Commentary on Hebrews

APPENDIX Y 2

Chapter 12:27 As of things that are made, etc The meaning of ὡς πεποιημένων,as given by Doddridge, Scott,and Stuart, is,that they were things created, and therefore perishable, appointed only for a time. Macknightconsidered the expression elliptical for things “made with hands;” which denotes what is of an imperfect nature. But the explanation of Schleusneris the most natural and most suitable to the passage. He says that ποιέω means sometimes to accomplish, to finish, to bring to an end. (Romans 4:21; 9:28; Ephesians 3:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:24.) Then the rendering would be, “as of things to be completed,” or brought to an end. They were things to be shaken or changed, as things to be finished or terminated. The corresponding verb in Hebrew, עשה, has evidently this meaning, “all his works which he had made,” (עשה,) or completed, or finished. (Genesis 2:2; see Isaiah 41:4.)