Word Studies¶
Shadow/Type/Figure/Copy Vocabulary¶
skia (G4639) -- "shadow"¶
Original: skiá Transliteration: skiá Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: "shade" or a shadow (literally or figuratively) BLB Count: 7 occurrences
All Translations: | Translation | Count | Percentage | |------------|-------|-----------| | shadow | 4 | 57.1% | | a shadow | 2 | 28.6% | | the shadow | 1 | 14.3% |
Biblical Usage References: Isaiah 9:1; Ezekiel 17:23; Matthew 4:16; Mark 4:32; Luke 1:79; Acts 5:15; Colossians 2:17; Hebrews 8:5; 10:1
Key Verses: - Heb 8:5 -- "shadow" -- earthly priests "serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things" - Heb 10:1 -- "a shadow" -- "the law having a shadow of good things to come" - Col 2:17 -- "a shadow" -- "which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ" - Mat 4:16 -- "shadow" -- "the people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death" - Acts 5:15 -- "shadow" -- Peter's literal shadow - Mark 4:32 -- "shadow" -- literal shade of a tree
Observation: Of 7 total occurrences, 3 are applied to the ceremonial/sacrificial system (Heb 8:5, 10:1, Col 2:17). The remaining 4 are literal shadows or metaphorical (shadow of death). skia is never applied to the moral law/Decalogue.
typos (G5179) -- "type, pattern, figure"¶
Original: typos Transliteration: typos Part of Speech: masculine noun Definition: "a die (as struck), stamp, scar; by implication a stamp or form" BLB Count: 16 occurrences
All Translations: | Translation | Count | Percentage | |------------|-------|-----------| | ensamples | 2 | 15.4% | | figures | 1 | 7.7% | | fashion | 1 | 7.7% | | manner | 1 | 7.7% | | the figure | 1 | 7.7% | | that form | 1 | 7.7% | | examples | 1 | 7.7% | | for ensamples | 1 | 7.7% | | an ensample | 1 | 7.7% | | an example | 1 | 7.7% | | a pattern | 1 | 7.7% | | pattern | 1 | 7.7% |
Biblical Usage References: Exodus 25:40; Amos 5:26; John 20:25; Acts 7:43; 7:44; 23:25; Romans 5:14; 6:17; 1 Corinthians 10:6; 10:11; Philippians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:7; 2 Thessalonians 3:9; 1 Timothy 4:12; Titus 2:7; Hebrews 8:5; 1 Peter 5:3
Key Connection: In Heb 8:5, Moses was told to make things "according to the pattern (typos)" shown in the mount (quoting Exo 25:40). The earthly tabernacle was a typos of the heavenly reality.
homoioma (G3667) -- "likeness, resemblance"¶
Original: homoioma Transliteration: homoioma Part of Speech: neuter noun Definition: "a form; abstractly, resemblance" BLB Count: 6 occurrences
All Translations: | Translation | Count | |------------|-------| | made like | 1 | | similitude | 1 | | likeness | 1 | | the likeness | 1 | | shapes | 1 |
Biblical Usage: Psalms 105:20; 106:20; Ezekiel 1:5; 1:26; 1:28; Romans 1:23; 5:14; 6:5; 8:3; Philippians 2:7; Revelation 9:7
parabole (G3850) -- "figure, parable"¶
Original: parabole Transliteration: parabole Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: "a similitude ('parable'), i.e. (symbolic) fictitious narrative" BLB Count: 50 occurrences
All Translations: | Translation | Count | Percentage | |------------|-------|-----------| | parable | 21 | 42.0% | | parables | 15 | 30.0% | | a parable | 10 | 20.0% | | a figure | 2 | 4.0% | | comparison | 1 | 2.0% | | proverb | 1 | 2.0% |
Key Verse: Heb 9:9 -- "a figure" -- "Which [was] a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices." The earthly tabernacle service was a parabole (figure/illustration) for the present time.
hupodeigma (G5262) -- "example, copy, pattern"¶
Original: hupodeigma Transliteration: hupodeigma Part of Speech: neuter noun Definition: "an exhibit for imitation or warning (figuratively, specimen)" BLB Count: 6 occurrences
All Translations: | Translation | Count | |------------|-------| | example | 1 | | unto the example | 1 | | patterns | 1 | | an ensample | 1 |
Key Verses: - Heb 8:5 -- "unto the example" -- priests "serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things" - Heb 9:23 -- "patterns" -- "the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these" - John 13:15; James 5:10; 2 Peter 2:6; Hebrews 4:11
antitypos (G499) -- "counterpart, figure"¶
Original: antitypon Transliteration: antitypon Part of Speech: adjective Definition: "corresponding ('antitype'), i.e. a representative, counterpart" BLB Count: 2 occurrences
All Translations: | Translation | Count | |------------|-------| | the figures | 1 | | The like figure | 1 |
Key Verses: - Heb 9:24 -- "the figures" -- "Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, [which are] the figures of the true" - 1 Peter 3:21 -- "The like figure" -- baptism as a figure
Ordinance/Decree Vocabulary¶
dikaioma (G1345) -- "ordinance, righteous requirement"¶
Original: dikaioma Transliteration: dikaioma Part of Speech: neuter noun Definition: "an equitable deed; by implication, a statute or decision" BLB Count: 10 occurrences
All Translations: | Translation | Count | Percentage | |------------|-------|-----------| | ordinances | 3 | 30.0% | | righteousness | 3 | 30.0% | | judgment | 1 | 10.0% | | justification | 1 | 10.0% | | the righteousness | 1 | 10.0% | | judgments | 1 | 10.0% |
Verses by Translation: - "ordinances" (3x): Luke 1:6; Heb 9:1; Heb 9:10 - "righteousness" (3x): Rom 2:26; Rom 8:4; Rev 19:8 - "justification" (1x): Rom 5:16 - "the righteousness" (1x): Rom 5:18 - "judgment" (1x): Rom 1:32 - "judgments" (1x): Rev 15:4
Critical Observation: The same word dikaioma is translated "ordinances" in Heb 9:1,10 (modified by "of divine service" and "carnal") and "the righteousness" in Rom 8:4 ("that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us"). Context determines meaning: in Hebrews 9 it refers to ceremonial regulations; in Romans 8 it refers to the righteous requirement of the law.
dogma (G1378) -- "decree, ordinance"¶
Original: dogma Transliteration: dogma Part of Speech: neuter noun Definition: "a law (civil, ceremonial or ecclesiastical)" BLB Count: 5 occurrences
All Translations: | Translation | Count | Percentage | |------------|-------|-----------| | decrees | 2 | 40.0% | | a decree | 1 | 20.0% | | ordinances | 1 | 20.0% | | of ordinances | 1 | 20.0% |
Biblical Usage: Daniel 2:13; 3:10; 4:3; 6:13; Luke 2:1; Acts 16:4; 17:7; Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 2:14; Hebrews 11:23
Key Verses: - Eph 2:15 -- "ordinances" -- "the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances" - Col 2:14 -- "of ordinances" -- "the handwriting of ordinances" - Luke 2:1 -- "a decree" -- Caesar's decree (civil) - Acts 16:4 -- "decrees" -- apostolic decrees - Acts 17:7 -- "decrees" -- Caesar's decrees
Critical Observation: dogma is used for the abolition passages (Eph 2:15, Col 2:14) but is NEVER used for the Decalogue. It appears in civil/ceremonial contexts.
dogmatizo (G1379) -- "to subject to ordinances"¶
Original: dogmatizo Transliteration: dogmatizo Part of Speech: verb Definition: "to prescribe by statute, i.e. (reflexively) to submit to, ceremonial rules" BLB Count: 1 occurrence
Usage: Colossians 2:20 -- "are ye subject to ordinances" -- in the context of "touch not; taste not; handle not" (ceremonial prohibitions)
Priesthood Vocabulary¶
archiereus (G749) -- "high priest, chief priest"¶
Original: archiereus Transliteration: archiereus Part of Speech: masculine noun Definition: "the high-priest (literally, of the Jews, typically, Christ)" BLB Count: 123 occurrences
All Translations: | Translation | Count | Percentage | |------------|-------|-----------| | chief priests | 47 | 46.1% | | high priest | 31 | 30.4% | | an high priest | 7 | 6.9% | | the chief priests | 5 | 4.9% | | high priest's | 3 | 2.9% | | (others) | 9 | 8.8% |
Hebrews Usage (key verses): - Heb 2:17 -- "high priest" - Heb 4:14 -- "high priest" - Heb 5:1 -- "high priest" - Heb 5:10 -- Christ designated high priest after the order of Melchisedec - Heb 6:20 -- "an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec" - Heb 7:26 -- "such an high priest became us" - Heb 8:1 -- "We have such an high priest" - Heb 8:3 -- "every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices" - Heb 9:7 -- "the high priest alone once every year" - Heb 9:11 -- "Christ being come an high priest of good things to come" - Heb 9:25 -- "the high priest entereth into the holy place every year"
hiereus (G2409) -- "priest"¶
Original: hiereus Transliteration: hiereus Part of Speech: masculine noun Definition: "a priest (literally or figuratively)" BLB Count: 32 occurrences
All Translations: | Translation | Count | Percentage | |------------|-------|-----------| | priests | 13 | 41.9% | | priest | 10 | 32.3% | | a priest | 5 | 16.1% | | others | 3 | 9.7% |
Key Hebrews Verses: - Heb 7:1 -- Melchisedec "priest of the most high God" - Heb 7:11, 15 -- another priest after Melchisedec's order - Heb 8:4 -- "there are priests that offer gifts according to the law" - Heb 10:11 -- "every priest standeth daily ministering" - Heb 10:21 -- "an high priest over the house of God"
hierosyne (G2420) -- "priesthood"¶
Original: hierosyne Transliteration: hierosyne Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: "sacredness, i.e. (by implication) the priestly office" BLB Count: 4 occurrences (ALL in Hebrews)
All 4 verses: Heb 7:11, 7:12, 7:14, 7:24
Critical Context: Heb 7:12 -- "For the priesthood (hierosyne) being changed, there is made of necessity a change (metathesis) also of the law." The priesthood change necessitates a law change -- but what law? The context (7:11-16) identifies the law of priestly succession (tribal/hereditary requirement).
Covenant Vocabulary¶
diatheke (G1242) -- "covenant, testament, disposition"¶
Original: diatheke Transliteration: diatheke Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: "properly, a disposition, i.e. (specially) a contract (especially a devisory will)" BLB Count: 33 occurrences
All Translations: | Translation | Count | Percentage | |------------|-------|-----------| | covenant | 15 | 45.5% | | testament | 11 | 33.3% | | covenants | 3 | 9.1% | | the covenant | 2 | 6.1% | | a testament | 2 | 6.1% |
Hebrews 8-10 Occurrences (17 times!): - Heb 8:6 -- "covenant" -- better covenant - Heb 8:8 (2x) -- "covenant" -- new covenant with Israel and Judah - Heb 8:9 (2x) -- "covenant" -- not according to the covenant / my covenant - Heb 8:10 -- "covenant" -- this is the covenant I will make - Heb 9:4 (2x) -- "covenant" -- ark of the covenant / tables of the covenant - Heb 9:15 (3x) -- "testament" -- mediator of the new testament / first testament - Heb 9:16 -- "testament" -- where a testament is - Heb 9:18 -- "testament" -- the first testament - Heb 9:20 -- "testament" -- blood of the testament - Heb 10:16 -- "covenant" -- This is the covenant that I will make - Heb 10:29 -- "covenant" -- blood of the covenant
Observation: The KJV alternates between "covenant" and "testament" for the same Greek word. In Heb 9:15-20, the translation shifts to "testament" because of the will/inheritance analogy. This is the same word throughout.
kainos (G2537) -- "new (in quality)"¶
Original: kainos Transliteration: kainos Part of Speech: adjective Definition: "new (especially in freshness)" BLB Count: 44 occurrences
Key Hebrews Occurrences: - Heb 8:8 -- "a new covenant" (kainen diatheken) - Heb 8:13 -- "A new [covenant]" (Kainen) - Heb 9:15 -- "the new testament" (kaines diathekes)
Semantic note: kainos denotes newness in quality/character (as opposed to neos which denotes newness in time). The "new covenant" is qualitatively different in its administration, not necessarily in its law content (since the same "my laws" are written on hearts).
palaioo (G3822) -- "to make old, declare obsolete"¶
Original: palaioo Transliteration: palaioo Part of Speech: verb Definition: "to make (passively, become) worn out, or declare obsolete" BLB Count: 4 occurrences
All Translations: | Translation | Count | Verse | |------------|-------|-------| | old | 1 | Luke 12:33 | | he hath made [old] | 1 | Heb 8:13 | | that which decayeth | 1 | Heb 8:13 | | shall wax old | 1 | Heb 1:11 |
Key Verse Analysis (Heb 8:13): - "he hath made the first old" -- pepalaioken (Perfect Active Indicative) -- completed action with present results - "that which decayeth" -- palaioumenon (Present Passive Participle, Nominative Singular Neuter) -- ongoing process - "waxeth old" -- geraskon (Present Active Participle, Nominative Singular Neuter) -- ongoing process
Gender note: The participles palaioumenon and geraskon are NEUTER. diatheke (covenant) is FEMININE. This gender mismatch is significant for identifying what is "vanishing."
aphanismos (G854) -- "vanishing, disappearance"¶
Original: aphanismos Transliteration: aphanismos Part of Speech: masculine noun Definition: "disappearance, i.e. (figuratively) abrogation" BLB Count: 1 occurrence
Sole Usage: Hebrews 8:13 -- "ready to vanish away" (engys aphanismou) - This word appears ONLY here in the entire NT
Abolish/Take Away/Establish Vocabulary¶
anaireo (G337) -- "to take away, remove, kill"¶
Original: anaireo Transliteration: anaireo Part of Speech: verb Definition: "to take up, i.e. adopt; by implication, to take away (violently), destroy, kill" BLB Count: 23 occurrences
All Translations: | Translation | Count | Percentage | |------------|-------|-----------| | to kill/slay/slain (various) | 22 | 91.7% | | He taketh away | 1 | 4.2% | | took/up | 1 | 4.2% |
Critical Verse: Heb 10:9 -- "He taketh away the first" (anairei to proton) -- Present Active Indicative. The predominant meaning is "to remove/destroy." In Heb 10:9 context, "the first" = sacrifices/offerings (defined by vv. 5-8).
Context of "the first" in Heb 10:5-9: - v.5: "Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not" - v.6: "In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure" - v.8: "Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin" - v.9: "He taketh away THE FIRST" (referring to the above) "that he may establish the second" (God's will)
histemi (G2476) -- "to stand, establish, set"¶
Original: histemi Transliteration: histemi Part of Speech: verb Definition: "to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications" BLB Count: 158 occurrences
Key "establish" Translations: | Translation | Verse | |------------|-------| | "he may establish" | Heb 10:9 | | "we establish" | Rom 3:31 | | "to establish" | Rom 10:3 | | "may be established" | Mat 18:16 | | "be established" | 2 Cor 13:1 |
Critical Verses: - Heb 10:9 -- stese (Aorist Active Subjunctive) -- "that he may establish the second" (God's will) - Rom 3:31 -- histanomen -- "we establish the law" -- same verb used to affirm the law continues through faith
katargeo (G2673) -- "to abolish, make void, render useless"¶
Original: katargeo Transliteration: katargeo Part of Speech: verb Definition: "to be (render) entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively" BLB Count: 27 occurrences
All Translations (highly varied -- 30 unique!): | Translation | Verse | |------------|-------| | Having abolished | Eph 2:15 | | hath abolished | 2 Tim 1:10 | | shall destroy | 1 Cor 15:24; 2 Thes 2:8 | | is done away | 2 Cor 3:7, 11 | | make void | Rom 3:31 | | come to nought | 1 Cor 2:6 | | of none effect | Rom 4:14 | | (many others) | |
Key Verses for Law Study: - Eph 2:15 -- "Having abolished...the law of commandments contained in ordinances" (dogma-qualified law) - 2 Cor 3:7,11,13 -- "done away" / "was to be done away" -- the glory of the ministration - Rom 3:31 -- "Do we then make void (katargeo) the law? God forbid: yea, we establish (histemi) the law"
Critical note: katargeo is NEVER used in Hebrews 8-10. The author of Hebrews uses different vocabulary: palaioo (make old), anaireo (take away), metathesis (change/transfer).
Additional Key Terms¶
metathesis (G3331) -- "change, transfer, removal"¶
Original: metathesis Transliteration: metathesis Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: "transposition, i.e. transferral (to heaven), disestablishment (of a law)" BLB Count: 3 occurrences
All Translations: | Translation | Verse | |------------|-------| | a change | Heb 7:12 | | translation | Heb 11:5 | | removing | Heb 12:27 |
Key Verse: Heb 7:12 -- "the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change (metathesis) also of the law." This is NOT katargeo (abolish) -- it is metathesis (transfer/change). The law of priestly qualification is transferred from one basis (Levitical descent) to another (the order of Melchisedec).
diorthosis (G1357) -- "reformation, setting right"¶
Original: diorthosis Transliteration: diorthosis Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: "a making straight, setting right" BLB Count: 1 occurrence
Sole Usage: Heb 9:10 -- "carnal ordinances, imposed until the time of reformation (diorthosis)" - This word appears ONLY here in the entire NT - The carnal ordinances had a built-in expiration: "until the time of reformation"
epigrapho (G1924) -- "to write upon, inscribe"¶
Original: epigrapho Transliteration: epigrapho Part of Speech: verb Definition: "to inscribe (physically or mentally)" BLB Count: 5 occurrences
All Translations: | Translation | Verse | |------------|-------| | write | Heb 8:10 | | will I write | Heb 10:16 | | written over | Mark 15:26 | | inscription | Luke 23:38 | | written thereon | Acts 17:23 |
Key Verses: - Heb 8:10 -- "I will put my laws into their mind, and write (epigrapho) them in their hearts" - Heb 10:16 -- "I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write (epigrapho) them" - The word literally means "to write upon" -- the same laws are inscribed on hearts rather than on stone
mesites (G3316) -- "mediator, go-between"¶
Original: mesites Transliteration: mesites Part of Speech: masculine noun Definition: "a go-between, i.e. an internunciator, or (by implication) a reconciler" BLB Count: 6 occurrences
All Verses: | Translation | Verse | |------------|-------| | the mediator | Gal 3:19; Heb 8:6; Heb 12:24 | | mediator | 1 Tim 2:5 | | a mediator | Gal 3:20 | | of a mediator | Heb 9:15 |
Key Hebrews Usage: - Heb 8:6 -- Christ "the mediator of a better covenant" - Heb 9:15 -- "the mediator of the new testament" - Heb 12:24 -- "Jesus the mediator of the new covenant"
ephapax (G2178) -- "once for all"¶
Original: ephapax Transliteration: ephapax Part of Speech: adverb Definition: "upon one occasion (only)" BLB Count: 5 occurrences
All Verses: | Translation | Verse | |------------|-------| | once | Rom 6:10; Heb 7:27; 9:12; 10:10 | | at once | 1 Cor 15:6 |
Hebrews Usage: - Heb 7:27 -- "this he did once (ephapax), when he offered up himself" - Heb 9:12 -- "by his own blood he entered in once (ephapax)" - Heb 10:10 -- "the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once (ephapax) [for all]"
Significance: The "once for all" nature of Christ's sacrifice is repeated 3 times in Hebrews -- contrasted with the repeated Levitical sacrifices. This is the core argument for why the sacrificial system is removed.