HEB 3:12 Interlinear View

1. Greek word
2. Greek lemma
3. OET-LV words
4. OET-RV words
5. Strongs
6. Role/Morphology
7. OET Gloss
8. VLT Gloss
9. CAPS codes
10. Confidence
11. OET tags
12. OET word #
1. Βλέπετε
2. blepō
3. Be watching out
4. watch
5. 9910
6. VMPA2··P
7. ˓be˒ watching_out
8. ˓be˒ watching_out
9. S
10. Y64
11. 141769
1. ἀδελφοί
2. adelfos
3. brothers
4. Brothers
5. 800
6. N····VMP
7. brothers
8. brothers
9. -
10. Y64; F141775; F141786; F141802; F141908; F142384; F142389; F142390; F142397; F142400; F142411; F142413
11. 141770
1. μήποτε
2. mēpote
3. lest
4. -
5. 33790
6. C·······
7. lest
8. lest
9. -
10. Y64
11. 141771
1. ἔσται
2. eimi
3. will be
4. -
5. 15100
6. VIFM3··S
7. will_be
8. will_be
9. -
10. Y64
11. 141772
1. ἐν
2. en
3. in
4. -
5. 17220
6. P·······
7. in
8. in
9. -
10. Y64
11. 141773
1. τινί
2. tis
3. anyone
4. -
5. 51000
6. R····DMS
7. anyone
8. anyone
9. -
10. Y64; F141781
11. 141774
1. ὑμῶν
2. su
3. of you all
4. -
5. 47710
6. R···2G·P
7. ˱of˲ you_all
8. ˱of˲ you_all
9. -
10. Y64; R141770
11. 141775
1. καρδία
2. kardia
3. +a heart
4. heart
5. 25880
6. N····NFS
7. ˓a˒ heart
8. ˓a˒ heart
9. -
10. Y64
11. 141776
1. πονηρά
2. ponēros
3. evil
4. evil
5. 41900
6. A····NFS
7. evil
8. evil
9. -
10. Y64
11. 141777
1. ἀπιστίας
2. apistia
3. of unbelief
4. unbelief
5. 5700
6. N····GFS
7. ˱of˲ unbelief
8. ˱of˲ unbelief
9. -
10. Y64
11. 141778
1. ἐν
2. en
3. in
4. -
5. 17220
6. P·······
7. in
8. in
9. -
10. Y64
11. 141779
1. τῷ
2. ho
3. that
4. -
5. 35880
6. R····DNS
7. that
8. that
9. -
10. Y64
11. 141780
1. ἀποστῆναι
2. afistēmi
3. to withdraw
4. withdraw
5. 8680
6. VNAA····
7. ˓to˒ withdraw
8. ˓to˒ withdraw
9. -
10. Y64; R141774
11. 141781
1. ἀπό
2. apo
3. from
4. -
5. 5750
6. P·······
7. from
8. from
9. -
10. Y64
11. 141782
1. Θεοῦ
2. theos
3. god
4. God
5. 23160
6. N····GMS
7. god
8. God
9. GN
10. Y64; Person=God
11. 141783
1. ζῶντος
2. zaō
3. +the living
4. living
5. 21980
6. VPPA·GMS
7. ˓the˒ living
8. ˓the˒ living
9. -
10. Y64
11. 141784

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 3:7–19: Warning: Do not reject God’s offer of rest

In the earlier sections of Hebrews the author showed that Jesus was greater than both the angels and Moses. In 2:1–4 he gave a first warning not to refuse the message which Jesus brought. Here in 3:7–19 he gave a second warning not to refuse Jesus’ message, especially the “rest” that God offers through Jesus. The author quoted from Psalm 95, which says that God wanted to give the people of Israel a land where they could have rest from their enemies. When they were slaves in Egypt, he sent Moses to lead them to that land, but they rebelled against God in the wilderness. Then God did not allow them to enter the land of rest.

It is often difficult to decide how to translate “rest” in this section and in chapter 4. Psalm 95 and Hebrews do refer to the time when Moses was alive and God promised to give the people of Israel land. However, King David was already in that land when he wrote the psalm, so the “rest” could not refer to the land. It refers to a different type of “rest.” That rest is a way of trusting God and depending on him for everything. We especially trust him to save us from our sins and give us eternal life. Because of the rest that God gives, we can have peace even when we suffer.

Be careful not to imply that the rest that God promises his people today is a certain place or land. Some scholars believe that the rest refers to heaven. It is true that we will have perfect rest in heaven, but Hebrews indicates that the rest that God provides for us begins on earth when we trust in Jesus.

Some other headings for this section are:

Rest for God’s People

Warning Against Unbelief (NIV)

We Must Continue to Follow/Obey God

Scholars differ about where to end this warning section. Some scholars end the warning at 3:19. Others make the warning section continue to 4:13. In these notes, 3:19 is the end of this second warning section, and the following section is 4:1–13.

Paragraph 3:12–15

In this paragraph the author told his readers and listeners how they should apply the quotation in 3:7b–11 to themselves. Just as God warned the people of Israel to be careful not to turn away from him, the Hebrews should also be careful. They should not refuse to believe what God said, as the Israelites did.

3:12a

See to it, brothers,

¶ Be careful, brothers and sisters, (GW)
¶ Fellow members of God’s family, see/beware

See to it: The Greek verb that the BSB translates as See to it is literally just See. In this context it is a warning. It means “be careful,” “watch out.” The author warned his readers not to commit the same sin of unbelief and disobedience that the Israelites committed. Other ways to translate this verb are:

Be careful (GW)

Take care (NRSV)

brothers: As in 3:1a, the Greek word that the BSB translates as brothers refers to the author’s fellow believers in Christ. You should translate it in the same way here. Remember that the term includes both men and women. For more information, see the note on 3:1a.

In some languages it is more natural to place the word brothers first in the sentence or in a different place in the sentence. You should place it where it is most natural for your language. For example:

So brothers and sisters, be careful (NCV)

My friends, watch out! (CEV)

Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. (NLT)

3:12b

that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief

that none of you^(plur) lets his mind/heart become sinful and unfaithful
that none of you^(plur) develops an evil way of thinking that causes you^(plur) to not believe/trust God,

3:12c

that turns away from the living God.

so that you^(plur) reject the living God.
and then you^(plur) refuse to continue following him. He is the One who has/owns life.

3:12b–c

that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God: In this context the word heart represents a person himself. It especially refers here to a person’s decision to believe in and trust God. The phrase a wicked heart of unbelief indicates that it is evil for a person to refuse to trust God.

Some other ways to translate this part of the verse are:

so that none of you has an evil mind that does not believe in GodSee the Kankanaey back translation on TW.

in which his inner-being is not focused on his believing/obeying GodSee the Tagbanwa back translation on TW.

In other languages it may be more natural to refer to the person himself, rather than to a part of him. For example:

so that no one among you becomes evil and refuses to believe

Don’t let evil thoughts or doubts make any of you turn from the living God. (CEV)

you: The pronoun you is plural and refers to all of the readers and hearers of Hebrews.

heart: The word heart refers here to a person’s thoughts, feelings and decisions. For more information, see the note on “harden your hearts” in 3:8a.

that turns away from the living God: The phrase turns away from is figurative. It refers to deciding to reject God. It does not literally mean that a person turns himself in a different direction. Use a natural way in your language to refer to deciding to reject someone. For example:

so that none of you turns his back on the living God

that is what will lead you to give up God who is alive without end

that will cause him to reject/refuse the living God

the living God: The phrase the living God implies that God has always been alive, and he will always continue to live. He is the one who gives life. God is a living God, not a dead god. He contrasts with false gods and idols who have no life. The author described God like this also in 9:14, 10:31, and 12:22. Other New Testament authors also used this description, for example, Matthew 16:16; Romans 9:26; 1 Thessalonians 1:9.

Some other ways to translate the living God are:

God who lives forever

the life-giving God

uW Translation Notes:

βλέπετε

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Βλέπετε ἀδελφοί μήποτε ἔσται ἐν τινί ὑμῶν καρδία πονηρά ἀπιστίας ἐν τῷ ἀποστῆναι ἀπό Θεοῦ ζῶντος)

Alternate translation: [Be careful]

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

ἀδελφοί

brothers

Although the word brothers is masculine, the author is using it to refer to all believers, both men and women. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word that applies to both men and women or you could refer to both genders. Alternate translation: [brothers and sisters]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

ἔν τινι ὑμῶν καρδία πονηρὰ ἀπιστίας

In the author’s culture, the word heart refers to the place within themselves where humans think and plan. If it would be helpful in your language, you could refer to the place where humans think in your culture or express the idea plainly. See how you translated “hearts” in [3:10](../03/10.md). Alternate translation: [in any of you a wicked mind of unbelief] or [wicked thinking of unbelief in any of you]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

καρδία πονηρὰ ἀπιστίας

˓a˒_heart (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Βλέπετε ἀδελφοί μήποτε ἔσται ἐν τινί ὑμῶν καρδία πονηρά ἀπιστίας ἐν τῷ ἀποστῆναι ἀπό Θεοῦ ζῶντος)

The author uses the possessive form to describe a heart that is characterized by unbelief. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea without using a possessive form. Alternate translation: [a wicked heart that does not believe] or [a wicked and unbelieving heart]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἀπιστίας

˱of˲_unbelief

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of unbelief, you could express the idea by using a verb such as “believe” or an adjective such as “unbelieving.” Alternate translation: [that does not believe]

Note 5 topic: grammar-connect-time-simultaneous

ἐν τῷ ἀποστῆναι

in in that ˓to˒_withdraw

The phrase in the falling away refers to something that happens at the same time as having a wicked heart of unbelief. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a form that introduces simultaneous action. Alternate translation: [while you fall away] or [which falls away]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἐν τῷ ἀποστῆναι ἀπὸ

in in that ˓to˒_withdraw (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Βλέπετε ἀδελφοί μήποτε ἔσται ἐν τινί ὑμῶν καρδία πονηρά ἀπιστίας ἐν τῷ ἀποστῆναι ἀπό Θεοῦ ζῶντος)

The author speaks of rejecting or failing to follow God as if the person “fell away” from where God is. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [in the turning away from] or [in rejecting]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

Θεοῦ ζῶντος

God ˓the˒_living

The phrase the living God identifies God as the one who “lives” and possibly as the one who gives “life.” The primary point is that God actually “lives,” unlike idols and other things that people call “god.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that emphasizes that God really “lives.” Alternate translation: [the God who lives] or [the true God]

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

1. OET-LV words
2. OET-RV words
3. Strongs
4. Greek word
5. Greek lemma
6. Role/Morphology
7. OET Gloss
8. VLT Gloss
9. CAPS codes
10. Confidence
11. OET tags
12. OET word #
1. Be watching out
2. watch
3. 9910
4. S
5. blepō
6. V-MPA2··P
7. ˓be˒ watching_out
8. ˓be˒ watching_out
9. S
10. Y64
11. 141769
1. brothers
2. Brothers
3. 800
5. adelfos
6. N-····VMP
7. brothers
8. brothers
9. -
10. Y64; F141775; F141786; F141802; F141908; F142384; F142389; F142390; F142397; F142400; F142411; F142413
11. 141770
1. lest
2. -
3. 33790
5. mēpote
6. C-·······
7. lest
8. lest
9. -
10. Y64
11. 141771
1. will be
2. -
3. 15100
5. eimi
6. V-IFM3··S
7. will_be
8. will_be
9. -
10. Y64
11. 141772
1. in
2. -
3. 17220
5. en
6. P-·······
7. in
8. in
9. -
10. Y64
11. 141773
1. anyone
2. -
3. 51000
5. tis
6. R-····DMS
7. anyone
8. anyone
9. -
10. Y64; F141781
11. 141774
1. of you all
2. -
3. 47710
5. su
6. R-···2G·P
7. ˱of˲ you_all
8. ˱of˲ you_all
9. -
10. Y64; R141770
11. 141775
1. +a heart
2. heart
3. 25880
5. kardia
6. N-····NFS
7. ˓a˒ heart
8. ˓a˒ heart
9. -
10. Y64
11. 141776
1. evil
2. evil
3. 41900
5. ponēros
6. A-····NFS
7. evil
8. evil
9. -
10. Y64
11. 141777
1. of unbelief
2. unbelief
3. 5700
5. apistia
6. N-····GFS
7. ˱of˲ unbelief
8. ˱of˲ unbelief
9. -
10. Y64
11. 141778
1. in
2. -
3. 17220
5. en
6. P-·······
7. in
8. in
9. -
10. Y64
11. 141779
1. that
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. R-····DNS
7. that
8. that
9. -
10. Y64
11. 141780
1. to withdraw
2. withdraw
3. 8680
5. afistēmi
6. V-NAA····
7. ˓to˒ withdraw
8. ˓to˒ withdraw
9. -
10. Y64; R141774
11. 141781
1. from
2. -
3. 5750
5. apo
6. P-·······
7. from
8. from
9. -
10. Y64
11. 141782
1. god
2. God
3. 23160
4. GN
5. theos
6. N-····GMS
7. god
8. God
9. GN
10. Y64; Person=God
11. 141783
1. +the living
2. living
3. 21980
5. zaō
6. V-PPA·GMS
7. ˓the˒ living
8. ˓the˒ living
9. -
10. Y64
11. 141784

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 3:12