Devine Scripture

Hebrews 10:37

What does Hebrews 10:37 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 10:37 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 10:37 means

The encouragement continues: in a very little while, the one who is coming will come and will not delay. The focus is on Christ’s promised coming. The shortness of the time is meant to fortify patience; waiting is not endless. God’s timing may test faith, but his promise stands firm. The certainty of Christ’s return reorients present suffering, reminding believers that their story is headed toward resolution. This hope empowers endurance: trials are temporary, but the coming of the Lord is sure. Faith looks ahead and endures by fixing on the nearness and certainty of his arrival.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For yet a very little while, He that cometh shall come, and shall not tarry.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For yet a very little while, He that cometh shall come, and shall not tarry.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

In a very little time he who is coming will come; he will not be slow.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for yet a very very little, He who is coming will come, and will not tarry;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For yet a little and a very little while, and he that is to come will come and will not delay.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For yet a very little while he that comes will come, and will not delay.

Context

Verse 37 introduces an eschatological anchor for perseverance: the coming one will surely come soon and not delay. This follows the call for endurance (v. 36) and sets up the faith principle in verse 38. The two verses together frame the Christian life as waiting in faith for Christ’s return. Verse 39 will then close the chapter with a confident declaration that the community belongs not to those who shrink back to destruction but to those who believe to the saving of the soul, transitioning into the faith hall of chapter 11.

v.36For ye have need of patience, that, having done the will of God, ye may receive the promise.

v.37This passage

v.38But my righteous one shall live by faith: And if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him.

Cross references

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

  • 2 Peter 3:8

    But forget not this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

  • Isaiah 26:20

    Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.

  • Isaiah 60:22

    The little one shall become a thousand, and the small one a strong nation; I, Jehovah, will hasten it in its time.

  • James 5:7

    Be patient therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receive the early and latter rain.

  • Luke 18:8

    I say unto you, that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

  • Habakkuk 2:3

    For the vision is yet for the appointed time, and it hasteth toward the end, and shall not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not delay.

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