I. Christological Terms (Concerning the Person and Work of Christ):;xNLx;;xNLx;Heir (of all things) (Hebrews 1:2): Jesus Christ is designated as the one who will ultimately inherit or possess all of creation, signifying His supreme lordship and the culmination of God's purposes in Him.;xNLx;Radiance (of the glory of God) (Greek: apaugasma) (Hebrews 1:3): Jesus is the shining forth or brilliant manifestation of God's divine glory, like light shining from its source. It points to His divine nature and how He perfectly reveals God.;xNLx;Exact imprint / Exact representation (of his nature) (Greek: charakter) (Hebrews 1:3): Jesus perfectly bears and displays the very essence and character of God, like an impression made by a seal. This affirms His full divinity and accurate revelation of God.;xNLx;Propitiation / Expiation (for sins) (Greek: hilasmos is related, though Hebrews uses verbs like "make purification for sins" - katharismos - Hebrews 1:3; or "make propitiation for the sins" - hilaskomai - Hebrews 2:17): An action that atones for sins and satisfies God's righteous wrath against sin, thereby making reconciliation possible. Christ's sacrificial death is presented as the means by which purification for sins was made and God's justice was satisfied. (ESV often uses "atonement" or "purification for sins.");xNLx;Apostle (of our confession) (Hebrews 3:1): "Sent one." Jesus is called the "apostle...whom we confess," signifying He is the ultimate messenger and representative sent from God to humanity.;xNLx;High Priest (e.g., Hebrews 2:17; 3:1; 4:14-15; 5:1, 5, 10; 6:20; 7:1-28; 8:1, 3; 9:7, 11, 25; 10:21; 13:11): A central title for Jesus in Hebrews. In the Old Covenant, the high priest was the chief religious official from the Aaronic line who uniquely entered the Most Holy Place once a year to make atonement for sins. Hebrews presents Jesus as the superior, perfect, and eternal High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, who offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice and now intercedes for believers in the heavenly sanctuary.;xNLx;Pioneer / Founder (of salvation / of their faith) (Greek: archegos) (Hebrews 2:10; 12:2): One who leads the way, a trailblazer, or the originator. Jesus is the one who went before us in suffering and glory, opening up the way of salvation and being the originator and perfecter of our faith.;xNLx;Mediator (of a new covenant) (Hebrews 8:6; 9:15; 12:24): One who stands between two parties to bring them together or establish an agreement. Jesus is the mediator of the New Covenant, establishing it through His death and making access to God possible.;xNLx;Surety / Guarantee (of a better covenant) (Greek: engyos) (Hebrews 7:22): One who gives assurance or takes responsibility for the fulfillment of an agreement. Jesus, by His unending priesthood, is the guarantee that the New Covenant is superior and will last.;xNLx;Forerunner (Hebrews 6:20): One who goes ahead to prepare the way for others. Jesus has entered the heavenly sanctuary as a forerunner for believers, securing their access to God's presence.;xNLx;II. Old Covenant Institutions and Concepts:;xNLx;;xNLx;Covenant (Old and New) (e.g., Hebrews 7:22; 8:6-13; 9:1, 4, 15-20; 10:16, 29; 12:24; 13:20): A solemn, binding agreement. Hebrews extensively contrasts the Old Covenant (made with Israel at Sinai through Moses, characterized by animal sacrifices and the Levitical priesthood) with the New Covenant (established by Jesus through His blood, offering better promises, forgiveness of sins, and direct access to God).;xNLx;Law (of Moses) (e.g., Hebrews 7:5, 11-12, 19, 28; 8:4; 9:19, 22; 10:1, 8, 28): The body of divine instruction given to Israel through Moses, including moral, ceremonial, and civil precepts. Hebrews argues that the Law, with its priesthood and sacrifices, was temporary, imperfect, a shadow of good things to come, and unable to make worshippers perfect or provide ultimate cleansing from sin. It has been superseded by the New Covenant in Christ.;xNLx;Tabernacle / Tent (e.g., Hebrews 8:2, 5; 9:1-11, 21; 13:10): The portable sanctuary used by the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings, and later, the structure of the Temple which was based on it. Hebrews discusses its two main sections:;xNLx;The Holy Place (Hebrews 9:2, 6): The first or outer part of the tabernacle/Temple, containing the lampstand, the table, and the bread of the Presence. Priests entered it regularly.;xNLx;The Most Holy Place / Holy of Holies / Holiest (Hebrews 9:3, 7-8, 12, 24-25; 10:19): The innermost and most sacred chamber, separated by a veil, containing the Ark of the Covenant (in the original tabernacle). Only the high priest could enter, once a year on the Day of Atonement.;xNLx;Sanctuary (Hebrew: qodesh; Greek: hagion) (e.g., Hebrews 8:2; 9:1-2, 8, 12, 24-25; 10:19; 13:11): A holy place, specifically referring to the Tabernacle or Temple, and in Hebrews, often to the heavenly sanctuary where Christ now ministers.;xNLx;Sacrifice(s) / Offering(s) (e.g., Hebrews 5:1; 7:27; 8:3; 9:9, 13-14, 23, 26, 28; 10:1-18, 26; 11:4; 13:15-16): Ritual presentations (usually animals, but also grain, etc.) made to God under the Old Covenant for various purposes, including atonement for sin, thanksgiving, and fellowship. Hebrews argues that these animal sacrifices were repetitive, could not perfect the worshiper or truly cleanse the conscience from sin, and were merely shadows pointing to the one, perfect, and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ.;xNLx;Atonement / Make atonement (Hebrews 2:17; 9:22; 10:3-4, 10, 12, 14, 18, 26): The act of covering sin, making amends, and reconciling humanity with God. Under the Old Covenant, this was done through animal sacrifices, especially on the Day of Atonement. Hebrews teaches that Christ's sacrifice is the true and final atonement for sins.;xNLx;Blood (of sacrifices / of Christ) (e.g., Hebrews 9:7, 12-14, 18-22, 25; 10:4, 19, 29; 11:28; 12:24; 13:11, 20): Central to the sacrificial system. Under the Old Covenant, "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins" (9:22). Hebrews emphasizes the superior efficacy of Christ's own blood, shed once for all, to cleanse consciences and secure eternal redemption.;xNLx;Priest / Priesthood (Levitical / Aaronic) (e.g., Hebrews 5:1-6; Chapter 7; 8:3-4; 9:6; 10:11, 21; 13:11): Under the Old Covenant, priests from the tribe of Levi (descendants of Aaron) were mediators between God and Israel, responsible for offering sacrifices and teaching the Law. Hebrews argues that this priesthood was imperfect and temporary.;xNLx;Melchizedek (Hebrews Chapter 5:6, 10; Chapter 6:20; Chapter 7:1-17): An enigmatic priest-king of Salem (Jerusalem) mentioned in Genesis 14 and Psalm 110. The author of Hebrews presents Jesus as a High Priest "after the order of Melchizedek," a priesthood superior to and preceding the Levitical priesthood, characterized by its eternal nature and its basis not on ancestry but on divine appointment.;xNLx;Sabbath rest / Rest (Hebrews 3:11, 18; Chapter 4:1-11):;xNLx;Historically, the rest God promised Israel upon entering Canaan (which the wilderness generation failed to enter due to unbelief).;xNLx;The weekly Sabbath day of rest.;xNLx;Ultimately, a future, eternal "Sabbath rest" for the people of God, a state of perfect peace, fellowship with God, and cessation from toil, entered into through faith in Christ.;xNLx;Shadow (of the good things to come) (Hebrews 8:5; 10:1): The Old Covenant institutions, laws, and sacrifices are described as mere outlines, copies, or foreshadowings of the heavenly realities and the perfect work of Christ, which is the true substance.;xNLx;Copy / Pattern (of the heavenly things) (Hebrews 8:5; 9:23-24): The earthly tabernacle and its rituals were made according to a pattern shown to Moses, serving as a physical representation or replica of the true, heavenly sanctuary and realities.;xNLx;III. Faith, Endurance, and Christian Living:;xNLx;;xNLx;Faith (Greek: pistis) (e.g., Hebrews 4:2; 6:1, 12; 10:22, 38-39; Chapter 11; 12:2; 13:7): Trust, belief, reliance, and confident assurance in God, His promises, and His unseen realities. Chapter 11 is a renowned discourse on faith, illustrated by Old Testament examples. It is essential for pleasing God and persevering.;xNLx;Hope (e.g., Hebrews 3:6; 6:11, 18-19; 7:19; 10:23; 11:1): Confident expectation and firm assurance concerning God's future blessings and the fulfillment of His promises, anchored in Christ's work. It is described as "a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul.";xNLx;Confession (of our hope / our great High Priest) (Hebrews 3:1; 4:14; 10:23): The public declaration and acknowledgement of one's faith in Jesus Christ and the hope that He provides.;xNLx;Endurance / Perseverance (Greek: hypomone) (e.g., Hebrews 6:12, 15; 10:32, 36; 12:1-3, 7): Steadfastness, patience, and remaining constant under trial, suffering, opposition, or delay in the fulfillment of God's promises. It is crucial for inheriting the promises.;xNLx;Apostasy / Falling away / Drifting away / Sinning willfully (e.g., Hebrews 2:1-3; 3:12; 6:4-8; 10:26-31, 38-39; 12:15-17, 25): Abandoning or turning away from the Christian faith and Christ after having once professed belief or experienced God's grace. Hebrews contains strong warning passages against this, emphasizing the serious consequences.;xNLx;Discipline / Training (Greek: paideia) (Hebrews 12:5-11): God's fatherly correction and training of His children, which, though painful at the time, is intended for their spiritual growth and to produce the "peaceful fruit of righteousness.";xNLx;Sanctification / Make holy (Greek: hagiasmos, hagiazo) (e.g., Hebrews 2:11; 9:13; 10:10, 14, 29; 12:10, 14; 13:12): The process or state of being set apart by God, made holy, and purified from sin, accomplished through the sacrifice of Christ and the work of the Spirit. Believers are called to "strive for...the holiness without which no one will see the Lord" (12:14).;xNLx;Conscience (Hebrews 9:9, 14; 10:2, 22; 13:18): Inner moral awareness. Hebrews argues that the Old Covenant sacrifices could not perfect the conscience, but the blood of Christ can cleanse our consciences from dead works to serve the living God.;xNLx;Fear (of God / godly fear) (e.g., Hebrews 4:1; 5:7; 10:27, 31; 11:7; 12:21, 28-29): Reverence, awe, and profound respect for God's majesty, holiness, and judgment. This is not a craven fear but a respectful awareness of who God is, which leads to worship and obedience.;xNLx;"Today" (Hebrews 3:7, 13, 15; 4:7): Emphasizes the urgency of hearing and responding to God's voice without hardening one's heart, drawing on Psalm 95.;xNLx;IV. Other Notable Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;Angels (Hebrews 1:4-14; 2:2, 5, 7, 9, 16; 12:22; 13:2): Spiritual beings created by God. Hebrews emphasizes Christ's superiority to angels.;xNLx;Word of God (Hebrews 4:12; 6:5; 11:3; 13:7): God's powerful, living, active, and creative utterance, whether spoken in creation, through prophets, in Scripture, or ultimately in His Son.;xNLx;Heavenly / Heavenly things / Heavenly country / Heavenly Jerusalem (e.g., Hebrews 3:1; 6:4; 8:5; 9:23-24; 11:16; 12:22-23): Refers to the spiritual, perfect, and eternal realm of God's dwelling, as opposed to the earthly and temporary. Believers are partakers of a heavenly calling and seek a heavenly country.;xNLx;Unshakable kingdom (Hebrews 12:28): The eternal and enduring kingdom of God that believers receive, which cannot be overthrown.;xNLx;This list is intended to provide clarity on many of the key theological terms and concepts encountered in the Letter to the Hebrews (ESV). Given its intricate arguments and deep reliance on Old Testament background, understanding this vocabulary is essential for appreciating its message about the sufficiency and supremacy of Jesus Christ.