Devine Scripture

Hebrews 10:27

What does Hebrews 10:27 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 10:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 10:27 means

What remains for those who reject Christ is a fearful expectation of judgment and a consuming fire that will devour God’s adversaries. The imagery conveys certainty and terror. The fire is not indiscriminate; it falls on those who set themselves as opponents by refusing God’s gracious provision in Christ. The writer’s aim is pastoral: to awaken any drifting hearts to the reality of divine judgment and to strengthen believers’ resolve not to turn back. The contrast is stark: either the once-for-all sacrifice brings peace, or a fearful prospect of judgment awaits the willfully defiant.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But only a great fear of being judged, and of the fire of wrath which will be the destruction of the haters of God.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

but a certain fearful looking for of judgment, and fiery zeal, about to devour the opposers;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But a certain dreadful expectation of judgment, and the rage of a fire which shall consume the adversaries.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and heat of fire about to devour the adversaries.

Context

Following the assertion that no sacrifice remains for deliberate sin (v. 26), verse 27 describes the alternative: certain, fearful judgment like a devouring fire for adversaries. This intensifies the warning. Verses 28–29 will argue from lesser to greater: if those who rejected Moses’ law died without mercy, how much worse is the case for those who despise the Son and the Spirit. Verses 30–31 will then ground the warning in God’s own declarations about vengeance and judgment, confirming the gravity of apostasy.

v.26For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins,

v.27This passage

v.28A man that hath set at nought Moses’ law dieth without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Hebrews 2:3

    how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? which having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard;

  • Nahum 1:8

    But with an over-running flood he will make a full end of her place, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.

  • Ezekiel 38:19

    For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel;

  • Hebrews 9:27

    And inasmuch as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh judgment;

  • Luke 16:24

    And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.

  • Psalms 68:1

    Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered; Let them also that hate him flee before him.

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