Heb 3:12-4:2 | RWP | e4.org | Take heed ( βλεπετε ). Present active imperative as in (three times) of βλεπω in place of the more usual ορατε . Solemn warning to the Jewish Christians from the experience of the Israelites as told in . Lest haply there shall be ( μη ποτε εστα ). Negative purpose with μη ποτε and the future indicative as in . But we have in μη τις εστα as in ; μη occurs with the aorist subjunctive, and μη ποτε with present subjunctive ( ) or aorist subjunctive ( ). In any one of you ( εν τιν υμων ). The application is personal and pointed. An evil heart of unbelief ( καρδια πονηρα απιστιας ). A remarkable combination. Heart ( καρδια ) is common in the LXX (about 1,000 times), but "evil heart" only twice in the O.T. ( ; ). Απιστιας is more than mere unbelief, here rather disbelief, refusal to believe, genitive case describing the evil heart marked by disbelief which is no mark of intelligence then or now. In falling away from the living God ( εν τω αποστηνα απο θεου ζωντος ). "In the falling away" (locative case with εν of the second aorist active (intransitive) infinitive of αφιστημ , to stand off from, to step aside from ( απο with the ablative case θεου ) the living God (common phrase in the O.T. and the N.T. for God as opposed to lifeless idols)). "Remember that to apostatize from Christ in whom you have found God is to apostatize from God" (Dods). That is true today. See for this use of the verb.

‏ Hebrews 3:12-19

Take heed ( βλεπετε ). Present active imperative as in Php 3:2 (three times) of βλεπω in place of the more usual ορατε. Solemn warning to the Jewish Christians from the experience of the Israelites as told in Ps 95.

Lest haply there shall be ( μη ποτε εστα ). Negative purpose with μη ποτε and the future indicative as in Mr 14:2. But we have in Col 2:8 μη τις εστα as in Heb 12:25; μη occurs with the aorist subjunctive, and μη ποτε with present subjunctive (Heb 4:1) or aorist subjunctive (Ac 5:39).

In any one of you ( εν τιν υμων ). The application is personal and pointed.

An evil heart of unbelief ( καρδια πονηρα απιστιας ). A remarkable combination.

Heart ( καρδια ) is common in the LXX (about 1,000 times), but "evil heart" only twice in the O.T. (Jer 16:12; 18:12). Απιστιας is more than mere unbelief, here rather disbelief, refusal to believe, genitive case describing the evil heart marked by disbelief which is no mark of intelligence then or now.

In falling away from the living God ( εν τω αποστηνα απο θεου ζωντος ). "In the falling away" (locative case with εν of the second aorist active (intransitive) infinitive of αφιστημ, to stand off from, to step aside from ( απο with the ablative case θεου ) the living God (common phrase in the O.T. and the N.T. for God as opposed to lifeless idols)). "Remember that to apostatize from Christ in whom you have found God is to apostatize from God" (Dods). That is true today. See Eze 20:8 for this use of the verb.

So long as it is called today ( αχρις ου το σημερον καλειτα ). The only instance in the N.T. of this conjunction ( αχρ or αχρις or αχρις ου, etc.) with the present indicative in the sense of "so long as" or "while" like εως. Elsewhere it means "until" and with either the aorist indicative (Ac 7:18), the future (Re 17:17), or the aorist subjunctive (Re 7:3).

Lest any one of you be hardened ( ινα μη σκληρυνθη τις εξ υμων ). Negative purpose clause with ινα μη (that not) and the first aorist passive subjunctive of σκληρυνω, the vivid verb from verse 8.

By the deceitfulness of sin ( απατη της αμαρτιας ). Instrumental case απατη (trick, fraud) as is always the case with sin (Ro 7:11; 2Th 2:10). Apostasy (12:4) is their peril and it is a trick of sin.

For we are become partakers of Christ ( μετοχο γαρ του Χριστου γεγοναμεν ). Second perfect active of γινομα, "we have become," not the equivalent of εσμεν (are). For μετοχο see 1:9; 3:1; 6:4. We have become partners with Christ and hence ( γαρ, for) should not be tricked into apostasy.

If we hold fast ( εαν περ κατασχωμεν ). The same condition as in verse 6 with περ (indeed, forsooth) added to εαν. Jonathan Edwards once said that the sure proof of election is that one holds out to the end.

The beginning of our confidence ( την αρχην της υποστασεως ). For υποστασις see 1:3; 11:1. These faltering believers (some even apostates) began with loud confidence and profession of loyalty. And now?

While it is said ( εν τω λεγεσθα ). Locative case with εν of the articular present passive infinitive of λεγω, "in the being said." Thus the author (cf. same phrase in Ps 42:4) introduces the repeated quotation from verses 7, 8. Probably it is to be connected with κατασχωμεν, though it can be joined with παρακαλειτε in verse 13 (treating 14 as a parenthesis).

Who ( Τινες ). Clearly interrogative, not indefinite (some).

Did provoke ( παρεπικραναν ). First aorist active indicative of παραπικρινω, apparently coined by the LXX like παραπικρασμος (verse 15) to which it points, exasperating the anger of God.

Nay, did not all ( αλλ' ου παντες ). "A favourite device of the diatribe style" (Moffatt), answering one rhetorical question with another (Lu 17:8) as in verses 17, 18, There was a faithful minority mentioned by Paul (1Co 10:7f.).

With them that sinned ( τοις αμαρτησασιν ). Dative masculine plural after προσωχθισεν (cf. verse 10) of the articular first aorist active participle of αμαρτανω ( αμαρτησας, not αμαρτων ).

Carcases ( κωλα ). Old word for members of the body like the feet, in LXX a dead body (Nu 14:29), here only in N.T.

That they should not enter ( μη εισελευσεσθα ). Negative μη (cf. ε in verse 11) and the future middle infinitive in indirect discourse.

To them that were disobedient ( τοις απειθησασιν ). Dative masculine plural of the articular first aorist active participle of απειθεω, active disobedience with which compare απιστιας in verse 12, 19.

And we see ( κα βλεπομεν ). Triumphant conclusion of the exegesis of Ps 95. "So we see."

‏ Hebrews 4:1-2

Let us fear therefore ( φοβηθωμεν ουν ). First aorist passive volitive subjunctive of φοβεομα, to be afraid. There is no break in the argument on Ps 95. This is a poor chapter division. The Israelites perished because of disbelief. We today face a real peril.

Lest haply ( μη ποτε ) Here with the present subjunctive ( δοκε ), but future indicative in 3:12, after the verb of fearing. For the optative see 2Ti 2:25.

A promise being left ( καταλειπομενης επαγγελιας ). Genitive absolute of the present passive participle of καταλειπω, to leave behind. God's promise still holds good for us in spite of the failure of the Israelites.

Should seem to have come short of it ( δοκε υστερηκενα ). Perfect active infinitive of υστερεω, old verb from υστερος (comparative of root υδ like our out, outer, outermost), to be too late, to fail to reach the goal as here, common in the N.T. (11:37; 12:15).

For indeed we have had good tidings preached unto us ( κα γαρ εσμεν ευηγγελισμενο εσμεν ). Periphrastic perfect passive indicative of ευαγγελιζω (from ευαγγελιον, good news, glad tidings) to bring good news, used here in its original sense as in verse 6 of the Israelites ( ευαγγελισθεντες first aorist passive participle).

Even as also they ( καθαπερ κακεινο ). See verse 6. We have the promise of rest as the Israelites had. The parallel holds as to the promise, the privilege, the penalty.

The word of hearing ( ο λογος της ακοης ). As in 1Th 2:13. Genitive ακοης describing λογος, the word marked by hearing (the word heard).

Because they were not united by faith with them that heard ( μη συνκεκερασμενους τη πιστε τοις ακουσασιν ). Μη, the usual negative of the participle. A very difficult phrase. The text is uncertain whether the participle (perfect passive of συνκεραννυμ, old verb to mix together) ends in -ος agreeing with λογος or -ους agreeing with εκεινους (them). Taking it in -ους the translation is correct. Πιστε is in the instrumental case and τοις ακουσασιν in the associative instrumental after συν.