Nielsen’s Nook

Nielsen’s Nook
Nielsen’s Nook
Contemplative, reflective, and irenic we pray.
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Translation and Commentary on Hebrews 1:10

Will Nielsen
April 7th, 2008
Tags: • • • • • •

Translation

10 And

“You, O Lord, laid the foundations of the earth in the beginning, [1] and the heavens are the work of your hands. [2]

Commentary

[1] κατʼ ἀρχάς is not a direct quote of the Creation account in Genesis 1:1 LXX (Ἐν ἀρχῇ); however, this is clearly what is in view conceptually.

[2] The use of metaphor (foundations) and anthropomorphism (preincarnate hands) underscore the incarnational nature of scripture in which God demonstrates with iterative mercy his love for us in condescending to us. He is not beyond even mythic language to reveal himself to the world. In other words, we don’t believe that God took out a divine trowel, after pouring cosmic concrete, and smoothed out the bottom layer of a flat earth. Scripture is not teaching that. What scripture is teaching is that 1) the Triune God made all  that is, and 2) as such, He (specifically here - the Son) has ultimate authority, lordship, over all things. For an engaging discussion of the nature of God’s loving condescension to us in scripture see, Peter Enns, Inspiration and Incarnation.

2 Responses to “Translation and Commentary on Hebrews 1:10”

I finished Enns’s book yesterday afternoon. His conclusion was inspiring. Ever since beginning to think through biblical hermeneutics in seminary I have leaned in a direction that accords the interpreter more creative flexibility. I suppose much of it comes from the fact that I see solid divines in church history doing the same. Also, the absolute rigidity of the DTS hermeneutic was very very disappointing. I appreciate Enns’s thesis.

Left by M. Jay Bennett on April 7th, 2008

Jay,

Thanks for your reflection here. I have found the book helpful along similar lines.

Left by Will Nielsen on April 7th, 2008

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