Nielsen’s Nook

Nielsen’s Nook
Nielsen’s Nook
Contemplative, reflective, and irenic we pray.
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Translation and Commentary on Hebrews 2:17-18

Will Nielsen
July 2nd, 2008
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Translation

17 Therefore, he was obligated [1] to become like his brothers in all ways, so that he might be a merciful [2] and faithful high priest in the things concerning [3] God, in order to be propitiation for the sins of the people. [4] 18 For in what [5] he himself had suffered being tempted, [6] he is able to come to the aid [7] of those who are being tempted.

Commentary

[1] ὤφειλεν (ὀφείλω) be obligated; with infinitive following: one must, one ought (BAGD, 598).

[2] ἐλεήμων or sympathetic. What God accomplishes in the incarnate Christ is both merciful, because he justly atones for our sins, and sympathetic because we have a High Priest who is in fact able to sympathize with our weakness (Hebrews 4:15).

[3] τὰ πρὸς τὸν θεόν that which concerns God (BAGD, 710).

[4] εἰς τὸ ἱλάσκεσθαι τὰς ἁμαρτίας τοῦ λαοῦ to expiate the sins of the people (BAGD, 375).

[5] ἐν ᾧ alternately, in that which, by that which.

[6] Πειρασθείς (πειράζω) enticement to sin, tempt (BAGD, 640).

[7] βοηθῆσαι to help, come to the aid of τινί someone (BAGD, 144).

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