Devine Scripture

Hebrews 6:15

What does Hebrews 6:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 6:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 6:15 means

“And thus, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise.” The stress falls on the manner—patient endurance. Abraham waited through delays and tests, continuing to trust the God who had sworn. In God’s time, the promise came to fruition. The author’s aim is practical: inheritances come to those who keep believing while they wait. The example validates the call of verse 12 and encourages weary readers: the path is not novel or unfair. God’s way with Abraham is his way with his people—promise, waiting, and then fulfillment—so keep on, knowing the end is sure because God has pledged it.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And thus, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And thus, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And so, when he had been waiting calmly for a long time, God's word to him was put into effect.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and so, having patiently endured, he did obtain the promise;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And so patiently enduring he obtained the promise.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and thus, having had long patience, he got the promise.

Context

This verse wraps up the Abraham example by tying promise to patience and fulfillment. Next, verses 16–18 will reflect on how oaths function to end disputes and why God added an oath to his already sure promise: to show unchangeability and give strong encouragement to heirs of the promise. That encouragement then blossoms into the anchor-of-hope image in verses 19–20, linking God’s unlying word to Jesus’ priestly entrance beyond the veil.

v.14saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.

v.15This passage

v.16For men swear by the greater: and in every dispute of theirs the oath is final for confirmation.

Cross references

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

  • Genesis 12:2

    and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and be thou a blessing:

  • Hebrews 6:12

    that ye be not sluggish, but imitators of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

  • Genesis 17:16

    And I will bless her, and moreover I will give thee a son of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be of her.

  • Genesis 21:2

    And Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

  • Romans 4:17

    (as it is written, A father of many nations have I made thee) before him whom he believed, even God, who giveth life to the dead, and calleth the things that are not, as though they were.

  • Habakkuk 2:2

    And Jehovah answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tablets, that he may run that readeth it.

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