Devine Scripture

Hebrews 3:5

What does Hebrews 3:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 3:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 3:5 means

Moses was indeed faithful, yet his faithfulness was the faithfulness of a servant inside God’s house. His ministry bore witness to realities that would be spoken later—his life, law, and leadership anticipated something greater to come. He did not create the covenant plan; he served it and signposted its fulfillment. This honors Moses while putting his role in perspective: preparatory and testimonial. He lived within the unfolding story, pointing beyond himself. The servant status is noble but limited, designed to lead God’s people to expect and welcome the fuller word and work that would follow.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were afterward to be spoken;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were afterward to be spoken;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Moses certainly kept faith as a servant, in all his house, and as a witness of those things which were to be said later;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and Moses indeed <FI>was<Fi> stedfast in all his house, as an attendant, for a testimony of those things that were to be spoken,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be said:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Moses indeed [was] faithful in all his house, as a ministering servant, for a testimony of the things to be spoken after;

Context

After affirming God as the Builder, the author clarifies Moses’ role to be faithful service and prophetic testimony. This prepares readers to see Moses not as an endpoint but as a pointer. The transition is crucial for Jewish Christians wrestling with the sufficiency of Moses versus the finality of Christ. The flow now moves to the climactic contrast in verse 6: Christ, not as servant within the house, but as Son over it. That shift in status becomes the basis for identifying who truly belongs to the house and for the call to perseverance.

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

v.5This passage

v.6but 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.

Cross references

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

  • Acts 7:37

    This is that Moses, who said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like unto me.

  • Joshua 1:2

    Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.

  • Acts 28:23

    And when they had appointed him a day, they came to him into his lodging in great number; to whom he expounded the matter, testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning till evening.

  • 1 Peter 1:10

    Concerning which salvation the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

  • Acts 3:22

    Moses indeed said, A prophet shall the Lord God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like unto me; to him shall ye hearken in all things whatsoever he shall speak unto you.

  • 1 Timothy 1:12

    I thank him that enabled me, even Christ Jesus our Lord, for that he counted me faithful, appointing me to his service;

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