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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comVincent Word Studies - Hebrews 5:11 - 5:11
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From this point the comparison of Christ with Melchisedec would naturally be developed; but the author digresses into a complaint of the imperfect spiritual attainment of his readers, and a remonstrance and admonition extending to the end of ch. 6.
Of whom (περὶ οὗ)
Rend. concerning which. Not Melchisedec, but the topic that Christ is a priest after the order of Melchisedec, a topic to which great importance is attached. Can it be imagined that the discussion of such a topic would appeal to a Gentile audience as a reason for not relapsing into paganism?
We have many things to say (πολὺς ἡμῖν ὁ λόγος)
Lit. the discourse is abundant unto us. We refers to the writer himself.
Hard to be uttered (δυσερμήνευτος λέγειν)
Lit. hard of interpretation to speak. The A.V. entirely misses the idea of interpretation. Rev. better, hard of interpretation. Δυσερμήνευτος N.T.o. olxx. oClass.
Ye are dull of hearing (νωθροὶ γεγόνατε ταῖς ἀκοαῖς)
Rend. ye have grown dull in your hearing. For ἀκοὴ hearing see on 2Ti 4:3. The verb implies a deterioration on the hearers' part. Νωθροὶ only here and Heb 6:12. From νη not and ὠθεῖν to push. Hence slow, sluggish. Mostly in later Greek, although Plato uses it much in the same sense as here. “When they have to face study they are stupid (νωθροί) and cannot remember.” Theaet. 144 B. In lxx, Pro 22:29; Sir. 4:29; 11:12. Sometimes = low, mean, obscure. So in Proverbs, but in Sirach slack, slow.