Devine Scripture

Hebrews 4:13

What does Hebrews 4:13 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 4:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 4:13 means

No creature is hidden from God’s sight; all are “naked and laid open” before Him. The point is accountability: we live our lives before the One “with whom we have to do.” This intensifies the warning of verse 12. The word exposes; God Himself sees. Pretense cannot shield us; religious appearances cannot deceive Him. For those flirting with unbelief, this is a sober summons to repent. For those fearing their weakness, it sets the stage for hope: the same God who sees all has provided a mediator. We need help that reaches the heart He sees so clearly.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And there is no creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And there is no creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And there is nothing made which is not completely clear to him; there is nothing covered, but all things are open to the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and there is not a created thing not manifest before Him, but all things <FI>are<Fi> naked and open to His eyes--with whom is our reckoning.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Neither is there any creature invisible in his sight: but all things are naked and open to his eyes, to whom our speech is.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And there is not a creature unapparent before him; but all things [are] naked and laid bare to his eyes, with whom we have to do.

Context

Having described the word’s penetrating power (v. 12), verse 13 asserts God’s omniscient gaze. Together they leave readers without hiding places and ready for grace. The next verses (v. 14–16) introduce the antidote to despair: we have a great high priest, Jesus the Son of God, who enables us to hold fast and to approach God confidently for mercy and help. The structure moves from exposure to provision, from searching light to sympathetic priestly care.

v.12For 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.

v.13This passage

v.14Having then a great high priest, who hath passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

Cross references

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

  • 2 Corinthians 5:10

    For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

  • Psalms 139:11

    If I say, Surely the darkness shall overwhelm me, And the light about me shall be night;

  • Psalms 7:9

    Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish thou the righteous: For the righteous God trieth the minds and hearts.

  • 1 Samuel 16:7

    But Jehovah said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him: for Jehovah seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but Jehovah looketh on the heart.

  • John 2:24

    But Jesus did not trust himself unto them, for that he knew all men,

  • Ecclesiastes 12:14

    For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

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