Hebrews 6:17

6:16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.

Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: confirmed: Gr. interposed himself by

KJV

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In this way God, being determined to show more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an oath;

Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:

Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show to the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:

6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

What does Hebrews 6:17 mean?

Hebrews 6:17 is a verse in the book of Hebrews, in the New Testament. In the original Greek, key words include ἐν (en), θεός (theos), βούλομαι (boulomai). It connects to 40 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Greek interlinear

Whereinἐνen/en/G1722a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.

God,θεόςtheos/theh'-os/G2316of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).

willingβούλομαιboulomai/boo'-lom-ahee/G1014middle voice of a primary verb; to "will," i.e. (reflexively) be willing:--be disposed, minded, intend, list, (be, of own) will (-ing). Compare 2309.

abundantlyπερισσότεροςperissoteron/per-is-sot'-er-on/G4054neuter of 4055 (as adverb); in a more superabundant way:--more abundantly, a great deal, far more.

shewἐπιδείκνυμιepideiknumi/ep-ee-dike'-noo-mee/G1925from 1909 and 1166; to exhibit (physically or mentally):--shew.

unto

the

heirsκληρονόμοςkleronomos/klay-ron-om'-os/G2818from 2819 and the base of 3551 (in its original sense of partitioning, i.e. (reflexively) getting by apportionment); a sharer by lot, i.e. inheritor (literally or figuratively); by implication, a possessor:--heir.

promiseἐπαγγελίαepaggelia/ep-ang-el-ee'-ah/G1860from 1861; an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good):--message, promise.

the

immutabilityἀμετάθετοςametathetos/am-et-ath'-et-os/G276from 1 (as a negative particle) and a derivative of 3346; unchangeable, or (neuter as abstract) unchangeability:--immutable(-ility).

hisαὐτόςautos/ow-tos'/G846from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare 848.

counsel,βουλήboule/boo-lay'/G1012from 1014; volition, i.e. (objectively) advice, or (by implication) purpose:--+ advise, counsel, will.

confirmedμεσιτεύωmesiteuo/mes-it-yoo'-o/G3315from 3316; to interpose (as arbiter), i.e (by implication) to ratify (as surety):--confirm.

oath:ὅρκοςhorkos/hor'-kos/G3727from herkos (a fence; perhaps akin to 3725); a limit, i.e. (sacred) restraint (specially, an oath):--oath.

confirmed:

Gr.

interposed

himself

Commentary on Hebrews 6:17

HENRY_FULL · Hebrews 6:17

In this chapter the apostle proceeds to persuade the Hebrews to make a better proficiency in religion than they had done, as the best way to prevent apostasy, the dreadful nature and consequences of which sin he sets forth in a serious manner ( ver. 1-8 ), and then expresses his good hopes concerning them, that they would persevere in faith and holiness, to which he exhorts them, and sets before them the great encouragement they had from God, both with respect to their duty and happiness, ver. 9, to the end .

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Ecclesiastes 12:14

For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Isaiah 26:19

Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

Ezekiel 37:1

The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones,

Daniel 12:2

And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Matthew 3:14

But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

Matthew 20:22 Matthew 20:23 Matthew 22:23 Matthew 25:31 Matthew 28:19 Mark 7:4 Mark 7:8 Mark 16:16 Luke 3:16 Luke 11:38 Luke 12:50 Luke 14:14 John 1:33 John 3:25 John 3:26 John 4:1 John 4:2 John 5:29 John 11:24 John 11:25 Acts 2:38 Acts 2:41 Acts 4:2 Acts 6:6 Acts 8:12 Acts 8:13 Acts 8:14 Acts 8:16 Acts 8:36 Acts 13:3 Acts 16:15 Acts 17:18 Acts 17:31 Acts 17:32 Acts 19:2

Topics

Anthropomorphisms Condescension of God God Oath Perseverance Promises of God, the Titles and Names of Saints

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Hebrews 6:17.

Galatians 3:29

And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Matthew 1:23

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. they: or, his name shall be called

Matthew 3:9

And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

Matthew 5:34

But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:

Romans 4:13

For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

Romans 4:14

For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

Frequently asked questions

What does Hebrews 6:17 say?

Hebrews 6:17 (King James Version) reads: "Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: confirmed: Gr. interposed himself by"

Is Hebrews 6:17 in the Old or New Testament?

Hebrews 6:17 is in the New Testament of the Bible, in the book of Hebrews.

Reflect

As you read Hebrews 6:17, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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