Lexical Summary metathesis: Change, transfer, removal Original Word: μετάθεσις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance change, removing, translation. From metatithemi; transposition, i.e. Transferral (to heaven), disestablishment (of a law) -- change, removing, translation. see GREEK metatithemi NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom metatithémi Definition a change, removal NASB Translation being taken (1), change (1), removing (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3331: μετάθεσιςμετάθεσις, μεταθέσεως, ἡ (μετατίθημι); 1. a transfer: from one place to another (Diodorus 1, 23); τίνος (genitive of the object), the translation of a person to heaven, Hebrews 11:5. 2. change (of things instituted or established, as ἱερωσύνης, νόμου): Hebrews 7:12; τῶν σαλευομένων, Hebrews 12:27. (Thucydides 5, 29; Aristotle, Piut.) Topical Lexicon Scope and Meaning of μετάθεσις in HebrewsStrong’s 3331, μετάθεσις, always speaks of a decisive “transfer” enacted by God. Each setting in Hebrews adds a distinct dimension: (1) a legal shift of priesthood, (2) the bodily translation of Enoch, and (3) the cosmic removal of all that can be shaken. Together the three uses trace one continuous revelation—the Lord who unseats the temporary in order to establish the permanent. Metathesis and the Change of Priesthood (Hebrews 7:12) “For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well” (Hebrews 7:12). Hebrews 7 argues that the Levitical order never possessed finality; it was preparatory and anticipatory. The appearance of Jesus, “a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 7:17), effects a μετάθεσις: a legally binding relocation of priestly authority from Levi to the Son of God. This is not mere reform but covenantal replacement. The Mosaic structures are not discarded as failed experiments; rather, their provisional role reaches its ordained conclusion in Christ. For ministry today, this passage guards against any nostalgia for shadow-systems. The Church serves under the inaugurated New Covenant, where access to God rests on the unchangeable priesthood of Jesus. Metathesis and the Translation of Enoch (Hebrews 11:5) “By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death, and ‘he could not be found, because God had taken him up’” (Hebrews 11:5). Here μετάθεσις describes the faith-saturated removal of a single man from the present order to the immediate presence of God. Enoch’s translation is a pledge of personal immortality and prefigures the resurrection and rapture hope promised to the saints (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Whereas Hebrews 7:12 highlights juridical change, Hebrews 11:5 demonstrates personal, bodily change. Enoch’s case encourages believers that faith lays hold of realities beyond empirical observation and that death itself is subject to divine override. Metathesis and the Coming Removal of the Shakable (Hebrews 12:27) “The words, ‘Once more,’ signify the removal of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that the unshakable may remain” (Hebrews 12:27). Metathesis now stretches to cosmic proportions. The author cites Haggai 2:6 to announce a future, universal shaking that culminates in the definitive μετάθεσις of the present created order. What remains is “a kingdom that cannot be shaken” (Hebrews 12:28). The believer’s security rests not in present institutions or landscapes but in the abiding reign of Christ. Pastorally, this verse equips Christians to endure upheaval—political, cultural, or personal—confident that such tremors are labor pains of the everlasting order. Unity of the Three Uses 1. Covenantally: God relocates priestly mediation to Christ (Hebrews 7). Each stage is progressive yet coherent, all grounded in God’s sovereign initiative. Old Testament Foreshadows and Parallels • Priestly transfer echoes the earlier shift from firstborn priests (Exodus 13:2) to the Levitical tribe—both ordained by God, both temporary until fulfilled in Christ. Historical Reception in the Church Early fathers such as Athanasius cited Hebrews 7:12 to defend the uniqueness of Christ’s priesthood against Arian reductionism. Medieval commentators saw Hebrews 11:5 as typological of the Assumption of the faithful Church. Reformation teachers emphasized Hebrews 12:27 in convicting complacent Christendom that structural forms are transient unless anchored in scriptural truth. Implications for Doctrine and Ministry 1. Christ-centered Worship: Since the old priesthood is removed, all liturgy must consciously reflect the finality of Jesus’ sacrifice. Conclusion Metathesis, though occurring only three times in the New Testament, weaves a profound tapestry: the priesthood changed, the righteous translated, the universe to be transposed. All three converge in the person and work of Jesus Christ, urging believers to ground their confidence in Him who is both the mediator of the New Covenant and the cornerstone of the eternal kingdom. Forms and Transliterations μεταθεσεως μεταθέσεως μεταθεσιν μετάθεσιν μεταθεσις μετάθεσις metatheseos metatheseōs metathéseos metathéseōs metathesin metáthesin metathesis metáthesisLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Hebrews 7:12 N-NFSGRK: καὶ νόμου μετάθεσις γίνεται NAS: there takes place a change of law KJV: of necessity a change also of the law. INT: also of law a change takes place Hebrews 11:5 N-GFS Hebrews 12:27 N-AFS Strong's Greek 3331 |
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