1
Πολυμερῶς καὶ πολυτρόπως πάλαι ὁ θεὸς λαλήσας τοῖς πατράσιν ἐν τοῖς προφήταις
In many parts and in many ways God, having spoken long ago to the fathers by the prophets,
Sermon openingasyndetonThe exordium opens not with an epistolary greeting but with rolling alliteration (four π-words) — a rhetorical periodic sentence (vv.1–4). The participial clause sets up the former mode of revelation, awaiting the main verb (ἐλάλησεν) in v.2.
Πολυμερῶςin many partsadverb (manner)πολυμερῶς: 'in many portions' (πολύς + μέρος); the OT revelation came piecemeal, in fragments across the centuries.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πολυτρόπωςin many waysadverb (manner)πολυτρόπως: 'in many manners' (πολύς + τρόπος); by diverse modes — law, vision, dream, prophecy. The doubled adverb stresses the variegated, incomplete character of the old revelation.
πάλαιlong agoadverb (time)πάλαι: 'of old, long ago'; sets the former era over against the 'last days' of v.2.
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (of ἐλάλησεν, v.2)θεός: God; the one constant subject — the same God who spoke then speaks now, but climactically.
λαλήσαςhaving spokenAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λαλέωadverbial ptc. (antecedent time / concessive backdrop)→ constative aoristλαλέω: 'speak, utter'; the prior speaking summed as a single completed whole, the foil for the new speaking.
τοῖςto theDativearticle
πατράσινfathersDativeindirect object (recipients of the old revelation)πατήρ: 'father'; here the patriarchs and the OT generations — the original audience of the prophetic word.
ἐνbypreposition + dative (means/instrument)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
προφήταιςprophetsDativedat. of means (the instruments of the old word)προφήτης: 'prophet, spokesman for God'; the human mediators of the fragmentary former revelation — contrasted with the Son (v.2).
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ἐπ' ἐσχάτου τῶν ἡμερῶν τούτων ἐλάλησεν ἡμῖν ἐν υἱῷ, ὃν ἔθηκεν κληρονόμον πάντων, δι' οὗ καὶ ἐποίησεν τοὺς αἰῶνας·
in these last days has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the ages;
Climax / main clauseasyndetonThe main verb arrives: God 'has spoken … in a Son.' The anarthrous ἐν υἱῷ stresses the quality of the new mediator — Son, not servant. Two relative clauses begin the sevenfold catalogue of the Son's dignity: heir of all, agent of creation.
ἐπ'inpreposition + genitive (time)
ἐσχάτουthe lastGenitiveobject of ἐπί (temporal: 'at the end of')ἔσχατος: 'last, final'; ἐπ' ἐσχάτου τῶν ἡμερῶν is LXX idiom ('in the last days') marking the eschatological era inaugurated by the Son.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ἡμερῶνdaysGenitivepartitive/temporal genitiveἡμέρα: 'day'; the plural with ἔσχατος denotes the final epoch of redemptive history.
τούτωνtheseGenitivedemonstrative (attributive)οὗτος: 'this'; 'these last days' — the author writes from within the inaugurated eschaton.
ἐλάλησενhe has spokenAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (of the periodic sentence)→ constative aorist (climactic)λαλέω: 'speak'; the same verb as v.1, now in the indicative — the decisive, final utterance to which the participle pointed.
ἡμῖνto usDativeindirect object (recipients of the new word)
ἐνby/inpreposition + dative (means/sphere)
υἱῷa SonDativedat. of means (anarthrous — qualitative)υἱός: 'Son'; the anarthrous ἐν υἱῷ ('in one who is Son') accents the category — God's final word is spoken in the person of a Son, not merely through another prophet.
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἔθηκεν)
ἔθηκενhe appointedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · τίθημιmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristτίθημι: 'place, set, appoint'; God's decree constituting the Son heir — echoing Ps 2:8 ('I will give the nations as your inheritance').
κληρονόμονheirAccusativeobject complement (double accusative)κληρονόμος: 'heir' (κλῆρος + νέμομαι); the Son's right is dynastic and total — he inherits all things as the messianic king.
πάντωνof all thingsGenitiveobjective genitive (w/ κληρονόμον)πᾶς: 'all'; the comprehensive scope of the inheritance — the whole created order.
δι'throughpreposition + genitive (intermediate agency)
οὗwhomGenitiverelative pronoun (object of διά)
καὶalsoadverbial (ascensive)καί: 'also'; the heir of creation is also its agent — the end and the beginning meet in him.
ἐποίησενhe madeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristποιέω: 'make, create'; God created through the Son — the same creative mediation as John 1:3, 1 Cor 8:6, Col 1:16.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
αἰῶναςages/universeAccusativedirect objectαἰών: 'age'; the plural τοὺς αἰῶνας (Heb. ʿôlāmîm) denotes the whole created order in its temporal sweep — 'the worlds, the universe' (cf. 11:3).
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ὃς ὢν ἀπαύγασμα τῆς δόξης καὶ χαρακτὴρ τῆς ὑποστάσεως αὐτοῦ, φέρων τε τὰ πάντα τῷ ῥήματι τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ, καθαρισμὸν τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ποιησάμενος ἐκάθισεν ἐν δεξιᾷ τῆς μεγαλωσύνης ἐν ὑψηλοῖς,
who, being the radiance of his glory and the exact imprint of his nature, and upholding all things by the word of his power, having made purification for sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
Christological climaxὃςThe heart of the exordium: two present participles describe the Son's eternal being (radiance, imprint; upholder), then an aorist participle and finite verb narrate his redemptive work and enthronement — the session at God's right hand toward which the whole catena will point (cf. v.13).
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἐκάθισεν)
ὢνbeingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · εἰμίadjectival/causal ptc. (the Son's continuing being)→ stative present (timeless)εἰμί: 'be'; the present ptc. expresses the Son's permanent, essential being — not a state he entered.
ἀπαύγασμαradianceNominativepredicate nom. (complement of ὤν)ἀπαύγασμα: 'effulgence, radiance' (ἀπό + αὐγή, 'beam'); the light that shines forth from its source — the Son is God's glory in self-expression (cf. Wis 7:26).
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
δόξηςgloryGenitivegenitive of source (radiance from the glory)δόξα: 'glory'; the radiant divine splendor (kābôd) whose very out-shining the Son is.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
χαρακτὴρexact imprintNominativepredicate nom. (coordinate)χαρακτήρ: 'exact impress, stamp' (as a die leaves on a coin/seal); the Son bears the precise, identical impression of God's very being — the source of the English 'character.'
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
ὑποστάσεωςnature/substanceGenitiveobjective/descriptive genitive (the thing imprinted)ὑπόστασις: 'substance, real being, essential nature' (lit. 'that which stands under'); here God's very essence — of which the Son is the exact stamp.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (= God's)
φέρωνupholdingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · φέρωadjectival ptc. (continuing activity)→ customary/durative presentφέρω: 'bear, carry'; not static support but dynamic 'carrying along' — the Son actively bears the universe toward its appointed goal.
τεandconnective particle (links the participles)τε: 'and'; a close-binding connective, coordinating the upholding with the being of the prior clause.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
πάνταall thingsAccusativedirect object of φέρωνπᾶς: 'all'; τὰ πάντα = the totality of the universe, the same cosmos he made (v.2) and inherits.
τῷby theDativearticle
ῥήματιwordDativedat. of means (the instrument of upholding)ῥῆμα: 'utterance, spoken word'; the Son sustains all things by his mere word — the same omnipotent speech that created (cf. 11:3).
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
δυνάμεωςpowerGenitiveattributive genitive ('his powerful word')δύναμις: 'power'; the genitive qualifies ῥῆμα — 'the word of his power,' i.e. his powerful word.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
καθαρισμὸνpurificationAccusativedirect object of ποιησάμενοςκαθαρισμός: 'cleansing, purification'; cultic language — the Son's self-offering as the true purgation of sins (the epistle's great theme, chs. 9–10).
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ἁμαρτιῶνsinsGenitiveobjective genitive (purification of/from sins)ἁμαρτία: 'sin'; the defilement that the Son's purification removes.
ποιησάμενοςhaving madeAor Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ποιέωadverbial ptc. (antecedent time)→ constative aoristποιέω (mid.): 'make for oneself, accomplish'; the middle voice hints at the Son's own personal involvement — he made purification by himself (cf. 9:26).
ἐκάθισενhe sat downAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καθίζωmain verb (rel. clause; climax)→ constative aorist (completed enthronement)καθίζω: 'sit down, take a seat'; the session — a seated priest-king whose work is finished, alluding to Ps 110:1, the chapter's destination (v.13).
ἐνatpreposition + dative (place)
δεξιᾷthe right handDativedat. of place (locus of enthronement)δεξιά: 'right hand'; the place of supreme honor and authority (Ps 110:1) — the position no angel ever occupies (v.13).
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
μεγαλωσύνηςMajestyGenitivepossessive genitive (reverential periphrasis for God)μεγαλωσύνη: 'majesty, greatness'; a reverent circumlocution for God (avoiding the divine name), as 'the Majesty' (cf. 8:1).
ἐνonpreposition + dative (place)
ὑψηλοῖςhighDativedat. of place (substantival: 'in high places')ὑψηλός: 'high, lofty'; ἐν ὑψηλοῖς = 'on high, in the heights' — the heavenly realm of God's presence.
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τοσούτῳ κρείττων γενόμενος τῶν ἀγγέλων ὅσῳ διαφορώτερον παρ' αὐτοὺς κεκληρονόμηκεν ὄνομα.
having become as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Thesis statementasyndetonThe capstone participle of the periodic sentence states the thesis the catena (vv.5–13) will demonstrate: the enthroned Son is superior to the angels in exact proportion to the surpassing 'name' he has inherited. The correlative τοσούτῳ … ὅσῳ frames a measured comparison.
τοσούτῳby so muchDativedat. of measure/degree (correlative w/ ὅσῳ)τοσοῦτος: 'so great, so much'; the first term of the proportional 'as much … as' comparison.
κρείττωνsuperiorNominativepredicate adjective (comparative)κρείττων: 'better, superior'; a keyword of Hebrews (13×) — the Son and his covenant are 'better' than all that went before.
γενόμενοςhaving becomeAor Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · γίνομαιadverbial ptc. (result/manner; w/ ἐκάθισεν)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'become'; the exaltation made the Son 'superior' in manifest rank — not that he became divine, but that his mediatorial dignity was openly established.
τῶνthan theGenitivearticle
ἀγγέλωνangelsGenitivegenitive of comparison (w/ κρείττων)ἄγγελος: 'angel, messenger'; the comparison-class of the whole argument — exalted heavenly beings, mediators of the old covenant (2:2), yet still beneath the Son.
ὅσῳasDativedat. of measure (correlative w/ τοσούτῳ)ὅσος: 'as much as'; the answering term — the Son's superiority is proportioned exactly to the excellence of his name.
διαφορώτερονmore excellentAccusativepredicate adj. (comparative; w/ ὄνομα)διάφορος: 'differing, excellent'; the comparative διαφορώτερον = 'more excellent, surpassing' — the name outranks all angelic titles.
παρ'thanpreposition + accusative (comparison)παρά: 'beside'; with the accusative after a comparative it means 'than, in comparison with.'
αὐτοὺςtheirsAccusativeobject of παρά (the angels compared)
κεκληρονόμηκενhe has inheritedPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · κληρονομέωmain verb (comparative clause)→ intensive perfect (abiding possession)κληρονομέω: 'inherit, obtain by lot'; the perfect marks the name as a permanent, settled possession — picking up κληρονόμον of v.2.
ὄνομαnameAccusativedirect objectὄνομα: 'name'; the inherited 'name' — 'Son' (v.5) and ultimately 'Lord/God' (vv.8, 10) — denoting rank, dignity, and identity, surpassing every angelic designation.
5
Τίνι γὰρ εἶπέν ποτε τῶν ἀγγέλων· Υἱός μου εἶ σύ, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε; καὶ πάλιν· Ἐγὼ ἔσομαι αὐτῷ εἰς πατέρα, καὶ αὐτὸς ἔσται μοι εἰς υἱόν;
For to which of the angels did he ever say, "You are my Son, today I have begotten you"? And again, "I will be a father to him, and he will be a son to me"?
Proof (citation 1–2)γάρThe catena opens with a rhetorical question proving the 'name' of v.4. Psalm 2:7 and 2 Samuel 7:14 are spoken to the Son, never to an angel — the title 'Son' and the Davidic-dynastic promise are his alone.
Τίνιto whichDativeinterrogative pronoun (indirect object)τίς: 'who, which'; the rhetorical 'to which?' expects the answer 'to none' — no angel was ever so addressed.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction (grounds v.4)
εἶπένdid he sayAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (rhetorical question)→ constative aoristλέγω: 'say'; the subject is God — the speaker of Scripture throughout the catena.
ποτεeverparticle (indefinite time)ποτέ: 'ever, at any time'; reinforces the negative expectation — not once, in all of Scripture.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ἀγγέλωνangelsGenitivepartitive genitive (w/ τίνι)ἄγγελος: 'angel'; 'which of the angels' — the partitive frames the whole class as candidates, all excluded.
ΥἱόςSonNominativepredicate nominative (Ps 2:7)υἱός: 'Son'; the royal-messianic sonship of Ps 2:7 — the decree enthroning the Davidic king, applied to Christ (cf. 5:5, Acts 13:33).
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
εἶarePres Act Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula, citation)→ stative present
σύyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)σύ: 'you'; the emphatic pronoun underscores the direct, personal address to the Son.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)ἐγώ: 'I'; the emphatic divine 'I' — God himself the begetter.
σήμερονtodayadverb (time)σήμερον: 'today'; the 'day' of the decree — read by the early church of the resurrection/enthronement (cf. Acts 13:33).
γεγέννηκάI have begottenPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · γεννάωmain verb (citation)→ intensive perfect (an abiding status)γεννάω: 'beget, father'; the perfect 'I have begotten' declares a standing, enduring sonship-relation established by the decree.
σεyouAccusativedirect object
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πάλινagainadverb (introduces a further citation)πάλιν: 'again'; a catchword stitching the catena — each 'again' adds another proof-text.
ἘγὼINominativesubject (emphatic; 2 Sam 7:14)ἐγώ: 'I'; God the speaker of the Nathan oracle, the dynastic covenant with David's seed.
ἔσομαιwill beFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (citation)→ predictive futureεἰμί (fut.): 'I will be'; the covenant formula of adoptive fatherhood toward the Davidic heir.
αὐτῷto himDativedat. of relation/reference
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (Semitic 'as/to be')εἰς: 'into, for'; the Septuagintal εἰς πατέρα renders the Hebrew lĕ — 'I will be to him as a father.'
πατέραa fatherAccusativeobject of εἰς (predicate role)πατήρ: 'father'; God's covenantal fatherhood toward the messianic son.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
αὐτὸςheNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)αὐτός: 'he himself'; emphatic — the Son in his answering role within the covenant.
ἔσταιwill beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (citation)→ predictive future
μοιto meDativedat. of relation/reference
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (Semitic 'as')
υἱόνa sonAccusativeobject of εἰς (predicate role)υἱός: 'son'; the reciprocal of the covenant — 'he will be to me as a son.'
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ὅταν δὲ πάλιν εἰσαγάγῃ τὸν πρωτότοκον εἰς τὴν οἰκουμένην, λέγει· Καὶ προσκυνησάτωσαν αὐτῷ πάντες ἄγγελοι θεοῦ.
And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, "And let all God's angels worship him."
Proof (citation 3)δὲA third citation (Deut 32:43 LXX / Ps 96:7 LXX): the angels are commanded to worship the firstborn. The relation is decisive — the angels are worshipers, the Son is the worshiped, which a creature could never receive.
ὅτανwhentemporal conjunction (+ subjunctive)ὅταν: 'whenever, when'; introduces the occasion of God's utterance — the bringing of the firstborn into the world.
δὲand/buttransitional/developmental conjunction
πάλινagainadverb (catchword; or 'when he again brings')πάλιν: 'again'; either the catena-connector ('and again, when…') or modifying the introduction (the second advent) — most likely the former here.
εἰσαγάγῃhe brings inAor Act Subj 3 Sg · εἰσάγωsubjunctive verb (ὅταν clause)→ constative aorist (in a temporal frame)εἰσάγω: 'lead/bring in' (εἰς + ἄγω); God's introduction of the firstborn into the inhabited realm — the enthronement-presentation.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
πρωτότοκονfirstbornAccusativedirect object (substantival adj.)πρωτότοκος: 'firstborn'; a title of rank and supreme heirship (Ps 89:27), not mere chronological priority — the Son's preeminence over all.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
οἰκουμένηνworldAccusativeobject of εἰς (the inhabited realm)οἰκουμένη: 'the inhabited (world)'; here likely the 'world to come' (cf. 2:5) into which the exalted Son is led.
λέγειhe saysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (introduces citation)→ customary/timeless presentλέγω: 'say'; God (or Scripture) 'says' — the present tense presents Scripture as God's living, continuing speech.
Καὶandconjunction (part of the citation)
προσκυνησάτωσανlet them worshipAor Act Impv 3 Pl · προσκυνέωimperatival verb (citation)→ ingressive/constative aorist imperativeπροσκυνέω: 'do obeisance, worship' (lit. 'bow toward'); the worship due to God alone is here commanded toward the Son — decisive for his deity.
αὐτῷhimDativedat. object of προσκυνέω
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (subject)πᾶς: 'all'; without exception — the entire angelic host is summoned to worship.
ἄγγελοιangelsNominativesubject of προσκυνησάτωσανἄγγελος: 'angel'; the worshipers — their reverence proves their inferiority to the One worshiped.
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of relationship/possessionθεός: God; 'God's angels' — even the highest beings belonging to God bow to the Son.
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καὶ πρὸς μὲν τοὺς ἀγγέλους λέγει· Ὁ ποιῶν τοὺς ἀγγέλους αὐτοῦ πνεύματα καὶ τοὺς λειτουργοὺς αὐτοῦ πυρὸς φλόγα·
And of the angels he says, "He who makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire,"
Proof (citation 4): the angels' statusκαὶ … μὲνThe μέν of a μέν … δέ antithesis (vv.7–8). Of the angels (Ps 103:4 LXX), God makes them winds and flames — mutable, functional servants. The contrast with the Son's eternal throne (v.8) is the point.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πρὸςof/with reference topreposition + accusative (reference)πρός: with acc., here 'with regard to, concerning' — 'as to the angels he says.'
μὲνon the one handparticle (μέν … δέ correlative)μέν: marks the first limb of the antithesis, answered by πρὸς δὲ τὸν υἱόν (v.8).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ἀγγέλουςangelsAccusativeobject of πρός (reference)ἄγγελος: 'angel'; the subject of the first citation in the antithesis.
λέγειhe saysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (introduces citation)→ timeless present
Ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ποιῶνwho makesPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ποιέωsubstantival participle (= God; subject)→ customary presentποιέω: 'make'; God 'who makes his angels…' — the LXX of Ps 103:4, read so that the angels are made into transient elements.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ἀγγέλουςangelsAccusativedirect object of ποιῶν
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
πνεύματαwinds/spiritsAccusativeobject complement (double accusative)πνεῦμα: 'wind, breath, spirit'; here the elemental sense 'winds' — the angels reduced to fleeting natural forces, emphasizing their mutability.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
λειτουργοὺςministersAccusativedirect object (parallel to ἀγγέλους)λειτουργός: 'minister, public servant'; cultic/service language — the angels are servants, anticipating v.14.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
πυρὸςof fireGenitiveattributive genitive (w/ φλόγα)πῦρ: 'fire'; 'a flame of fire' — again a transient element, underscoring the angels' impermanence beside the abiding Son.
φλόγαa flameAccusativeobject complement (double accusative)φλόξ: 'flame'; the angels made 'a flame of fire' — momentary, serviceable, unlike the eternal throne of v.8.
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πρὸς δὲ τὸν υἱόν· Ὁ θρόνος σου, ὁ θεός, εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος, καὶ ἡ ῥάβδος τῆς εὐθύτητος ῥάβδος τῆς βασιλείας σου.
but of the Son, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom."
Proof (citation 5): the Son addressed as GodδὲThe answering δέ of the antithesis (Ps 44:7–8 LXX). In sharpest contrast to the transient angels, the Son is addressed as 'God' with an eternal throne and a righteous scepter — divine kingship, not creaturely service.
πρὸςof/with reference topreposition + accusative (reference)
δὲbutadversative particle (δέ answering μέν)δέ: completes the μέν … δέ antithesis — the decisive 'but as to the Son.'
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
υἱόνSonAccusativeobject of πρός (reference)υἱός: 'Son'; the addressee of the citation set over against the angels.
ὉtheNominativearticle
θρόνοςthroneNominativesubject (of an implied 'is')θρόνος: 'throne'; the symbol of royal dominion — the Son's reign, unlike the angels' service, is sovereign.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession
ὁONominativearticle (with θεός: nominative of address / vocative)
θεόςGodNominativenominative for vocative (direct address to the Son)θεός: God; the climax of the chapter — the Son is directly addressed as 'God' (ὁ θεός as vocative), the highest of the inherited 'names' (v.4).
εἰςto/forpreposition + accusative (extent of time)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
αἰῶναageAccusativeobject of εἰς (duration)αἰών: 'age'; εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος = 'forever and ever,' the unending duration of the throne.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
αἰῶνοςageGenitiveattributive genitive (intensifying duration)αἰών: 'age'; the doubled idiom 'age of the age' = eternity — the Son's reign never ends, unlike the angels' transience (v.7).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἡtheNominativearticle
ῥάβδοςscepterNominativesubjectῥάβδος: 'rod, staff, scepter'; the emblem of royal rule — here the rule is characterized by 'uprightness.'
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
εὐθύτητοςuprightnessGenitiveattributive genitive (quality of the scepter)εὐθύτης: 'straightness, uprightness'; the moral rectitude of the Son's reign — a kingdom of righteousness.
ῥάβδοςis the scepterNominativepredicate nominativeῥάβδος: 'scepter'; the predicate identifies the upright scepter as the scepter of the Son's very kingdom.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
βασιλείαςkingdomGenitivepossessive/attributive genitiveβασιλεία: 'kingdom, reign'; the Son's royal dominion, governed by righteousness.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession
9
ἠγάπησας δικαιοσύνην καὶ ἐμίσησας ἀνομίαν· διὰ τοῦτο ἔχρισέν σε ὁ θεός, ὁ θεός σου, ἔλαιον ἀγαλλιάσεως παρὰ τοὺς μετόχους σου.
"You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions."
Proof (citation 5, continued)asyndetonThe citation of Ps 44 continues: the Son's moral perfection (loving righteousness, hating lawlessness) grounds his anointing 'beyond his companions.' 'God, your God' shows the addressed-as-God Son also in relation to God — Father and Son distinct yet both θεός.
ἠγάπησαςyou have lovedAor Act Indic 2 Sg · ἀγαπάωmain verb (citation)→ constative aoristἀγαπάω: 'love'; the Son's settled love of righteousness — the moral character of the royal addressee.
δικαιοσύνηνrighteousnessAccusativedirect objectδικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness'; what the king loves — the standard of his upright scepter (v.8).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐμίσησαςyou have hatedAor Act Indic 2 Sg · μισέωmain verb (citation)→ constative aoristμισέω: 'hate'; the antithetical counterpart — the Son's moral revulsion at lawlessness.
ἀνομίανlawlessnessAccusativedirect objectἀνομία: 'lawlessness' (ἀ- + νόμος); the opposite of the righteousness he loves.
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause)
τοῦτοthisAccusativeobject of διά (διὰ τοῦτο = 'therefore')οὗτος: 'this'; διὰ τοῦτο = 'for this reason' — the anointing follows upon the moral character.
ἔχρισένhas anointedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · χρίωmain verb (citation)→ constative aoristχρίω: 'anoint'; the verb behind 'Christ/Messiah' (χριστός) — the royal-messianic anointing with festal joy.
σεyouAccusativedirect object
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεόςGodNominativesubject (the anointing God)θεός: God; here the anointer — distinct from the Son who was addressed as θεός in v.8, yet both bear the name.
ὁtheNominativearticle (apposition)
θεόςGodNominativeapposition to ὁ θεός (or renewed address)θεός: 'your God' — the relational name, showing the Son set in relation to the God who anoints him.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἔλαιονoilAccusativeaccusative of means/content (anointed with)ἔλαιον: 'olive oil'; the anointing oil — the means of the festal consecration.
ἀγαλλιάσεωςof gladnessGenitivegenitive of quality/contentἀγαλλίασις: 'exultation, gladness'; the 'oil of gladness' — joy of the coronation/enthronement festival.
παρὰbeyondpreposition + accusative (comparison)παρά: with acc. after a comparative idea, 'more than, beyond' — the Son anointed above all his fellows.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
μετόχουςcompanionsAccusativeobject of παρά (those compared)μέτοχος: 'partner, companion, sharer'; the Son's 'fellows' (whether kings, or — in Hebrews' application — the people he is unashamed to call brothers, 2:11), surpassed in his anointing.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship
10
καί· Σὺ κατ' ἀρχάς, κύριε, τὴν γῆν ἐθεμελίωσας, καὶ ἔργα τῶν χειρῶν σού εἰσιν οἱ οὐρανοί·
And, "You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the works of your hands;
Proof (citation 6): the Son as CreatorκαίA further citation (Ps 101:26–28 LXX), addressed by 'and' to the same Son. Words spoken to YHWH the Creator are applied to the Son: he is 'Lord,' the eternal founder of earth and heavens — the agent of creation already named in v.2.
καίandconjunction (adds a further citation)καί: 'and'; links this citation to the address 'to the Son' (v.8) — the same divine addressee.
ΣὺYouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)σύ: 'you'; the emphatic 'You' addressed to the Son — the very words once spoken to YHWH.
κατ'inpreposition + accusative (time)
ἀρχάςthe beginningAccusativeobject of κατά (κατ' ἀρχάς = 'in the beginning')ἀρχή: 'beginning'; κατ' ἀρχάς = 'at the first' — echoing Gen 1:1, the Son's primordial creative act.
κύριεLordVocativevocative (direct address to the Son)κύριος: 'Lord'; the LXX rendering of YHWH — here addressed to the Son, ascribing to him the divine name and creatorship.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
γῆνearthAccusativedirect object of ἐθεμελίωσαςγῆ: 'earth, land'; the foundation laid by the Son — the created order he both made (v.2) and outlasts (v.11).
ἐθεμελίωσαςyou laid the foundationAor Act Indic 2 Sg · θεμελιόωmain verb (citation)→ constative aoristθεμελιόω: 'lay a foundation, establish' (from θεμέλιος, 'foundation'); the Son's foundational creative work.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἔργαworksNominativepredicate nominativeἔργον: 'work, deed'; the heavens as 'the works of your hands' — products of the Son's creative craftsmanship.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
χειρῶνhandsGenitivesubjective/possessive genitiveχείρ: 'hand'; an anthropomorphism for the Son's personal creative agency.
σούyourGenitivegenitive of possession
εἰσινarePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
οἱtheNominativearticle
οὐρανοίheavensNominativesubject of εἰσινοὐρανός: 'heaven, sky'; the plural (Heb. šāmayim) for the whole celestial realm — the Son's handiwork.
11
αὐτοὶ ἀπολοῦνται, σὺ δὲ διαμένεις· καὶ πάντες ὡς ἱμάτιον παλαιωθήσονται,
they will perish, but you remain; and they will all wear out like a garment,
Proof (citation 6, continued): creation versus the abiding SonasyndetonThe contrast sharpens (αὐτοὶ … σὺ δέ): the created heavens will perish and wear out like clothing, but the Son 'remains.' His permanence over against creation's transience mirrors his permanence over the transient angels (v.7).
αὐτοὶtheyNominativesubject (emphatic; = the heavens)αὐτός: 'they themselves'; the created heavens, set in emphatic contrast to the 'you' that follows.
ἀπολοῦνταιwill perishFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἀπόλλυμιmain verb→ predictive futureἀπόλλυμι (mid.): 'perish, be destroyed'; the creation is perishable — destined to pass away.
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)σύ: 'you'; the emphatic Son set against the perishing creation.
δὲbutadversative conjunction
διαμένειςremainPres Act Indic 2 Sg · διαμένωmain verb→ stative present (abiding)διαμένω: 'continue, remain throughout' (διά-intensive of μένω); the Son's enduring permanence amid cosmic dissolution.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πάντεςallNominativesubject (substantival; the heavens)πᾶς: 'all'; the whole created order, all of it, subject to decay.
ὡςlikecomparative particleὡς: 'as, like'; introduces the simile of the worn-out garment.
ἱμάτιονa garmentNominativenominative of comparison (w/ ὡς)ἱμάτιον: 'cloak, garment'; the homely image of aging clothing — creation grows old and is discarded.
παλαιωθήσονταιwill wear outFut Pass Indic 3 Pl · παλαιόωmain verb→ predictive futureπαλαιόω: 'make/grow old, wear out' (from παλαιός, 'old'); the same root that describes the obsolete old covenant (8:13).
12
καὶ ὡσεὶ περιβόλαιον ἑλίξεις αὐτούς, ὡς ἱμάτιον καὶ ἀλλαγήσονται· σὺ δὲ ὁ αὐτὸς εἶ, καὶ τὰ ἔτη σου οὐκ ἐκλείψουσιν.
and like a cloak you will roll them up, like a garment they will also be changed; but you are the same, and your years will not fail."
Proof (citation 6, conclusion)καὶThe citation closes on the Son's immutability: creation will be rolled up and changed like worn clothing, but 'you are the same' (ὁ αὐτός), and your years never give out. Unchangeable eternity — a divine predicate — is ascribed to the Son.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὡσεὶlikecomparative particleὡσεί: 'as if, like' (ὡς + εἰ); a near-synonym of ὡς, introducing the rolling-up simile.
περιβόλαιονa cloakAccusativeaccusative of comparison (w/ ὡσεί)περιβόλαιον: 'wrap, cloak, mantle' (from περιβάλλω, 'throw around'); an outer garment — folded away when outworn.
ἑλίξειςyou will roll upFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ἑλίσσωmain verb→ predictive futureἑλίσσω: 'roll up, fold' (cf. a scroll); the Son will fold up the heavens like a used garment (cf. Isa 34:4, Rev 6:14).
αὐτούςthemAccusativedirect object (= the heavens)
ὡςlikecomparative particle
ἱμάτιονa garmentNominativenominative of comparison (w/ ὡς)ἱμάτιον: 'garment'; the repeated image binding vv.11–12 — creation as clothing to be replaced.
καὶalsoadverbial (ascensive)
ἀλλαγήσονταιthey will be changedFut Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἀλλάσσωmain verb→ predictive futureἀλλάσσω: 'change, alter, exchange'; the creation will be transformed/exchanged — its mutability against the Son's sameness.
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)σύ: 'you'; the emphatic contrast — over against the changing cosmos stands the changeless Son.
δὲbutadversative conjunction
ὁtheNominativearticle (w/ αὐτός: 'the same')
αὐτὸςsameNominativepredicate (ὁ αὐτός = 'the same one')αὐτός: 'same'; ὁ αὐτός = 'the same' — the Son's immutability, a divine attribute (cf. 13:8, 'the same yesterday, today, and forever').
εἶarePres Act Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὰtheNominativearticle
ἔτηyearsNominativesubject of ἐκλείψουσινἔτος: 'year'; 'your years' — a figure for the Son's unending duration.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐκλείψουσινwill failFut Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐκλείπωmain verb→ predictive futureἐκλείπω: 'fail, give out, come to an end' (the source of 'eclipse'); the Son's years never run out — eternal self-existence.
13
πρὸς τίνα δὲ τῶν ἀγγέλων εἴρηκέν ποτε· Κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου;
But to which of the angels has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"?
Proof (citation 7): the enthronementδὲThe catena's climax (Ps 109:1 LXX), framed like v.5 by a rhetorical question, returns to the session of v.3. To no angel did God grant the place at his right hand with all enemies subdued — that royal seat belongs to the Son alone.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (recipient of speech)
τίναwhichAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object of πρός)τίς: 'who, which'; the rhetorical 'to which?' again expecting 'to none' (cf. v.5) — framing the catena's two ends.
δὲbutdevelopmental/contrastive conjunction
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ἀγγέλωνangelsGenitivepartitive genitive (w/ τίνα)ἄγγελος: 'angel'; the class once more excluded from the Son's dignity — none is bidden to God's right hand.
εἴρηκένhas he saidPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγω (εἴρω)main verb (rhetorical question)→ intensive perfect (a standing, recorded word)εἴρω/λέγω: 'say'; the perfect 'has said' presents the scriptural utterance as permanently on record — and never so addressed to an angel.
ποτεeverparticle (indefinite time)ποτέ: 'ever'; reinforcing the negative answer (cf. v.5) — at no point in Scripture.
ΚάθουSitPres Mid Impv 2 Sg · κάθημαιimperatival verb (citation)→ present imperative (durative session)κάθημαι: 'sit, be seated'; the divine summons to the throne — the session at God's right hand, fulfilled in v.3's ἐκάθισεν.
ἐκatpreposition + genitive (position)
δεξιῶνthe right handGenitiveobject of ἐκ (ἐκ δεξιῶν = 'at the right')δεξιός: 'right (hand/side)'; the place of supreme honor and co-regency — Ps 110:1, the NT's most-cited enthronement text.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession
ἕωςuntiltemporal conjunction (+ ἂν, subjunctive)ἕως: 'until'; the session lasts until the final subjugation of all enemies.
ἂν—modal particle (w/ subjunctive)ἄν: the contingency particle marking the indefinite 'whenever' of ἕως ἂν θῶ.
θῶI makeAor Act Subj 1 Sg · τίθημιsubjunctive verb (ἕως ἂν clause)→ constative aorist (in temporal clause)τίθημι: 'place, set'; God will 'set' the enemies as a footstool — the same verb as ἔθηκεν (v.2).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ἐχθρούςenemiesAccusativedirect object of θῶἐχθρός: 'enemy, hostile'; all opposing powers to be subdued beneath the Son's reign.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ὑποπόδιονa footstoolAccusativeobject complement (double accusative)ὑποπόδιον: 'footstool' (ὑπό + πούς); the image of total subjugation — enemies under the victor's feet.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ποδῶνfeetGenitivepossessive genitiveπούς: 'foot'; the footstool 'of your feet' — the Son's complete dominion over every foe.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession
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οὐχὶ πάντες εἰσὶν λειτουργικὰ πνεύματα εἰς διακονίαν ἀποστελλόμενα διὰ τοὺς μέλλοντας κληρονομεῖν σωτηρίαν;
Are they not all ministering spirits sent out for service for the sake of those who are about to inherit salvation?
Concluding verdict on the angelsasyndetonA closing rhetorical question (expecting 'yes') states the angels' true role: not enthroned co-regents but ministering spirits, dispatched to serve the heirs of salvation. The chapter ends having fixed the angels firmly beneath — and in service to — the redeemed of the Son.
οὐχὶnotinterrogative negative (expects 'yes')οὐχί: emphatic 'not'; introducing a question that anticipates an affirmative answer — 'are they not indeed…?'
πάντεςallNominativesubject (substantival; the angels)πᾶς: 'all'; the entire angelic host, without exception, defined as servants.
εἰσὶνarePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ gnomic present (their abiding nature)
λειτουργικὰministeringNominativeattributive adjectiveλειτουργικός: 'serving, ministering'; the adjectival counterpart to λειτουργούς (v.7) — angels defined by service, not sovereignty.
πνεύματαspiritsNominativepredicate nominativeπνεῦμα: 'spirit'; the angels' nature — non-corporeal servants, echoing the πνεύματα of v.7.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose)
διακονίανserviceAccusativeobject of εἰς (purpose)διακονία: 'service, ministry'; the angels' assigned task — humble service, the opposite of the throne (v.13).
ἀποστελλόμεναsent outPres Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Neut · ἀποστέλλωattributive participle (modifies πνεύματα)→ customary/iterative presentἀποστέλλω: 'send out (with a commission)'; the angels are repeatedly dispatched — agents under orders, not free lords.
διὰfor the sake ofpreposition + accusative (cause/benefit)διά: with acc., 'on account of, for the sake of' — the angels serve for the benefit of the elect.
τοὺςthoseAccusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
μέλλονταςwho are aboutPres Act Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · μέλλωsubstantival participle (object of διά)→ customary present (impending)μέλλω: 'be about to, be destined to'; the salvation is imminent and certain — already inaugurated, soon to be consummated.
κληρονομεῖνto inheritPres Act Inf · κληρονομέωcomplementary infinitive (w/ μέλλοντας)→ customary/futuristic presentκληρονομέω: 'inherit'; the heirs of salvation share in the Son's own inheritance (cf. κληρονόμον, v.2) — the chapter's inclusio of heirship.
σωτηρίανsalvationAccusativedirect object of κληρονομεῖνσωτηρία: 'salvation, deliverance'; the inheritance of the redeemed — the 'so great a salvation' of 2:3, served by the very angels.