Cloud of witnesses Hebrews twelve one Part 2

Article from Timing Revelation and More,
Follow-up on previous article: "Cloud of witnesses from Hebrews twelve and one", Part 2

Follow-up on previous article : "Cloud of witnesses from Hebrews 12:1", Part 2

By Diane M. Hoffmann, B.Th., M.Th., PhD/Th., Ord./IAOG-Canada

Another article provided by Timing Revelation & more...

Some time ago I wrote an article on this issue of the cloud of witnesses from Hebrews 12:1 that I posted on this web site.

Since then I recently came across a video by a prominent and highly respected preacher and teacher of the Gospel, which I admire highly because of his knowledge of history and languages of the Bible.

However, in this case, I find myself responsible to point out some misinterpretation within this video teaching of this important scripture that a lot of people are receiving as being correct.

This article is a Part 2 of my earlier article and a follow-up of his video.

Everything spoken in the first part of the video -- the prayer, the references, etc. is fine.

Then the presenter talks about the “cloud” in the scripture as being the word “nephos” in the original language, likening it to the place of the highest seats in a stadium or amphitheatre, and which he will use to present his understanding of the “cloud of witnesses”.

However, a thorough search of the interpretation of the Bible shows that the clouds we see in the sky are translated from the Greek word “nephelē” (Strong #G3507), which refer to the atmospheric clouds. It is also used of the cloud which led the Israelites in the wilderness.

But , the word “nephos” used in the Hebrews 12:1 scripture in question is (Strong #G3509). It is singular, and is used only once, right here in this scripture. The Thayer's Greek Lexicon describes it as “a cloud, a large dense multitude, a throng”.

Hebrews chapter 11

So after the “hall of faith” of Hebrews 11, (list of all the great faith witnesses of the past), Hebrews 12:1 begins with “Wherefore -- seeing we also are compassed about...”

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud (“nephos”, G3509) of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,”

The word “also” is "kai" (pronounced 'kahee') (Strong #G2532) and is described as “apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:—and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet."

The word “compassed” is “perikeimai” (per-ik'-i-mahee) (Strong #G4029), and is used in other scriptures as follows:

Mar 9:42 -- “And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged (perikeimai, G4029) about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

Heb 5:2 -- “Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he G4029 ➔ himself also is compassed (perikeimai, G4029) with infirmity.

Act 28:20 -- “For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with (perikeimai, G4029) this chain.

Hebrews 12:1 -- “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about (perikeimai, G4029) with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

In other words, as they before us were witnesses of their faith, so we also now are to be witnesses perikeimai of our faith.

Let us look at the previous final “hall of faith” scriptures of chapter 11 (remember there were no chapters and verses when the Bible was written—this is a continuous letter)...

Hebrews 11, verses 39-40

...the last 2 verses (39-40) say: “and these all, having obtained a good report "martyreō" (mar-too-reh'-o ) (to bear witness) through (by) faith, received not the promise:

God having provided (G4265 -- foreseen) some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect (complete).”

In other words, “they” plus us now (continuing after Christ's new covenant establishment) together make everything that God foresaw or had planned ahead, complete.

In other words as this letter is being written, the Hall of Faith continues to the end – i.e.: “the promise of v. 39 which includes all of “us” up to today in 2024...

It has nothing to do with what the video presenter mentioned above (bless his heart, he means well) is talking about ... the analogy of the amphitheatre is not what the Bible is describing -- as we have seen, “nephos” being the only place (scripture) where this word is used and means a multidude, a throng and not an atmospheric cloud.

If, as the video presenter above says, that people did call the last or highest seats as being “into the cloud”, that would be speaking of the “atmospheric clouds” which would be appropriately translated as “nephelē” and not “nephos”.

If people did call it “nephos” in the Greek, as the video presenter says, then they were using it in the wrong context, because as we have seen, again, Scripture uses “nephos” only in that one verse of Hebrews 12:1. Who are we to believe: the Word of God or the word of man?

Again the Bible uses “nephos” only in this verse. All other verses where it speaks of the atmospheric clouds -- or the clouds in the sky – are “nephete”.

Then the video presenter goes on to liken the people who were late and could only get the farthest and highest seats in the amphitheatre to those who were looked upon as the “witnesses” who already walked the faith...

...he goes on to say that those below are now on the playing fields, looking up to those on the top of the bleaches who have already played their game, and who are now cheering them on below. Thoroughly imaginative and not Biblical.

And he then goes in the conclusion that you (we) now are those on the playing field and if we lift up our eyes we are surrounded by all the characters of Hebrews chapter 11, as well as their loved ones who have gone on to heaven. Again totally of personal imagination.

He continues on to say that where the verse in Hebrews 12:1 says “... compassed about with “so great a cloud of witnesses” is describing the “quality of the people in the stands”, and repeats that these are those who ran their race, dying for their faith, and are now cheering us on.

My point is to deal with the first part of the scripture that the “cloud of witnesses” is not in reference to people in heaven who are watching us down here, cheering us on.

Out of Context

This analogy is totally out of context, it makes no sense at all to the meaning of Hebrews 12:1... think about what this is saying: those who ended up at the top seats were those who gave their lives for their faith! It does not make any sense. It is as I would say “far-fetched” imaginative interpretation. It is of personal interpretation,

2 Peter 1:20, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

v.21: For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost”. (KJV)

The video presenter's explanation of “compassed around” being stacked of witnesses all around us is not correct... rather it means as we have already seen:

“And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged (perikeimai, G4029) about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.” (Mar 9:42)

“Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed (perikeimai G4029) with infirmity.” (Heb 5:2)

“For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with (perikeimai, G4029) this chain.” (Act 28:20)

In other words, we are bound, we are “chained” -- perikeimai -- together with those who have gone on before us (witnesses) for our faith... just as our predecessors, we too are bound with them to be witnesses to the world.

... therefore let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run as they did with patience the race that is set before us.

We too have this responsibility to be witnesses of our faith as those who went before us were.

/dmh

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