HEB 1:3 Interlinear View

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 1:1–4: Introduction: God has spoken through his Son

The first four verses of the book of Hebrews explain what the book is about. In the past God spoke to his people through his prophets. Now during this later time, he has spoken to his people through his own Son. God’s Son shows people who God is.

In 1:1–2a the author used parallelism to show a contrast between how God spoke in the past and how he speaks now. In the past God spoke through the prophets, but now God speaks to us through his Son. In your translation, it is important to emphasize this contrast, especially the fact that God now speaks to us by the Son.

1:1	1:2
in the past	in these last days
to our fathers	to us
through the prophets	by His Son

In Greek, the four verses in 1:1–4 are one long sentence that describes who the Son is and what he has done. It is common in Greek to have long sentences like this. Most English versions divide this section into several sentences. You may do what is natural in your language.

In 1:2b–3e there are seven important facts about God’s Son:

God appointed his Son to be heir of all things (an important theme in 1:5–6).
God created everything through his Son (an important theme in 1:7–14).
The Son reflects God’s glory (an important theme in 2:5–8).
The Son shows us exactly what God is like.
The Son keeps everything working by his powerful word.
The Son made a way to make people clean from their sin (an important theme in 2:10–17, 5:1–10, 7:1–28, and 9:1–10:18).
The Son sat down on the right side of God (see 1:13 and 8:1–2).

It is good to translate the section before you decide on a heading for it. Some other possible headings are:

God has revealed himself to us through his Son.

The greatness of the Son of God

Paragraph 1:1–4

There are several ways to arrange the phrases in 1:1–4. The BSB mostly follows the order of phrases in the Greek text. The NIV uses a different order. Compare the order of the phrases in the BSB and NIV below:

¹On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. ²But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son… (BSB)

¹In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, ²but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son… (NIV)

The NIV puts the phrase “at many times and in various ways” at the end of 1:1 instead of at the beginning, as in the BSB. Use an order that is natural in your language.

1:3a–b

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature: This clause describes God’s Son in two similar ways:

he radiates God’s glory,
he shows exactly what God is like.

Connect these two descriptions in a natural way in your language. For example:

The Son reflects the glory of God and shows exactly what God is like. (NCV)

He reveals God’s glory because he has the same nature as God.

He is the one who shows us the bigness of God’s life. His character and power are the same as the character and power of God.Uma back translation on TW.

1:3a

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory

God’s Son has all the brightness of God’s own glory (CEV)
The Son reflects/reveals God’s wonderful greatness

This part of the verse is the third of the seven things that the author says about the greatness of the Son of God in 1:2b–3e.

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory: The Greek word that the BSB translates as radianceThis word only occurs here in the New Testament. refers to the brightness that shines or reflects from a great light. The statement The Son is the radiance of God’s glory is a metaphor. It means that God’s Son exactly expresses how wonderful God is. When people know the Son of God, they know what God himself is like.

Some ways to translate this meaning are:

Translate it as a metaphor or simile. For example:
He reflects the glory of God (RSV)
God’s Son shines with God’s own glory/magnificence.
Translate the meaning without the metaphor. For example:
He has all the magnificent greatness of God.
He is great and good, just as God is.
The Son’s glory/greatness is the same as God’s glory/greatness.

Translate the meaning in a natural way in your language.

God’s glory: The phrase God’s glory refers here to the wonderful greatness of who God is. He is magnificent in his power and his goodness. Sometimes God gives visible evidence of his greatness by appearing with very bright light.In the Old Testament God’s glory was also associated with radiance/brightness, for example, when “the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle” (Exodus 40:34). In this context, the word glory refers to God’s greatness.

Some ways to translate God’s glory in this context are:

the goodness and greatness of GodKankanaey back translation on TW.

God’s majesty/magnificence

1:3b

and the exact representation of His nature,

and is like him in every way. (CEV)
and shows us exactly what God is like.

This part of the verse is the fourth of the seven things that the author says about the greatness of the Son of God in 1:2b–3e.

and the exact representation of His nature: This phrase means that the Son is exactly like God in every way. Some ways to translate the phrase are:

and shows exactly what God is like (NCV)

and is like him in every way (CEV)

Whatever God is, that is also what His son is.Western Bukidnon Manobo back translation on TW.

His nature: The phrase His nature refers to God’s nature or God’s essence. It refers to God’s character, which is what God is in himself. The Son’s nature is exactly like God’s nature. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

God’s very being (NRSV)

the very character of God (NLT)

his godhood

what he is

1:3c

upholding all things by His powerful word.

God’s Son uses his powerful word to sustain everything that exists.
The Son speaks with power. By speaking he upholds and rules the universe and everything in it.

This is the fifth of the seven things which the author said about the greatness of God’s Son in 1:2b–3e.

upholding all things by His powerful word: The clause upholding all things by His powerful word indicates that the Son uses his powerful words to support and care for everything in the universe. Other ways to translate this are:

He speaks with power to sustain/support everything that he created.

He uses his powerful word to control and care for the whole universe/world.

Notice that the second example uses two phrases to translate the verb upholding.

all things: The phrase all things refers to everything that exists. It includes the whole universe and everything in it. The Son of God sustains all people, animals, plants, and everything else on earth and everything in the sky such as the sun, moon, and stars. Some other ways to translate all things in this context are:

all that exists

the universe and everything in it (NLT96)

by His powerful word: The phrase by His powerful word indicates here that the Son uses his powerful word to sustain everything. He needs only his word to support and rule all things, because he gives his word power to cause what he says to happen. Some other ways to translate the phrase are:

by the mighty power of his command (NLT)

he uses only his word because it/he is powerfulKankanaey back translation on TW.

1:3d

After He had provided purification for sins,

He made it possible for people to be cleansed/purified from sins,
After he did everything that was necessary to make people clean from their sins,
After the Son had washed away people’s sins,

This is the sixth of the seven things which the author said about the greatness of God’s Son in 1:2b–3e.

After He had provided purification for sins: The clause After He had provided purification for sins means “After the Son made it possible for people to be cleansed from their sins.” A sacrifice is necessary for people to be purified. God’s Son made that sacrifice by dying on the cross for their sins.Jesus made this sacrifice as their high priest. The Greek verb that the BSB translated as had provided implies that the Son completed this purification by his sacrifice.

Some ways to translate this clause are:

When he had provided a way for people to be made clean from their sins

After the Son had washed away people’s sins

After he did what was necessary for people to be purified from their sins

purification for sins: The phrase purification for sins contains implied information. It implies that people had sinned against God, and these sins caused God to consider them impure. God would not forgive them unless they were purified from those sins. Jesus did what was necessary for people to be forgiven. He made the sacrifice to purify them. See the translation examples in the preceding note.

In some languages it may be necessary to add some implied information here. For example:

made the necessary sacrifice to cleanse people from sins

sacrificed himself so that people could be purified from their sins

sins: The word sins refers to offenses against God. Sins include acts, thoughts, and attitudes that are not what God wants or approves.In Greek, the verb that English versions translate as sins is also a term that is used in archery to mean “miss the target.” When a person sins, he “misses” the target, that is, he fails to reach God’s standard. People also offend God by not doing what he wants them to do. In this context the word sins refers to all the ways that people have wronged God.

Try to translate sins with a general term that can include any wrongdoing against God. Here are problems to avoid:

The term should not imply that only serious crimes like murder or stealing are sins. Other offenses like gossip, greed, and evil thoughts are also sins. It is also sinful to avoid doing what God commands or desires.
The term should not include accidents or mistakes that are not against God’s will.

Some ways to translate sins are:

wrong acts

offenses against God

evil deeds

In some languages it may be natural to translate sins with a phrase that includes a verb. For example:

the evil that people have done

For more information, see sin in KBT.

1:3e

He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

and then he sat down on the right side of the Glorious One in heaven.
he went and sat beside God the All-Powerful in heaven.
God gave him the place of greatest honor with him in heaven.

This is the seventh thing which the author said about the greatness of God’s Son in 1:2b–3e. It tells what the Son did after he finished atoning for people’s sins (1:3d).

He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high: This clause uses figurative language. It indicates that the Son received the place of greatest honor and authority with God. The phrase the Majesty on high refers to God, the King over everything. Sitting at God’s right hand symbolizes that God’s Son shares God’s authority. In this context, God gave his Son authority to rule with him after the Son atoned for people’s sins.

There are several ways to translate this clause:

Use the figurative language in your translation. For example:
he sat down at the right side of the glorious God in heaven (CEV)
Use the figurative language and make the meaning explicit. For example:
he sat down in the seat of honor at the right side of God
Translate the meaning without the figurative language. For example:
God gave him the place of greatest honor/authority with him in heaven

the Majesty: The phrase the Majesty refers here to God himself, not just to his majesty and greatness. Some ways to translate it here are:

Use a special word or phrase in your language that people use as a way to praise God for his power or glory. For example:
the All-Powerful
Use a descriptive phrase and make explicit that it refers to God. For example:
God in his majesty
God, the Supreme Power (GNT) Be sure that your translation does not imply a comparison with other gods that are less powerful.
Simply use the normal word for God in your language. For example:
God

on high: The Greek word that the BSB translates as high means “heights.” The phrase on high is used here in a figurative sense. It refers to the place where God lives. Because God lives there, it is more glorious than any other place. Another way to translate on high is:

in heaven (NIV)

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / infostructure

ὃς ὢν ἀπαύγασμα τῆς δόξης καὶ χαρακτὴρ τῆς ὑποστάσεως αὐτοῦ, φέρων τε τὰ πάντα τῷ ῥήματι τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ, καθαρισμὸν τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ποιησάμενος, ἐκάθισεν ἐν δεξιᾷ τῆς Μεγαλωσύνης ἐν ὑψηλοῖς

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ὅς ὤν ἀπαύγασμα τῆς δόξης καί χαρακτήρ τῆς ὑποστάσεως αὐτοῦ φέρων τέ τά παντᾶ τῷ ῥήματι τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ καθαρισμόν τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ποιησάμενος Ἐκάθισεν ἐν δεξιᾷ τῆς Μεγαλωσύνης ἐν ὑψηλοῖς)

The author includes a long description of who the “Son” is. The phrases being the brightness of his glory and exact representation of his being and upholding all the things by the word of his power describe what the “Son” always is and does. The phrase having made cleansing for sins refers more specifically to what the “Son” has done and completed before he sat down at the right hand. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make it clearer that the phrase having made purification for sins refers to something that happened before Jesus sat down, while the previous phrases all refer to things that the “Son” always is and does. Alternate translation: [who is the brightness of his glory and exact representation of his being and who upholds all the things by the word of his power. After having made purification for sins, he sat down at the right of the Majesty on high]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἀπαύγασμα τῆς δόξης καὶ χαρακτὴρ τῆς ὑποστάσεως αὐτοῦ

˓the˒_radiance ˱of˲_his glory (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ὅς ὤν ἀπαύγασμα τῆς δόξης καί χαρακτήρ τῆς ὑποστάσεως αὐτοῦ φέρων τέ τά παντᾶ τῷ ῥήματι τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ καθαρισμόν τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ποιησάμενος Ἐκάθισεν ἐν δεξιᾷ τῆς Μεγαλωσύνης ἐν ὑψηλοῖς)

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of brightness, glory, representation, and being, you could express the ideas by using verbs, adjectives, or adverbs. Alternate translation: [brightly glorious like he is and exactly representing who he is]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἀπαύγασμα τῆς δόξης καὶ

The author speaks as if the “Son” had the brightness that belongs to God’s glory, which is pictured here as being like a bright light. The author speaks in this way to emphasize that the Son “shines” with the glory that only God has. He means that the “Son” is God and represents God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [the reflection of his glory and] or [one who has the glory of God and the]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

φέρων & τὰ πάντα

bearing & (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ὅς ὤν ἀπαύγασμα τῆς δόξης καί χαρακτήρ τῆς ὑποστάσεως αὐτοῦ φέρων τέ τά παντᾶ τῷ ῥήματι τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ καθαρισμόν τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ποιησάμενος Ἐκάθισεν ἐν δεξιᾷ τῆς Μεγαλωσύνης ἐν ὑψηλοῖς)

The author speaks as if the Son were standing underneath all the things and holding them up so that they did not fall. He speaks in this way to indicate that everything continues to exist only because the Son works to make it continue. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [preserving all the things] or [supporting all things]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

τῷ ῥήματι τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ

˱by˲_the word ˱of˲_the power ˱of˲_him

The term word refers to speaking “words” or “messages.” It does not refer to only a single word that the Son speaks. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that refers to how the Son speaks. Alternate translation: [through his powerful speech] or [by how he speaks with power]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

τῷ ῥήματι τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ

˱by˲_the word ˱of˲_the power ˱of˲_him

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of power, you could express the idea by using an adjective such as “powerful.” Alternate translation: [by his powerful word]

Note 7 topic: translate-symaction

ἐκάθισεν ἐν δεξιᾷ

When someone sits at the right of God, that position symbolizes that person’s honor, authority, and ability to rule. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea explicitly. Alternate translation: [he sat down to rule at the right] or [he took the place of honor and authority at the right]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / synecdoche

ἐν δεξιᾷ τῆς Μεγαλωσύνης

at ˓the˒_right_‹hand› ˱of˲_the Majesty

The phrase at the right refers to the place next to a person’s right hand, which would be the “right side.” In the author’s culture, this side was associated with honor or authority. If it would be helpful in your language, you could refer to the “right side.” Make sure that your readers understand that this side indicates that the Son has honor and authority when he sits there. Alternate translation: [at the right side of the Majesty] or [in the honorable place next to the Majesty]

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / euphemism

τῆς Μεγαλωσύνης

˱of˲_his ˱of˲_the ˱of˲_the ˱of˲_the Majesty

In the author’s culture, it was considered reverent to avoid saying God’s name. Here the author uses Majesty instead of God’s name in order to follow this custom and to indicate that God is powerful and glorious. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a reverent way to refer to God in your culture, especially if it emphasizes how God is powerful and glorious. Alternate translation: [of the great deity] or [of the glorious God]

Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἐν ὑψηλοῖς

at on high

The phrase on high identifies the location of the right of the Majesty, which is where the Son sat down. This location is in heaven. If it would be helpful in your language, you could clarify that it means that Jesus ascended into heaven, which is where the right side is. Alternate translation: [in heaven] or [on high, in heaven]

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.

OET interlinear HEB 1:3

SR Greek word order (including unused variant words in grey)