Hebrews 2:3
What does Hebrews 2:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Hebrews 2:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Hebrews 2:3 means
Here the warning reaches its sharp edge: there is no escape if we neglect so great a salvation. The danger is neglect, not merely denial—treating the gospel as unurgent, letting it slip to the margins. This salvation is “great” because of its source, content, and cost: first spoken by the Lord himself, then confirmed by those who heard him—the eyewitness apostles. The chain of testimony establishes reliability; this is not rumor but attested truth. The question, “How shall we escape?” is rhetorical and searching. If God has provided such a salvation in Christ, indifference is a perilous response; it despises both the message and the Messenger.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000how 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;
KJV
King James Version · 1611How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901how 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;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949What will come on us, if we do not give our minds to such a great salvation? a salvation of which our fathers first had knowledge through the words of the Lord, and which was made certain to us by those to whom his words came;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862how shall we escape, having neglected so great salvation? which a beginning receiving--to be spoken through the Lord--by those having heard was confirmed to us,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation? Which, having begun to be declared by the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890how shall we escape if we have been negligent of so great salvation, which, having had its commencement in being spoken [of] by the Lord, has been confirmed to us by those who have heard;
Context
This verse completes the lesser-to-greater argument begun in verse 2 and anchors the warning in the identity of the Speaker: the Lord. The author also appeals to apostolic confirmation, linking the readers to the firsthand witnesses. Verse 4 will add God’s own corroboration through signs and gifts, forming a threefold testimony—Lord, witnesses, God. Together these verses press urgency on the audience before the letter pivots to the theme of angels and the world to come (v.5), showing why neglect is irrational in light of the salvation’s grandeur and credentials.
v.2For if the word spoken through angels proved stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward;
v.3This passage
v.4God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders, and by manifold powers, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Hebrews 12:25
See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not when they refused him that warned them on earth, much more shall not we escape who turn away from him that warneth from heaven:
- Acts 2:22
Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God unto you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as ye yourselves know;
- Matthew 4:17
From that time began Jesus to preach, and to say, Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
- Romans 2:3
And reckonest thou this, O man, who judgest them that practise such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
- Isaiah 51:5
My righteousness is near, my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the peoples; the isles shall wait for me, and on mine arm shall they trust.
- Ezekiel 17:18
For he hath despised the oath by breaking the covenant; and behold, he had given his hand, and yet hath done all these things; he shall not escape.
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