Why is the translation 'miracles' misleading for these three Greek words?
The translation 'miracles' is misleading because the three Greek words carry distinct meanings: semaion means a sign, dunamis means supernatural power, and teros means wonders. Rendering all three as miracles obscures these distinctions and the specific sense of each term in Hebrews 2:4.
Les explains that the Spirit simplified things so that Hebrews 2:4 contains all three Greek words in one verse. Although the New Testament translates these words most of the time as 'miracles,' that is unfortunate because each word has its own meaning. Semaion is always a sign and should always be translated 'signs.' Dunamis, from which we get dynamo, refers to power, supernatural power—the power by which He performed His miracles because He is God. Teros merely meant 'wonders.' Thus translating all three as 'miracles' blurs the distinct ideas of sign, power, and wonder.