Page 37 - Hebrews- Student Textbook

3:6 "whose house we are, if" This is a THIRD CLASS CONDITIONAL which means potential action (ean plus a
SUBJUNCTIVE). This gives the statement an element of contingency (cf. 3:14; 4:14; Rom. 11:22; 1 Cor.
15:2).

"we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope" "Hold fast" is a continuing emphasis on
perseverance (AORIST ACTIVE SUBJUNCTIVE, cf. 3:14; 4:14). The rest of this chapter and chapter 4 is one
continual warning:

1. For the Jewish believers to move to maturity
2. For those who have heard the gospel and seen it powerfully in the lives of their believing Jewish
friends to fully accept it themselves.

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"firm until the end" This phrase does not appear in the ancient Greek manuscripts P or B and,
therefore, is possibly not original. However, it is included in other ancient uncial Greek manuscripts (א,
A, C, D, K, and P). It is included in v. 14 and was probably transposed here by a scribe for the sake of
balance. It surely fits the theology of the context.

3:7 "as the Holy Spirit says" This is attributing the inspiration of the OT to the Holy Spirit. In context this
is very significant because Scripture is attributed to the Father in 1:5,13; 2:6,11; 4:3,4; 10:9; 13:5.
Therefore, this is a strong passage on the deity and personality of the Spirit (cf. 9:8; 10:15).

"TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE" Verses 7-11 are a quote from the Septuagint of Ps. 95:7-11, which is a
warning to Israel during the wilderness wandering against unbelief. Hebrews 3:17 through 4:13 is based
on an exposition of this passage. This is a THIRD CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCE. They had the opportunity to
see and hear (cf. v. 9) but willfully refused and hardened their hearts.

3:9 "TRIED ME BY TESTING ME" Here Uttly says, “The term "provoking" in v. 8 and the term "test" in v. 9 in
the Masoretic Text are "meribah" and "massah," two geographical locations mentioned in Exod.17:1-7
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where Israel rebelled against God.”
In the Greek translation two different terms for "test" or "try" are used. The first (peirazō) normally had
the connotation of "to test with a view toward destruction" and the second (dokimazō) "to test with a
view toward approval," but in this context they are synonymous.

"FORTY YEARS" Here Uttly says, “This number is used often in the Bible. In some cases it is a Hebrew idiom
for a long, indefinite period of time. In this context, it refers to Num. 14:34.”
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The author of Hebrews has modified both the Hebrew text and Greek text of this Psalm (e.g., Paul's
quote of Ps. 68:18 in Eph. 4:8) by connecting the "forty years" with the Israelites seeing YHWH's miracles
during the wilderness wandering period. However, the Masoretic Text and Septuagint relate the phrase
to YHWH's anger at the people during this period (cf. Ps. 95:10). New Testament authors under
inspiration often interpret the OT by rabbinical word plays. This seems to violate our modern
commitment to authorial intent as the proper way to interpret the Bible. We must allow the NT authors

34 Uttly

35 Ibid
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