The Crux at Hebrews 2,9 in Its Context The present note will propose a solution involving the purpose clause at Heb 2,9 introduced by opwv (opwv xariti ueoy yper pantov geyshtai ™ ™ ¥ ˜Ω ù ù ¥ uanatoy) and then, on the basis of this proposed solution, suggest a ¥ re-reading of Heb 2,8b-14. I. The Classic Crux at Hebrews 2,9 The normal force of the word opwv is final, i.e., it expresses the ™ purpose for which something happens. Thus, following the normal meaning of opwv, the text seems to say that Jesus suffered death in order ™ to die. One reaction is to state that the force of the opwv is not clear and ™ to let it go at that 1. Another reaction is to rearrange the text so that the apparent anomaly of Jesus dying in order to die is removed 2. Still another reaction is to interpret opwv in a modal sense so that the verse is to be ™ understood as follows: “...all this (the humiliation and the resurrection) took place in order that, by the favor of God, Jesus might experience death on behalf of everyone”. That is to say, the opwv clause makes the ™ resurrection the vehicle for applying the expiatory death of Christ to all mankind. The difficulty with this view is that a modal meaning for opwv ™ P. ELLINGWORTH, The Epistle to the Hebrews. A Commentary on the 1 Greek Text (NIGCT; Grand Rapids, MI – Carlisle, England 1993) 155. The reaction of one commentator is as follows. Translation of Heb 2,9: 2 “ But we see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and splendor” (W.L. LANE, Hebrews 1–8 (WBC 47A ; Dallas, TX 1991) 42. Explanation of translation: “The translation seeks to reflect the sense intended by the writer rather than the order of the clauses in v. 9. It is imperative to recognize that in the Gk text the clauses have been arranged in a chiastic fashion so that the first clause (‘who for a little while was made lower than the angels’ is complemented by the fourth (‘so that that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone’). This literary arrangement served to bring together the two inner clauses (‘because of the suffering of death’ and ‘crowned with glory and splendor’). Only by rearranging the order of the clauses in the translation can the intended sense be expressed” (LANE, Hebrews, 43). But this is hardly the way to do exegesis: decide the sense intended by the author and then rearrange the text accordingly.