OET interlinear HEB 7:20

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: translate-versebridge

To help your readers understand the author’s main point in this verse and the next one, you could combine both verses into a verse bridge. You could put in a first sentence the background information about how the Israelite priests were not appointed with an oath while Jesus was appointed with an oath. Then, you could put the comparison between how Jesus was appointed with an oath and how he is the guarantor of a better covenant in a second sentence. Alternate translation: “For indeed they, without swearing an oath, are become priests, but he with an oath-taking, through God saying to him, “The Lord swore and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’” So, by as much as not without swearing an oath,”

Note 2 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

καθ’ ὅσον

to as_much_as

Here, the phrase by as much as introduces the first half a comparison that the author will complete in 7:22. The point is that, just as swearing an oath is more guaranteed than not using an oath, so Jesus’ priesthood and covenant are better than the priesthood of the descendants of Levi. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a form that introduces a comparison between two situations or concepts. Alternate translation: “just as it was” or “in the same way that it was”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / doublenegatives

οὐ χωρὶς ὁρκωμοσίας

not apart_from oath

The phrase not without swearing an oath uses two negative words to emphasize that there was definitely an oath involved. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning with positive words, emphasizing the importance of swearing an oath. Alternate translation: “with swearing an oath”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

οὐ χωρὶς ὁρκωμοσίας

not apart_from oath

Here the author again refers to Psalm 110:4, which states that the Lord “swears” that “you are a priest forever.” The author quotes this psalm again in the following verse. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make the content of the oath explicit. Alternate translation: “not without swearing an oath about the priesthood of the Messiah”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / infostructure

ὁρκωμοσίας, οἱ μὲν γὰρ χωρὶς ὁρκωμοσίας εἰσὶν ἱερεῖς γεγονότες,

oath the_‹ones› on_one_hand for without /an/_oath are priests /having/_become

Here the author begins a comment about the oath and priests. This comment continues to the end of 7:21. The ULT has used em-dashes to make it clear that these words are extra information that explain not without swearing an oath. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a form that indicates that the author is about to give extra explanatory information. If you do, make sure that you properly signal the end of this extra information at the end of 7:22. Alternate translation: “swearing an oath—by the way, they indeed without swearing an oath are become priests”

Note 6 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

μὲν γὰρ

on_one_hand for

Here, the word for introduces an explanation of about why it is important that there was an oath. The word indeed signals to the audience that this explanation has two parts. The second part begins with “but” in 7:21a. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use words that introduce a two-part explanation. Alternate translation: “now on the one hand”

Note 7 topic: writing-pronouns

οἱ

the_‹ones›

Here, the word they refers to the priests who are descended from Levi, about whom God gave laws through Moses. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make explicit that the pronoun refers to Levitical priests. Alternate translation: “the Levitical priests” or “the Levites”

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

χωρὶς ὁρκωμοσίας εἰσὶν ἱερεῖς γεγονότες

apart_from oath without /an/_oath are priests /having/_become

Here the author points out that God did not “swear” an oath when he appointed the descendants of Levi to be priests. Instead, he gave laws and regulations through Moses. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this idea more explicit. Alternate translation: “are appointed priests by God without him swearing an oath”