[B-Greek] "Forever" and "to be" (was "Re: Hebrews 1:8")
Harold R. Holmyard III
hholmyard at ont.com
Tue Jul 6 08:30:58 EDT 2004
Dear Frank,
Rob wrote:
>I still
>wonder whether the writer of the Psalm intended a vocative in view of
>its application to a human king.
You replied:
>Contextually in Psalms, I do not believe so. "Your throne
>is God..." would seem to be the appropriate rendering,
>both there and in Hebrews 1.
HH: Even if one grants that "your throne is God"
is an appropriate statement, I still question
whether it suits the context in Hebrews 1. The
writer is trying to show that Jesus is superior
to the angels. The designation of Jesus as God in
verse 8 would do that. But would the statement
that his throne was God forever? EIS TON AIWNA in
the Psalms does not necessarily refer to eternity
but can indicate the extent of this life. Nothing
else in the quote from Psalm 44:7-8 OG would
prove that Jesus was superior to the angels. All
the quote would show is that the king was
superior to his fellow human beings.
Here are some OG verses where EIS TON AIWNA may
refer to the full extent of this life:
Psa. 9:19 But the needy will not always be
forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever
(EIS TON AIWNA) perish.
Psa. 14:5 who lends his money without usury and
does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He
who does these things will never be shaken (EIS
TON AIWNA).
Psa. 29:7 When I felt secure, I said, "I will
never be shaken. (EIS TON AIWNA)"
Psa. 60:8 Then will I ever (EIS TON AIWNA) sing
praise to your name and fulfill my vows day after
day .
Psa. 72:12 This is what the wicked are like -
always (EIS TON AIWNA) carefree, they increase in
wealth.
Psa. 118:93 I will never (EIS TON AIWNA) forget
your precepts, for by them you, Lord, have
preserved my life.
Psa. 118:98 Your commands make me wiser than my
enemies, for they are ever (EIS TON AIWNA) with
me.
HH: Even if EIS TON AIWNA means forever, the
words "your throne is God forever" might point to
the longevity of the dynastic throne in the
king's family. It would not make very sharply the
point that the king was superior to the angels.
Heb. 1:4 So he became as much superior to the
angels as the name he has inherited is superior
to theirs.
Heb. 1:5 ¶ For to which of the angels did God
ever say, "You are my Son; today I have become
your Father"? Or again, "I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son"?
Heb. 1:6 And again, when God brings his firstborn
into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels
worship him."
Heb. 1:7 In speaking of the angels he says, "He
makes his angels winds, his servants flames of
fire."
Heb. 1:8 But about the Son he says, "Your
throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and
righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.
Heb. 1:9 You have loved righteousness and hated
wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you
above your companions by anointing you with the
oil of joy."
Heb. 1:10 He also says, "In the beginning, O
Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and
the heavens are the work of your hands.
Heb. 1:11 They will perish, but you remain; they
will all wear out like a garment.
Heb. 1:12 You will roll them up like a robe; like
a garment they will be changed. But you remain
the same, and your years will never end."
Heb. 1:13 To which of the angels did God ever
say, "Sit at my right hand until I make your
enemies a footstool for your feet"?
Heb. 1:14 Are not all angels ministering spirits
sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
HH: Somebody else has pointed out that 'God" in
verse 8 functions like "Lord" in verse 10. Both
of the words can be vocatives. Both refer to
deity, and the writer of Hebrews would apply them
both to Jesus Christ.
Yours,
Harold Holmyard
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