Devine Scripture

Hebrews 6:16

What does Hebrews 6:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 6:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 6:16 means

Human practice confirms the point: “men swear by the greater,” invoking a higher authority to settle matters, and an oath “is final for confirmation,” ending disputes. The author appeals to common experience to explain why God’s oath is so assuring. If even human oaths give confidence, how much more when God stoops to swear? The logic is from the lesser to the greater. Oaths serve to remove doubt and establish certainty; therefore, when God uses the form we recognize, he addresses our hesitations and secures our hearts, not because he is untrustworthy, but because we are weak and need added confirmation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For men at all times make their oaths by what is greater; and any argument is ended by the decision of the oath.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for men indeed do swear by the greater, and an end of all controversy to them for confirmation <FI>is<Fi> the oath,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For men swear by one greater than themselves: and an oath for confirmation is the end of all their controversy.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For men indeed swear by a greater, and with them the oath is a term to all dispute, as making matters sure.

Context

This observation about human oaths prepares for the theological conclusion in verse 17: God’s purpose is unchangeable, and he added an oath to make that abundantly clear to heirs of the promise. Verse 18 will name the “two immutable things” and the result—strong encouragement and hope for those who have fled for refuge. The final verses (19–20) will describe this hope as an anchor entering within the veil, where Jesus has gone ahead as our eternal high priest.

v.15And thus, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

v.16This passage

v.17Wherein God, being minded to show more abundantly unto the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an oath;

Cross references

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

  • Genesis 14:22

    And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lifted up my hand unto Jehovah, God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth,

  • Joshua 9:15

    And Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.

  • Genesis 21:30

    And he said, These seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that it may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well.

  • Exodus 22:11

    the oath of Jehovah shall be between them both, whether he hath not put his hand unto his neighbor’s goods; and the owner thereof shall accept it, and he shall not make restitution.

  • Hebrews 6:13

    For when God made promise to Abraham, since he could swear by none greater, he sware by himself,

  • Ezekiel 17:16

    As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, surely in the place where the king dwelleth that made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he brake, even with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die.

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