Devine Scripture

Hebrews 3:3

What does Hebrews 3:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 3:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 3:3 means

Jesus deserves more glory than Moses the way a builder deserves more honor than the house he constructs. Moses, though faithful, belongs to the house—he is part of the community and work of God. Jesus, by contrast, stands in the role of the One who brings the whole household into being and order. The image lifts Jesus from within the system to above it. He is not merely another steward; He is the architect. Therefore, returning from Christ to Moses would be like revering the house more than the master who designed and oversees it.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For he hath been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by so much as he that built the house hath more honor than the house.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For he hath been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by so much as he that built the house hath more honor than the house.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And it was right for this man to have more honour than Moses, even as the builder of a house has more honour than the house.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for of more glory than Moses hath this one been counted worthy, inasmuch as more honour than the house hath he who doth build it,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For this man was counted worthy of greater glory than Moses, by so much as he that hath built the house hath greater honour than the house.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For he has been counted worthy of greater glory than Moses, by how much he that has built it has more honour than the house.

Context

This verse advances from shared faithfulness to a decisive distinction: Jesus is related to the house as its builder, while Moses belongs to it. The house imagery prepares for the discussion of God as Builder (verse 4) and Moses’ servant role (verse 5). The contrast is not between good and bad but between categories—architect versus structure. This sets up the next steps in the argument: grounding all building in God Himself and then placing Christ as Son over the house, with a pastoral application about perseverance for those who are that house.

v.2who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also was Moses in all his house.

v.3This passage

v.4For every house is builded by some one; but he that built all things is God.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Peter 2:5

    ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

  • Zechariah 4:9

    The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that Jehovah of hosts hath sent me unto you.

  • Colossians 1:18

    And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

  • Hebrews 1:2

    hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds;

  • Hebrews 2:9

    But we behold him who hath been made a little lower than the angels, even Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for every man.

  • Hebrews 3:6

    but Christ as a son, over his house; whose house are we, if we hold fast our boldness and the glorying of our hope firm unto the end.

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