Hebrews 5:7
What does Hebrews 5:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Hebrews 5:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Hebrews 5:7 means
During His earthly life, Christ prayed fervently, with loud cries and tears, to the Father who could save Him from death. He was “heard” because of His reverent submission—His godly fear. This does not mean He avoided death altogether; rather, the Father answered by delivering Him through death, vindicating Him. The verse displays Christ’s full humanity: He faced real anguish and sought the Father’s help. It also models true piety—bold pleading combined with humble submission. Such experience makes Him a sympathetic High Priest who knows our sorrows firsthand and who intercedes with both compassion and perfect reverence before God.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Who in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear,
KJV
King James Version · 1611Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Who in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Who in the days of his flesh, having sent up prayers and requests with strong crying and weeping to him who was able to give him salvation from death, had his prayer answered because of his fear of God.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862who in the days of his flesh both prayers and supplications unto Him who was able to save him from death--with strong crying and tears--having offered up, and having been heard in respect to that which he feared,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Who in the days of his flesh, with a strong cry and tears, offering up prayers and supplications to him that was able to save him from death, was heard for his reverence.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Who in the days of his flesh, having offered up both supplications and entreaties to him who was able to save him out of death, with strong crying and tears; (and having been heard because of his piety;)
Context
After establishing Christ’s appointment (vv. 5–6), the author shows His fitness through experience. Verse 7 recalls the intensity of His prayers in the days of His flesh, likely evoking Gethsemane and the Passion. Verses 8–9 explain the result: He learned obedience through suffering and was made perfectly qualified, becoming the source of eternal salvation. Verse 10 will restate His priestly title. The narrative then pauses (vv. 11–14) to address the readers’ dullness, before returning later to expand on Melchizedek.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 11:35
Jesus wept.
- Psalms 22:1
My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou sofar from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?
- Leviticus 2:2
and he shall bring it to Aaron’s sons the priests; and he shall take thereout his handful of the fine flour thereof, and of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof. And the priest shall burn it as the memorial thereof upon the altar, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto Jehovah:
- Matthew 27:50
And Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit.
- Matthew 26:28
for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many unto remission of sins.
- Psalms 18:19
He brought me forth also into a large place; He delivered me, because he delighted in me.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Hebrews 5
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Hebrews 5.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Discernment
Discernment is the ability to judge well, to distinguish between right and wrong, good and evil, and truth and falsehood.
Topic
Bible Verses About Obedience
Obedience to God is a foundational principle in the Christian faith, demonstrating our love and trust in Him.
Topic
Bible Verses About Salvation
Salvation is God’s gracious act of delivering humanity from sin and its consequences through faith in Jesus Christ.
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for When You Feel Spiritually Numb
When God feels distant and you feel nothing — verses for the dry season.
Verses for
Bible Verses for When You Feel Alone
When no one seems to see you — verses for the One who does.
Verses for
Bible Verses for When You're Worried About Money
When the bills outpace the paycheck — verses for a steadier kind of provision.