Hebrews 6:13

The Certainty of God’s Promise

13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself,

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Hebrews 6:13 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)

13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,

English Standard Version (ESV)

13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself,

New Living Translation (NLT)

13 For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying:

The Message Bible (MSG)

13 When God made his promise to Abraham, he backed it to the hilt, putting his own reputation on the line.

American Standard Version (ASV)

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

GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)

13 God made a promise to Abraham. Since he had no one greater on whom to base his oath, he based it on himself.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself:

New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

13 When God made his promise to Abraham, he took an oath to keep it. But there was no one greater than himself to take an oath by. So he took his oath by making an appeal to himself.

Hebrews 6:13 Meaning and Commentary

Hebrews 6:13

For when God made promise to Abraham
The apostle proposes Abraham as a pattern, because he was the father of these Hebrews, and of all believers; and because they were interested in the promise made to him, and had a right to the same blessing with him; and because he was remarkable for his faith and patience: the promise made to him is not that in ( Genesis 12:1-3 ) nor that in ( Genesis 15:1 Genesis 15:4 Genesis 15:5 Genesis 15:13 Genesis 15:14 ) but that in ( Genesis 22:16 Genesis 22:17 ) for that only had an oath annexed to it: and this was made by Jesus Christ, there called the Angel of the Lord, and here God; and who is truly and properly so; and than whom there is none greater; and who elsewhere, as here, is said to swear by himself, ( Isaiah 45:23 ) as follows:

because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself;
swearing is ascribed to a divine person after the manner of men, and in condescension to them; and who is never introduced swearing, but in matters of moment and of great importance; the note of Philo the Jew

FOOTNOTES:

F14 on the passage in ( Genesis 22:16 ) from whence the following words are cited, is worthy of observation, being very near the apostle's words;

``well does he (God) confirm the promise with an oath, and with an oath that becomes God; for you see that God does not swear by another, for nothing is better than himself, but by himself, who is the best of all; but some have suggested as if it was inconvenient to swear, for an oath is taken for the sake of faith; but God alone is faithful''

F14 Leg. Allegor. l. 2. p. 98.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Hebrews 6:13 In-Context

11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized.

12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself,

14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”

15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.

Cross References 1

1. Genesis 22:16; Luke 1:73