Bible Commentary

But with whom was he grieved forty years? [was it] not with them that had sinned, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness? 17. grieved ] Rather “indignant.” See Heb 3:10. whose carcases ] To us the words read as though there were a deep and awful irony in this term ( ), as though, “dying … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hebrews 3:17”

For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. 16. some, when they had heard, did provoke ] Rattier, “Who ( ) when they heard, embittered (Him)”? This is the reading of the Peshito. It would have been absurd to use the word “some” of 600,000 … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hebrews 3:16”

While it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. While it is said, Today … – That is, persevere as long as life lasts, or as long as it can be said today; and by persevering in this manner you will have evidence that you … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hebrews 3:15”

For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end; 14. we are made ] Rather, “we are become.” partakers of Christ ] Rather, “partakers with Christ,” for the thought of mystical union with Christ extending into spiritual unity and identity, which makes the words “in … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hebrews 3:14”

But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 13. exhort one another ] The verb implies the mutually strengthening intercourse of consolation and moral appeal. It is the verb from which comes the word Paraclete, i.e. the Comforter or Strengthened The literal … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hebrews 3:13”

Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 12. Take heed, brethren, lest there be ] It is evident that deep anxiety mixes with the warning. in any of you ] The warning is expressed indefinitely; but if the Epistle was addressed … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hebrews 3:12”

So I swore in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) 11. So I sware in my wrath ] The reference is to Num 14:28-30; Num 33:13. They shall not enter ] This is the correct rendering of the idiom (here used by a Hebraism) “ if they shall enter.” my rest ] … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hebrews 3:11”

Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do always err in [their] heart; and they have not known my ways. 10. I was grieved ] Rather, “I was indignant.” The Greek word is derived from the dashing of waves against a bank. It only occurs in the N. T. here and in … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hebrews 3:10”

When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. 9. when ] Rather, “where,” i.e. at Massah, or in the wilderness. The rendering “wherewith” or “with which temptation,” would have been more naturally expressed in other ways. proved me ] The better reading is “by proving me.” saw my works forty … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hebrews 3:9”

Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 8. harden not your hearts ] Comp. Act 19:9. Usually God is said to harden man’s heart (Exo 7:3, &c.; Isa 63:17; Rom 9:18) an anthropomorphic way of expressing the inevitable results of neglect and of evil habit. But … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hebrews 3:8”