What does Hebrews 1:1 mean?

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hebrews 1:1

Explanation

Hebrews 1:1 speaks of how God communicated with humanity in the past. It emphasizes that God’s revelations were multiple (“at sundry times”) and varied in the way they were delivered (“in divers manners”). This implies that God didn’t just speak at one time or through one method but instead revealed Himself and His will over many occasions and through various means. The phrase “unto the fathers” refers to the Hebrew patriarchs and ancestors who were the recipients of these revelations. “By the prophets” acknowledges that God typically used prophets as His spokespeople to pass His messages to the people.

Historical Context

The Epistle to the Hebrews is an early Christian document, traditionally attributed to Paul the Apostle but whose authorship is debated among scholars. Written sometime before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE, it is addressed to Jewish Christians who are familiar with the Old Testament scriptures. The historical context is one where these believers are facing challenges in reconciling their Jewish heritage with their new faith in Jesus Christ. The writer of Hebrews seeks to demonstrate the supremacy of Christ and the new covenant He instituted over the old covenant and ways that God had previously communicated with His people through the prophets.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, this verse is significant as it sets the stage for the argument that will unfold in subsequent verses, namely that Jesus Christ is the ultimate revelation of God, surpassing the prophets who came before. This idea that God’s communication evolved and culminated in Christ is central to Christian theology. Some theologians view this progression not only as a historical sequence but also as a theological hierarchy, with Christ’s revelation being the most perfect and complete. Additionally, this verse is used to showcase both the consistency of God (continually speaking to humanity) and the adaptability of His methods (using various approaches tailored to different contexts).

Practical Applications

In practical terms, Hebrews 1:1 can encourage believers to seek to understand the diverse ways in which God has communicated in the past as a foundation for understanding the present. It suggests that God’s messages are not limited to one culture or era but are accessible and relevant across time and place. This can foster an appreciation for the Old Testament prophets and the rich history of divine revelation leading up to Christ. For the individual believer, it can also suggest a personal application: that they should be open to the varied ways in which God might speak to them today, through scripture, prayer, community, and circumstances.

Cross-References

• 2 Peter 1:21: “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
• Deuteronomy 18:18: “I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.”
• Jeremiah 1:7: “But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.”

Language Study

Key words in this verse from the original Greek text include:

• “Sundry times” (Gr: “polumeros”): This compound word from “polus” (many) and “meros” (part, portion) suggests numerous portions or at many times.
• “Divers manners” (Gr: “polytropos”): Similarly, this compound word from “polus” and “tropos” (way, manner) indicates a variety of means or ways.
• “Spake” (Gr: “laleo”): A broad term for speaking, but often used for God communicating His message.
• “Prophets” (Gr: “prophetes”): Those who are called to speak forth or declare the message of God, often with a divine foreknowledge of future events.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all regard the Hebrew prophets as messengers of God, although the significance and interpretation of their messages vary. In other cultural and religious traditions, there are also figures that could be likened to prophets, such as the oracles in ancient Greece, who delivered messages from the gods, or the Vedic rishis in Hindu tradition, who heard the divine truths and composed the hymns of the Vedas.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives might not directly engage with the theological content of Hebrews 1:1. However, scholarly approaches to the study of ancient texts, including the use of linguistics, historical research, and socio-cultural analysis, can provide insight into how the messages might have been perceived and understood in their original contexts.

Commentaries

Commentaries on Hebrews 1:1 often focus on the transition between the old and new covenants. They observe how this verse sets up a contrast that is developed further in the epistle. For example, the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary notes that the communication through the Son is distinguished from that through the prophets, in being a personal address from God. Matthew Henry’s Commentary emphasizes the excellence of the gospel revelation above the old Jewish dispensation. Similarly, the Expositor’s Greek Testament discusses the historic progression of revelation from incomplete and fragmentary to full and complete in Christ.