HEB 6:19 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. ἥν
2. hos
3. which
4. -
5. 37390
6. R····AFS
7. which
8. which
9. -
10. Y64
11. 142741
1. ὡς
2. hōs
3. as
4. -
5. 56130
6. C·······
7. as
8. as
9. -
10. Y64
11. 142742
1. ἄγκυραν
2. agkura
3. +an anchor
4. anchor
5. 450
6. N····AFS
7. ˓an˒ anchor
8. ˓an˒ anchor
9. -
10. Y64; F142753
11. 142743
1. ἔχομεν
2. eχō
3. we are having
4. -
5. 21920
6. VIPA1··P
7. ˱we˲ ˓are˒ having
8. ˱we˲ ˓are˒ having
9. -
10. Y64; R142736
11. 142744
1. τῆς
2. ho
3. of the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····GFS
7. ˱of˲ the
8. ˱of˲ the
9. -
10. Y64
11. 142745
1. ψυχῆς
2. psuχē
3. soul
4. -
5. 55900
6. N····GFS
7. soul
8. soul
9. -
10. Y64
11. 142746
1. ἀσφαλῆ
2. asfalēs
3. certain
4. certain
5. 8040
6. S····AFS
7. certain
8. certain
9. -
10. Y64
11. 142747
1. τέ
2. te
3. both
4. -
5. 50370
6. C·······
7. both
8. both
9. -
10. Y64
11. 142748
1. καί
2. kai
3. and
4. -
5. 25320
6. C·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. Y64
11. 142749
1. βεβαίαν
2. bebaios
3. confirmed
4. confirmed
5. 9490
6. S····AFS
7. confirmed
8. confirmed
9. -
10. Y64
11. 142750
1. καί
2. kai
3. and
4. -
5. 25320
6. C·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. Y64
11. 142751
1. ἐρχομένην
2. erχomai
3. -
4. -
5. 20640
6. VPPM·AFS
7. coming
8. coming
9. -
10. -
11. 142752
1. εἰσερχομένην
2. eiserχomai
3. coming in
4. -
5. 15250
6. VPPM·AFS
7. coming_in
8. coming_in
9. -
10. Y64; R142743
11. 142753
1. εἰς
2. eis
3. into
4. -
5. 15190
6. P·······
7. into
8. into
9. -
10. Y64
11. 142754
1. τό
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····ANS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y64
11. 142755
1. ἐσώτερον
2. esōteros
3. inner side
4. -
5. 20820
6. S····ANS
7. inner ‹side›
8. inner ‹side›
9. -
10. Y64
11. 142756
1. τοῦ
2. ho
3. of the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····GNS
7. ˱of˲ the
8. ˱of˲ the
9. -
10. Y64
11. 142757
1. καταπετάσματος
2. katapetasma
3. curtain
4. curtain
5. 26650
6. N····GNS
7. curtain
8. curtain
9. -
10. Y64
11. 142758

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 6:13–20: We can trust God’s promises because he does not lie

This section is the final part of the long appeal that the author began to make to his readers in 5:11. He urged them to keep on believing. He warned them not to give up what they believed. In this final section, he reminded them of God’s promise to Abraham, and he encouraged them that God always keeps his promises. We can come into God’s presence because Jesus, our high priest, is already there (6:20). He is a high priest like Melchizedek.

The last verse of this section is similar to 5:10, and connects this section to chapter 7. The author finished his long appeal to his readers in 6:20, and in 7:1 he continued his teaching about Jesus, our high priest.

Some other possible section headings are:

God always does what he promises to do

We can believe God because he always does what he said he would

Paragraph 6:16–20

In 6:16–20 the author continued to explain about God’s oath. In Greek, these verses are one long sentence, but English versions have divided it into shorter ones.The most solemn oath which the people of Israel used was “As (surely as) the Lord lives.”

6:19–20

Some versions begin a new paragraph here. In 6:18 the author said that we can be absolutely certain or sure of the things we hope for. In 6:19–20 he used three different figures of speech to describe what this hope is like, and what its results are. The three figures are an anchor, the curtain covering the inner part of the temple, and a forerunner. These figures of speech follow immediately one after the other.

6:19a

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

This hope makes us^(incl) secure and strong.
This expectation is like a strong anchor/support that will not let us^(incl) slip away.
When we^(incl) know that God will bless us like this, we^(incl) are safe and strong.

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure: Here the author compared our hope to an anchor. Literally, an anchor is a heavy object to which a boat is tied, so that it will not move. As a metaphor, it indicates that our souls are secure. We are supported by our confidence that Jesus has become the source of eternal salvation for us (5:9).

In many cultures anchors are unknown. Some other ways to translate the metaphor are:

Translate anchor as a simile. For example:
This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls. (CEV)
The way we hope in God is like the heavy weight that keeps a boat from drifting away.
Use a similar figure of speech or one that is more general. For example:
That hoping of ours is like a foundation stone that makes our hearts stay so that our faith does not shake/rock.Uma back translation on TW.
Translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:
This hope of ours, that is what makes firm/stable our faith, because it is certain to be fulfilled.Kankanaey back translation on TW.

We: The pronoun We is inclusive and refers to both the author and the readers.

this hope: The hope refers to looking forward to something and expecting it with confidence.Compare ἐλπίς meaning 1c, BDAG, pages 319–320. It does not imply that a person is not sure that he will receive it, as the English word sometimes does. Some other ways to translate it are:

confidence (GW)

our hoping

our expecting to receive the promise

The phrase this hope refers specifically to expecting that we will receive “the promise” that the author mentioned in 6:17. Receiving what God promised is the hope that the author referred to in 6:18d.

anchor for the soul: The phrase anchor for the soul implies here that our confidence in God makes us firm and steadfast in trusting him. Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

our hope helps us trust God steadily

it is like a firm foundation that keeps us from moving away from God

soul: The word soul refers to the inner part of a person which thinks and feels and makes decisions. It was also used in 4:12c–d.

For more information, see soul, sense A1c, in KBT.

firm and secure: Here the author used two similar words to emphasize his meaning (as he often does in Hebrews). The word firm means “stable, steadfast, and strong.” The word secure means “safe,” or “reliable.” Some other ways to translate this emphasis are:

strongly/completely trust

6:19b

It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

It has gone behind the dividing curtain into the holiest place
It is as if we ourselves can see into the inner holy place behind the temple curtain,
We^(incl) may enter into the presence of God himself

It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain: This statement is a figure of speech. The pronoun It refers here to confidence in God’s promise and oath. It indicates that because of this confidence, we can approach God himself.

In many languages it is not natural to speak of It as entering a place. If that is true in your language, you may need to make the meaning more explicit. For example:

Because of our hope, it is as if we have already entered the exact place of God like the entering of the highest priest into the Holiest Room in the Temple which a curtain hid from view.Kankanaey back translation on TW.

enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain: The phrase enters the inner sanctuary means “goes inside the most holy place behind the curtain where God is.” In the OT, the inner sanctuary behind the curtain was the holiest part of the tabernacle. It was the place where God met with the high priest. The high priest represented the people of Israel there. This shrine was separated from the rest of the tabernacle by a curtain. The shrine was such a holy place that only the high priest could enter it, and he entered it only once a year. In 9:1–7 the author describes this place again.

The inner sanctuary was a place, not an altar. It was the most holy place of all in both the tabernacle and the temple, and was the place where God himself dwells. The phrase behind the curtain implies “into the presence of God.”

the curtain: In the Gospels, the word curtain always refers to the curtain that divided the most holy place in the temple from the other parts of the temple. This curtain was torn apart when Jesus died, as a sign that the way into God’s presence was now open (Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38 and Luke 23:45). The author will refer to this curtain again later in 9:3 and 10:20.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: writing-pronouns

ἣν

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἥν ὡς ἄγκυραν ἔχομεν τῆς ψυχῆς ἀσφαλῆ τέ καί βεβαίαν καί εἰσερχομένην εἰς τό ἐσώτερον τοῦ καταπετάσματος)

The word which refers back to “the hope” that the author mentioned in the previous verse (See: [6:18](../06/18.md)). If it would be helpful in your language, you could make explicit that which refers “the hope.” Alternate translation: [which hope]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ὡς ἄγκυραν & τῆς ψυχῆς, ἀσφαλῆ τε καὶ βεβαίαν

as ˓an˒_anchor & ˱of˲_the soul certain (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἥν ὡς ἄγκυραν ἔχομεν τῆς ψυχῆς ἀσφαλῆ τέ καί βεβαίαν καί εἰσερχομένην εἰς τό ἐσώτερον τοῦ καταπετάσματος)

The author states that “hope” functions as an anchor for the soul. Just like an anchor holds a ship in one place so that it does not drift away (See: the chapter introduction), so “hope,” which is both reliable and confirmed, holds the soul in one place so that the person persists in trusting God and hoping for what he has promised. If it would be helpful in your language, you could refer to something else that holds things in place, or you could express the idea plainly. Alternate translation: [like a weight that holds the soul in place, both reliable and confirmed] or [as something that keeps the soul close to God in a reliable and confirmed way]

Note 3 topic: translate-unknown

ἄγκυραν

˓an˒_anchor

An anchor is a heavy piece of metal attached to the end of a rope. The other end of the rope is tied to a boat, and in this way, when it is dropped down to the land under the water, the anchor keeps the boat from moving around or drifting away. If your readers would not know what an anchor is, you could explain it or refer to a different object that keeps something in place. Alternate translation: [a foundation stone] or [a pillar]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / doublet

ἀσφαλῆ τε καὶ βεβαίαν

certain (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἥν ὡς ἄγκυραν ἔχομεν τῆς ψυχῆς ἀσφαλῆ τέ καί βεβαίαν καί εἰσερχομένην εἰς τό ἐσώτερον τοῦ καταπετάσματος)

These two terms mean basically the same thing and are used together to emphasize how secure the “hope” is. If your language does not use repetition to do this or if you do not have two words for these attributes, you could use one phrase and provide emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: [extremely reliable] or [reliably confirmed]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / personification

εἰσερχομένην εἰς τὸ ἐσώτερον τοῦ καταπετάσματος

coming_in into (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἥν ὡς ἄγκυραν ἔχομεν τῆς ψυχῆς ἀσφαλῆ τέ καί βεβαίαν καί εἰσερχομένην εἰς τό ἐσώτερον τοῦ καταπετάσματος)

The author speaks as if the “hope” can “enter” into the inside of the curtain. He speaks in this way to indicate that “hope” penetrates into a place we cannot experience right now: the inside of the heavenly sanctuary. In other words, while we cannot “enter” that place, we can confidently expect to receive and experience what is in that place. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea in another way. Alternate translation: [already accessing what is inside the curtain] or [penetrating into the inside of the curtain]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

τὸ ἐσώτερον τοῦ καταπετάσματος

The phrase the inside of the curtain refers to the inner, most holy area of the sanctuary. See the similar phrases in [Exodus 26:33](../exo/26/33.md) and [Leviticus 16:2](../lev/16/02.md). The curtain blocks this area off from the rest of the sanctuary. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a phrase that more clearly refers to this area and the curtain that marks it off. Alternate translation: [the most holy place behind the dividing curtain] or [the most sacred place that the curtain marks off]

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.