Devine Scripture

Hebrews 6:17

What does Hebrews 6:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 6:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 6:17 means

God, wanting to show “more abundantly” to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of his counsel, “interposed with an oath.” He desired not mere adequacy of assurance, but abundance. The heirs—those included in his saving plan—are meant to rest in the immutability of his purpose. By adding an oath to his promise, God stoops to our frailty, giving double certainty. His counsel does not shift with time or circumstance; our confidence should mirror that steadiness. This verse portrays God not as reluctant, but as eager for his people to know that his saving will is fixed and that their hope has an unshakeable foundation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

So that when it was God's desire to make it specially clear to those who by his word were to have the heritage, that his purpose was fixed, he made it more certain with an oath;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

in which God, more abundantly willing to shew to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, did interpose by an oath,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Wherein God, meaning more abundantly to shew to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed an oath:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

WhereinGod, willing to shew more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of his purpose, intervened by an oath,

Context

Flowing from the human analogy (verse 16), this verse applies it to God’s saving purpose. It sets up verse 18’s declaration about the “two immutable things” and the impossibility of God lying, leading to believers’ strong encouragement. Those themes usher in the rich hope imagery of verses 19–20, where the anchor is fastened within the veil and Jesus, as forerunner and high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek, has entered for us.

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

v.17This passage

v.18that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us:

Cross references

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

  • 1 Peter 1:3

    Blessedbethe God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

  • Psalms 33:11

    The counsel of Jehovah standeth fast for ever, The thoughts of his heart to all generations.

  • John 10:10

    The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.

  • Psalms 110:4

    Jehovah hath sworn, and will not repent: Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek.

  • Isaiah 14:24

    Jehovah of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely, as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:

  • Hebrews 6:16

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

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