2sn An allusion to Ps 110:1.

3tn Grk “until blood.”

4tn Or “disregard,” “think little of.”

5tn Or “reproves,” “rebukes.” The Greek verb ἐλέγχω (elencw) implies exposing someone’s sin in order to bring correction.

6sn A quotation from Prov 3:11-12.

7tn Grk “endure,” with the object (“your suffering”) understood from the context.

8tn Or “in order to become disciplined.”

9tn Grk “you are without discipline.”

10tn Grk “all”; “sons” is implied by the context.

11tn Grk “we had our earthly fathers as discipliners.”

12tn Grk “the fathers of our flesh.” In Hebrews, “flesh” is a characteristic way of speaking about outward, physical, earthly life (cf. Heb 5:7; 9:10, 13), as opposed to the inward or spiritual dimensions of life.

13tn Grk “and live.”

sn Submit ourselves…to the Father of spirits and receive life. This idea is drawn from Proverbs, where the Lord’s discipline brings life, while resistance to it leads to death (cf. Prov 4:13; 6:23; 10:17; 16:17).

14tn Grk “all discipline at the time does not seem to be of joy, but of sorrow.”

15tn Grk “the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”

16tn Or “straighten.”

17sn A quotation from Isa 35:3. Strengthen your listless hands and your weak knees refers to the readers’ need for renewed resolve and fresh strength in their struggles (cf. Heb 10:36-39; 12:1-3).

18sn A quotation from Prov 4:26. The phrase make straight paths for your feet is figurative for “stay on God’s paths.”

19sn The references to peace and holiness show the close connection between this paragraph and the previous one. The pathway toward “holiness” and the need for it is cited in Heb 12:10 and 14. More importantly Prov 4:26-27 sets up the transition from one paragraph to the next: It urges people to stay on godly paths (Prov 4:26, quoted here in v. 13) and promises that God will lead them in peace if they do so (Prov 4:27 [LXX], quoted in v. 14).

20tn Grk “that there not be any root of bitterness,” but referring figuratively to a person who causes trouble (as in Deut 29:17 [LXX] from which this is quoted).

sn An allusion to Deut 29:18.

21tn Grk “that there not be any,” continuing from v. 15.

22sn An allusion to Gen 27:34-41.

23tn Or a command: “for understand that.”

24tn Grk “it,” referring either to the repentance or the blessing. But the account in Gen 27:34-41 (which the author appeals to here) makes it clear that the blessing is what Esau sought. Thus in the translation the referent (the blessing) is specified for clarity.

25tn This describes the nation of Israel approaching God on Mt. Sinai (Exod 19). There is a clear contrast with the reference to Mount Zion in v. 22, so this could be translated “a mountain that can be touched.” But the word “mountain” does not occur here and the more vague description seems to be deliberate.

26tn Grk “a voice of words.”

27tn Grk “a voice…from which those who heard begged that a word not be added to them.”

28sn A quotation from Exod 19:12-13.

29tn Grk “that which appeared.”

30tn Grk “I am terrified and trembling.”

sn A quotation from Deut 9:19.

31tn Grk “and the city”; the conjunction is omitted in translation since it seems to be functioning epexegetically – that is, explaining further what is meant by “Mount Zion.”

32tn The Greek word μεσίτης (mesith", “mediator”) in this context does not imply that Jesus was a mediator in the contemporary sense of the word, i.e., he worked for compromise between opposing parties. Here the term describes his function as the one who was used by God to enact a new covenant which established a new relationship between God and his people, but entirely on God’s terms.

33sn Abel’s shed blood cried out to the Lord for justice and judgment, but Jesus’ blood speaks of redemption and forgiveness, something better than Abel’s does (Gen 4:10; Heb 9:11-14; 11:4).

34sn A quotation from Hag 2:6.

35sn A quotation from Deut 4:24; 9:3.