Hebrews 7:15

An Exegetical Analysis of the Particle εἰ in Hebrews 7:15

This exegetical study of “An Exegetical Analysis of the Particle εἰ in Hebrews 7:15″ is based on a b-greek discussion from December 9, 2003. The initial inquiry focused on the optimal translation of the Greek particle εἰ in Hebrews 7:15, specifically questioning whether it could be rendered as “that” rather than the more common “if,” given a perceived difficulty with the conditional sense in the passage’s context.

The main exegetical issue centers on the precise semantic and syntactic function of εἰ when it follows certain verbs or expressions, particularly those conveying clarity, knowledge, or emotion. While typically introducing a conditional clause, in specific contexts, εἰ can function as a declarative particle, effectively introducing a substantive clause that expresses a factual statement or the content of a perception or emotion. The interpretation of εἰ in Hebrews 7:15 is crucial for accurately conveying the author’s argument regarding the nature of Christ’s priesthood as prefigured by Melchizedek.

καὶ περισσότερον ἔτι κατάδηλον ἔστιν εἰ κατὰ τὴν ὁμοιότητα Μελχισεδεκ ἀνίσταται ἕτερος ἱερεύς (Nestle 1904)

Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):

• The capitalization of the initial word: SBLGNT uses ‘Καὶ’ (uppercase Kappa), while Nestle 1904 uses ‘καὶ’ (lowercase kappa).
• Punctuation: SBLGNT inserts a comma after ‘ἔστιν’ (ἔστιν,). Nestle 1904 does not.

Textual Criticism (NA28) and Lexical Notes (BDAG)

The textual tradition for Hebrews 7:15 is remarkably stable, with no significant variants affecting the particle εἰ in NA28 (Novum Testamentum Graece, 28th Edition). This stability reinforces the grammatical and lexical rather than textual nature of the interpretive challenge.

Lexical analysis, particularly drawing from BDAG (Bauer, Danker, Arndt, Gingrich, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature), provides substantial guidance. BDAG’s entry for εἰ (section II) explicitly addresses its use in declarative clauses, often following verbs expressing emotion, knowledge, or perception, where it can be translated as “that” or “whether.” The lexicon provides several illustrative examples:

• After verbs of emotion:
  • ἀγανακτέω εἰ = “be exasperated that” (Appian, Bell. Civ. 5, 67 §283).
  • Sir 23:14: θελήσῃς εἰ μὴ ἐγεννήσῃς; (would you wish that you had not been born?).
  • Mark 15:44a: ἐθαύμασεν εἰ ἤδη τεθνηκεν (“he was surprised that he was already dead”).
  • 1 John 3:13: μὴ θαυμάζετε εἰ μισεῖ ὑμᾶς ὁ κόσμος (“do not wonder that the world hates you”).
  • Procop. Soph., Ep. 123: χάριν ἔχειν εἰ = “that” (to be grateful that).
• Similar constructions involving expressions of surprisingness or clarity:
  • 2 Corinthians 11:15: οὐ μέγα εἰ (“it is not surprising that”).
  • Aeschines, In Ctes. 94: ἔστι δεινὸν εἰ; (“is it terrible that?”).
  • Diodorus Siculus 23, 15, 5: παράδοξον . . . εἰ (“incredible . . . that”).
  • Genesis 45:28: μέγα μοι ἔστιν εἰ (“it is a great thing for me that”).
• After verbs of knowing or not knowing:
  • Psalm 9:25; Acts 19:2; 1 Corinthians 1:16; 7:16.

In Hebrews 7:15, the phrase κατάδηλον ἔστιν (“it is evident” or “it is clear”) functions similarly to the “verbs of emotion” or “expressions of surprisingness” listed by BDAG. It conveys a strong assertion of clarity or certainty regarding the following statement. Therefore, the use of εἰ here is not to introduce a condition or an unconfirmed possibility, but rather to introduce the content of what is “evident” or “clear.”

While Kittel’s Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (TDNT) provides extensive theological and historical context for many Greek terms, its primary focus is not on the grammatical nuances of particles like εἰ in this specific syntactic function. For a detailed understanding of the particle’s grammatical range, specialized lexicons like BDAG and Greek grammars (e.g., Robertson, Wallace) are the more appropriate resources.

Translation Variants with Grammatical & Rhetorical Analysis

The grammatical construction κατάδηλον ἔστιν εἰ presents a pivotal point for translation. If εἰ is rendered as “if,” the clause becomes conditional, implying that the rising of another priest “according to the likeness of Melchizedek” is an uncertain premise or a condition upon which the preceding “it is even more evident” depends. This creates a syntactical awkwardness and contradicts the assertive nature of κατάδηλον ἔστιν.

The rhetorical force of the passage in Hebrews is to establish the superiority and certainty of Christ’s priesthood. The author is not posing a hypothetical situation but rather asserting a profound theological truth. The use of κατάδηλον ἔστιν strongly indicates a declaration of a clear, undeniable fact. Therefore, interpreting εἰ as introducing a declarative clause, equivalent to “that,” aligns better with both the immediate grammatical context and the broader rhetorical purpose of the Epistle to the Hebrews.

The examples from BDAG demonstrate that εἰ can indeed introduce a factual statement, particularly after verbs or phrases indicating knowledge, perception, or a clear state of affairs. In Hebrews 7:15, the “clearness” (κατάδηλον) is about the *fact* of another priest arising, not about the *condition* under which he might arise. Thus, a translation of “that” properly captures the declarative and assertive nature of the statement.

Conclusions and Translation Suggestions

Based on the lexical evidence and grammatical analysis, the particle εἰ in Hebrews 7:15 functions as a declarative conjunction, introducing a substantive clause that expresses the content of what is clearly evident. Translating it as “if” would diminish the certainty and assertiveness of the author’s argument for Christ’s priesthood.

1. It is even more evident that another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek.
   This translation directly conveys the factual and declarative nature of the statement, aligning with the semantic range of εἰ after expressions of certainty.
2. And it is still more clearly shown that a different priest is raised up in the order of Melchizedek.
   This rendition emphasizes the clarity and distinctiveness of the new priesthood, employing synonyms to heighten the rhetorical effect while maintaining the declarative force.
3. Moreover, it is made exceedingly plain that a priest appears, one who is like Melchizedek.
   This option uses slightly more emphatic language (“exceedingly plain”) to underscore the undeniable truth, further strengthening the assertive tone and ensuring the interpretive accuracy of εἰ.