Previous reference in Hebrews?
Posted: April 6th, 2021, 8:57 pm
It seems to me that ἅγιος follows a complex previous reference scheme for all occurrences in Hebrews, with exceptions of mentions to the Holy Spirit. If this is true, then I think τῶν ἁγίων in Hebrews 8:2 is mistranslated, and should be “saints,” instead of “holy place” or ”sanctuary.” The first occurrence is anarthrous, subsequent references are articular.
If that is true I would translate Hebrews 8:2 as:
“a priest of the saints, [which make up] the true [tabernacle,] the tent pitched by the Lord and not [by] a human.“
Based on context this also makes sense if you look at Hebrews 8:1: “Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven” (ESV).
Here is the breakdown of uses of ἅγιος in Hebrews.
Holy SpirIt references (Hebrews 2:4; Hebrews 3:7; Hebrews 6:4; Hebrews 9:8; Hebrews 10:15).
Holy Ones / Saints
Hebrews 3:1 - Reference 1 (ἀδελφοὶ ἅγιοι
anarthrous) Holy Brothers
Hebrews 6:10 - Reference 2
( τοῖς ἁγίοις) The saints
Hebrews 8:2 - Reference 3
(τῶν ἁγίων) The saints
Hebrews 13:24 - Reference 4
(τοὺς ἁγίους) The saints
Sanctuary
Hebrews 9:1 - Reference 1
(ἅγιον anarthrous) Sanctuary
Holy Place
Hebrews 9:2 - Reference 1
(Ἅγια anarthrous) Holy [place]
Hebrews 9:8 - Reference 2
(τῶν ἁγίων) Holy [place]
Hebrews 9:12 - Reference 3
(τὰ ἅγια) Holy [place]
Hebrews 13:11 - Reference 4
(τὰ ἅγια) Holy [places]
Holy Place (NOT MADE WITH HANDS)
Hebrews 9:24 - Reference 1
(ἅγια anarthrous) Holy [places] (Referring to ones NOT MADE WITH HANDS)
Hebrews 9:25 - Reference 2
(τὰ ἅγια) Holy [places]
Hebrews 10:19 - Reference 3
(τῶν ἁγίων) Holy [places]
Holy of Hollies
Hebrews 9:3 - Reference 1
(Ἅγια ἁγίων anarthrous) Holy of Hollies
I don’t know how many on here believe there are double entendres in Koine Greek, but I think it is possible that τῶν ἁγίων in Hebrews 8:2; could also be one. If that is the case, maybe the translation should be; “a priest of the saints, [which are] the true tabernacle, the tent pitched by the Lord and not [by] a human.
If that is true I would translate Hebrews 8:2 as:
“a priest of the saints, [which make up] the true [tabernacle,] the tent pitched by the Lord and not [by] a human.“
Based on context this also makes sense if you look at Hebrews 8:1: “Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven” (ESV).
Here is the breakdown of uses of ἅγιος in Hebrews.
Holy SpirIt references (Hebrews 2:4; Hebrews 3:7; Hebrews 6:4; Hebrews 9:8; Hebrews 10:15).
Holy Ones / Saints
Hebrews 3:1 - Reference 1 (ἀδελφοὶ ἅγιοι
anarthrous) Holy Brothers
Hebrews 6:10 - Reference 2
( τοῖς ἁγίοις) The saints
Hebrews 8:2 - Reference 3
(τῶν ἁγίων) The saints
Hebrews 13:24 - Reference 4
(τοὺς ἁγίους) The saints
Sanctuary
Hebrews 9:1 - Reference 1
(ἅγιον anarthrous) Sanctuary
Holy Place
Hebrews 9:2 - Reference 1
(Ἅγια anarthrous) Holy [place]
Hebrews 9:8 - Reference 2
(τῶν ἁγίων) Holy [place]
Hebrews 9:12 - Reference 3
(τὰ ἅγια) Holy [place]
Hebrews 13:11 - Reference 4
(τὰ ἅγια) Holy [places]
Holy Place (NOT MADE WITH HANDS)
Hebrews 9:24 - Reference 1
(ἅγια anarthrous) Holy [places] (Referring to ones NOT MADE WITH HANDS)
Hebrews 9:25 - Reference 2
(τὰ ἅγια) Holy [places]
Hebrews 10:19 - Reference 3
(τῶν ἁγίων) Holy [places]
Holy of Hollies
Hebrews 9:3 - Reference 1
(Ἅγια ἁγίων anarthrous) Holy of Hollies
I don’t know how many on here believe there are double entendres in Koine Greek, but I think it is possible that τῶν ἁγίων in Hebrews 8:2; could also be one. If that is the case, maybe the translation should be; “a priest of the saints, [which are] the true tabernacle, the tent pitched by the Lord and not [by] a human.