Devine Scripture

Hebrews 12:5

What does Hebrews 12:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 12:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 12:5 means

The readers are told they have forgotten a comforting word of wisdom that treats them as God’s sons. Quoting instruction that addresses a “son,” the author urges them not to make light of the Lord’s discipline or collapse under His rebuke. The problem is not merely pain but a wrong view of it. Divine correction is not random misfortune but fatherly engagement. Taking discipline lightly despises its purpose; fainting despairs of God’s love. Instead, this verse reintroduces suffering as a relational reality in the family of God. To remember this is to receive trials with humility, seeking what God intends to teach and to form within us.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and ye have forgotten the exhortation which reasoneth with you as with sons, My son, regard not lightly the chastening of the Lord, Nor faint when thou art reproved of him;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and ye have forgotten the exhortation which reasoneth with you as with sons, My son, regard not lightly the chastening of the Lord, Nor faint when thou art reproved of him;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And you have not kept in mind the word which says to you as to sons, My son, do not make little of the Lord's punishment, and do not give up hope when you are judged by him;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and ye have forgotten the exhortation that doth speak fully with you as with sons, `My son, be not despising chastening of the Lord, nor be faint, being reproved by Him,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And you have forgotten the consolation which speaketh to you, as unto children, saying: My son, neglect not the discipline of the Lord: neither be thou wearied whilst thou art rebuked by him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And ye have quite forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: My son, despise not [the] chastening of [the] Lord, nor faint [when] reproved by him;

Context

Following the reminder that they have not yet suffered to the point of bloodshed (v. 4), verse 5 begins a sustained meditation on discipline as a mark of sonship (vv. 5–11). The quotation frames their hardships with Scripture’s wisdom address, shifting the tone from mere endurance to filial trust. The subsequent verses will explain why discipline proves God’s love (v. 6), how it confirms true sonship (vv. 7–8), and how it leads to life and holiness (vv. 9–11). This verse opens the door to that entire pastoral argument.

v.4Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin:

v.5This passage

v.6For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, And scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Cross references

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

  • Hebrews 12:7

    It is for chastening that ye endure; God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father chasteneth not?

  • Proverbs 3:1

    My son, forget not my law; But let thy heart keep my commandments:

  • Psalms 119:75

    I know, O Jehovah, that thy judgments are righteous, And that in faithfulness thou hast afflicted me.

  • Psalms 119:16

    I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. ג GIMEL.

  • Hebrews 12:3

    For consider him that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against himself, that ye wax not weary, fainting in your souls.

  • Proverbs 3:11

    My son, despise not the chastening of Jehovah; Neither be weary of his reproof:

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