1
Διὸ ἀφέντες τὸν τῆς ἀρχῆς τοῦ Χριστοῦ λόγον ἐπὶ τὴν τελειότητα φερώμεθα, μὴ πάλιν θεμέλιον καταβαλλόμενοι μετανοίας ἀπὸ νεκρῶν ἔργων καὶ πίστεως ἐπὶ θεόν,
Therefore, leaving behind the elementary word about Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
An inference from the rebuke of 5:11–14: precisely because they have grown dull, the remedy is not to relay the foundation but to advance. The hortatory φερώμεθα sets the chapter's first movement.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
Διὸthereforeinferential conjunctionδιό: 'wherefore, for which reason' (δι' ὅ); a strong inferential drawing the consequence from 5:11–14.
ἀφέντεςleaving behindAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀφίημιadverbial ptc. (attendant circumstance)→ constative aoristἀφίημι: 'let go, leave, dismiss'; not 'abandon' the foundation but 'move on from' the elementary stage, as a builder leaves the laid foundation to raise the house.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (modifies λόγον)
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
ἀρχῆςbeginningGenitiveattributive genitive (the elementary stage)ἀρχή: 'beginning, first principles'; 'the word of the beginning of Christ' = the rudimentary, introductory teaching about Messiah (cf. τὰ στοιχεῖα, 5:12).
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveobjective genitive (teaching about Christ)Χριστός: 'Anointed,' Messiah; the genitive names the subject of the elementary instruction.
λόγονwordAccusativedirect object of ἀφέντεςλόγος: 'word, account, teaching'; here the body of basic doctrine to be transcended, not discarded.
ἐπὶtopreposition + accusative (goal/direction)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
τελειότηταmaturityAccusativeobject of ἐπί (the goal)τελειότης: 'completeness, maturity, perfection'; the grown, full state contrasted with the infancy of 5:13 — the τέλειοι of 5:14.
φερώμεθαlet us press onPres Pass Subj 1 Pl · φέρωhortatory subjunctive (main verb)→ hortatory presentφέρω (pass.): 'be borne, be carried along'; the passive hints we are carried toward maturity by a power beyond us, not by mere self-effort — 'let us be borne onward.'
μὴnotnegative particle (with ptc.)μή: the negative proper to non-indicative moods and participles.
πάλινagainadverb (repetition)πάλιν: 'again, anew'; the point is the needlessness of re-laying what is already laid.
θεμέλιονfoundationAccusativedirect object of καταβαλλόμενοιθεμέλιος: 'foundation'; the building metaphor — the basic doctrines are the substructure, laid once.
καταβαλλόμενοιlaying downPres Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · καταβάλλωadverbial ptc. (manner, neg. by μή)→ present (durative)καταβάλλω: 'throw/lay down'; the technical term for laying a foundation — here negated, 'not laying again.'
μετανοίαςof repentanceGenitivegenitive of apposition (content of foundation)μετάνοια: 'change of mind, repentance' (μετά + νοῦς); the first listed element of the foundation.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
νεκρῶνdeadGenitiveattributive adjectiveνεκρός: 'dead'; 'dead works' = deeds belonging to the realm of death, devoid of saving life (cf. 9:14).
ἔργωνworksGenitiveobject of ἀπό (what repentance turns from)ἔργον: 'work, deed'; here the lifeless deeds from which repentance turns.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πίστεωςof faithGenitivegenitive of apposition (second element)πίστις: 'faith, trust'; the second foundational element, paired with repentance as the godward turn.
ἐπὶtowardpreposition + accusative (direction of faith)
θεόνGodAccusativeobject of ἐπί (the object of faith)θεός: God; faith's proper terminus — 'faith toward God.'
2
βαπτισμῶν διδαχῆς ἐπιθέσεώς τε χειρῶν, ἀναστάσεώς τε νεκρῶν καὶ κρίματος αἰωνίου.
of teaching about baptisms and laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.
The catalogue of foundational elements continues in asyndeton: four more genitives complete the six basics — baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection, and eternal judgment. The list reads like a primitive catechism, much of it shared with Judaism.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
βαπτισμῶνof baptisms/washingsGenitivegenitive (in apposition w/ θεμέλιον)βαπτισμός: 'washing, ablution'; the plural and the broad word (not βάπτισμα) suggest instruction distinguishing Christian baptism from Jewish ritual washings.
διδαχῆςof teachingGenitivegenitive of apposition (or epexegetic of βαπτισμῶν)διδαχή: 'teaching, instruction'; many take 'teaching' as governing 'about baptisms and laying on of hands' — instruction concerning these.
ἐπιθέσεώςof laying onGenitivegenitive of appositionἐπίθεσις: 'a placing upon' (ἐπί + τίθημι); the rite of laying on hands — for blessing, commissioning, or imparting the Spirit.
τεandconnective particle (τε … τε καί)τε: an enclitic connective binding the items into closely linked pairs.
χειρῶνof handsGenitiveobjective genitive (of ἐπιθέσεως)χείρ: 'hand'; the hands laid on in the rite.
ἀναστάσεώςof resurrectionGenitivegenitive of appositionἀνάστασις: 'resurrection, rising up'; the fifth foundational element — the future bodily rising.
τεandconnective particle
νεκρῶνof the deadGenitiveobjective genitive (of ἀναστάσεως)νεκρός: 'dead (one)'; 'resurrection of the dead' as a fixed phrase.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
κρίματοςof judgmentGenitivegenitive of apposition (sixth element)κρίμα: 'judgment, verdict, sentence'; the last-things item — the final assize.
αἰωνίουeternalGenitiveattributive adjectiveαἰώνιος: 'eternal, age-long'; the judgment whose effects belong to the coming age and never end.
3
καὶ τοῦτο ποιήσομεν, ἐάνπερ ἐπιτρέπῃ ὁ θεός.
And this we will do, if indeed God permits.
The exhortation of v.1 is resolved into a confident 'we will do' — yet hedged at once by ἐάνπερ: the advance to maturity depends wholly on God's permitting, anticipating the warning that not all who begin go on.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τοῦτοthisAccusativedirect object (resumptive of v.1's goal)οὗτος: 'this'; resuming the whole exhortation to press on — 'this very thing we will do.'
ποιήσομενwe will doFut Act Indic 1 Pl · ποιέωmain verb→ predictive futureποιέω: 'do, make'; the future expresses settled resolve (a variant reads the hortatory subjunctive ποιήσωμεν, 'let us do').
ἐάνπερif indeedconjunction (conditional, intensive)ἐάνπερ: 'if indeed, if really' (ἐάν + the intensive -περ); a pointed proviso making the whole contingent on God.
ἐπιτρέπῃpermitsPres Act Subj 3 Sg · ἐπιτρέπωverb of conditional clause (subjunctive w/ ἐάνπερ)→ present (general condition)ἐπιτρέπω: 'permit, allow, entrust'; advance is wholly under God's leave — a humble acknowledgment of dependence.
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεόςGodNominativesubject of ἐπιτρέπῃθεός: God; the one whose permission governs all spiritual progress.
4
Ἀδύνατον γὰρ τοὺς ἅπαξ φωτισθέντας, γευσαμένους τε τῆς δωρεᾶς τῆς ἐπουρανίου καὶ μετόχους γενηθέντας πνεύματος ἁγίου
For it is impossible to renew again to repentance those who were once enlightened, who tasted the heavenly gift and became sharers of the Holy Spirit,
γάρ grounds the urgency of advancing: standing still is perilous because there is a point beyond recovery. The sentence opens with the stark predicate Ἀδύνατον ('impossible'), then piles up four participial clauses (vv.4–5) describing a richly privileged experience before the decisive 'and fell away' (v.6).
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
ἈδύνατονimpossibleNominativepredicate adjective (impersonal, fronted)ἀδύνατος: 'unable, impossible' (ἀ- + δύναμις); emphatically first — one of four 'impossibles' in Hebrews (6:4, 6:18, 10:4, 11:6). Neuter, used impersonally with the infinitive of v.6.
γὰρforexplanatory/causal conjunctionγάρ: 'for'; introducing the reason the readers must not stall at the foundation.
τοὺςthoseAccusativearticle (substantizes the participles; acc. of the infinitive's object)
ἅπαξonceadverb (modifies φωτισθέντας)ἅπαξ: 'once, once for all'; the decisive, unrepeatable character of the initial enlightenment heightens the gravity of falling from it.
φωτισθένταςhaving been enlightenedAor Pass Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · φωτίζωsubstantival participle (object of ἀνακαινίζειν)→ constative aoristφωτίζω: 'give light, illumine'; the first of the privileges — receiving the light of the gospel (cf. 10:32). Early church usage came to associate it with baptismal illumination.
γευσαμένουςhaving tastedAor Mid Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · γεύομαιsubstantival participle (parallel)→ constative aoristγεύομαι: 'taste, experience'; not a mere sip but real experience (cf. 2:9, Christ 'tasting' death) — they truly knew the gift.
τεandconnective particleτε: linking the clauses into a single cumulative description.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
δωρεᾶςgiftGenitivegenitive object of γευσαμένους (taste-of)δωρεά: 'gift, bounty' (a free, gracious bestowal); 'the heavenly gift' — salvation in Christ, perhaps with the Spirit in view.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (attributive position)
ἐπουρανίουheavenlyGenitiveattributive adjectiveἐπουράνιος: 'heavenly, of the heavens' (ἐπί + οὐρανός); a favorite Hebrews word for the realm above (3:1; 8:5; 11:16; 12:22).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μετόχουςsharers/partakersAccusativepredicate accusative (complement of γενηθέντας)μέτοχος: 'partner, sharer' (μετά + ἔχω); a Hebrews term (1:9; 3:1, 14) — those who hold a share in the Holy Spirit.
γενηθένταςhaving becomeAor Pass Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · γίνομαιsubstantival participle (parallel)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'become, come to be'; they came to be sharers — an accomplished, experienced reality.
πνεύματοςof SpiritGenitiveobjective/partitive genitive (with μετόχους)πνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; sharing in the Holy Spirit — partaking of his gifts and work.
ἁγίουHolyGenitiveattributive adjectiveἅγιος: 'holy'; qualifying πνεύματος — the Holy Spirit.
5
καὶ καλὸν γευσαμένους θεοῦ ῥῆμα δυνάμεις τε μέλλοντος αἰῶνος,
and tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,
The fourth and fifth privileges, governed by a second γευσαμένους: they tasted God's good word and the miraculous powers of the coming age — the eschatological future breaking into the present.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
καλὸνgoodAccusativeattributive adjective (fronted, w/ ῥῆμα)καλός: 'good, fine, beautiful'; the goodness of God's word as tasted — its sweet excellence (cf. Ps 34:8 LXX, 'taste and see that the Lord is good').
γευσαμένουςhaving tastedAor Mid Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · γεύομαιsubstantival participle (governs ῥῆμα, δυνάμεις)→ constative aoristγεύομαι: 'taste, experience'; repeated from v.4 — a second 'tasting,' now of word and powers.
θεοῦof GodGenitivepossessive/subjective genitiveθεός: God; the word's source and owner — 'the good word that is God's.'
ῥῆμαwordAccusativeobject of γευσαμένους (acc. of the thing tasted)ῥῆμα: 'utterance, spoken word, saying'; concrete word/promise of God, perhaps his gracious gospel-message they had savored.
δυνάμειςpowersAccusativeobject of γευσαμένους (coordinate)δύναμις: 'power, mighty work, miracle'; the plural here = the manifested powers/miracles characteristic of the coming age (cf. 2:4).
τεandconnective particle
μέλλοντοςcomingPres Act Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · μέλλωattributive participle (modifies αἰῶνος)→ present (futuristic/about-to-be)μέλλω: 'be about to, be destined'; 'the age that is coming' — the eschatological future already foretasted in the church.
αἰῶνοςageGenitiveattributive/possessive genitive (of δυνάμεις)αἰών: 'age, era'; 'the age to come' — the messianic/eternal age whose powers are already at work.
6
καὶ παραπεσόντας, πάλιν ἀνακαινίζειν εἰς μετάνοιαν, ἀνασταυροῦντας ἑαυτοῖς τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ παραδειγματίζοντας.
and then fell away, to renew them again to repentance, since they are crucifying again for themselves the Son of God and holding him up to contempt.
The final participle παραπεσόντας delivers the hinge — 'and then fell away.' Only now does the infinitive ἀνακαινίζειν complete Ἀδύνατον of v.4: to renew such people again is impossible. The two present participles give the reason: such a fall amounts to re-crucifying and publicly disgracing the Son of God.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶand (then)coordinating conjunction (climactic)
παραπεσόνταςhaving fallen awayAor Act Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · παραπίπτωsubstantival participle (climactic, parallel)→ constative aoristπαραπίπτω: 'fall beside, fall away, commit apostasy' (παρά + πίπτω); a hapax in the NT — the decisive defection, not a stumble but a total falling-aside (cf. the cognate noun nuance of deliberate trespass).
πάλινagainadverb (with ἀνακαινίζειν)πάλιν: 'again, anew'; renewal 'a second time' is what is declared impossible.
ἀνακαινίζεινto renewPres Act Inf · ἀνακαινίζωcomplementary infinitive (subject of Ἀδύνατον)→ present (conative/general)ἀνακαινίζω: 'renew, restore' (ἀνά + καινός, 'new'); a NT hapax — to bring them back afresh to the starting point of repentance.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)
μετάνοιανrepentanceAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal of renewal)μετάνοια: 'repentance, change of mind'; the renewal aimed at — they cannot be led back to a fresh repentance.
ἀνασταυροῦνταςcrucifying againPres Act Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · ἀνασταυρόωadverbial ptc. (causal: 'since they…')→ present (durative/iterative)ἀνασταυρόω: 'crucify' or 'crucify again/afresh' (ἀνά + σταυρόω); a NT hapax — the present tense and causal force explain the impossibility: their apostasy re-enacts the crucifixion.
ἑαυτοῖςfor themselvesDativedative of disadvantage (reflexive)ἑαυτοῦ: reflexive pronoun; 'to their own hurt' — they crucify the Son to their own ruin (or 'as far as they are concerned').
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
υἱὸνSonAccusativedirect object of ἀνασταυροῦνταςυἱός: 'Son'; the dignity of the victim — the very Son of God — measures the enormity of the act.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of relationshipθεός: God; 'the Son of God,' the full title heightening the offense.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
παραδειγματίζονταςholding up to contemptPres Act Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · παραδειγματίζωadverbial ptc. (causal, coordinate)→ present (durative)παραδειγματίζω: 'make a public example of, expose to shame' (παρά + δεῖγμα, 'a showing'); to put Christ to open disgrace, as a criminal exhibited to public scorn.
7
γῆ γὰρ ἡ πιοῦσα τὸν ἐπ' αὐτῆς ἐρχόμενον πολλάκις ὑετὸν καὶ τίκτουσα βοτάνην εὔθετον ἐκείνοις δι' οὓς καὶ γεωργεῖται, μεταλαμβάνει εὐλογίας ἀπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ·
For land that drinks the rain that often falls upon it and brings forth a crop useful to those for whom it is also cultivated receives a blessing from God;
An agricultural analogy supports the warning. One plot of ground, the same rain: the response makes the difference. Verse 7 gives the positive case — fruitful land that 'shares in a blessing from God.'
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
γῆlandNominativesubjectγῆ: 'earth, ground, land'; the field of the parable — anarthrous, 'land' in general, then specified by the participles.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunctionγάρ: 'for'; introducing the illustration that supports vv.4–6.
ἡtheNominativearticle (substantizes πιοῦσα)
πιοῦσαthat drinksAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Fem · πίνωattributive participle (modifies γῆ)→ constative aoristπίνω: 'drink'; the land 'drinking in' the rain — a vivid image of receptive absorption of grace.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (modifies ὑετόν)
ἐπ'uponpreposition + genitive (place)
αὐτῆςitGenitiveobject of ἐπί (the land)
ἐρχόμενονcoming/fallingPres Mid Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · ἔρχομαιattributive participle (modifies ὑετόν)→ present (durative)ἔρχομαι: 'come'; of rain 'coming upon' the ground — i.e. falling.
πολλάκιςoftenadverb (frequency)πολλάκις: 'often, many times'; the repeated rain = the abundant means of grace the land has received.
ὑετὸνrainAccusativeobject of πιοῦσαὑετός: 'rain'; the heaven-sent blessing on the soil — the common gift to which both lands are exposed.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τίκτουσαbringing forthPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Fem · τίκτωattributive participle (coordinate w/ πιοῦσα)→ present (durative)τίκτω: 'beget, bear, bring forth'; of soil 'producing' vegetation — the fruitful response to the rain.
βοτάνηνcrop/vegetationAccusativedirect object of τίκτουσαβοτάνη: 'herbage, vegetation, fodder' (cf. 'botany'); the useful growth, opposed to the thorns of v.8.
εὔθετονuseful/fitAccusativeattributive adjectiveεὔθετος: 'well-placed, fit, useful' (εὖ + τίθημι); the crop is 'suitable' — serviceable to those it is grown for.
ἐκείνοιςto thoseDativedative of advantage (beneficiaries)ἐκεῖνος: 'that (one)'; the farmers/owners for whose benefit the land is worked.
δι'for the sake ofpreposition + accusative (cause/benefit)
οὓςwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of διά)
καὶalsoadverbial/ascensive conjunction
γεωργεῖταιit is cultivatedPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · γεωργέωverb of relative clause→ present (general)γεωργέω: 'till, cultivate' (γῆ + ἔργον); the land is worked on their behalf — implying responsibility to yield.
μεταλαμβάνειreceives/shares inPres Act Indic 3 Sg · μεταλαμβάνωmain verb→ gnomic presentμεταλαμβάνω: 'partake of, share in, receive' (μετά + λαμβάνω); the fruitful land 'gets a share' of God's blessing — a gnomic truth.
εὐλογίαςblessingGenitivegenitive object of μεταλαμβάνει (partitive)εὐλογία: 'blessing, good word' (εὖ + λόγος); divine favor on the productive ground — antithesis to the κατάρα of v.8.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitiveobject of ἀπό (source of blessing)θεός: God; the blessing's giver — it is from God, as the rain was.
8
ἐκφέρουσα δὲ ἀκάνθας καὶ τριβόλους ἀδόκιμος καὶ κατάρας ἐγγύς, ἧς τὸ τέλος εἰς καῦσιν.
but if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to a curse, whose end is for burning.
The contrasting case: the same land, the same rain, but thorns instead of crop. δέ sets the antithesis. Three verdicts fall in escalating sequence — 'worthless,' 'near a curse,' 'its end is burning' — the parable's warning edge that maps onto the apostate of v.6.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
ἐκφέρουσαbearing/bringing forthPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Fem · ἐκφέρωattributive participle (modifies γῆ of v.7; conditional force)→ present (durative/conditional)ἐκφέρω: 'carry out, bring forth, produce' (ἐκ + φέρω); the same soil 'bringing out' thorns — a different yield from the same grace.
δὲbutadversative conjunctionδέ: 'but'; marking the sharp contrast with the fruitful land of v.7.
ἀκάνθαςthornsAccusativedirect object of ἐκφέρουσαἄκανθα: 'thorn, thorn-plant'; with thistles, the proverbial growth of cursed ground (Gen 3:18) — useless and hostile.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τριβόλουςthistlesAccusativedirect object (coordinate)τρίβολος: 'thistle, caltrop' (lit. 'three-pointed'); paired with ἄκανθα, echoing the curse on the ground in Eden.
ἀδόκιμοςworthless/rejectedNominativepredicate adjective (of γῆ)ἀδόκιμος: 'failing the test, rejected, worthless' (ἀ- + δόκιμος); the land does not pass muster — the opposite of the approved, fruitful field.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
κατάραςa curseGenitivegenitive with ἐγγύς (near to)κατάρα: 'curse' (κατά + ἀρά); the antithesis of the εὐλογία of v.7 — the land verges on being cursed. 'Near' leaves a sliver of mercy — not yet cursed.
ἐγγύςnearadverb/improper preposition (+ gen.)ἐγγύς: 'near, close'; 'near to a curse' — on the brink, not yet over the edge.
ἧςwhoseGenitiverelative pronoun (genitive of possession)
τὸtheNominativearticle
τέλοςendNominativesubject of (implied) verb in rel. clauseτέλος: 'end, outcome, goal'; the final destiny of such ground — burning.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (result/purpose)
καῦσινburningAccusativeobject of εἰς (the outcome)καῦσις: 'a burning' (cf. καίω); the field is fired to clear it — an image of judgment, the warning's somber climax.
9
Πεπείσμεθα δὲ περὶ ὑμῶν, ἀγαπητοί, τὰ κρείσσονα καὶ ἐχόμενα σωτηρίας, εἰ καὶ οὕτως λαλοῦμεν.
But concerning you, beloved, we are persuaded of better things — things that belong to salvation — even though we speak in this way.
The author pivots from warning to pastoral confidence: δέ and the affectionate ἀγαπητοί soften everything. The perfect Πεπείσμεθα ('we stand persuaded') affirms his settled hope for them — 'better things,' things that accompany salvation — even while he has spoken so sternly.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
Πεπείσμεθαwe are persuadedPerf Pass Indic 1 Pl · πείθωmain verb→ intensive perfect (settled conviction)πείθω (perf. pass.): 'be persuaded, be confident'; the perfect denotes a present, settled state of conviction — 'we remain convinced.'
δὲbutadversative conjunction (tone-shift)δέ: 'but'; turning from the dark warning to warm assurance.
περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (reference)
ὑμῶνyouGenitiveobject of περί
ἀγαπητοίbelovedVocativevocative of direct addressἀγαπητός: 'beloved'; the only direct vocative address in Hebrews — a sudden tender note amid the severity.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (substantizes κρείσσονα)
κρείσσοναbetter thingsAccusativedirect object of Πεπείσμεθα (acc. of thing)κρείσσων: 'better, superior'; the comparative is a signature word of Hebrews (1:4; 7:7, 19, 22; 8:6) — here 'better' than the burning of v.8.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (epexegetic)
ἐχόμεναbelonging to/accompanyingPres Mid Ptc · Acc Pl Neut · ἔχωattributive participle (modifies κρείσσονα)→ present (stative)ἔχω (mid.): 'hold to, be next to, belong to'; the idiom ἐχόμενα + gen. = 'things connected with/bordering on' — things that go with salvation.
σωτηρίαςof salvationGenitivegenitive with ἐχόμενα (connection)σωτηρία: 'salvation, deliverance'; the sphere to which their 'better things' belong — assurance they are truly being saved.
εἰifconjunction (concessive, w/ καί)εἰ καί: 'even if, although'; conceding the sternness of his speech without retracting it.
καὶevenadverbial (concessive)
οὕτωςin this wayadverb (manner)οὕτως: 'thus, in this manner'; referring back to the severe warning of vv.4–8.
λαλοῦμενwe speakPres Act Indic 1 Pl · λαλέωverb of concessive clause→ present (descriptive)λαλέω: 'speak, talk'; the warning was spoken pastorally, not as a verdict already passed on them.
10
οὐ γὰρ ἄδικος ὁ θεὸς ἐπιλαθέσθαι τοῦ ἔργου ὑμῶν καὶ τῆς ἀγάπης ἧς ἐνεδείξασθε εἰς τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ, διακονήσαντες τοῖς ἁγίοις καὶ διακονοῦντες.
For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love that you showed for his name, in having served the saints and in still serving them.
The basis of his hope: God's own justice. He will not forget their demonstrated love — past service ('having served') and present ('still serving') — shown 'for his name.' Their fruit (cf. v.7) is the evidence.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
οὐnotnegative particleοὐ: the negative of fact/indicative — flatly denying injustice in God.
γὰρforexplanatory/causal conjunctionγάρ: 'for'; grounding the persuasion of v.9 in God's character.
ἄδικοςunjustNominativepredicate adjectiveἄδικος: 'unrighteous, unjust' (ἀ- + δίκη); to forget faithful love would be unjust — and God is not that.
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubjectθεός: God; whose faithfulness guarantees he remembers his people's love.
ἐπιλαθέσθαιto forgetAor Mid Inf · ἐπιλανθάνομαιinfinitive of result/reference (w/ ἄδικος)→ constative aoristἐπιλανθάνομαι: 'forget, neglect' (ἐπί + λανθάνω); 'not so unjust as to forget' — litotes for 'he surely remembers.'
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ἔργουworkGenitivegenitive object of ἐπιλαθέσθαιἔργον: 'work, deed'; their concrete labor of love — not 'dead works' (v.1) but living service.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relationship
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἀγάπηςloveGenitivegenitive object of ἐπιλαθέσθαι (coordinate)ἀγάπη: 'love'; the self-giving love that issued in service — its true measure is deeds.
ἧςwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (attracted to gen. ἀγάπης)ὅς: relative pronoun, here case-attracted to its antecedent ἀγάπης (would normally be acc. as object of ἐνεδείξασθε).
ἐνεδείξασθεyou showedAor Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἐνδείκνυμιverb of relative clause→ constative aoristἐνδείκνυμι (mid.): 'show forth, demonstrate' (ἐν + δείκνυμι); their love was no mere sentiment but was displayed in action.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (goal/reference)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ὄνομαnameAccusativeobject of εἰς (the love's ultimate object)ὄνομα: 'name'; service to the saints was love shown 'toward his name' — for God's own sake and honor.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
διακονήσαντεςhaving servedAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · διακονέωadverbial ptc. (means: how the love was shown)→ constative aoristδιακονέω: 'serve, minister' (cf. 'deacon'); the past acts of practical service to fellow believers.
τοῖςtheDativearticle
ἁγίοιςsaintsDativedative object of διακονήσαντες/διακονοῦντεςἅγιος: 'holy one, saint'; the fellow believers served — the term for God's set-apart people.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
διακονοῦντεςstill servingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · διακονέωadverbial ptc. (present, ongoing service)→ present (ongoing)διακονέω: the present tense paired with the aorist marks service still continuing — 'and going on serving.'
11
ἐπιθυμοῦμεν δὲ ἕκαστον ὑμῶν τὴν αὐτὴν ἐνδείκνυσθαι σπουδὴν πρὸς τὴν πληροφορίαν τῆς ἐλπίδος ἄχρι τέλους,
But we desire each one of you to show the same diligence toward the full assurance of hope to the end,
From commendation to aspiration: he longs that each member persist with 'the same diligence' to the very end, so that hope reaches full assurance. The individual ἕκαστον and the horizon ἄχρι τέλους press for perseverance.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
ἐπιθυμοῦμενwe desirePres Act Indic 1 Pl · ἐπιθυμέωmain verb→ present (continuing desire)ἐπιθυμέω: 'desire earnestly, long for' (ἐπί + θυμός); here a strong, positive yearning for their perseverance.
δὲbut/andtransitional conjunctionδέ: marking the move from past commendation (v.10) to present desire for their future.
ἕκαστονeachAccusativeaccusative subject of ἐνδείκνυσθαιἕκαστος: 'each, every one'; the pastoral concern reaches every individual, not the group only.
ὑμῶνof youGenitivepartitive genitive
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
αὐτὴνsameAccusativeattributive (identity) adjectiveαὐτός: in attributive position, 'the same'; the same diligence already shown in love (v.10), now to be carried through to the end.
ἐνδείκνυσθαιto showPres Mid Inf · ἐνδείκνυμιinfinitive (complement of ἐπιθυμοῦμεν)→ present (ongoing display)ἐνδείκνυμι (mid.): 'show forth, display'; the same verb as v.10 — diligence, like love, is to be demonstrated, not merely felt.
σπουδὴνdiligenceAccusativedirect object of ἐνδείκνυσθαισπουδή: 'haste, zeal, earnest diligence'; eager, persevering effort — the antidote to the dullness of 5:11.
πρὸςtowardpreposition + accusative (goal)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
πληροφορίανfull assuranceAccusativeobject of πρός (the goal)πληροφορία: 'full assurance, complete certainty' (cf. πληρόω, 'fill'); the goal — hope brought to its fullness (cf. 10:22).
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
ἐλπίδοςhopeGenitiveobjective genitive (assurance of/about hope)ἐλπίς: 'hope, expectation'; the confident expectation of the promised inheritance — to be held with full certainty.
ἄχριuntilimproper preposition + genitive (extent of time)ἄχρι: 'until, as far as'; marking the temporal horizon of perseverance.
τέλουςthe endGenitiveobject of ἄχρι (terminus)τέλος: 'end, completion'; perseverance 'to the end' — a key motif (cf. 3:6, 14).
12
ἵνα μὴ νωθροὶ γένησθε, μιμηταὶ δὲ τῶν διὰ πίστεως καὶ μακροθυμίας κληρονομούντων τὰς ἐπαγγελίας.
so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
The aim of such diligence: not to lapse into sluggishness (νωθροί picks up 5:11) but to imitate the faithful who, through faith and patient endurance, come to inherit the promises — introducing Abraham (v.13) as the prime example.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose)ἵνα: 'in order that'; introducing the purpose of the desired diligence.
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ subjunctive)μή: the negative for the purpose clause — 'that you may not.'
νωθροὶsluggishNominativepredicate nominative (w/ γένησθε)νωθρός: 'sluggish, dull, lazy'; the very word of 5:11 ('dull of hearing') — a danger of relapse into spiritual torpor.
γένησθεyou may becomeAor Mid Subj 2 Pl · γίνομαιverb of purpose clause (subjunctive)→ ingressive aoristγίνομαι: 'become'; the ingressive aorist — 'lest you become' (a state into which they could slip).
μιμηταὶimitatorsNominativepredicate nominative (positive counterpart)μιμητής: 'imitator' (cf. 'mimic'); they are to copy the persevering faithful — esp. the heroes of ch. 11.
δὲbutadversative conjunction (not … but)δέ: 'but'; the positive opposite of νωθροί — imitators rather than sluggards.
τῶνof thoseGenitivearticle (substantizes κληρονομούντων)
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means)
πίστεωςfaithGenitiveobject of διά (means)πίστις: 'faith'; the first of the paired means by which the promises are inherited.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μακροθυμίαςpatienceGenitiveobject of διά (means, coordinate)μακροθυμία: 'long-suffering, patient endurance' (μακρός + θυμός, 'long-tempered'); faith's companion that waits for the promise (cf. Abraham, v.15).
κληρονομούντωνwho inheritPres Act Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · κληρονομέωsubstantival participle→ present (timeless/customary)κληρονομέω: 'inherit, obtain as a possession' (κλῆρος + νέμω); to come into the promised inheritance — the goal of perseverance.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
ἐπαγγελίαςpromisesAccusativedirect object of κληρονομούντωνἐπαγγελία: 'promise, announcement'; the divine promises (esp. to Abraham, vv.13–15) that perseverance secures.
13
Τῷ γὰρ Ἀβραὰμ ἐπαγγειλάμενος ὁ θεός, ἐπεὶ κατ' οὐδενὸς εἶχεν μείζονος ὀμόσαι, ὤμοσεν καθ' ἑαυτοῦ,
For when God made the promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater to swear by, he swore by himself,
Abraham illustrates faith-and-patience that inherits (v.12). γάρ grounds it: God's promise to him was sealed with an oath — and, there being no greater being to swear by, God swore by himself, the strongest possible guarantee.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
ΤῷtoDativearticle (w/ Ἀβραάμ)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunctionγάρ: 'for'; introducing the Abraham example that proves v.12.
ἈβραὰμAbrahamDativeindirect object of ἐπαγγειλάμενος (indeclinable)Ἀβραάμ: Abraham; the indeclinable Hebrew name — the archetype of faith and the recipient of the foundational promise (Gen 22:16–17).
ἐπαγγειλάμενοςhaving promisedAor Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἐπαγγέλλομαιadverbial ptc. (temporal: 'when he promised')→ constative aoristἐπαγγέλλομαι: 'promise, announce'; the act of making the covenant promise to Abraham.
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεόςGodNominativesubject of ὤμοσενθεός: God; the promiser whose oath cannot fail.
ἐπεὶsincecausal conjunctionἐπεί: 'since, because'; giving the reason God swore by himself.
κατ'bypreposition + genitive (the one sworn by)κατά + gen.: in oath formulas, 'by' (the authority invoked).
οὐδενὸςno oneGenitiveobject of κατάοὐδείς: 'no one, none'; there is no being above God by whom he might swear.
εἶχενhe hadImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔχωverb of causal clause→ descriptive imperfectἔχω: 'have'; the imperfect of the situation — 'he had none (greater)' available to swear by.
μείζονοςgreaterGenitiveattributive adjective (w/ οὐδενός)μείζων: 'greater'; comparative of μέγας — no greater being exists, so God is his own guarantor.
ὀμόσαιto swearAor Act Inf · ὀμνύωcomplementary infinitive (w/ εἶχεν)→ constative aoristὀμνύω: 'swear, take an oath'; the act of binding oneself by oath, invoking a higher authority.
ὤμοσενhe sworeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὀμνύωmain verb→ constative aoristὀμνύω: 'swear'; God's astonishing condescension — he confirms his word with an oath (Gen 22:16).
καθ'bypreposition + genitive (oath formula)
ἑαυτοῦhimselfGenitiveobject of κατά (reflexive)ἑαυτοῦ: reflexive; 'by himself' — God stakes his own being on the promise (Gen 22:16, 'By myself I have sworn').
14
λέγων· Εἰ μὴν εὐλογῶν εὐλογήσω σε καὶ πληθύνων πληθυνῶ σε·
saying, "Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you."
The words of the oath, quoting Genesis 22:17 (LXX). The doubled Hebrew infinitive-absolute construction, rendered with cognate participles ('blessing I will bless'), underscores the certainty and abundance of the blessing.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λέγωadverbial ptc. (means: introduces quotation)→ present (concurrent)λέγω: 'say'; the standard participle introducing direct citation of Scripture.
Εἰsurelyparticle (in oath formula, w/ μήν)εἰ μήν: a strong asseverative oath-formula (Hebraistic, = Hebrew ʾim lōʾ), 'surely, assuredly' — guaranteeing the blessing.
μὴνindeedparticle (asseverative)μήν: emphatic particle; with εἰ forms the solemn oath asseveration of the LXX.
εὐλογῶνblessingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · εὐλογέωadverbial ptc. (intensifying, Semitic infinitive-absolute)→ intensifying participleεὐλογέω: 'bless, speak well of' (εὖ + λόγος); the participle + cognate finite verb renders the Hebrew emphatic 'I will surely bless.'
εὐλογήσωI will blessFut Act Indic 1 Sg · εὐλογέωmain verb (in quotation)→ predictive futureεὐλογέω: 'bless'; the certain future blessing God pledges to Abraham.
σεyouAccusativedirect object of εὐλογήσω
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πληθύνωνmultiplyingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · πληθύνωadverbial ptc. (intensifying, Semitic)→ intensifying participleπληθύνω: 'multiply, increase' (cf. πλῆθος, 'multitude'); the second cognate pair — 'I will surely multiply.'
πληθυνῶI will multiplyFut Act Indic 1 Sg · πληθύνωmain verb (in quotation, coordinate)→ predictive futureπληθύνω: 'multiply'; the pledged increase of Abraham's posterity (Gen 22:17).
σεyouAccusativedirect object of πληθυνῶ
15
καὶ οὕτως μακροθυμήσας ἐπέτυχεν τῆς ἐπαγγελίας.
And so, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
The outcome that proves v.12: 'and so' Abraham, after patient waiting (μακροθυμήσας echoes μακροθυμία of v.12), 'obtained the promise' — the pattern of faith-and-patience vindicated.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὕτωςso/thusadverb (manner, drawing the result)οὕτως: 'thus, in this way'; 'and so' — the conclusion drawn from the oath-secured promise.
μακροθυμήσαςhaving endured patientlyAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · μακροθυμέωadverbial ptc. (temporal/causal)→ constative aoristμακροθυμέω: 'be patient, wait long' (cf. μακροθυμία, v.12); Abraham's long wait for Isaac and the promise embodies the patience commended.
ἐπέτυχενhe obtainedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιτυγχάνωmain verb→ constative aoristἐπιτυγχάνω: 'obtain, attain, reach' (ἐπί + τυγχάνω); he 'got' the promise — at least its initial fulfillment in Isaac, a pledge of the full inheritance.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἐπαγγελίαςpromiseGenitivegenitive object of ἐπέτυχενἐπαγγελία: 'promise'; the thing obtained — the realization of God's pledged blessing.
16
ἄνθρωποι γὰρ κατὰ τοῦ μείζονος ὀμνύουσιν, καὶ πάσης αὐτοῖς ἀντιλογίας πέρας εἰς βεβαίωσιν ὁ ὅρκος·
For people swear by one greater than themselves, and the oath is for them an end of all dispute, for confirmation.
A general truth about human oaths grounds the argument: people swear by someone greater, and the oath settles disputes definitively. This prepares the a fortiori application to God's oath in vv.17–18.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
ἄνθρωποιpeopleNominativesubjectἄνθρωπος: 'human being, person'; the plural 'people' in general — universal human practice.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunctionγάρ: 'for'; explaining the function of the oath just mentioned (v.13).
κατὰbypreposition + genitive (oath formula)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
μείζονοςgreater oneGenitiveobject of κατά (substantival adj.)μείζων: 'greater'; people invoke a higher authority — ultimately God — to back their word.
ὀμνύουσινthey swearPres Act Indic 3 Pl · ὀμνύωmain verb→ gnomic presentὀμνύω: 'swear'; the gnomic present of customary human practice.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πάσηςof allGenitiveattributive adjective (w/ ἀντιλογίας)πᾶς: 'all, every'; 'all dispute' — the oath ends every contention.
αὐτοῖςfor themDativedative of advantage/reference
ἀντιλογίαςof disputeGenitiveobjective genitive (w/ πέρας)ἀντιλογία: 'contradiction, dispute' (ἀντί + λόγος); the oath puts an end to back-and-forth contention.
πέραςan endNominativepredicate nominativeπέρας: 'end, limit, conclusion'; the oath is the final word that closes debate.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose)
βεβαίωσινconfirmationAccusativeobject of εἰς (purpose)βεβαίωσις: 'confirmation, guarantee' (cf. βέβαιος, 'firm'); the oath's purpose — to make the matter firm and settled.
ὁtheNominativearticle
ὅρκοςoathNominativesubject (in apposition w/ πέρας clause)ὅρκος: 'oath'; the sworn guarantee that ends all dispute.
17
ἐν ᾧ περισσότερον βουλόμενος ὁ θεὸς ἐπιδεῖξαι τοῖς κληρονόμοις τῆς ἐπαγγελίας τὸ ἀμετάθετον τῆς βουλῆς αὐτοῦ ἐμεσίτευσεν ὅρκῳ,
In this, God, wishing to show more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of his purpose, guaranteed it with an oath,
Now the application: if a human oath settles matters, how much more God's. He 'interposed an oath' — not because his word needed it, but to show the heirs the absolute unchangeableness of his saving purpose.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/reference)ἐν ᾧ: 'wherein, in which case' — 'in this matter (of oath-taking).'
ᾧwhichDativerelative pronoun (object of ἐν)
περισσότερονmore abundantlyadverb (comparative, modifies ἐπιδεῖξαι)περισσότερον: 'more abundantly, all the more' (comparative of περισσῶς); God went beyond the bare promise to give added assurance.
βουλόμενοςwishingPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · βούλομαιadverbial ptc. (causal: 'because he wished')→ present (concurrent)βούλομαι: 'will, wish, purpose'; God's deliberate intention to reassure his people.
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubject of ἐμεσίτευσενθεός: God; the subject who condescends to swear.
ἐπιδεῖξαιto showAor Act Inf · ἐπιδείκνυμιcomplementary infinitive (w/ βουλόμενος)→ constative aoristἐπιδείκνυμι: 'show, demonstrate, prove' (ἐπί + δείκνυμι); to display plainly his purpose's fixity.
τοῖςto theDativearticle (w/ κληρονόμοις)
κληρονόμοιςheirsDativeindirect object of ἐπιδεῖξαικληρονόμος: 'heir' (κλῆρος + νέμω); those who inherit the promise — Abraham's spiritual offspring, the readers included.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
ἐπαγγελίαςpromiseGenitiveobjective/possessive genitive (w/ κληρονόμοις)ἐπαγγελία: 'promise'; the inheritance the heirs are to receive.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantizes ἀμετάθετον)
ἀμετάθετονunchangeablenessAccusativedirect object of ἐπιδεῖξαι (substantival adj.)ἀμετάθετος: 'unchangeable, immutable' (ἀ- + μετατίθημι, 'change'); the fixity of God's resolve — repeated in v.18 ('two unchangeable things').
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
βουλῆςpurposeGenitivegenitive (w/ ἀμετάθετον)βουλή: 'will, counsel, purpose'; God's settled saving design, which never wavers.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
ἐμεσίτευσενhe guaranteed/interposedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · μεσιτεύωmain verb→ constative aoristμεσιτεύω: 'mediate, act as guarantor, interpose' (cf. μεσίτης, 'mediator'); a NT hapax — God 'went surety' with an oath, vouching for his own word.
ὅρκῳwith an oathDativedative of means/instrumentὅρκος: 'oath'; the instrument by which God confirmed his promise.
18
ἵνα διὰ δύο πραγμάτων ἀμεταθέτων, ἐν οἷς ἀδύνατον ψεύσασθαι θεόν, ἰσχυρὰν παράκλησιν ἔχωμεν οἱ καταφυγόντες κρατῆσαι τῆς προκειμένης ἐλπίδος·
so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us;
The goal of the oath: that by 'two unchangeable things' — God's promise and his oath, in both of which lying is impossible — believers, pictured as refugees fleeing to safety, may have strong encouragement to seize the hope before them. The second of Hebrews' 'impossibles' (cf. v.4).
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose)ἵνα: 'in order that'; the purpose of God's oath-confirmed promise.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means)
δύοtwoGenitivenumeral (w/ πραγμάτων; indeclinable)δύο: 'two'; the two guarantees — the promise (v.13) and the oath (v.17).
πραγμάτωνthingsGenitiveobject of διά (means)πρᾶγμα: 'thing, matter, deed' (cf. πράσσω); the two objective realities backing the believer's hope.
ἀμεταθέτωνunchangeableGenitiveattributive adjectiveἀμετάθετος: 'unchangeable'; repeated from v.17 — both promise and oath are utterly fixed.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (reference)
οἷςwhichDativerelative pronoun (object of ἐν)
ἀδύνατονimpossibleNominativepredicate adjective (impersonal)ἀδύνατος: 'impossible'; the third occurrence of the theme — it is impossible for God to lie (cf. Titus 1:2).
ψεύσασθαιto lieAor Mid Inf · ψεύδομαιinfinitive (subject of ἀδύνατον)→ constative aoristψεύδομαι: 'lie, speak falsely'; God's truthfulness makes deception impossible — the bedrock of assurance.
θεόνfor GodAccusativeaccusative subject of ψεύσασθαιθεός: God; the one who cannot lie.
ἰσχυρὰνstrongAccusativeattributive adjective (w/ παράκλησιν)ἰσχυρός: 'strong, mighty, powerful'; the encouragement is robust, not flimsy — grounded in God's own veracity.
παράκλησινencouragementAccusativedirect object of ἔχωμενπαράκλησις: 'encouragement, comfort, exhortation' (παρά + καλέω, 'call alongside'); the strong consolation the dual guarantee affords.
ἔχωμενwe might havePres Act Subj 1 Pl · ἔχωverb of purpose clause (subjunctive)→ present (durative)ἔχω: 'have, hold'; the present subjunctive — that we may go on possessing this encouragement.
οἱthose whoNominativearticle (substantizes καταφυγόντες; subject of ἔχωμεν)
καταφυγόντεςhaving fled for refugeAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · καταφεύγωsubstantival participle (in apposition w/ subject 'we')→ constative aoristκαταφεύγω: 'flee for refuge, take refuge' (κατά + φεύγω); imagery of fleeing to a city of refuge or grasping the altar — believers fleeing to God's promise for safety.
κρατῆσαιto take hold ofAor Act Inf · κρατέωinfinitive of purpose (of καταφυγόντες)→ ingressive aoristκρατέω: 'grasp, seize, hold fast' (cf. κράτος, 'strength'); to lay firm hold of the hope — the goal of fleeing for refuge.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
προκειμένηςset beforePres Mid Ptc · Gen Sg Fem · πρόκειμαιattributive participle (modifies ἐλπίδος)→ present (stative)πρόκειμαι: 'be set before, lie ahead' (πρό + κεῖμαι); the hope 'placed before us' as a goal (cf. 12:1–2, the race and joy 'set before').
ἐλπίδοςhopeGenitivegenitive object of κρατῆσαιἐλπίς: 'hope'; the confident expectation set before believers — to be firmly grasped, and (v.19) anchored within the veil.
19
ἣν ὡς ἄγκυραν ἔχομεν τῆς ψυχῆς ἀσφαλῆ τε καὶ βεβαίαν καὶ εἰσερχομένην εἰς τὸ ἐσώτερον τοῦ καταπετάσματος,
which we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and entering into the inner place behind the curtain,
The hope of v.18 is now imaged as an anchor — 'sure and steadfast' — but with a striking reversal: this anchor reaches not downward to the seabed but upward and inward, into the heavenly sanctuary behind the veil, where Christ has gone (v.20).
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἔχομεν; antecedent ἐλπίδος)ὅς: relative pronoun; resuming 'hope' as the thing 'we have.'
ὡςascomparative particle (introduces simile)ὡς: 'as, like'; introducing the anchor simile.
ἄγκυρανanchorAccusativepredicate accusative (object complement)ἄγκυρα: 'anchor'; a vivid metaphor of security — hope holds the soul fast amid storms. A common ancient emblem of steadfast hope.
ἔχομενwe havePres Act Indic 1 Pl · ἔχωmain verb→ present (stative possession)ἔχω: 'have, hold'; we presently possess this hope-anchor.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
ψυχῆςsoulGenitiveobjective genitive (anchor for the soul)ψυχή: 'soul, life'; the inner self that the anchor secures against drifting.
ἀσφαλῆsureAccusativeattributive adjective (w/ ἄγκυραν)ἀσφαλής: 'safe, secure, firm' (ἀ- + σφάλλω, 'cause to fall'); the anchor will not slip or fail.
τεbothconnective particle (τε καί)τε … καί: 'both … and'; coupling the two qualities of the anchor.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
βεβαίανsteadfastAccusativeattributive adjectiveβέβαιος: 'firm, steadfast, reliable' (cf. βεβαίωσις, v.16); the anchor holds firm — fitting the unchangeable promise.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἰσερχομένηνenteringPres Mid Ptc · Acc Sg Fem · εἰσέρχομαιattributive participle (modifies the hope/anchor)→ present (durative)εἰσέρχομαι: 'go into, enter' (εἰς + ἔρχομαι); the anchor 'enters' the heavenly sanctuary — hope is moored in the very presence of God.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantizes ἐσώτερον)
ἐσώτερονinner placeAccusativeobject of εἰς (substantival comparative adj.)ἐσώτερος: 'inner, within' (comparative of ἔσω); 'the inner part' = the Holy of Holies, the inmost sanctuary.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
καταπετάσματοςcurtain/veilGenitivegenitive (separation: 'behind the veil')καταπέτασμα: 'curtain, veil' (κατά + πετάννυμι, 'spread out'); the inner veil before the Holy of Holies (cf. 9:3; 10:20) — now passed through by hope and by Christ.
20
ὅπου πρόδρομος ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν εἰσῆλθεν Ἰησοῦς, κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισέδεκ ἀρχιερεὺς γενόμενος εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.
where Jesus has entered as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
The anchor's mooring is identified: 'where Jesus has entered.' He goes as πρόδρομος — a forerunner, implying others follow — on our behalf, having become high priest forever in Melchizedek's order. This resumes 5:10 and opens the great exposition of ch. 7.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
ὅπουwhererelative adverb (place)ὅπου: 'where'; locating the action in the inner sanctuary just named.
πρόδρομοςforerunnerNominativepredicate nominative (appositional to Ἰησοῦς)πρόδρομος: 'forerunner, one who runs ahead' (πρό + δρόμος); a NT hapax — used of advance scouts/heralds. Jesus enters not alone, like the high priest, but as a pioneer whom his people will follow.
ὑπὲρon behalf ofpreposition + genitive (advantage/representation)ὑπέρ + gen.: 'on behalf of, for the sake of'; Jesus enters representatively, for us.
ἡμῶνusGenitiveobject of ὑπέρ
εἰσῆλθενhe enteredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb→ consummative aoristεἰσέρχομαι: 'go in, enter' (εἰς + ἔρχομαι); Jesus' completed entry into the heavenly Holy of Holies (cf. 9:12, 24).
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubject (emphatically last)Ἰησοῦς: Jesus; the human name placed last for emphasis — it is our forerunner-priest who has gone within.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard/norm)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
τάξινorderAccusativeobject of κατά (norm/manner)τάξις: 'order, arrangement, rank' (cf. τάσσω); the priestly 'order' or category of Melchizedek (Ps 110:4), distinct from the Levitical.
Μελχισέδεκof MelchizedekGenitivegenitive of apposition (w/ τάξιν; indeclinable)Μελχισέδεκ: Melchizedek (Heb. 'king of righteousness'), priest-king of Salem (Gen 14); the indeclinable name anticipates the full argument of ch. 7.
ἀρχιερεὺςhigh priestNominativepredicate nominative (w/ γενόμενος)ἀρχιερεύς: 'high priest, chief priest' (ἀρχή + ἱερεύς); the central christological title of Hebrews — Jesus as our great high priest.
γενόμενοςhaving becomeAor Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · γίνομαιadverbial ptc. (attendant circumstance/result)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'become, come to be'; Jesus 'became' high priest by appointment and exaltation (cf. 5:5–10).
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (extent of time)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
αἰῶναforeverAccusativeobject of εἰς (idiom: εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα = forever)αἰών: 'age'; εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα = 'into the age, forever' — Christ's priesthood is permanent and unending (cf. 7:24–25), unlike the mortal Levitical priests.