Hebrews 4:12
What does Hebrews 4:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Hebrews 4:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Hebrews 4:12 means
God’s word is not inert text; it is living and active. It penetrates to the deepest places—“dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow”—a way of saying that nothing in us escapes its scrutiny. It exposes the real motives and intentions beneath our outward acts. Sharper than any two-edged sword, it both wounds and heals, cutting away self-deception and laying bare what is true. In light of the call to enter God’s rest, this word judges unbelief and stirs faith. Hearing it requires response, because it deals with the inner person where trust or hardness is formed.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For the word of God is living and full of power, and is sharper than any two-edged sword, cutting through and making a division even of the soul and the spirit, the bones and the muscles, and quick to see the thoughts and purposes of the heart.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for the reckoning of God is living, and working, and sharp above every two-edged sword, and piercing unto the dividing asunder both of soul and spirit, of joints also and marrow, and a discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For the word of God is living and effectual and more piercing than any two edged sword; and reaching unto the division of the soul and the spirit, of the joints also and the marrow: and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For the word ofGod [is] living and operative, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and penetrating to [the] division of soul and spirit, both of joints and marrow, and a discerner of the thoughts and intents of [the] heart.
Context
This verse follows the exhortation to diligence (v. 11) and explains why shallow responses are insufficient: God’s word pierces the heart. The focus returns to the danger of hidden unbelief. Verse 13 will add that nothing is hidden from God’s sight, tying the incisive word to the all-seeing Lord. With hearts thus laid open, the chapter will pivot to comfort: Jesus, our great high priest, secures mercy and grace for those who come to Him (v. 14–16).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 139:2
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; Thou understandest my thought afar off.
- Isaiah 49:2
and he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me: and he hath made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he kept me close:
- Acts 4:31
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken wherein they were gathered together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
- Ephesians 6:17
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
- Revelation 19:15
And out of his mouth proceedeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty.
- Acts 2:37
Now when they heardthis, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do?
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