Hebrews 12:16-18 New English Translation
16 And see to it that no one becomes[a] an immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal.[b] 17 For you know that[c] later when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no opportunity for repentance, although he sought the blessing[d] with tears. 18 For you have not come to something that can be touched,[e] to a burning fire and darkness and gloom and a whirlwind
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- Hebrews 12:16 tn Grk “that there not be any,” continuing from v. 15.
- Hebrews 12:16 sn An allusion to Gen 27:34-41.
- Hebrews 12:17 tn Or a command: “for understand that.”
- Hebrews 12:17 tn 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.
- Hebrews 12:18 tn 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.
New English Translation (NET)
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