1
Διὰ τοῦτο δεῖ περισσοτέρως προσέχειν ἡμᾶς τοῖς ἀκουσθεῖσιν, μήποτε παραρυῶμεν.
Therefore we must pay much closer attention to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.
Inference / exhortationΔιὰ τοῦτοThe first of the letter's warnings, drawn as a pastoral conclusion from the Son's supremacy over the angels (ch. 1): superior revelation demands closer attention.
Διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause)
τοῦτοthisAccusativeobject of διά (inferential, 'therefore')διὰ τοῦτο: 'for this reason'; the standard inferential bridge from ch. 1 — the Son's greatness grounds the exhortation.
δεῖit is necessaryPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δεῖimpersonal main verb (obligation)→ gnomic presentδεῖ: 'it is necessary, one must'; impersonal verb of binding obligation, governing the infinitive προσέχειν.
περισσοτέρωςmore abundantlycomparative adverb (degree)περισσοτέρως: 'all the more, more earnestly'; comparative of περισσῶς — closer attention proportioned to greater revelation.
προσέχεινto pay attentionPres Act Inf · προσέχωcomplementary infinitive (of δεῖ)→ customary presentπροσέχω: 'attend to, give heed' (lit. 'hold [the mind] toward'); a nautical resonance anticipating 'drift away.'
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive
τοῖςto the thingsDativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἀκουσθεῖσινhaving been heardAor Pass Ptc · Dat Pl Neut · ἀκούωsubstantival participle (object of προσέχειν)→ constative aoristἀκούω: 'hear'; the passive substantival ptc. = 'the things heard,' i.e. the gospel message just expounded as the Son's word.
μήποτεlest everconjunction (negative purpose / apprehension)μήποτε: 'lest perhaps'; introduces a clause of feared outcome with the subjunctive.
παραρυῶμενwe should drift awayAor Pass Subj 2 Aor 1 Pl · παραρρέωsubjunctive (clause of apprehension)→ ingressive aoristπαραρρέω: 'flow past, drift away, slip away' (παρά + ῥέω, 'flow'); a maritime image — being carried off course like a ship adrift.
2
εἰ γὰρ ὁ δι' ἀγγέλων λαληθεὶς λόγος ἐγένετο βέβαιος, καὶ πᾶσα παράβασις καὶ παρακοὴ ἔλαβεν ἔνδικον μισθαποδοσίαν,
For if the message spoken through angels proved binding, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty,
Ground (protasis, lesser case)γάρThe warning's a fortiori ground begins: a first-class condition assuming the reliability of the angel-mediated law (Sinai), with its inexorable sanctions.
εἰifconjunction (first-class condition)εἰ: 'if'; with the indicative, an argument assumed true for the sake of the inference.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ὁtheNominativearticle
δι'throughpreposition + genitive (intermediate agency)
ἀγγέλωνangelsGenitivegenitive of intermediate agencyἄγγελος: 'messenger, angel'; the law was mediated through angels (cf. Acts 7:53; Gal 3:19) — a lesser mode than the Son's direct speech.
λαληθεὶςspokenAor Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λαλέωattributive participle (modifying λόγος)→ constative aoristλαλέω: 'speak, utter'; the same verb as 1:1–2 (God 'spoke'), linking the lesser word to the climactic word in the Son.
λόγοςword/messageNominativesubjectλόγος: 'word, message'; here the Sinai legislation as a spoken revelation.
ἐγένετοbecame/provedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (apodosis of internal clause)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'become, prove to be'; the word 'proved firm,' i.e. its threats were enforced.
βέβαιοςfirm/bindingNominativepredicate adjectiveβέβαιος: 'firm, reliable, legally valid' (cf. βεβαιόω in v.3); a term of legal guarantee — the word held good and was acted on.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πᾶσαeveryNominativeattributive adjective
παράβασιςtransgressionNominativesubject (coordinate)παράβασις: 'overstepping, transgression' (παρά + βαίνω, 'step beside'); a positive breach of an explicit command.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
παρακοὴdisobedienceNominativesubject (coordinate)παρακοή: 'unwillingness to hear, disobedience' (παρά + ἀκούω); failing to heed — pointedly the opposite of 'paying attention' (v.1).
ἔλαβενreceivedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (coordinate apodosis)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'receive'; the legal penalty was duly meted out.
ἔνδικονjustAccusativeattributive adjectiveἔνδικος: 'just, deserved' (ἐν + δίκη, 'right'); the recompense fit the offense — strict retributive justice.
μισθαποδοσίανrecompenseAccusativedirect objectμισθαποδοσία: 'payment of wages, recompense' (μισθός 'wage' + ἀποδίδωμι 'pay back'); a Hebrews coinage, here of penal recompense (cf. its reward sense in 10:35; 11:26).
3
πῶς ἡμεῖς ἐκφευξόμεθα τηλικαύτης ἀμελήσαντες σωτηρίας; ἥτις ἀρχὴν λαβοῦσα λαλεῖσθαι διὰ τοῦ κυρίου, ὑπὸ τῶν ἀκουσάντων εἰς ἡμᾶς ἐβεβαιώθη,
how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? — which, having begun to be spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard,
Conclusion (a fortiori) + relative expansionasyndetonThe a fortiori sting: if the lesser word was enforced, escape is impossible for neglecting the greater salvation — whose pedigree (spoken by the Lord, confirmed by hearers) is then traced.
πῶςhowinterrogative adverb (rhetorical)πῶς: 'how?'; a rhetorical question expecting the answer 'we shall not.'
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
ἐκφευξόμεθαshall escapeFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · ἐκφεύγωmain verb→ predictive futureἐκφεύγω: 'flee out, escape' (ἐκ + φεύγω); escape the just recompense — left unstated, the implied judgment.
τηλικαύτηςso greatGenitiveattributive adjective (with σωτηρίας)τηλικοῦτος: 'so great, of such magnitude'; the greatness of the salvation is the weight of the warning.
ἀμελήσαντεςhaving neglectedAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀμελέωconditional/causal adverbial participle→ constative aoristἀμελέω: 'be careless of, neglect' (ἀ- privative + μέλει, 'it concerns'); the antithesis of 'paying attention' (v.1).
σωτηρίαςsalvationGenitivegenitive object of ἀμελήσαντεςσωτηρία: 'salvation, deliverance'; the new-covenant deliverance, immeasurably greater than the law's word.
ἥτιςwhichNominativerelative pronoun (qualitative; subject)ὅστις: indefinite/qualitative relative — 'a salvation of such a kind as.'
ἀρχὴνbeginningAccusativedirect object (idiom ἀρχὴν λαβοῦσα)ἀρχή: 'beginning'; ἀρχὴν λαμβάνω = 'take a beginning, originate' — a classical idiom.
λαβοῦσαhaving takenAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Fem · λαμβάνωadverbial (temporal) participle→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take, receive'; in the idiom, the salvation 'took its origin' in the Lord's own preaching.
λαλεῖσθαιto be spokenPres Pass Inf · λαλέωepexegetical/complementary infinitive→ present (ongoing proclamation)λαλέω: 'speak'; the salvation 'began to be proclaimed' — again echoing 1:1–2.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (agency)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivegenitive of agency (object of διά)κύριος: 'Lord'; here Jesus himself as the first herald of this salvation — over against the angels as mediators of the law.
ὑπὸbypreposition + genitive (ultimate agency)
τῶνthoseGenitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἀκουσάντωνwho heardAor Act Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · ἀκούωsubstantival participle (agent of ἐβεβαιώθη)→ constative aoristἀκούω: 'hear'; the original hearers (the apostolic eyewitnesses) — the author counts himself among the second generation ('to us').
εἰςto/forpreposition + accusative (advantage/goal)
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeobject of εἰς (recipients)
ἐβεβαιώθηwas confirmedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · βεβαιόωmain verb (relative clause)→ constative aoristβεβαιόω: 'confirm, guarantee, make firm' (cognate with βέβαιος, v.2); the gospel was legally 'warranted' to the readers by reliable testimony.
4
συνεπιμαρτυροῦντος τοῦ θεοῦ σημείοις τε καὶ τέρασιν καὶ ποικίλαις δυνάμεσιν καὶ πνεύματος ἁγίου μερισμοῖς κατὰ τὴν αὐτοῦ θέλησιν.
while God added his testimony by signs and wonders and various miracles and distributions of the Holy Spirit according to his will.
Attendant circumstance (divine attestation)asyndetonA genitive absolute clinching the salvation's pedigree: God himself co-testified to the apostolic word by miraculous signs and Spirit-gifts, distributed at his sovereign will.
συνεπιμαρτυροῦντοςtestifying together withPres Act Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · συνεπιμαρτυρέωgenitive absolute (attendant circumstance)→ present (concurrent)συνεπιμαρτυρέω: 'join in bearing witness, add corroborating testimony' (σύν + ἐπί + μαρτυρέω); a triple-compound — God's witness alongside the human witnesses.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivesubject of the genitive absolute
σημείοιςsignsDativedative of means/instrumentσημεῖον: 'sign'; a miracle pointing beyond itself to its divine significance.
τεbothenclitic conjunction (τε … καί)τε: correlative particle binding 'signs' and 'wonders' into a single pair.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τέρασινwondersDativedative of means (coordinate)τέρας: 'wonder, portent'; the awe-evoking aspect of a miracle — 'signs and wonders' is a fixed OT/NT pairing.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ποικίλαιςvariousDativeattributive adjectiveποικίλος: 'many-colored, manifold, varied'; the diversity of the attesting powers.
δυνάμεσινmiracles/powersDativedative of means (coordinate)δύναμις: 'power'; concretely a 'mighty work,' a deed of power — the dynamic aspect of the miracle.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πνεύματοςof the SpiritGenitivegenitive of source/content (with μερισμοῖς)πνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the Holy Spirit as the source of the apportioned gifts.
ἁγίουHolyGenitiveattributive adjectiveἅγιος: 'holy'; qualifying the Spirit.
μερισμοῖςdistributionsDativedative of means (coordinate)μερισμός: 'a dividing, apportionment' (from μερίζω, 'divide'); the Spirit's gifts parceled out — perhaps both 'gifts the Spirit distributes' and 'distributions consisting of the Spirit.'
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (attributive position)
θέλησινwillAccusativeobject of κατά (standard/norm)θέλησις: 'willing, will' (a rarer noun than θέλημα); the gifts are sovereignly apportioned at God's discretion.
5
Οὐ γὰρ ἀγγέλοις ὑπέταξεν τὴν οἰκουμένην τὴν μέλλουσαν, περὶ ἧς λαλοῦμεν.
For it was not to angels that he subjected the coming world, of which we are speaking.
Ground / transition to the new themeγάρThe argument turns from angels to humanity: the destined dominion over the 'coming world' belongs not to angels but — as Ps 8 will show — to man, and so to the Son made man.
Οὐnotnegative particle (fronted, emphatic)οὐ: the emphatic fronting negates 'to angels' — 'not to angels (but to man).'
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἀγγέλοιςto angelsDativedative indirect object (emphatic by position)ἄγγελος: 'angel'; resuming the ch. 1 contrast — the world to come is not the angels' domain.
ὑπέταξενhe subjectedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὑποτάσσωmain verb→ constative aoristὑποτάσσω: 'subject, put under' (ὑπό + τάσσω, 'arrange under'); the key verb of Ps 8, repeated through vv.5–8.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
οἰκουμένηνworldAccusativedirect objectοἰκουμένη: 'the inhabited world' (ptc. of οἰκέω, 'dwell'); here the redeemed created order to come.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (repeated, attributive)
μέλλουσανcoming/about to bePres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Fem · μέλλωattributive participle→ futuristic presentμέλλω: 'be about to'; 'the world to come' — the eschatological age (cf. 6:5), already a theme of the homily.
περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (reference)
ἧςwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (object of περί)
λαλοῦμενwe are speakingPres Act Indic 1 Pl · λαλέωmain verb (relative clause)→ present (in progress)λαλέω: 'speak'; the author signals this is his present subject — the destiny of humanity in the age to come.
6
διεμαρτύρατο δέ πού τις λέγων· Τί ἐστιν ἄνθρωπος ὅτι μιμνῄσκῃ αὐτοῦ, ἢ υἱὸς ἀνθρώπου ὅτι ἐπισκέπτῃ αὐτόν;
But someone has testified somewhere, saying: "What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him?
Scriptural support (Ps 8:4)δέThe proof from Psalm 8 opens with deliberate vagueness ('someone, somewhere') — the focus is on God as the true speaker; the psalm marvels at God's regard for frail humanity.
διεμαρτύρατοtestifiedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · διαμαρτύρομαιmain verb→ constative aoristδιαμαρτύρομαι: 'solemnly testify, attest' (διά-intensive of μαρτύρομαι); Scripture itself bears witness.
δέbutdevelopmental/contrastive conjunction
πούsomewhereindefinite adverb (place)πού: 'somewhere'; the vague citation formula characteristic of Hebrews (cf. 4:4) — the point is who speaks, not where.
τιςsomeoneNominativesubject (indefinite pronoun)τις: 'someone'; the human author left unnamed, since God is the ultimate speaker of Scripture.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λέγωparticiple of attendant circumstance (introduces quotation)→ present (concurrent)λέγω: 'say'; the standard ptc. introducing direct quotation.
ΤίwhatNominativeinterrogative predicate nominativeτίς: 'what?'; the psalmist's wondering question at humanity's smallness.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
ἄνθρωποςmanNominativesubjectἄνθρωπος: 'human being, mankind'; the frail creature whom God nonetheless regards.
ὅτιthatconjunction (result/consecutive)ὅτι: here consecutive — 'that you should be mindful,' expressing the wonder.
μιμνῄσκῃyou rememberPres Mid/Pass Indic 2 Sg · μιμνῄσκομαιmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ customary presentμιμνῄσκομαι: 'remember, be mindful of'; covenantal 'remembering' — God's attentive care, taking the genitive αὐτοῦ.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μιμνῄσκῃ
ἢordisjunctive conjunction (synonymous parallelism)ἤ: 'or'; binds the parallel half-line — Hebrew poetic parallelism.
υἱὸςsonNominativesubject (parallel to ἄνθρωπος)υἱός: 'son'; 'son of man' = a Hebrew idiom for a human being, here echoing the psalm's parallelism.
ἀνθρώπουof manGenitivegenitive of relationship (Hebraic idiom)ἄνθρωπος: 'son of man' = mortal; the author hears it as fulfilled in Jesus, the true Man, though the psalm speaks of humanity.
ὅτιthatconjunction (result/consecutive)
ἐπισκέπτῃyou care forPres Mid/Pass Indic 2 Sg · ἐπισκέπτομαιmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ customary presentἐπισκέπτομαι: 'look upon, visit, care for' (whence 'episcopate'); gracious visitation — God stoops to attend to mortals.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object of ἐπισκέπτῃ
7
ἠλάττωσας αὐτὸν βραχύ τι παρ' ἀγγέλους, δόξῃ καὶ τιμῇ ἐστεφάνωσας αὐτόν,
You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor,
Scriptural support (Ps 8:5)asyndetonThe psalm's paradox: humanity briefly lowered beneath the angels, yet royally crowned — language the author will read christologically of the humbled-then-exalted Son.
ἠλάττωσαςyou made lowerAor Act Indic 2 Sg · ἐλαττόωmain verb→ constative aoristἐλαττόω: 'make less, lower' (from ἐλάττων, 'less'); the verb of the incarnational humbling in v.9.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object
βραχύa littleAccusativeadverbial accusative (degree or time)βραχύς: 'short, little'; βραχύ τι can mean 'a little' (degree) or 'for a little while' (time) — the author exploits the temporal sense for Jesus' brief humiliation.
τιsomewhatAccusativeindefinite pronoun (adverbial, with βραχύ)
παρ'thanpreposition + accusative (comparison)παρά + acc.: here comparative, 'in comparison with, lower than.'
ἀγγέλουςangelsAccusativeobject of παρά (comparison)ἄγγελος: 'angel'; the LXX renders Hebrew 'elohim ('God'/'heavenly beings') as 'angels,' which the argument requires.
δόξῃwith gloryDativedative of means/materialδόξα: 'glory, splendor'; the royal investiture answering the humiliation.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τιμῇwith honorDativedative of means (coordinate)τιμή: 'honor, value'; paired with glory as the regalia of the crowning.
ἐστεφάνωσαςyou crownedAor Act Indic 2 Sg · στεφανόωmain verb (asyndeton)→ constative aoristστεφανόω: 'crown, wreathe' (from στέφανος, 'crown'); royal/victorious coronation — fulfilled in the exalted Jesus.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object
8
πάντα ὑπέταξας ὑποκάτω τῶν ποδῶν αὐτοῦ. ἐν τῷ γὰρ ὑποτάξαι αὐτῷ τὰ πάντα οὐδὲν ἀφῆκεν αὐτῷ ἀνυπότακτον. νῦν δὲ οὔπω ὁρῶμεν αὐτῷ τὰ πάντα ὑποτεταγμένα·
you put everything in subjection under his feet." Now in subjecting all things to him, he left nothing not subject to him. But at present we do not yet see all things subjected to him.
Scripture (Ps 8:6) + authorial expositionγάρThe citation closes ('all things under his feet'); the author then mines the word 'all' — it admits no exception in principle — yet candidly notes the 'not yet' of present experience.
πάνταall thingsAccusativedirect object (fronted, emphatic)πᾶς: 'all'; the comprehensive 'all things' the author will press in exposition.
ὑπέταξαςyou subjectedAor Act Indic 2 Sg · ὑποτάσσωmain verb (close of citation)→ constative aoristὑποτάσσω: 'subject, put under'; the climactic verb of the psalm's dominion theme.
ὑποκάτωunderimproper preposition + genitive (place)ὑποκάτω: 'underneath, below'; an emphatic 'right under.'
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ποδῶνfeetGenitiveobject of ὑποκάτωπούς: 'foot'; 'under the feet' — a stock image of total dominion (cf. Ps 110:1).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
ἐνinpreposition + dative (with articular inf.: temporal/circumstantial)ἐν τῷ + inf.: a temporal/circumstantial construction — 'in subjecting,' 'in that he subjected.'
τῷtheDativearticle (with infinitive)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction (postpositive)
ὑποτάξαιto subjectAor Act Inf · ὑποτάσσωarticular infinitive (object of ἐν)→ constative aoristὑποτάσσω: 'subject'; the articular infinitive substantivizes the verb — 'the subjecting of all things.'
αὐτῷto himDativedative indirect object (of the infinitive)
τὰtheAccusativearticle
πάνταall thingsAccusativeaccusative object of the infinitiveπᾶς: 'all'; the articular τὰ πάντα — 'the totality,' the universe without remainder.
οὐδὲνnothingAccusativedirect object (of ἀφῆκεν)οὐδείς: 'nothing'; the negative counterpart pressing the comprehensiveness of 'all.'
ἀφῆκενhe leftAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀφίημιmain verb→ constative aoristἀφίημι: 'let go, leave'; God left nothing outside the scope of the subjection.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of reference
ἀνυπότακτονunsubjectedAccusativepredicate adjective (complement of οὐδέν)ἀνυπότακτος: 'not subjected, insubordinate' (ἀ- privative + ὑποτάσσω); 'nothing left unsubjected' — the logical limit of 'all.'
νῦνnowadverb (time)νῦν: 'now'; the present 'already–not yet' tension is conceded honestly.
δὲbutcontrastive conjunction
οὔπωnot yetnegative adverb (time)οὔπω: 'not yet'; the eschatological reservation — the dominion is real but not visibly consummated.
ὁρῶμενwe seePres Act Indic 1 Pl · ὁράωmain verb→ present (in progress)ὁράω: 'see, perceive'; empirical observation — what is not yet evident to sight, set against what 'we do see' (v.9).
αὐτῷto himDativedative of reference
τὰtheAccusativearticle
πάνταall thingsAccusativeaccusative subject of the participle
ὑποτεταγμέναsubjectedPerf Pass Ptc · Acc Pl Neut · ὑποτάσσωpredicate participle (object complement of ὁρῶμεν)→ intensive perfect (settled state)ὑποτάσσω: 'subject'; the perfect denotes an abiding state — 'all things in a state of having-been-subjected,' which we do not yet observe.
9
τὸν δὲ βραχύ τι παρ' ἀγγέλους ἠλαττωμένον βλέπομεν Ἰησοῦν διὰ τὸ πάθημα τοῦ θανάτου δόξῃ καὶ τιμῇ ἐστεφανωμένον, ὅπως χάριτι θεοῦ ὑπὲρ παντὸς γεύσηται θανάτου.
But we do see Jesus, who was made for a little while lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
Counterpoint / christological resolutionδέThe hinge of the chapter: against the 'not yet' stands what we do see — Jesus, who walked the psalm's path, lowered then crowned, his crowning grounded precisely in his suffering of death for all.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Ἰησοῦν)
δὲbutcontrastive conjunction (answering οὔπω)
βραχύa littleAccusativeadverbial accusative (time, w/ ἠλαττωμένον)βραχύς: 'short'; here clearly temporal — Jesus' humiliation was 'for a little while,' reversed by exaltation.
τιsomewhatAccusativeindefinite pronoun (adverbial)
παρ'thanpreposition + accusative (comparison)
ἀγγέλουςangelsAccusativeobject of παρά (comparison)ἄγγελος: 'angel'; the Son who is greater than angels (ch. 1) became, in the flesh, for a season lower than they.
ἠλαττωμένονhaving been made lowerPerf Pass Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · ἐλαττόωattributive participle (modifying Ἰησοῦν)→ perfect (abiding consequence of the incarnation)ἐλαττόω: 'make less, lower'; the perfect ptc. views the incarnate humbling as an accomplished, enduring fact.
βλέπομενwe seePres Act Indic 1 Pl · βλέπωmain verb→ present (in progress)βλέπω: 'see, look at'; deliberately answering ὁρῶμεν (v.8) — what eludes sight in general is seen in Jesus.
ἸησοῦνJesusAccusativedirect object (emphatic, delayed)Ἰησοῦς: 'Jesus'; the human name, placed climactically — the man Jesus is the true 'son of man' of Ps 8.
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause/ground)διά + acc.: causal — the crowning is 'because of' the suffering, not merely after it.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
πάθημαsufferingAccusativeobject of διά (cause)πάθημα: 'suffering, what is undergone' (from πάσχω); the passion — a leading motif of Hebrews (cf. v.10, 5:8).
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θανάτουdeathGenitiveepexegetical/objective genitiveθάνατος: 'death'; 'the suffering of death' = the suffering that is death — the cross.
δόξῃwith gloryDativedative of means/materialδόξα: 'glory'; the same crown the psalm spoke of, now Jesus' by exaltation.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τιμῇwith honorDativedative of means (coordinate)τιμή: 'honor'; paired with δόξα as in v.7.
ἐστεφανωμένονhaving been crownedPerf Pass Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · στεφανόωpredicate participle (object complement of βλέπομεν)→ intensive perfect (abiding crowned state)στεφανόω: 'crown'; the perfect marks the standing, present reality — the crowned Jesus we now behold by faith.
ὅπωςso thatconjunction (purpose)ὅπως: 'in order that'; the purpose of the whole humiliation-and-crowning.
χάριτιby graceDativedative of cause/meansχάρις: 'grace'; the death 'for everyone' springs from God's gracious purpose (the adopted reading χάριτι θεοῦ).
θεοῦof GodGenitivesubjective/possessive genitive
ὑπὲρforpreposition + genitive (benefit/substitution)ὑπέρ + gen.: 'on behalf of' — the vicarious scope of the death, 'for everyone.'
παντὸςeveryoneGenitiveobject of ὑπέρ (substantival adj.)πᾶς: 'all, everyone'; the universal reach of the saving death.
γεύσηταιhe might tasteAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · γεύομαιsubjunctive (ὅπως purpose clause)→ ingressive aoristγεύομαι: 'taste, experience'; 'taste death' = a Semitic idiom for actually dying — he fully underwent death itself.
θανάτουdeathGenitivegenitive object of γεύσηταιθάνατος: 'death'; γεύομαι takes the partitive/objective genitive.
10
Ἔπρεπεν γὰρ αὐτῷ, δι' ὃν τὰ πάντα καὶ δι' οὗ τὰ πάντα, πολλοὺς υἱοὺς εἰς δόξαν ἀγαγόντα τὸν ἀρχηγὸν τῆς σωτηρίας αὐτῶν διὰ παθημάτων τελειῶσαι.
For it was fitting for him, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
Ground (the fittingness of the cross)γάρThe suffering of v.9 is now defended as fitting: the God of all so designed salvation that the leader of the redeemed should be brought to completion by the very road of suffering he opens for 'many sons.'
Ἔπρεπενit was fittingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · πρέπωimpersonal main verb→ customary/descriptive imperfectπρέπω: 'be fitting, suitable, becoming'; the cross was congruous with God's own character and purpose — not arbitrary.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
αὐτῷfor himDativedative of reference (with ἔπρεπεν)αὐτῷ: God the Father, the one for whom it was fitting.
δι'forpreposition + accusative (final cause)διά + acc.: 'for the sake of' — God as the goal for whom all things exist.
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of διά)
τὰtheNominativearticle
πάνταall thingsNominativesubject (verb 'exist' implied)πᾶς: 'all'; τὰ πάντα — the universe, of which God is both goal and origin.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
δι'throughpreposition + genitive (agency/origin)διά + gen.: 'through, by means of' — God as the agent through whom all things came to be.
οὗwhomGenitiverelative pronoun (object of διά)
τὰtheNominativearticle
πάνταall thingsNominativesubject (verb 'exist' implied)
πολλοὺςmanyAccusativeattributive adjectiveπολύς: 'many'; the redeemed multitude — the 'many sons' brought to glory.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativedirect object of ἀγαγόνταυἱός: 'son'; believers as God's sons, sharing the destiny of the unique Son.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)
δόξανgloryAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal)δόξα: 'glory'; the destined glory of the sons — the crown of Ps 8 shared with them.
ἀγαγόνταbringingAor Act Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · ἄγωadverbial (temporal/circumstantial) participle→ constative aoristἄγω: 'lead, bring'; God leads many sons to glory (the acc. ptc. agreeing with the implied subject of τελειῶσαι).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ἀρχηγὸνpioneer/authorAccusativedirect object of τελειῶσαιἀρχηγός: 'leader, founder, pioneer, trailblazer' (ἀρχή + ἄγω); the one who goes first and opens the way for others (cf. 12:2).
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
σωτηρίαςsalvationGenitiveobjective genitive (with ἀρχηγόν)σωτηρία: 'salvation'; Jesus is the pioneer who leads to salvation (cf. v.3).
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of relationship (of the sons)
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means)
παθημάτωνsufferingsGenitivegenitive of means (object of διά)πάθημα: 'suffering'; the means of the pioneer's perfecting — the way of the cross.
τελειῶσαιto perfect/completeAor Act Inf · τελειόωcomplementary infinitive (of ἔπρεπεν)→ constative aoristτελειόω: 'bring to completion, perfect, qualify fully' (from τέλος, 'end, goal'); not moral improvement but vocational completion — Jesus made fully fit, through suffering, to be the saving high priest (cf. 5:9; 7:28).
11
ὅ τε γὰρ ἁγιάζων καὶ οἱ ἁγιαζόμενοι ἐξ ἑνὸς πάντες· δι' ἣν αἰτίαν οὐκ ἐπαισχύνεται ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοὺς καλεῖν,
For both the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all of one origin; for which reason he is not ashamed to call them brothers,
Ground (solidarity of sanctifier and sanctified)γάρThe basis of the brotherhood: sanctifier and sanctified share a single origin, so the Son freely owns the redeemed as his brothers — the ground for the three citations that follow.
ὅtheNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
τεbothenclitic conjunction (τε … καί)τε: correlative — binding sanctifier and sanctified as a unit.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἁγιάζωνthe one sanctifyingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἁγιάζωsubstantival participle (subject)→ gnomic/customary presentἁγιάζω: 'make holy, consecrate'; Christ as the one who sanctifies his people (cf. 10:10, 14).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οἱthoseNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἁγιαζόμενοιthose being sanctifiedPres Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἁγιάζωsubstantival participle (subject, coordinate)→ present (in progress)ἁγιάζω: 'sanctify'; the passive — the people made holy by Christ.
ἐξofpreposition + genitive (source/origin)
ἑνὸςoneGenitiveobject of ἐξ (source)εἷς: 'one'; 'of one' — one source (God the Father, or Adam/the human family); the shared origin grounds the kinship.
πάντεςallNominativepredicate/appositional (subject is 'all of one')πᾶς: 'all'; sanctifier and sanctified together — all from one.
δι'forpreposition + accusative (cause)δι' ἣν αἰτίαν: 'for which cause, for which reason' — a formal connective phrase.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative adjective (with αἰτίαν)
αἰτίανreason/causeAccusativeobject of διά (cause)αἰτία: 'cause, reason, ground'; the kinship of origin is the reason for the unashamed naming.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐπαισχύνεταιhe is ashamedPres Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐπαισχύνομαιmain verb (litotes with οὐκ)→ gnomic presentἐπαισχύνομαι: 'be ashamed (of)' (ἐπί + αἰσχύνομαι); the litotes 'is not ashamed' = gladly owns them (cf. 11:16).
ἀδελφοὺςbrothersAccusativeobject complement (of αὐτούς)ἀδελφός: 'brother'; the Son names the redeemed his family — the keynote of vv.11–18.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object (of καλεῖν)
καλεῖνto callPres Act Inf · καλέωcomplementary infinitive (of ἐπαισχύνεται)→ customary presentκαλέω: 'call, name'; to call them by the name 'brothers.'
12
λέγων· Ἀπαγγελῶ τὸ ὄνομά σου τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς μου, ἐν μέσῳ ἐκκλησίας ὑμνήσω σε·
saying, "I will proclaim your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise."
Scriptural support (Ps 22:22)asyndetonFirst proof of the brotherhood: from the great psalm of the suffering righteous one, the Messiah declares God's name to his 'brothers' and worships among the assembly.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λέγωparticiple of attendant circumstance (introduces quotation)→ present (concurrent)λέγω: 'say'; the speaker is the Son, voicing the psalm.
ἈπαγγελῶI will proclaimFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb→ predictive futureἀπαγγέλλω: 'announce, report, proclaim' (ἀπό + ἀγγέλλω); the Son makes the Father known to his brothers.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ὄνομάnameAccusativedirect objectὄνομα: 'name'; the revelation of God's character/person, the Son's mediatorial work.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession
τοῖςto theDativearticle
ἀδελφοῖςbrothersDativedative indirect object (recipients)ἀδελφός: 'brother'; the very word the author seized on in v.11 — the Messiah's own term for his people.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
μέσῳmidstDativeobject of ἐν (place)μέσος: 'middle, midst'; ἐν μέσῳ — 'in the middle of,' standing among his people as one of them.
ἐκκλησίαςcongregationGenitivegenitive (partitive/of the whole)ἐκκλησία: 'assembly, congregation, church'; in the LXX the gathered people of God — here the worshiping community of brothers.
ὑμνήσωI will sing praiseFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ὑμνέωmain verb (coordinate)→ predictive futureὑμνέω: 'sing a hymn, praise' (whence 'hymn'); the exalted one leads his brothers' worship — himself a worshiper, hence truly one of them.
σεyouAccusativedirect object
13
καὶ πάλιν· Ἐγὼ ἔσομαι πεποιθὼς ἐπ' αὐτῷ· καὶ πάλιν· Ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ καὶ τὰ παιδία ἅ μοι ἔδωκεν ὁ θεός.
And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again, "Here am I and the children God has given me."
Scriptural support (Isa 8:17–18)καὶ πάλινTwo further proofs, joined by the citation-formula 'and again': the Messiah shares the believer's posture of trust, and gathers with him 'the children' God gave — solidarity completed.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πάλινagainadverb (citation formula)πάλιν: 'again'; καὶ πάλιν is the author's standard formula for stringing together proof-texts (cf. 1:5; 10:30).
ἘγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
ἔσομαιI will beFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (periphrastic with ptc.)→ predictive futureεἰμί: 'be'; ἔσομαι πεποιθώς is a periphrastic future-perfect sense — 'I will have placed my trust.'
πεποιθὼςtrustingPerf Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · πείθωperiphrastic participle (with ἔσομαι)→ intensive perfect (settled confidence)πείθω (perf. πέποιθα): 'trust, be confident'; the perfect = a settled state of trust — the Messiah, like his brothers, lives by faith in God.
ἐπ'inpreposition + dative (object of trust)ἐπί + dat.: 'upon, in,' marking the object of reliance.
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of ἐπί
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πάλινagainadverb (citation formula)
Ἰδοὺbeholddemonstrative particle (attention-marker)ἰδού: 'look! behold!'; a frozen aorist imperative of ὁράω, calling attention to what follows.
ἐγὼINominativenominative (presentational, with ἰδού)
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὰtheNominativearticle
παιδίαchildrenNominativenominative (presentational, coordinate)παιδίον: 'little child'; the redeemed as the children God has given the Messiah — kinship language climaxing the trio.
ἅwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἔδωκεν)
μοιto meDativedative indirect object
ἔδωκενgaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (relative clause)→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give'; the children are the Father's gift to the Son (cf. John 17 motif).
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεόςGodNominativesubject
14
Ἐπεὶ οὖν τὰ παιδία κεκοινώνηκεν αἵματος καὶ σαρκός, καὶ αὐτὸς παραπλησίως μετέσχεν τῶν αὐτῶν, ἵνα διὰ τοῦ θανάτου καταργήσῃ τὸν τὸ κράτος ἔχοντα τοῦ θανάτου, τοῦτ' ἔστιν τὸν διάβολον,
Since therefore the children share in blood and flesh, he himself likewise partook of the same, so that through death he might render powerless the one who holds the power of death, that is, the devil,
Inference (the purpose of the incarnation)Ἐπεὶ οὖνThe kinship just proved is now grounded in the incarnation: because the children are flesh and blood, the Son took the same — and the aim was death itself, by which he disarms the death-wielding devil.
Ἐπεὶsincecausal conjunctionἐπεί: 'since, because'; introduces the premise of the incarnation argument.
οὖνthereforeinferential conjunctionοὖν: 'therefore'; drawing the consequence from the brotherhood texts.
τὰtheNominativearticle
παιδίαchildrenNominativesubjectπαιδίον: 'child'; picked up verbatim from the v.13 citation — 'the children' of God.
κεκοινώνηκενhave sharedPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · κοινωνέωmain verb (subject is neut. pl., sg. verb)→ intensive perfect (standing condition)κοινωνέω: 'share in, partake of, have in common' (from κοινός, 'common'); the perfect — the children's shared human nature as an abiding fact.
αἵματοςof bloodGenitivegenitive object of κεκοινώνηκεναἷμα: 'blood'; 'blood and flesh' (the order is unusual) = mortal human nature in its frailty.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
σαρκόςof fleshGenitivegenitive object (coordinate)σάρξ: 'flesh'; here simply human bodily nature, not the ethical 'flesh' of Paul.
καὶalsoadjunctive adverb ('also')
αὐτὸςhe himselfNominativesubject (intensive pronoun)αὐτός: intensive — 'he himself,' the Son, in his own person took up the same nature.
παραπλησίωςlikewiseadverb (manner)παραπλησίως: 'in like manner, similarly'; he shared human nature in fully comparable fashion — a genuine, not docetic, humanity.
μετέσχενpartookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · μετέχωmain verb→ constative aoristμετέχω: 'partake, share in' (μετά + ἔχω); the aorist points to the once-for-all act of the incarnation (vs. the children's settled κεκοινώνηκεν).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
αὐτῶνsame thingsGenitivegenitive object of μετέσχεναὐτός: 'the same'; τῶν αὐτῶν = 'the same things,' i.e. flesh and blood.
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose)ἵνα: 'in order that'; the purpose of the incarnation — to die, and so to defeat death's master.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
θανάτουdeathGenitivegenitive of means (object of διά)θάνατος: 'death'; the paradox — by his own dying he undoes the power of death.
καταργήσῃhe might render powerlessAor Act Subj 3 Sg · καταργέωsubjunctive (ἵνα purpose clause)→ effective aoristκαταργέω: 'nullify, render ineffective, bring to nought' (κατά + ἀργός, 'idle'); not annihilate but disempower — strip the devil of his death-grip.
τὸνthe oneAccusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
κράτοςpowerAccusativedirect object (of the participle ἔχοντα)κράτος: 'might, dominion, power to control'; the devil's 'power of death' — his accusing, terrorizing grip, broken at the cross.
ἔχονταholdingPres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · ἔχωsubstantival participle (object of καταργήσῃ)→ present (ongoing)ἔχω: 'have, hold'; 'the one holding the power' — a circumlocution for the devil.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θανάτουdeathGenitiveobjective genitive (with κράτος)θάνατος: 'death'; the sphere of the devil's usurped power.
τοῦτ'thatexplanatory formula (τοῦτ' ἔστιν, 'that is')τοῦτ' ἔστιν: 'that is to say'; an appositional gloss identifying the death-holder.
ἔστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (in τοῦτ' ἔστιν formula)→ stative present
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
διάβολονdevilAccusativeaccusative in apposition (to τὸν … ἔχοντα)διάβολος: 'slanderer, accuser' (from διαβάλλω, 'throw across, accuse'); the LXX rendering of Satan — the accuser whose weapon is death.
15
καὶ ἀπαλλάξῃ τούτους, ὅσοι φόβῳ θανάτου διὰ παντὸς τοῦ ζῆν ἔνοχοι ἦσαν δουλείας.
and might free those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
Purpose (coordinate goal of the incarnation)καὶThe second, manward aim of the same purpose clause: liberation of those whom dread of death held in lifelong bondage — fear itself the chain that Christ's death snaps.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (continues ἵνα clause)
ἀπαλλάξῃhe might freeAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἀπαλλάσσωsubjunctive (coordinate ἵνα purpose)→ effective aoristἀπαλλάσσω: 'set free, release, deliver' (ἀπό + ἀλλάσσω, 'change'); a legal manumission term — release from bondage.
τούτουςtheseAccusativedirect object (antecedent of ὅσοι)οὗτος: 'these'; the captives to be freed, defined by the relative clause.
ὅσοιas many asNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἦσαν)ὅσος: 'as many as, all who'; the comprehensive relative — all so enslaved.
φόβῳby fearDativedative of cause/meansφόβος: 'fear, dread'; the dread of death is the instrument of the bondage — terror itself enslaves.
θανάτουof deathGenitiveobjective genitive (with φόβῳ)θάνατος: 'death'; the object of the enslaving fear.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (extent of time)διὰ παντός: 'throughout, continually' — here 'for the whole of life.'
παντὸςallGenitiveattributive adjective (with τοῦ ζῆν)πᾶς: 'all, whole'; 'the whole of living' — every moment of life under death's shadow.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with substantival infinitive)
ζῆνlivingPres Act Inf · ζάωarticular infinitive (substantival, 'their living')→ present (durative)ζάω: 'live'; τοῦ ζῆν = 'of living, of life' — the whole span of mortal life.
ἔνοχοιsubject/liableNominativepredicate adjectiveἔνοχος: 'held in, liable, subject to' (from ἐνέχω); a legal term — bound under, in the grip of.
ἦσανwereImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (relative clause)→ customary/descriptive imperfectεἰμί: 'be'; the imperfect describes the settled, ongoing condition before liberation.
δουλείαςof slaveryGenitivegenitive (with ἔνοχοι, 'liable to')δουλεία: 'slavery, bondage' (from δοῦλος, 'slave'); the bondage of fear — release from which is the gospel's freedom (cf. Rom 8:15, 21).
16
οὐ γὰρ δήπου ἀγγέλων ἐπιλαμβάνεται, ἀλλὰ σπέρματος Ἀβραὰμ ἐπιλαμβάνεται.
For surely it is not angels he helps, but he helps the seed of Abraham.
Ground (the objects of the help)γάρWhy he took flesh and not angelic nature: his saving concern is not for angels but for Abraham's offspring — the covenant people he came to rescue, requiring true humanity.
οὐnotnegative particle
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
δήπουsurelyparticle (assurance, 'of course')δήπου: 'doubtless, surely, of course' (δή + που); appeals to what the readers already grant.
ἀγγέλωνof angelsGenitivegenitive object of ἐπιλαμβάνεται (fronted, emphatic)ἄγγελος: 'angel'; the final mention in the angel-comparison — they are not the objects of redemption.
ἐπιλαμβάνεταιhe takes hold of/helpsPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιλαμβάνομαιmain verb→ gnomic presentἐπιλαμβάνομαι: 'take hold of' (ἐπί + λαμβάνω); here 'take hold of to help, succor' (cf. Isa 41:8–9 LXX of Abraham's seed) — to grasp and rescue.
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative conjunctionἀλλά: 'but'; the strong contrast — not angels, but Abraham's seed.
σπέρματοςseedGenitivegenitive object of ἐπιλαμβάνεταισπέρμα: 'seed, offspring'; 'the seed of Abraham' — the covenant people, the heirs of promise whom he came to save.
Ἀβραὰμof AbrahamGenitivegenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Ἀβραάμ: Abraham; the father of the faithful — his 'seed' defines those Christ helps (cf. Gal 3).
ἐπιλαμβάνεταιhe helpsPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιλαμβάνομαιmain verb (repeated for emphasis)→ gnomic presentἐπιλαμβάνομαι: 'take hold of to help'; the repetition underscores the contrast — it is Abraham's seed he grasps to save.
17
ὅθεν ὤφειλεν κατὰ πάντα τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς ὁμοιωθῆναι, ἵνα ἐλεήμων γένηται καὶ πιστὸς ἀρχιερεὺς τὰ πρὸς τὸν θεόν, εἰς τὸ ἱλάσκεσθαι τὰς ἁμαρτίας τοῦ λαοῦ.
Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
Inference (the necessity of full likeness)ὅθενThe conclusion of the incarnation argument and the chapter's destination: full identification with his brothers was obligatory, qualifying him as the merciful, faithful high priest who atones — the letter's master-theme now sounded.
ὅθενtherefore/whenceinferential adverb (consequence)ὅθεν: 'from which, wherefore'; a favorite Hebrews connective drawing a necessary consequence (cf. 3:1; 7:25).
ὤφειλενhe was obligatedImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ὀφείλωmain verb (obligation)→ customary/descriptive imperfectὀφείλω: 'owe, be obligated, must'; a moral/logical necessity arising from his saving mission — he 'had to' be fully like them.
κατὰinpreposition + accusative (respect/reference)κατὰ πάντα: 'in all respects, in every way' — the completeness of his solidarity.
πάνταall thingsAccusativeobject of κατά (respect)πᾶς: 'all'; total likeness, sin apart (cf. 4:15).
τοῖςto theDativearticle
ἀδελφοῖςbrothersDativedative of likeness (with ὁμοιωθῆναι)ἀδελφός: 'brother'; the kinship word of vv.11–12 — made like his brothers in every way.
ὁμοιωθῆναιto be made likeAor Pass Inf · ὁμοιόωcomplementary infinitive (of ὤφειλεν)→ constative aoristὁμοιόω: 'make like, liken' (from ὅμοιος, 'like'); the passive — he was made fully like his brothers (the incarnation and its sufferings).
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose)
ἐλεήμωνmercifulNominativepredicate adjective (with γένηται)ἐλεήμων: 'merciful, compassionate' (from ἔλεος, 'mercy'); the high priest's sympathy, born of shared experience (cf. 4:15; 5:2).
γένηταιhe might becomeAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · γίνομαιsubjunctive (ἵνα purpose clause)→ ingressive aoristγίνομαι: 'become'; he 'became' the qualified high priest by way of his full human likeness.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πιστὸςfaithfulNominativepredicate adjective (coordinate)πιστός: 'faithful, trustworthy'; reliable toward God on the people's behalf (developed in 3:1–6).
ἀρχιερεὺςhigh priestNominativepredicate nominativeἀρχιερεύς: 'high priest' (ἀρχή + ἱερεύς); the title introduced here for the first time — the controlling theme of Hebrews.
τὰthe thingsAccusativeaccusative of respect (adverbial)τὰ πρὸς τὸν θεόν: 'the things pertaining to God' — a priestly idiom for the cultic, Godward sphere of service (cf. 5:1).
πρὸςtowardpreposition + accusative (reference)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
θεόνGodAccusativeobject of πρός
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose, with articular inf.)εἰς τό + inf.: a purpose construction — 'in order to make propitiation.'
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with infinitive)
ἱλάσκεσθαιto make propitiationPres Mid/Pass Inf · ἱλάσκομαιarticular infinitive (purpose, object of εἰς)→ present (the priestly function)ἱλάσκομαι: 'propitiate, expiate, make atonement for' (cf. ἱλαστήριον, the mercy seat); the priestly act dealing decisively with sin — here with sins as its object.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
ἁμαρτίαςsinsAccusativeaccusative object of ἱλάσκεσθαιἁμαρτία: 'sin' (lit. 'missing the mark'); the sins atoned for — the obstacle removed by the high priest's propitiation.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
λαοῦpeopleGenitivepossessive/objective genitiveλαός: 'people'; the covenant people of God — for whom the high priest mediates (cf. 'the seed of Abraham,' v.16).
18
ἐν ᾧ γὰρ πέπονθεν αὐτὸς πειρασθείς, δύναται τοῖς πειραζομένοις βοηθῆσαι.
For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Ground (the basis of his helping power)γάρThe pastoral payoff: because the high priest has personally endured suffering and testing, he is competent to come to the aid of his tempted brothers — sympathy translated into rescuing power.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (causal/circumstantial)ἐν ᾧ: 'in that, because, wherein'; here best taken causally — 'inasmuch as he has suffered.'
ᾧthat whichDativerelative pronoun (object of ἐν)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
πέπονθενhe has sufferedPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · πάσχωmain verb→ intensive perfect (abiding result)πάσχω: 'suffer, experience'; the perfect — his suffering is a completed experience with abiding effect, the ground of his present competence.
αὐτὸςhe himselfNominativesubject (intensive pronoun)αὐτός: intensive — 'he himself,' in his own person, underwent the testing.
πειρασθείςhaving been temptedAor Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · πειράζωadverbial (temporal/circumstantial) participle→ constative aoristπειράζω: 'test, tempt, try'; his testing (the temptations, Gethsemane, the cross) qualifies his sympathy (cf. 4:15).
δύναταιhe is ablePres Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · δύναμαιmain verb→ gnomic/stative presentδύναμαι: 'be able, can'; his proven capability — sympathy made into effective aid.
τοῖςthoseDativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
πειραζομένοιςbeing temptedPres Pass Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · πειράζωsubstantival participle (dat. of advantage / object of βοηθῆσαι)→ present (in progress)πειράζω: 'test, tempt'; the brothers presently under trial — the very people the high priest can rescue.
βοηθῆσαιto helpAor Act Inf · βοηθέωcomplementary infinitive (of δύναται)→ effective aoristβοηθέω: 'come to the aid of, help' (lit. 'run at a cry,' βοή + θέω); timely succor in the moment of need (cf. 4:16) — the chapter's closing note of comfort.