Hebrews 1:1

 

On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets.
Hebrews 1:1  Berean Standard Bible (BSB)
 
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Hebrews 1:1 King James Bible (KJV)
 
After God spoke long ago in various portions and in various ways to our ancestors through the prophets,
Hebrews 1:1 New English Translation (NET)
 
On many past occasions
This phrase highlights the continuity and persistence of God's communication with humanity. The Greek word "polymerōs" suggests a variety of times and circumstances, emphasizing that God's revelation was not a one-time event but a continuous process throughout history. This reflects God's enduring patience and desire to reach His people, underscoring the importance of historical context in understanding divine revelation.
 
and in many different ways
The Greek term "polytropōs" indicates the diverse methods God used to communicate, such as visions, dreams, symbols, and direct speech. This diversity showcases God's creativity and adaptability in ensuring His message was understood. It also points to the richness of the Old Testament, where God's voice is heard through law, poetry, prophecy, and narrative, each serving a unique purpose in His divine plan.
 
God spoke
The act of speaking signifies a personal and relational God who desires to be known. The Greek "laleō" implies not just the act of speaking but communicating with intent and purpose. This underscores the belief that God is not distant or silent but actively involved in His creation, seeking to guide and instruct His people.
 
to our fathers
This phrase connects the audience of Hebrews to their spiritual heritage. "Fathers" refers to the patriarchs and ancestors of the Jewish faith, reminding readers of their shared history and the continuity of God's covenant. It emphasizes the communal aspect of faith, where the experiences and revelations of past generations inform and shape the present.
 
through the prophets
Prophets served as God's chosen vessels, delivering His messages to the people. The Greek "en tois prophētais" highlights the role of prophets as intermediaries between God and humanity. This underscores the authority and authenticity of the prophetic messages, as they were divinely inspired. It also points to the fulfillment of these messages in Christ, who is the ultimate revelation of God.
 
Berean Study Bible
 
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"In the past": This refers to the period before the arrival of Jesus Christ, encompassing the time of the Old Testament.
 
"God spoke": Indicates divine communication or revelation from God to humanity.
 
"to our ancestors": Refers to the forefathers or the Jewish people in the Old Testament, the lineage through which the Christian faith claims its roots.
 
"through the prophets": Prophets in the Judeo-Christian tradition were individuals chosen by God to convey His messages, commandments, and warnings to His people.
 
"at many times and in various ways": This suggests that God's communication was not limited to one method or one time. It could have been through visions, dreams, direct speech, symbolic acts, or written messages. This variety underscores the richness and adaptability of God's interaction with humanity.
 
The context of this verse in Hebrews is to set up a contrast with how God communicates post-Christ, which is elaborated in the following verse (Hebrews 1:2), where it says that God has now spoken to us by His Son. This transition marks a pivotal shift in Christian theology from the prophetic messages of the Old Testament to the ultimate revelation through Jesus Christ.
 
This verse serves several theological purposes:
It establishes continuity between the Old and New Testaments.
It highlights the diversity and history of divine revelation.
It prepares the reader for the assertion that Jesus Christ represents the climax of God's communication with humanity.
 
Therefore, Hebrews 1:1 functions both as an acknowledgment of previous divine communications and as an introduction to the theme that Jesus Christ is the final and most significant revelation of God.
 
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God, who at sundry times and in divers manners,.... The apostle begins the epistle with an account of the revelation God has made of his mind and will in former times: the author of this revelation is God, not essentially, but personally considered, even God the Father, as distinguished from his Son in the next verse; for the revelation under the Old Testament is divine, as well as that under the New; in this they both agree, in whatsoever else they differ: and this revelation was made at several times, at different seasons, and to different persons; and consisted of a variety of things relating to doctrine and worship, and concerning the Messiah, his person and office; of whom, at different times, there were gradual discoveries made, both before and after the giving of the law, from the beginning of the world, or the giving forth of the first promise, and in the times of the patriarchs, of: Moses, David, Isaiah, and other prophets: and this was delivered in various manners; sometimes by angels; sometimes in a dream; at other times by a vision; and sometimes by Urim and Thummim: and this he
 
spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets; by Moses, and other succeeding prophets, as David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Micah, Zechariah, Malachi, and others; who were sent to the Jewish fathers, the ancestors of the people of the Jews, to whom they prophesied and declared the will of God, as they were moved and inspired by the Holy Ghost: and the apostle suggests, by this way of speaking, that it was a long time since God spake to this people; for prophecy had ceased ever since the times of Malachi, for the space of three hundred years; and this time past includes the whole Old Testament dispensation, from the beginning to the end of it, or of prophecy in it.
 
John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible
 
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It would be worthwhile to note here that, generally speaking, the people didn’t want God to speak directly to them. They much preferred that God spoke through designated representatives. We can see this most clearly in the reactions of the people to God revealing his glory on Mt. Sinai while they wandered in the wilderness. Today, of course, the situation is different. We seek God’s voice. The trouble that more often than not, we don’t listen.