The Interpretation of ta hagia in Hebrews 9:8 Jeffienus Juas Asia-Pacific International University juas@gmail.
Abstract The Greek word ta hagia in Hebrews 9:8 is semantic in nature.
Many scholars agreed to some extent that there is indeed a disagreement among the modern English translation of the Bible in translating the word ta hagia in Hebrews 9:8.
Some modern translations, translate it as AuMost Holy PlaceAy, some translate it as AusanctuaryAy and some even translate it as AuHoly PlaceAy.
This paper clarifies the importance on looking on the grammatical categories of the word ta hagia and its immediate context to determine the correct translation for ta hagia which is a study that involves both lexical and literary contextual From the study, the Researcher found out that ta hagia should be translated as AusanctuaryAy or Auholy placesAy in Hebrews 9:8.
Keywords: Holy Place.
Sanctuary.
Hebrews Introduction The Researcher sees the issue of ta hagia in Hebrews 9:8 is a result of the fact that there are some challenges in translating the Bible into modern English language since any given word of the ancient language have a range of meaning when it needs to be translated to English.
Like what Davidson says.
AuThe most significant challenge to the translation process lies in the inherent structural differences between the original and the modern languages.
Ay1 In continuation of the issue above, the Researcher made a comparison among the nowadays Bible translation particularly for the word ta hagia in Hebrews 9:8.
The King James Version translated ta hagia as Authe holiest of all.
Ay The New American Standard Bible translate it as Authe holy place.
Ay The New International Version seems to agree with King James Version by translating the Greek word as Authe Most Holy Place.
Ay On the other hand, the New Revised Standard Version translate the particular Greek word into Authe sanctuary.
Ay Looking on these different versions of the Bible, it is somehow clear to say that there are some disagreements among the modern English Bible translations.
Norman H.
Young also points out the fact that there is indeed a considerable confusion among the Bible translation in regard to the translation of ta hagia in Hebrews 9:8.
This study seeks to conduct an exegetical study for the word ta hagia in Hebrews 9:8 and its significant by answering the following question: What is the correct translation for ta hagia? Davidson M.
Richard.
Principles of Biblical Interpretation (Berrien Springs.
MI:
Andrews University Theological Seminary, 1.
, 32.
Norman H.
Young.
AuThe Gospel According to Hebrews 9,Ay New Testament Studies 27 .
: 198.
Method This article will use an exegetical study as its main method of discovering the correct translation for ta hagia.
Through this method, this research paper will do a lexical analysis of the word ta hagia.
This paper will also include a contextual analysis for the understanding of ta hagia in relation to its immediate and larger context.
Thus, the correct translation of ta hagia will be determined through the study of these two aspects under the exegetical study.
The different translation of ta hagia may make people have different understanding of Hebrews 9:8.
For that reason, this research paper will provide what is to be the correct translation for ta hagia so that every Bible student will have one accord of The word ta hagia may be found elsewhere in the Bible.
However, in this paper, the Researcher seeks to only focus on the word of ta hagia in Hebrews 9:8.
Thus, the exegetical study that is done on this paper are particularly limited to gain an understanding for Hebrews chapter 9 only.
Discussion The View of ta hagia in Hebrews 9:8 as AuThe Most Holy PlaceAy It is believed that the word ta hagia is quite semantic in nature.
Some believed that ta hagia should be translated as the Most Holy Place or the Holy of Holies.
James Swetnam, believes the same way.
He said,Ay the expression ten ton hagion hadan refers to the way into the Holy of Holies.
3 He supports this matter by saying that:
The contrast is between ta hagia and the "first" or outer tent, i.
, the Holy Place.
Here the phrase he prate skene has the same meaning that it has in 9,2 and 9,6.
long as the first tent had legitimacy as the official cult, the "way" into the Holy of Holies was not yet "revealed" .
That is to say, as long as the outer tent and all its accompanying ceremonials was legitimate, there was no question of unqualified access to the inner tent, i.
, ta hagia.
For him, ta hagia should be translated as Holy of Holiest because Hebrews 9:8 has a strong connection in the transition between the earthly sanctuary .
uter ten.
towards the heavenly sanctuary (Holy of Holies.
Thus, for him the word ta hagia is not pointing towards a specific compartment in the Mosaic sanctuary but it is actually referring to the transition of the earthly sanctuary service towards the heavenly sanctuary.
Steve Stanley also believes the same way, that the word ta hagia is supposed to be understood as a transition of earthly service to the heavenly sanctuary service by proposing a kind of correspondence between Auouter tentAy as earthly sanctuary and AuHoly of HoliesAy as the heavenly sanctuary.
5 So, for them.
AuHoly of HoliesAy should be the translation of ta hagia.
Felix Cortez puts some insight from this matter by saying that Hebrews 9:8 is a parable which illustrates Authe transition from the ministry of several priest to the ministry of one.
James Swetnam.
AuHebrews 9,2: Some Suggestions about Text and ContextAy Ibid.
Steve Stanley.
AuHebrews 9:6-10: The AoParableAo of the TabernacleAy Novum Testamentum 37 (October 1.
: 398.
from several sacrifices to one sacrifice, and from unrestricted access to the outer tent to access only Aothrough bloodAo in the inner tent.
Ay6 Norman Young, did not argue that indeed Hebrews 9 has a strong connection to the Day of Atonement in the Old Testament account.
For Young, ta hagia in Hebrews 9:8 should be translated as AuHoly of HoliesAy for the fact many scholars agree upon that matter and the fact that the text itself gave incontrovertible indication.
It can be seen as well that several modern English translations of the Bible also supports the way Swetnam and Stanly thinks.
For instances the King James version translated ta hagia as Auholiest of allAy which carry the same connotation as the Most Holy Place.
The New International Version directly translate it as Authe Most Holy Place.
Salom prefer to look ta hagia in a different perspective.
He insists that the author of Hebrews leaned so heavily towards Septuagint: LXX which is the Greek translation of Hebrew Scriptures.
8 For that reason he believed that, the study from Septuagint: LXX itself can be a great tool to discover the best translation for ta hagia.
It can be seen that there is a quite disagreement between Salom and the view of Stanley and Swetnam in regards to Hebrews 9:8.
For Salom.
Hebrews 9:8 may not really based on the Day of Atonement setting, because Leviticus 16 mainly use singular number while the author of Hebrew mainly use plural number.
9 He continued by insisting that Auit seems far more likely for the he .
uthor of Hebrew.
was influenced by the general tendency of the LXX .
hich indicates that ta hagia refers primarily to the sanctuary as a whol.
Ay10 Thus, basically for Salom, the translation for ta hagia is best suited to be sanctuary because it is the nature of the LXX to point it out that way.
Thomas Keene seems to be in one track with Salom.
Keene points out the fact that ta hagia can be an adjective which describe something holy, sacred and dedicated to God.
He continued by stating that ta hagia.
Auis often used in a more technical sense, to refer to the location most associated with holy activities, the sanctuary.
Ay12 He believes that ta hagia as was plural in number and neuter in gender cannot be interpreted as Most Holy Place for this is singular in number.
13 The plural in number for the word ta hagia is not suitable to be interpreted as focusing only on one location, for instance the Most Holy Place for it should be singular.
The fact that ta hagia is plural it is best to conclude that it is referring to the whole sanctuary.
Paul Turner was seen to be one way another supports the translation of ta hagia as He proposes the idea that the word ton hagion in Hebrews 9:8 may refer to the Felix H.
Cortez.
AuFrom the Holy to the Most Holy Place: The Period of Hebrews 9:6-10 and the Day of Atonement as a Metaphor of TransitionAy Journal of Biblical Literature 125 .
: 537.
Young, 199.
Salom.
AuTa Hagia in the Epistle to the HebrewsAy Andrews University Seminary Studies (AUSS) 5 .
: 60.
Salom, 62.
Ibid.
Thomas Keene.
AuHeaven is a Tent: The Tabernacle as an Eschatological Metaphor in the Epistle to the HebrewsAy (PhD diss.
Westminster Theological Seminary, 2.
, 17.
Ibid.
, 18
Ibid.
, 21.
whole heavenly sanctuary.
14 Simply for him, ta hagia can be translated either Holies or Holy places.
Despite these views, some of the modern English bible translation also project the same idea.
The New Revised Standard Version translated ta hagia as Authe sanctuary.
Ay English Standard Bible translated ta hagia as Authe holy placesAy which can be seen as carrying the same connotations as sanctuary for it is focusing to more than one compartment, in other words the whole sanctuary itself.
The View of ta hagia as the AuHoly PlaceAy There was not much claim about the translation of ta hagia as AuHoly PlaceAy among the scholars.
The most famous translation is both AuMost Holy PlaceAy or AusanctuaryAy only.
However, the New American Standard Bible choose the path of translating ta hagia as AuHoly Place.
Ay Instead of pointing to the last compartment of the Mosaic sanctuary.
NASB prefer to point the first compartment which is the Holy Place.
Structure of the Book of Hebrews Examining the structure of Hebrews can be a very helpful method in understanding the message of the book.
According to Stanley, the structure of Hebrews can be seen in the following way:
Prologue 1:1-4 Jesus superior to the angels 1:5-2:18 Superior in divinity .
:5-.
Warning .
:1-.
Superior in humanity .
:5-.
II.
Jesus a faithful Priest 3:1-4:13 i.
Jesus a merciful Priest 4:14-5:10 IV.
Digression (ReadersAo unpreparedness for teaching on the subject announced because of immaturit.
5:11-6:20 Jesus in the order of Melchizedek 7:1-28 VI.
Jesus a cause of eternal salvation 8:1-10:39 A unique Priest which the readers have .
:1-10:.
The consequent responsibility which the readers have .
:19-.
VII.
Jesus as an example of obedience 11:1-13:19 Faith .
:1-12:.
Endurance .
:4-.
Sacrifice .
:1-.
Benediction 13:20, 21 Epistolary closing 13:22-2515 This structure of Hebrews, project the fact that the word ta hagia is belong to chapter 9 which mainly concerns about the unique priest which the readers have.
Thus, the overall context of Hebrews 9 is limited to the discussion of Christ Priestly ministry in heaven.
be more particular.
Stanley states the fact that, in the section about the Auunique priest,Ay chapter 8 is mainly introducing about ChristAos role as a priest in the sanctuary and this Paul A Turner.
AuThe Sanctuary of Hebrews 8-10Ay (Senior Research Projects.
Southern Adventist University, 2.
, 13.
Steve Stanley.
AuThe Structure of Hebrews from Three Perspectives,Ay Tyndale Bulletin 45.
: 261.
discourse was continued until chapter 9 and 10.
16 In fact Gundry also propose the same structure with Stanley.
Both of them, groups chapter 8-10 as discussion about the heavenly realities of ChristAos priesthood in heaven which is superior over Aaron and the Aaronites.
Lexical and Literary Contextual Analysis Following are the Greek translation of Hebrews 9:8.
AuEE EC E AAEC E AI.
AAO AAIAAE E E AO A iE EIC AAEC EIC aNEC e.
Ay It this verse it can be seen that the term used for the sanctuary or Holy Place, or Most Holy Place is actually ton hagion.
According to the proposed structure of the book of Hebrews, since this text falls under the subject regarding a unique Priest that the audience of Hebrews have, then it should share a strong connection with Leviticus 16 which discusses about the unique ministry of the high priest during the Day of Atonement.
According to the Septuagint: LXX, the word used for the sanctuary/Holy Place/Most Holy Place in Leviticus 16:2, is to hagion, and it is the same word used in Leviticus 16:3, 16, 20, 23, and 33.
However.
Leviticus 16:27 point out the dative case translation for Most Holy Place and it is E A transliterated as to hagio.
The Researcher finds that to hagio is a correct translation for Most Holy Place since the text is very clear in Leviticus 16:27.
AuThe bull and the goat for the sin offerings, whose blood was brought into the Most Holy Place to make atonement, must be taken outside the camp.
their hides, flesh and intestines are to be burned up (NIV).
Ay For indeed the blood of the sacrifices, is not brought up to the Holy Place only, but it is brought up to the Most Holy Place then the atonement will be done.
For that reason, to hagio cannot be translated other than Most Holy Place.
To serve as another details, the Researcher made a summary upon the occurrences of ta hagia in Leviticus 16, based on the Septuagint: LXX.
The summary is as follows:
Table 1: Occurences of ta hagia in Levitcus 16 based on the Septuagint Greek Word English Translation To Hagion (Leviticus 16:.
Most Holy Place or holy Places To Hagion (Leviticus 16:.
Most Holy Place or holy Places To Hagion (Leviticus 16:.
Most Holy Place or Holy Places To Hagion (Leviticus 16:.
Most Holy Place or holy Places To Hagion (Leviticus 16:.
Most Holy Place or holy Places To Hagio (Leviticus 16:.
Most Holy Place To Hagion (Leviticus 16:.
Most Holy Place or holy Places Stanley, 267.
Robert H.
Gundry.
A Survey of the New Testament (Grand Rapids.
Michigan:
Zondervan, 2.
, 505.
From this rough summary many of the occurrences of ta hagia in Leviticus 16 can only be translated as either AuMost Holy PlaceAy or Auholy places.
Ay According to the immediate context of verses 2, 3, 16, 20, 23, and 33, it is suitable to translate them either AuMost Holy PlaceAy or Auholy placesAy and not AuHoly Place.
Ay Between the translation of AuMost Holy PlaceAy and Auholy placesAy it can be seen that the grammatical category of to hagion is neuter in gender, and singular in number.
The fact that to hagion is singular in number, it is not suitable to translate it as Auholy placesAy because this translation projects plural in number.
Thus, to hagion is correct to be translated as AuMost Holy Place.
Ay In connection to the explanation above, the Researcher propose a revised summary for the lexical study of the occurrences of ta hagia in Leviticus 16 as follows:
Table 2: Lexical study of the occurences of ta hagia in Levitcus 16 Greek Word English Translation To Hagion (Leviticus 16:.
Most Holy Place To Hagion (Leviticus 16:.
Most Holy Place To Hagion (Leviticus 16:.
Most Holy Place To Hagion (Leviticus 16:.
Most Holy Place To Hagion (Leviticus 16:.
Most Holy Place To Hagio (Leviticus 16:.
Most Holy Place To Hagion (Leviticus 16:.
Most Holy Place From this summary the Researcher conclude that, the aspect of number whether a particular Greek word is singular or plural in number, is very crucial in determining the correct translation for ta hagia.
Looking back to Hebrews 9:8, the Greek word that was used is again ton hagion.
The grammatical and syntactical categories for the word ton hagion in Hebrews 9:8 are Genitive, with the gender neuter and the number is plural and this is actually an 18 It is important to note the fact that this word is rigidly neuter and plural in 19 Since it is not singular in number, then it notes the fact that ton hagion is probably pointing to something that is more than one thing in number.
For that reason, if ton hagion is translated as the Holy Place then it is not an accurate translation, because Holy Place is singular in number while ton hagion is plural in number.
Thus, through this lexical analysis it can be conclude that the correct translation for ta hagia in Hebrews 9:8 is either Authe sanctuaryAy or Authe holy places.
Ay The Researcher is aware that there might be a contradiction between the immediate context and the aspect of number in any given Greek word.
Hebrews 9:2 serves as the suitable example of a contradiction that occur between the immediate context and the aspect of number.
In Hebrews 9:2 the word used for Holy Place is hagia.
The Researcher Eberhard Nestle.
Novum Bibelgesellschaft, 2.
, 671.
Ibid.
Testamentum Graece (Stuttgart:
Deutsche finds that this is a correct translation since the text itself is mentioning about Authe lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread.
Ay However, if this is Holy Place then why the grammatical category of hagia is neuter in gender and plural in number? Holy Place is supposed to be singular and not plural.
Thus, there is a contradiction between the immediate context and the aspect of number itself in the grammatical category of the given Greek word which is hagia in Hebrews 9:2.
However, the Researcher upholds the rule that the immediate context should be the final determiner of meaning.
The Researcher argues that these items.
Authe lampstand and the table with its consecrated breadAy are indeed only found in Holy Place and not found in other compartment or outside of the sanctuary.
Thus.
Hebrews 9:2 is mainly talking about Holy Place even though the word hagia is plural in number.
This is why AuHoly PlaceAy in Hebrews 9:2 is a correct translation for hagia.
Looking on verse 3.
AuBehind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place.
Ay The Greek word used for Most Holy Place is hagia hagion in other words, the Holy of Holies.
This is a correct translation because verse 4 and 5 provide the supporting details for verse 3 which said:
Which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant.
This ark contained the gold jar of manna.
AaronAos staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.
Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover.
But we cannot discuss these things in detail (Hebrews 9:4 & 5 NIV).
All the items mentioned in verse 4 and 5 are indeed only found in the Most Holy Place and thus it shows that AuMost Holy PlaceAy is a correct translation for hagia hagion.
Other occurrences of ta hagia is found in Hebrews 9:12 which the Researcher think should be translated as holy places or sanctuary even though some English translated is as Holy Place and Most Holy Place for instance NRSV and NIV respectively.
The Greek translation of Hebrews 9:12 are as follows.
Aua ' AEC EAO ENO E I AEC.
AEIA aIA AC E I.
O EAOE AcAAC.
Ay The Researcher translate it in this way.
Auand not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood.
He entered the holy places once for all, having obtained eternal Ay The correct translation for ta hagia in this verse is Auholy placesAy or AusanctuaryAy because Christ indeed will enter the Holy Place and Most Holy Place once and for all to complete His ministry of redemption.
The connotation of Auholy placesAy or AusanctuaryAy suggest the fact that Christ will enter both compartment which is the Holy Place and Most Holy Place to complete the redemption.
Plus, the word ta hagia in this verse is plural in number which made it suitable to be translated as Auholy placesAy or Ausanctuary.
Ay From the analysis above, the Researcher summarize the occurrences of ta hagia in Hebrews 9 as follows:
Table 3: Occurences of ta hagia in Hebrews 9 Greek Word English Translation Hagia (Hebrews 9:.
The Holy Place Hagia Hagion (Hebrews 9:.
Most Holy Place Ta Hagia (Hebrews 9:.
Holy places or Sanctuary From the presentation above, it is clear that ton hagion .
he Genitive form of ta hagi.
in Hebrews 9:8 is rightly to be translated as Auholy placesAy or Ausanctuary.
Ay Therefore, according to the Researcher the correct translation for Hebrews 9:8 is in this way.
AuThe Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way into the holy places has not yet been made manifest while the first tabernacle is still standing.
Ay Based on the study of Leviticus 16 and Hebrews 9 itself, the Researcher finds that it can be summarized as follows:
Table 3: Summary of the study of Leviticus 16 and Hebrews 9 Greek Word Grammatical Categories Translation To Hagion (Lev .
Gender: Neuter Number: Singular Most Holy Place Ton Hagion or Ta Hagia (Heb 9:8 and .
Gender: Neuter Number: Plural Sanctuary or holy places Thus, ton hagion in Hebrews 9:8 is to be translated as Auholy placesAy or Ausanctuary.
Ay Because the aspect of number in the grammatical categories and the immediate context as final determiner of meaning supports the fact ta hagia in Hebrews 9:8 is to be translated as AusanctuaryAy or Auholy places.
Ay Summary and Conclusion Summary The Researcher sees the issue of ta hagia in Hebrews 9:8 as a result of the fact that there are some challenges in translating the Bible into modern English language.
The King James Version translated it as "the holiest of all".
The New American Standard Bible translate it as 'the holy place'.
The New International Version seems to agree with this translation while the New Revised Standard Version translate the particular Greek word into 'the sanctuary'.
Norman H.
Young also points out that there is considerable confusion among the Bible translation in regard to the translation of ta hagia.
It is believed that the word ta hagia is quite semantic in nature.
Some believe it should be translated as the Most Holy Place or the Holy of Holies.
For Norman Young, ta hagia in Hebrews 9:8 should be translated as "Holy of Holies" for the fact many scholars agree upon that matter and the fact that the text itself gave incontrovertible indication.
Steve Stanley also believes the same way to be understood as a transition of earthly service to the heavenly sanctuary service.
It can be seen that several modern English translations of the Bible also supports the way Swetnam and Stanly think.
In regards to Hebrews 9:8.
Thomas Keene argues that the word ta hagia may refer to the whole heavenly sanctuary.
This is contrary to the view of Stanley and Swetnam who believe that it refers primarily to the location most associated with holy activities, the sanctuary.
For Salom, the translation for ta hagia is best suited to be sanctuary because it is the nature of the Septuagint: LXX to point it out that way.
The New American Standard Bible choose the path of translating ta hagia as "Holy Place".
Instead of pointing to the last compartment of the Mosaic sanctuary.
NASB prefer to point the first compartment which is the Holy Place.
According to the immediate context of verses 2, 3, 16, 20, 23, and 33, it is suitable to translate them as "Holy Places".
In Hebrews 9:8, the Greek word that was used is again ton hagion.
It is important to note that this word is rigidly neuter and plural in number.
Hebrews 9:2 the word used for Holy Place is hagia.
The Researcher argues that these items, "the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread" are indeed only found in Holy Place.
This is a correct translation because verse 4 and 5 provide the supporting details for verse 3 which said: Which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the In Hebrews 9:8, ton hagion .
he Genitive form of ta hagi.
is rightly to be translated as "holy places" or "sanctuary" because Christ will enter both Holy Place and Most Holy Place once and for all to complete His ministry of redemption.
The Researcher think the correct translation in this verse should be Holy Places or Sanctuary even though some English translations translate it as Holy People or Holy Places.
Conclusion As a conclusion, this research paper has provided the answer upon the statement of the problem which is asking about the correct translation for ta hagia in Hebrews 9:8.
This research paper clarifies that ta hagia is to be translated as either AusanctuaryAy or Auholy Ay The structure of the book of Hebrews projects the idea that the word ta hagia has its occurrences also in Leviticus 16 which talks about the special duty of the high priest during the Day of Atonement.
In Leviticus 16, according to the Septuagint: LXX majority of the Greek word is written as ta hagion.
The grammatical categories and the immediate context of the word ta hagion suggest the fact that it is to be translated as AuMost Holy Place.
Ay The Researcher used the same application in studying the word ta hagia in Hebrews 9:8 which is looking upon the grammatical categories and focusing on the immediate context as the final determiner of meaning.
The Researcher founds out that the word ton hagion in Hebrews 9:8 is neuter in gender and plural in number, which is suitable to only be translated as AusanctuaryAy or Auholy placesAy because this translation is in accordance with the plural aspect of the Greek word grammatical categories.
Thus, ta hagia in Hebrews 9:8 is not suitable to be translated as Most Holy Place or Holy place.
The correct translation is AusanctuaryAy or Auholy places.
References