Hebrews 1:1

1. God The divine name is not thus placed at the beginning of this epistle in the Greek. The first words are the two Greek adverbs, rendered sundry times and divers manners, πολυμερως και πολυτροπως . Each of these Greek words begins with a pol; and Delitzsch asks whether this is accidental, or whether the epistle does thus begin intentionally, with a hint of Paul’s own name.

Sundry times and in divers manners More literally: In many parts and by many methods. The words describe the fragmentary character of the old revelations, in depreciatory comparison with the unity of revelation by the Son. There is no Greek word answering to times. In many parts, indicates that truth came by piecemeal through a succession of ages.

Divers manners Sometimes by visions and dreams, sometimes by word of mouth, by the declaration of angels, by the impulsive inspiration of prophets, by types and symbols. These were all, however, as but lamps and candles before the coming of the sun.

In time past Παλαι , in the olden time, anciently; including the whole period of inferior revelation before the coming of the Son.

The fathers The Hebrew ancestry, who heard the ancient revelations.

By the prophets Including the inspired mediums of either or all these methods of revelation, at whose head was Moses.