Devine Scripture

Hebrews 12:23

What does Hebrews 12:23 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 12:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 12:23 means

At Zion we join the “general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven.” Believers share the firstborn’s status and inheritance because of union with Christ. God the Judge of all is present—not to condemn His people but to preside over His righteous city. Also present are “the spirits of just men made perfect,” the redeemed who have finished their course and now share perfected communion with God. This is a solemn and joyful scene: the church gathered, names recorded, the righteous Judge, and the perfected saints. It assures believers of their secure citizenship and calls them to live now in light of that heavenly register and audience.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

To the great meeting and church of the first of those who are named in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of good men made complete,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

to the company and assembly of the first-born in heaven enrolled, and to God the judge of all, and to spirits of righteous men made perfect,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And to the church of the firstborn who are written in the heavens, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the just made perfect,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

the universal gathering; and to [the] assembly of the firstborn [who are] registered in heaven; and toGod, judge of all; and to [the] spirits of just [men] made perfect;

Context

Continuing the description of Zion begun in verse 22, this verse identifies the participants of the heavenly assembly and affirms God’s judicial presence. Verse 24 will complete the picture by naming Jesus as Mediator and describing His blood’s superior testimony. The cumulative effect is to show how complete and glorious the new covenant access is, strengthening the subsequent call to heed God’s voice and serve with reverence (vv. 25–29).

v.22but ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable hosts of angels,

v.23This passage

v.24and to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better than that of Abel.

Cross references

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

  • Psalms 111:1

    Praise ye Jehovah. I will give thanks unto Jehovah with my whole heart, In the council of the upright, and in the congregation.

  • Revelation 13:8

    And all that dwell on the earth shall worship him, every one whose name hath not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that hath been slain.

  • Philippians 3:12

    Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus.

  • Exodus 13:2

    Sanctify unto me all the first-born, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.

  • Luke 10:20

    Nevertheless in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:8

    we are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.

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