Thy throne, O God (6 @pdvos cov 6 Oeds). I retain the vocative, although the translation of the Hebrew is doubtful. The following renderings have been proposed : “thy throne (which is a throne) of God”: “thy throne is (a throne) of God”: “ God is thy throne.” Some suspect that the Hebrew text is defective.
Forever and ever (eis Tov aidva Tod aidvos). Lit. wnto the aeon of the aeon.* See additional note on 2 Th. i. 9.
* This is the reading of the LXX, and is followed by Tischendorf and Weiss. Westcott and Hort bracket rod aldvos.
Cu. I.] THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 391
A sceptre of righteousness (7 pa@dos ths evOUrnTOs). Rend. the sceptre. The phrase N.T.°, °LXX. 7Evurns, lit. straightness, N. T.°. It occurs in LXX.
9. Iniquity Cavouiav). Lit. lawlessness.
Hath anointed (éypicev). See on Christ, Matt. i. 1. The ideas of the royal and the festive unction are combined. The thought includes the royal anointing and the fulness of blessing and festivity which attend the enthronement.
Oil of gladness (2X atov ayadNdcews). The phrase N.T.°. CLXX. *AyarrAlacis exultant joy. Comp. L. i. 44; Acts ii. 46, and the verb dyaArdoOar, Matt. v. 12; L. x. 21, ete. The noun only here in Hebrews, and the verb does not occur.
Fellows (etoyous). With exception of L. v. 7, only in Hebrews. Lit. partakers. In the Psalm it is applied to other kings: here to angels.
10. Sixth quotation (10-12), exhibiting the superior dig- nity of the Son as creator in contrast with the creature. Ps. ci. 26-28. The Psalm declares the eternity of Jahveh.
And —in the beginning (cal—xar’ apyds). And connects what follows with unto the Son he saith, etc., ver. 8. Kar apyas in the beginning, N. T.°. Often in Class., LX X only Ps. cxviii. 152. The more usual formula is év apyp or az’
apxiis.
Hast laid the foundation (é0euertwoas). Only here in Hebrews. In Paul, Eph. iii. 18; Col. i. 22,
11. They (airol). The heavens: not heaven and earth.
Remainest (duaueéves). Note the present tense: not shalt remain. Permanency is the characteristic of God in the absolute and eternal present.
392 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cz. IL
12. Vesture (wepsSoratov). Only here and 1 Cor. xi. 5. From zrepuBarrewv to throw around: a wrapper, mantle.
Shalt thou fold them up (éAéEes avrovs). Rather, roll them up. A scribal error for a\AdEes shalt change. After
these words the LXX repeats ws (udriov as a garment from ver. 11.
Shall not fail (ov« éxretpovow). Shall not be ended. With this exception the verb only in Luke’s Gospel. See L. xvi. 9; xxii. 32; xxiii. 45. Very frequent in LXX.
138. Seventh quotation, Ps. cix. No one of the angels was ever enthroned at God’s right hand.
Sit (xaOov). Or be sitting, as distinguished from éxabicer, ver. 3, which marked the act of assuming the place.
On my right hand (é« de&iav wod). Lit. “from my right hand.” ‘The usual formula is év de€/a. The genitive indi- cates moving from the right hand and taking the seat. The meaning is, “be associated with me in my royal dignity.” Comp. Dan. vii. 18, 14, and the combination of the Psalm and Daniel in Christ’s words, Mk. xiv. 62. Comp. also Matt. xxiv. 80; Acts ii. 34; 1 Cor. xv 25; 1: Pet. iii. 29.
14. Ministering spirits (Aevtoupyixa rvedpata). Summing up the function of the angels as compared with Christ. Christ’s is the highest dignity. He is co-ruler with God. The angels are servants, appointed for service to God for the sake of (dca) the heirs of redemption. Ae:roupy:xa minister- ing, N. T.°. See on ministers, ver. T.