Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
1:1-4 Ancient sermons often began with an introduction meant to grab the hearer’s attention and introduce the sermon’s main topics. In Hebrews, the first four verses form a single, eloquent Greek sentence built around the main clause, God . . . has spoken. Most English translations present these verses as several sentences for ease of reading. 1:1-2 Long ago. . . . And now: These verses deal with two time periods in which God has spoken, addressing the differences between the two eras in parallel fashion. 1:1 Long ago referred to the time before the Messiah’s coming. For the author of Hebrews, this primarily meant the Old Testament era. Throughout that past era, God spoke many times and in many ways—through dreams, visions, mighty acts, stories, commands, exhortations, angelic appearances, and appearances of God himself. • The prophets were all those through whom God gave his revelation (see 2 Pet 1:19-21).
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
1:1-4 Ancient sermons often began with an introduction meant to grab the hearer’s attention and introduce the sermon’s main topics. In Hebrews, the first four verses form a single, eloquent Greek sentence built around the main clause, God . . . has spoken. Most English translations present these verses as several sentences for ease of reading. 1:1-2 Long ago. . . . And now: These verses deal with two time periods in which God has spoken, addressing the differences between the two eras in parallel fashion. 1:1 Long ago referred to the time before the Messiah’s coming. For the author of Hebrews, this primarily meant the Old Testament era. Throughout that past era, God spoke many times and in many ways—through dreams, visions, mighty acts, stories, commands, exhortations, angelic appearances, and appearances of God himself. • The prophets were all those through whom God gave his revelation (see 2 Pet 1:19-21).
Literal English (YLT)ⓘYoung's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose.Young's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose.
In many parts, and many ways, God of old having spoken to the fathers in the prophets,
Greek (New Testament)ⓘA Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.A Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.
πολυμερως και πολυτροπως παλαι ο θεος λαλησας τοις πατρασιν εν τοις προφηταις
King James VersionⓘKing James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets by divers portions and in divers manners,
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
In times past the word of God came to our fathers through the prophets, in different parts and in different ways;