'over, in authority over' — the Son's rule, contrasted with Moses' ἐν ('in').
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
οἶκονhouseAccusativeobject of ἐπί (the realm ruled)οἶκος: 'house'; God's household, over which the Son presides.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (God's house; or the Son's own)
οὗwhoseGenitiverelative pronoun (genitive of possession)
οἶκόςhouseNominativepredicate nominativeοἶκος: 'house, household'; the metaphor turns personal — the believing community is God's house (cf. 1 Tim 3:15; 1 Pet 2:5).
ἐσμενwe arePres Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
ἐάνifconjunction (3rd-class condition)ἐάν: 'if'; introduces the contingency — present standing in the house is bound to perseverance (cf. the same ἐάνπερ in v.14).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
παρρησίανconfidence / boldnessAccusativedirect object (of κατάσχωμεν)παρρησία: 'boldness, confident freedom of speech' (lit. 'all-speech'); a Hebrews keyword (4:16; 10:19, 35) — the open assurance of those who belong.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὸtheAccusativearticle
καύχημαboast / object of boastingAccusativedirect object (coordinate)καύχημα: 'ground/object of boasting, exultation'; the glorying that hope inspires — to be held fast, not cast away.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
ἐλπίδοςhopeGenitivegenitive of source/content (the boast that hope yields)ἐλπίς: 'hope'; the confident expectation that anchors the soul (6:18–19) — the spring of both confidence and boasting.
κατάσχωμενwe hold fastAor Act Subj 1 Pl · κατέχωmain verb (subjunctive in ἐάν clause)→ constative aorist subjunctive (the act of holding firm, viewed whole)κατέχω: 'hold down, hold fast, retain' (κατά-intensive of ἔχω); the verb of tenacious perseverance (cf. 3:14; 10:23).
7
Διό, καθὼς λέγει τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον· Σήμερον ἐὰν τῆς φωνῆς αὐτοῦ ἀκούσητε,
Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear his voice,
The 'therefore' draws the warning out of v.6's condition and introduces the long quotation of Psalm 95:7–11 (LXX 94) as the present speech of the Holy Spirit — Scripture as living, contemporary address ('Today').
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
Διόthereforeinferential conjunctionδιό: 'therefore, for which reason' (διʼ ὅ); the warning follows from the conditional belonging of v.6.
καθὼςas / just ascomparative conjunction (introducing citation)καθώς: 'just as, according as'; the formula introducing the scriptural quotation.
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (introductory formula)→ present (the Spirit's continuing utterance)λέγω: 'say'; the present tense is significant — Scripture is not 'said' but 'says,' a living voice.
τὸtheNominativearticle
πνεῦμαSpiritNominativesubjectπνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the Holy Spirit named as the speaker of the Psalm — the divine author of Scripture (cf. 10:15).
τὸtheNominativearticle (attributive, repeated)
ἅγιονHolyNominativeattributive adjective (second attributive position)ἅγιος: 'holy'; the full title 'the Holy Spirit.'
ΣήμερονTodayadverb (time; fronted, emphatic)σήμερον: 'today'; the keyword of the citation (repeated vv.13, 15; 4:7) — the urgent present moment of opportunity and decision.
ἐὰνifconjunction (3rd-class condition)ἐάν: 'if'; the condition on which the warning turns — hearing God's voice.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
φωνῆςvoiceGenitivegenitive object (of ἀκούσητε — 'hear of/listen to')φωνή: 'voice, sound'; God's address — to 'hear his voice' is the issue of obedience.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
ἀκούσητεyou hearAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb (subjunctive in ἐάν clause)→ constative aorist subjunctiveἀκούω: 'hear, listen'; with the genitive often 'heed' — the verb that sets up the 'do not harden' of v.8.
8
μὴ σκληρύνητε τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν ὡς ἐν τῷ παραπικρασμῷ, κατὰ τὴν ἡμέραν τοῦ πειρασμοῦ ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ,
do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness,
The main clause of the Psalm citation: the prohibition against hardening, anchored to the historical precedent of Israel's wilderness rebellion (Massah/Meribah, Exod 17; Num 14).
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
μὴnotnegative particle (with subjunctive prohibition)μή: the negative used with non-indicative moods; here forming a prohibition.
σκληρύνητεhardenAor Act Subj 2 Pl · σκληρύνωmain verb (prohibitive subjunctive)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (do not begin to harden)σκληρύνω: 'make hard, harden' (from σκληρός, 'hard, stiff'); the LXX verb for the obstinate, unresponsive heart (cf. Pharaoh, Exod 7–9).
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
καρδίαςheartsAccusativedirect objectκαρδία: 'heart'; the inner self — mind, will, and disposition — the seat of belief or unbelief (vv.10, 12).
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
ὡςascomparative conjunctionὡς: 'as'; drawing the warning's analogy to the wilderness generation.
ἐνin / atpreposition + dative (time/circumstance)
τῷtheDativearticle
παραπικρασμῷrebellion / provocationDativedative of time/occasion (object of ἐν)παραπικρασμός: 'embittering, provocation, rebellion'; the LXX rendering of Hebrew Meribah ('strife,' Exod 17:7) — the place where Israel provoked God.
κατὰon / atpreposition + accusative (time)κατά: with the accusative of time, 'on, during.'
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἡμέρανdayAccusativeaccusative of time (object of κατά)ἡμέρα: 'day'; the day of Massah ('testing'), paired with the place of Meribah.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
πειρασμοῦtesting / temptationGenitiveattributive/descriptive genitive (the day characterized by testing)πειρασμός: 'testing, trial' (LXX for Massah, Exod 17:7); here Israel's putting God to the test in the desert.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τῇtheDativearticle
ἐρήμῳwildernessDativedative of place (object of ἐν; substantival adj.)ἔρημος: 'desert, wilderness'; the place of Israel's forty-year testing and failure — the setting of the whole warning.
9
οὗ ἐπείρασαν οἱ πατέρες ὑμῶν ἐν δοκιμασίᾳ καὶ εἶδον τὰ ἔργα μου τεσσεράκοντα ἔτη·
where your fathers tested me by proving me, and saw my works for forty years.
The Psalm recounts the offense: the fathers tested God even while witnessing his mighty works — testing as a settled disposition over the forty-year span. The clause begins God's first-person speech within the quotation.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
οὗwhererelative adverb of placeοὗ: 'where'; the relative adverb, locating the offense in the wilderness.
ἐπείρασανtested / put to the testAor Act Indic 3 Pl · πειράζωmain verb→ constative aorist (the wilderness testing as a whole)πειράζω: 'test, try, tempt'; here Israel's audacious testing of God — demanding proof despite his evident faithfulness.
οἱtheNominativearticle
πατέρεςfathersNominativesubjectπατήρ: 'father, ancestor'; 'your fathers' — the exodus generation, the readers' forebears in covenant and in danger.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἐνby / inpreposition + dative (means/manner)
δοκιμασίᾳproving / a putting to the proofDativedative of means (object of ἐν)δοκιμασία: 'testing, examination, proving'; ἐν δοκιμασίᾳ — 'by way of proof,' i.e. they tested God by demanding that he prove himself.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἶδονthey sawAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ὁράωmain verb (coordinate)→ constative aoristὁράω (aor. εἶδον): 'see'; the aggravating fact — they tested God though they had seen his works with their own eyes.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
ἔργαworksAccusativedirect object (of εἶδον)ἔργον: 'work, deed'; God's redemptive and providential acts in the wilderness (plagues, sea, manna, water) — witnessed, yet not believed.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (God speaks)
τεσσεράκονταfortyAccusativeattributive numeral (accusative of duration)τεσσεράκοντα: 'forty'; the span of the wilderness wandering — in the Psalm joined to 'saw my works,' in v.17 to God's displeasure.
ἔτηyearsAccusativeaccusative of extent of timeἔτος: 'year'; 'forty years' — long enough to know God, yet a generation of persistent unbelief.
10
διὸ προσώχθισα τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ καὶ εἶπον· Ἀεὶ πλανῶνται τῇ καρδίᾳ· αὐτοὶ δὲ οὐκ ἔγνωσαν τὰς ὁδούς μου·
Therefore I was angry with this generation, and said, 'They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways';
God's response within the Psalm: provoked displeasure, and a diagnosis — a generation chronically astray in heart and ignorant of his ways. The 'therefore' inside the quotation links offense to sentence.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
διὸthereforeinferential conjunction (within citation)διό: 'therefore'; God's anger follows as the consequence of their testing.
προσώχθισαI was angry / displeasedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · προσοχθίζωmain verb→ ingressive aorist (became indignant)προσοχθίζω: 'be angry, be vexed/disgusted with' (a strong LXX word, lit. 'be burdened/loathe'); deep divine displeasure at the generation.
τῇwith theDativearticle
γενεᾷgenerationDativedative object (of προσώχθισα — 'angry with')γενεά: 'generation'; the exodus contemporaries, the object of God's displeasure.
ταύτῃthisDativedemonstrative adjectiveοὗτος: 'this'; the demonstrative singles out that particular, faithless generation.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἶπονI saidAor Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγω (εἶπον)main verb (coordinate, introduces direct speech)→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπον): 'say'; introducing God's verdict-speech.
Ἀεὶalwaysadverb of time (emphatic, fronted)ἀεί: 'always, continually'; the chronic, habitual character of their wandering.
πλανῶνταιthey go astray / wanderPres Pass/Mid Indic 3 Pl · πλανάωmain verb (direct speech)→ customary present (habitual straying)πλανάω: 'lead astray'; passive/middle 'wander, go astray' (cf. 'planet,' the 'wandering' star) — a heart perpetually off course.
τῇin theDativearticle
καρδίᾳheartDativedative of sphere (where they stray)καρδία: 'heart'; the straying is inward and dispositional — a matter of the will, not mere mishap.
αὐτοὶtheyNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
δὲand / butconnective particle
οὐκnotnegative particleοὐ: the objective negative, with the indicative ἔγνωσαν.
ἔγνωσανthey knew / came to knowAor Act Indic 3 Pl · γινώσκωmain verb→ constative aoristγινώσκω: 'know (by experience), recognize'; they never grasped God's ways — his purposes and the path he set.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
ὁδούςwaysAccusativedirect object (of ἔγνωσαν)ὁδός: 'way, road'; metaphorically God's ways of dealing and the conduct he requires — unlearned by the unbelieving heart.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession
11
ὡς ὤμοσα ἐν τῇ ὀργῇ μου· Εἰ εἰσελεύσονται εἰς τὴν κατάπαυσίν μου.
as I swore in my wrath, 'They shall not enter my rest.'
The climax of the quotation: God's oath barring the unbelieving generation from his 'rest' — the keyword (κατάπαυσις) that ch. 4 will expound as the rest still open to faith.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
ὡςas / so thatconjunction (consecutive/comparative)ὡς: here 'as, so that' — linking the verdict to the oath that ratified it.
ὤμοσαI sworeAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ὄμνυμιmain verb→ constative aorist (the decisive oath)ὄμνυμι: 'swear, take an oath'; God's irrevocable oath (cf. 6:13–18) — here in judgment, sealing exclusion from the rest.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner/circumstance)
τῇtheDativearticle
ὀργῇwrathDativedative of manner/attendant circumstanceὀργή: 'wrath, settled anger'; God's judicial indignation — the oath issued from it.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession
Εἰ(surely) notparticle (Hebraic oath-formula: emphatic negation)εἰ: in a Hebraic oath, εἰ introduces a self-imprecation and functions as a strong negative — 'they shall certainly not enter' (rendering the Hebrew ʾim).
εἰσελεύσονταιthey shall enterFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (apodosis of oath)→ predictive future (denied entry)εἰσέρχομαι: 'enter, go into'; the keyword of the 'rest' theme (4:1–11) — the entry the wilderness generation forfeited.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal/entry)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
κατάπαυσίνrestAccusativeobject of εἰς (the goal denied)κατάπαυσις: 'rest, place of rest' (κατά + παύω, 'cause to cease'); the promised-land rest, and beyond it God's own sabbath rest (4:1–11).
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (God's rest)
12
Βλέπετε, ἀδελφοί, μήποτε ἔσται ἔν τινι ὑμῶν καρδία πονηρὰ ἀπιστίας ἐν τῷ ἀποστῆναι ἀπὸ θεοῦ ζῶντος,
Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, in falling away from the living God;
The writer applies the Psalm directly: a vigilant warning ('take care') against the very heart-condition the citation describes — an evil heart of unbelief that apostatizes from the living God.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
Βλέπετεtake care / watch outPres Act Impv 2 Pl · βλέπωmain verb (imperative)→ present imperative (continuous vigilance)βλέπω: 'see, look'; here 'beware, watch out' — a call to ongoing self-examination.
ἀδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of direct addressἀδελφός: 'brother'; the warning is affectionate and familial, not cold.
μήποτεlest everconjunction (negative purpose/apprehension)μήποτε: 'lest, lest perhaps'; introduces the dreaded possibility to be guarded against.
ἔσταιthere will beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (after μήποτε; vivid future)→ predictive future (the feared outcome)εἰμί: 'be, exist'; the future indicative after μήποτε makes the danger vivid and concrete.
ἔνinpreposition + dative (location)
τινιanyDativeindefinite pronoun (object of ἐν)τις: 'anyone'; 'in any one of you' — the danger is individual and must be watched person by person.
ὑμῶνof youGenitivepartitive genitive
καρδίαa heartNominativesubject (of ἔσται)καρδία: 'heart'; deliberately echoing the Psalm (vv.8, 10) — the same hardenable, strayable inner self.
πονηρὰevilNominativeattributive adjectiveπονηρός: 'evil, wicked'; the moral quality of the unbelieving heart — not mere weakness but culpable evil.
ἀπιστίαςof unbeliefGenitiveattributive/descriptive genitive (a heart characterized by unbelief)ἀπιστία: 'unbelief, faithlessness' (ἀ-privative + πίστις); the root sin of the section — the opposite of the πιστός Christ (v.2) and the keyword of v.19.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (articular infinitive: manner/result)
τῷtheDativearticle (with infinitive)
ἀποστῆναιfalling away / to fall awayAor Act Inf · ἀφίστημιarticular infinitive (ἐν τῷ + inf.: attendant manner/result)→ constative aorist infinitiveἀφίστημι: 'withdraw, fall away, apostatize' (ἀπό + ἵστημι); the source of our word 'apostasy' — defection from God.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
θεοῦGodGenitiveobject of ἀπό (the one departed from)θεός: God; to fall away from God is the ultimate gravity of unbelief.
ζῶντοςlivingPres Act Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · ζάωattributive participle (with θεοῦ)→ stative/durative presentζάω: 'live'; 'the living God' — a Hebrews refrain (9:14; 10:31; 12:22) heightening the peril: to defect from him is to fall into the hands of the living God.
13
ἀλλὰ παρακαλεῖτε ἑαυτοὺς καθ' ἑκάστην ἡμέραν, ἄχρις οὗ τὸ Σήμερον καλεῖται, ἵνα μὴ σκληρυνθῇ τις ἐξ ὑμῶν ἀπάτῃ τῆς ἁμαρτίας·
but exhort one another each day, as long as it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened by the deceit of sin.
The antidote to the danger of v.12: mutual, daily exhortation, urgent while the 'Today' of opportunity lasts, lest sin's deceit work the very hardening the Psalm warned against.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative conjunctionἀλλά: 'but, rather'; the sharp contrast — instead of an apostate heart, active mutual care.
παρακαλεῖτεexhort / encouragePres Act Impv 2 Pl · παρακαλέωmain verb (imperative)→ present imperative (continuous practice)παρακαλέω: 'call alongside, exhort, encourage, comfort' (παρά + καλέω); the pastoral verb of the whole letter (cf. 13:22, 'word of exhortation').
ἑαυτοὺςone another / yourselvesAccusativereflexive pronoun (reciprocal sense: 'one another')ἑαυτοῦ: the reflexive 'yourselves,' used reciprocally here — 'one another'; perseverance is a communal task.
καθ'each / everypreposition + accusative (distributive)κατά: distributive with the accusative — καθ' ἑκάστην ἡμέραν, 'day by day.'
ἑκάστηνeachAccusativeattributive adjectiveἕκαστος: 'each, every'; the daily regularity required.
ἡμέρανdayAccusativeaccusative (distributive time)ἡμέρα: 'day'; 'each day' picks up the urgency of the Psalm's 'Today.'
ἄχριςas long as / untilconjunction (temporal, with οὗ)ἄχρι: 'until, as long as'; ἄχρις οὗ — 'so long as,' marking the limited window.
οὗwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (with ἄχρις: temporal idiom)
τὸtheNominativearticle (substantizes the quoted word)
Σήμερον"Today"Nominativesubstantized adverb (subject of καλεῖται)σήμερον: 'today'; the article turns the Psalm's word into a name for the present age of grace — 'the Today.'
καλεῖταιis calledPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb (subordinate clause)→ present (the ongoing 'today')καλέω: 'call, name'; 'while it is still called Today' — the opportunity has not yet closed.
ἵναlest / that … notconjunction (negative purpose, with μή)ἵνα: 'in order that'; with μή, a negative purpose — the goal of the daily exhortation.
μὴnotnegative particle
σκληρυνθῇbe hardenedAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · σκληρύνωmain verb (subjunctive in ἵνα clause)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (come to be hardened)σκληρύνω: 'harden'; deliberately the Psalm's verb (v.8) — the passive warns that one can be hardened, by sin's agency, if unguarded.
τιςanyoneNominativesubject (indefinite)τις: 'anyone'; again the individual focus — no one may be left to harden unnoticed.
ἐξof / from amongpreposition + genitive (partitive)
ὑμῶνyouGenitivepartitive genitive
ἀπάτῃby the deceitDativedative of means/agencyἀπάτη: 'deceit, deception, seduction'; sin hardens by deceiving — promising what it cannot give and masking its own destructiveness.
τῆςofGenitivearticle
ἁμαρτίαςsinGenitivesubjective genitive (the deceit that sin works)ἁμαρτία: 'sin'; here almost personified as a deceiving power that hardens the heart.
14
μέτοχοι γὰρ τοῦ Χριστοῦ γεγόναμεν, ἐάνπερ τὴν ἀρχὴν τῆς ὑποστάσεως μέχρι τέλους βεβαίαν κατάσχωμεν·
For we have become partakers of Christ, if indeed we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm to the end —
The ground for the daily exhortation: our share in Christ is real ('we have become partakers') yet proved genuine only by holding our initial confidence firm to the end — the conditional restated from v.6.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
μέτοχοιpartakers / sharersNominativepredicate nominative (with γεγόναμεν)μέτοχος: 'partner, sharer' (cf. v.1); to share in Christ — in his life, status, and inheritance.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveobjective/partitive genitive (sharers in Christ)Χριστός: 'Christ'; the one in whom believers have their share — partnership with the Son himself.
γεγόναμενwe have becomePerf Act Indic 1 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb→ extensive/resultative perfect (a settled, present standing)γίνομαι: 'become, come to be'; the perfect underscores an accomplished, abiding share — yet v.14b shows it must be validated by endurance.
ἐάνπερif indeed / provided thatconjunction (emphatic 3rd-class condition)ἐάνπερ: 'if indeed, provided that' (ἐάν + intensive -περ); a strengthened 'if' — the condition is pressed home.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἀρχὴνbeginningAccusativedirect object (of κατάσχωμεν)ἀρχή: 'beginning, first'; 'the beginning of our confidence' — the assurance with which we set out, to be retained unchanged.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
ὑποστάσεωςconfidence / assuranceGenitiveattributive/objective genitiveὑπόστασις: lit. 'that which stands under,' hence 'substance, ground of assurance, confidence' (cf. 11:1); here the firm confidence underlying faith.
μέχριuntil / topreposition + genitive (temporal limit)μέχρι: 'as far as, until'; marking the terminus — perseverance must reach 'the end.'
τέλουςendGenitiveobject of μέχρι (temporal goal)τέλος: 'end, goal, completion'; the finish line of the Christian course — endurance to the last.
βεβαίανfirm / secureAccusativepredicate adjective (object complement: hold it firm)βέβαιος: 'firm, steadfast, reliable'; the confidence is to be kept unshaken (cf. 2:2; 6:19).
κατάσχωμενwe hold fastAor Act Subj 1 Pl · κατέχωmain verb (subjunctive in ἐάνπερ clause)→ constative aorist subjunctiveκατέχω: 'hold fast, retain' (cf. v.6); the same verb of tenacious perseverance binds the two conditionals together.
15
ἐν τῷ λέγεσθαι· Σήμερον ἐὰν τῆς φωνῆς αὐτοῦ ἀκούσητε, μὴ σκληρύνητε τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν ὡς ἐν τῷ παραπικρασμῷ.
while it is said: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion."
The opening lines of Psalm 95:7–8 are quoted again, framing the perseverance of v.14 and setting up the rhetorical questions of vv.16–19 — the warning is grounded afresh in the living scriptural word.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ἐνwhile / inpreposition + dative (articular infinitive: temporal)
τῷtheDativearticle (with infinitive)
λέγεσθαιit is saidPres Pass Inf · λέγωarticular infinitive (ἐν τῷ + inf.: contemporaneous time)→ present infinitive (ongoing utterance)λέγω: 'say'; the present passive infinitive keeps Scripture's voice in the living present — 'in the being-said.'
ΣήμερονTodayadverb (time; fronted)σήμερον: 'today'; the keyword once more, pressing present urgency.
ἐὰνifconjunction (3rd-class condition)ἐάν: 'if'; the condition repeated from v.7.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
φωνῆςvoiceGenitivegenitive object (of ἀκούσητε)φωνή: 'voice'; God's address, demanding response.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
ἀκούσητεyou hearAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb (subjunctive in ἐάν clause)→ constative aorist subjunctiveἀκούω: 'hear, heed'; the same call to listen and obey.
μὴnotnegative particle (with prohibitive subjunctive)μή: with the subjunctive forming the prohibition.
σκληρύνητεhardenAor Act Subj 2 Pl · σκληρύνωmain verb (prohibitive subjunctive)→ ingressive aorist subjunctiveσκληρύνω: 'harden'; the central warning-verb repeated verbatim.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
καρδίαςheartsAccusativedirect objectκαρδία: 'heart'; the inner self again in view.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
ὡςascomparative conjunctionὡς: 'as'; the comparison to the rebellion.
ἐνin / atpreposition + dative (time/circumstance)
τῷtheDativearticle
παραπικρασμῷrebellion / provocationDativedative of time/occasion (object of ἐν)παραπικρασμός: 'provocation, rebellion' (Meribah); the historical paradigm of unbelief, now the springboard for the closing questions.
16
τίνες γὰρ ἀκούσαντες παρεπίκραναν; ἀλλ' οὐ πάντες οἱ ἐξελθόντες ἐξ Αἰγύπτου διὰ Μωϋσέως;
For who, having heard, rebelled? Was it not all those who came out of Egypt through Moses?
The first of three question-and-answer pairs that dissect the Psalm. Those who 'heard' yet 'rebelled' were not a fringe but the whole redeemed exodus generation — heightening the warning's force.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
τίνεςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject)τίς: 'who?'; the interrogative opening the rhetorical probe.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἀκούσαντεςhaving heardAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀκούωadverbial participle (concessive: 'though they heard')→ antecedent aoristἀκούω: 'hear'; the concessive force is pointed — they did hear God's voice, and rebelled anyway.
παρεπίκρανανrebelled / provokedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · παραπικραίνωmain verb (question)→ constative aoristπαραπικραίνω: 'embitter, provoke, rebel' (cognate with παραπικρασμός, vv.8, 15); the verb of Israel's wilderness defiance.
ἀλλ'but / ratheradversative conjunction (introducing the answer)ἀλλά: 'but'; here turning to the expected answer — 'was it not…?'
οὐnotnegative particle (expecting 'yes')οὐ: the negative in a question expecting an affirmative answer — 'surely it was all…'
πάντεςallNominativepredicate (subject of implied verb)πᾶς: 'all'; the sweep is total — virtually the whole generation (only Caleb and Joshua excepted, Num 14:30).
οἱthe (ones)Nominativearticle (substantizes the participle)
ἐξελθόντεςwho came outAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἐξέρχομαιsubstantival participle→ antecedent aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'go/come out'; 'those who came out of Egypt' — the redeemed, which makes their rebellion the more startling.
ἐξout ofpreposition + genitive (separation/origin)
ΑἰγύπτουEgyptGenitiveobject of ἐξ (place of departure)Αἴγυπτος: Egypt; the house of bondage from which God redeemed them — their deliverance underscores the ingratitude of their unbelief.
διὰthrough / by means ofpreposition + genitive (intermediate agency)
ΜωϋσέωςMosesGenitiveobject of διά (agent of the exodus)Μωϋσῆς: Moses; the human mediator of the exodus — even his faithful leadership did not secure the people's faith.
17
τίσιν δὲ προσώχθισεν τεσσεράκοντα ἔτη; οὐχὶ τοῖς ἁμαρτήσασιν, ὧν τὰ κῶλα ἔπεσεν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ;
And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness?
The second question identifies the objects of God's forty-year displeasure: the sinners whose bodies littered the desert — sin's fatal end made graphically visible (Num 14:29–32).
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
τίσινwith whomDativeinterrogative pronoun (dat. object of προσώχθισεν)τίς: 'who?'; dative because προσοχθίζω governs the dative ('be angry with').
δὲand / butconnective particle (advancing the series)δέ: 'and'; moving to the next question.
προσώχθισενwas he angry / displeasedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προσοχθίζωmain verb (question)→ constative aoristπροσοχθίζω: 'be angry/vexed with'; echoing the Psalm's verb (v.10) — God's sustained displeasure across the forty years.
τεσσεράκονταfortyAccusativeattributive numeral (accusative of duration)τεσσεράκοντα: 'forty'; here joined to God's anger — in v.9 to his works seen; the writer redistributes the Psalm's phrase for emphasis.
ἔτηyearsAccusativeaccusative of extent of timeἔτος: 'year'; the full generation of wandering.
οὐχὶnotnegative particle (emphatic; expecting 'yes')οὐχί: strengthened οὐ — 'was it not indeed…?', expecting strong assent.
τοῖςwith the (ones)Dativearticle (substantizes the participle)
ἁμαρτήσασινwho sinnedAor Act Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · ἁμαρτάνωsubstantival participle (dat., answering τίσιν)→ antecedent aoristἁμαρτάνω: 'sin, miss the mark'; their unbelief expressed itself in sin — God's anger fell on the sinners.
ὧνwhoseGenitiverelative pronoun (genitive of possession)
τὰtheNominativearticle
κῶλαcorpses / limbsNominativesubject (of ἔπεσεν)κῶλον: 'limb, (dead) body, carcass'; from Num 14:29 (LXX) — the grim image of fallen bodies strewn across the desert.
ἔπεσενfellAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πίπτωmain verb (relative clause)→ constative aoristπίπτω: 'fall'; here of death — they 'fell' in the wilderness, never reaching the rest.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τῇtheDativearticle
ἐρήμῳwildernessDativedative of place (object of ἐν; substantival adj.)ἔρημος: 'wilderness'; the place of judgment — short of the promised rest.
18
τίσιν δὲ ὤμοσεν μὴ εἰσελεύσεσθαι εἰς τὴν κατάπαυσιν αὐτοῦ εἰ μὴ τοῖς ἀπειθήσασιν;
And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, except to those who disobeyed?
The third question reaches the oath of v.11: those excluded from the rest were the disobedient. Here unbelief is named as disobedience (ἀπειθέω), preparing the explicit verdict of v.19.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
τίσινto whomDativeinterrogative pronoun (dat. indirect object of ὤμοσεν)τίς: 'who?'; dative as the recipients of the sworn sentence.
δὲandconnective particle (advancing the series)
ὤμοσενdid he swearAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὄμνυμιmain verb (question)→ constative aoristὄμνυμι: 'swear'; recalling the oath of v.11 (Ps 95:11) — the binding divine sentence.
μὴnotnegative particle (with infinitive)μή: negating the infinitive in indirect discourse.
εἰσελεύσεσθαιthat they would enterFut Mid Inf · εἰσέρχομαιinfinitive in indirect discourse (content of the oath)→ predictive future infinitiveεἰσέρχομαι: 'enter'; the future infinitive expresses what the oath foreclosed — entry into the rest.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
κατάπαυσινrestAccusativeobject of εἰς (the goal denied)κατάπαυσις: 'rest'; the keyword (v.11) — forfeited by the disobedient, and the theme ch. 4 develops.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (God's rest)
εἰifconjunction (with μή: exceptive idiom)
μὴnotnegative particle (εἰ μή = 'except')εἰ μή: 'except, unless'; the exceptive phrase isolating the answer — none but the disobedient.
τοῖςto the (ones)Dativearticle (substantizes the participle)
ἀπειθήσασινwho disobeyedAor Act Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · ἀπειθέωsubstantival participle (dat., answering τίσιν)→ antecedent aoristἀπειθέω: 'disobey, refuse to be persuaded' (ἀ-privative + πείθω); unbelief shown as disobedience — refusing to trust God's word is rebellion against it.
19
καὶ βλέπομεν ὅτι οὐκ ἠδυνήθησαν εἰσελθεῖν δι' ἀπιστίαν.
So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief.
The chapter's summary verdict, naming the decisive cause: unbelief (ἀπιστία) barred them from the rest. The keyword binds the warning to faith and hands the argument to ch. 4, where the rest 'remains' for those who believe.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
καὶand / socoordinating conjunction (consecutive: 'and so')καί: 'and'; here drawing the conclusion from the three questions — 'and so we see.'
βλέπομενwe seePres Act Indic 1 Pl · βλέπωmain verb→ present (the realization now drawn)βλέπω: 'see, perceive'; the same verb as the 'take care' of v.12 — here 'we observe, we conclude.'
ὅτιthatconjunction (introduces content clause)ὅτι: 'that'; introducing the substance of what 'we see.'
οὐκnotnegative particleοὐ: the objective negative with the indicative.
ἠδυνήθησανthey were ableAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · δύναμαιmain verb (content clause)→ constative aoristδύναμαι: 'be able, can'; 'they were not able' — their exclusion was a settled incapacity, self-incurred through unbelief.
εἰσελθεῖνto enterAor Act Inf · εἰσέρχομαιcomplementary infinitive (with ἠδυνήθησαν)→ constative aorist infinitiveεἰσέρχομαι: 'enter'; the third occurrence of the entry-verb (vv.11, 18) — the rest they could not reach.
δι'because ofpreposition + accusative (cause)διά: with the accusative, 'because of, on account of' — naming the cause.
ἀπιστίανunbeliefAccusativeobject of διά (the cause of exclusion)ἀπιστία: 'unbelief, faithlessness' (cf. v.12); the climactic keyword — the root from which rebellion, sin, and disobedience all sprang, and the one barrier to the rest.