Devine Scripture

Hebrews 6:7

What does Hebrews 6:7 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 6:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 6:7 means

The illustration: land that drinks frequent rain and produces useful crops for those who tend it “receiveth blessing from God.” The rain pictures God’s gracious provisions—truth, Spirit, community, and time. Fruitfulness shows a right response to grace: what is poured in results in what benefits others. Such ground is not praised for its own sake, but because, under the same rain, it yields what the farmer sought. The blessing is God’s approval on a life that, nourished by his gifts, brings forth fitting works. The point is to connect privilege to product: grace received ought to result in growth that serves and pleases God.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For the land which hath drunk the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receiveth blessing from God:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For the land which hath drunk the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receiveth blessing from God:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For a land, drinking in the frequent rain and producing good plants for those for whom it is worked, has a blessing from God:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

For earth, that is drinking in the rain many times coming upon it, and is bringing forth herbs fit for those because of whom also it is dressed, doth partake of blessing from God,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For the earth, that drinketh in the rain which cometh often upon it and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is tilled, receiveth blessing from God.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For ground which drinks the rain which comes often upon it, and produces useful herbs for those for whose sakes also it is tilled, partakes of blessing fromGod;

Context

Following the severe pronouncement of verse 6, this verse begins a two-part agricultural analogy. First, the positive outcome: fruitful land enjoys God’s blessing. Verse 8 will contrast this with land that yields only thorns and thistles under the same rain. The imagery helps readers feel the justice of the warning: God’s gifts are not empty; they call for a harvest. After this illustration, the author will relieve the tension (verse 9) by expressing confidence in his readers, then show why perseverance is both required and realistic (verses 10–12) before grounding hope in God’s promise (verses 13–20).

v.6and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

v.7This passage

v.8but if it beareth thorns and thistles, it is rejected and nigh unto a curse; whose end is to be burned.

Cross references

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

  • Deuteronomy 28:11

    And Jehovah will make thee plenteous for good, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which Jehovah sware unto thy fathers to give thee.

  • Ezekiel 34:26

    And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in its season; there shall be showers of blessing.

  • Psalms 126:6

    He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

  • Isaiah 55:10

    For as the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, and giveth seed to the sower and bread to the eater;

  • James 5:7

    Be patient therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receive the early and latter rain.

  • Malachi 3:10

    Bring ye the whole tithe into the store-house, that there may be food in my house, and prove me now herewith, saith Jehovah of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

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