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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Hebrews 6:13 When God made His promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/hebrews/6-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/58_Heb_06_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Hebrews 6:13 - God's Unchangeable Promise" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When God made His promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/hebrews/6-13.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/hebrews/6-13.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/hebrews/">Hebrews</a> > <a href="/hebrews/6.htm">Chapter 6</a> > Verse 13</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad13.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/hebrews/6-12.htm" title="Hebrews 6:12">◄</a> Hebrews 6:13 <a href="/hebrews/6-14.htm" title="Hebrews 6:14">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/hebrews/6.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/hebrews/6.htm">New International Version</a> When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, <a href="/nlt/hebrews/6.htm">New Living Translation</a> 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: <a href="/esv/hebrews/6.htm">English Standard Version</a> For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, <a href="/bsb/hebrews/6.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> When God made His promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself, <a href="/blb/hebrews/6.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For God, having made His promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, swore by Himself, <a href="/kjv/hebrews/6.htm">King James Bible</a> For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, <a href="/nkjv/hebrews/6.htm">New King James Version</a> For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, <a href="/nasb_/hebrews/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear an oath by no one greater, He swore by Himself, <a href="/nasb/hebrews/6.htm">NASB 1995</a> For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, <a href="/nasb77/hebrews/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a> For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, <a href="/lsb/hebrews/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, <a href="/amp/hebrews/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a> For when God made the promise to Abraham, He swore [an oath] by Himself, since He had no one greater by whom to swear, <a href="/csb/hebrews/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater to swear by, he swore by himself: <a href="/hcsb/hebrews/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> For when God made a promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself: <a href="/asv/hebrews/6.htm">American Standard Version</a> For when God made promise to Abraham, since he could swear by none greater, he sware by himself, <a href="/cev/hebrews/6.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> No one is greater than God. So he made a promise in his own name when he said to Abraham, <a href="/erv/hebrews/6.htm">English Revised Version</a> For when God made promise to Abraham, since he could swear by none greater, he sware by himself, <a href="/gwt/hebrews/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> God made a promise to Abraham. Since he had no one greater on whom to base his oath, he based it on himself. <a href="/gnt/hebrews/6.htm">Good News Translation</a> When God made his promise to Abraham, he made a vow to do what he had promised. Since there was no one greater than himself, he used his own name when he made his vow. <a href="/isv/hebrews/6.htm">International Standard Version</a> For when God made his promise to Abraham, he swore an oath by himself, since he had no one greater to swear by. <a href="/msb/hebrews/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> When God made His promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself, <a href="/net/hebrews/6.htm">NET Bible</a> Now when God made his promise to Abraham, since he could swear by no one greater, he swore by himself, <a href="/nheb/hebrews/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he could swear by none greater, he swore by himself, <a href="/wbt/hebrews/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he swore by himself, <a href="/wey/hebrews/6.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> For when God gave the promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself, <a href="/web/hebrews/6.htm">World English Bible</a> For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he could swear by no one greater, he swore by himself, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/hebrews/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> For God, having made promise to Abraham, seeing He was not able to swear by [any] greater, swore by Himself, <a href="/blb/hebrews/6.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For God, having made His promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, swore by Himself, <a href="/ylt/hebrews/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> For to Abraham God, having made promise, seeing He was able to swear by no greater, did swear by Himself, <a href="/slt/hebrews/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For God promising to Abraham, since he had none greater to swear by, sware by himself,<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/hebrews/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> For God making promise to Abraham, because he had no one greater by whom he might swear, swore by himself, <a href="/cpdv/hebrews/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> For God, in making promises to Abraham, swore by himself, (because he had no one greater by whom he might swear), <a href="/nabre/hebrews/6.htm">New American Bible</a> When God made the promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, “he swore by himself,” <a href="/nrsvce/hebrews/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> When God made a promise to Abraham, because he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself,<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/hebrews/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For when God made a promise to A’braham, because there was none greater than himself by whom he could swear, he swore by himself, <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/hebrews/6.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> For when God made a promise to Abraham, because there was no greater than he by whom to swear, he swore by himself,<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/hebrews/6.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he swore by himself, <a href="/godbey/hebrews/6.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> For God having promised Abraham, since he had no greater one by whom to swear, swore by himself, <a href="/haweis/hebrews/6.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> For God when he gave the promise to Abraham forasmuch as he had nothing greater to swear by, sware by himself, <a href="/mace/hebrews/6.htm">Mace New Testament</a> For when God gave his promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, saying, <a href="/wey/hebrews/6.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> For when God gave the promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself, <a href="/worrell/hebrews/6.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> For God, when making a promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater by whom to swear, swore by Himself, <a href="/worsley/hebrews/6.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> For when God made the promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no greater, He sware by Himself, saying, <a href="/parallel/hebrews/6-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x-IAXXp5zcA?start=902" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/hebrews/6.htm">God's Unchangeable Promise</a> 12Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. 13<a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">When</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theos (N-NMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God</a> <a href="/greek/1861.htm" title="1861: epangeilamenos (V-APM-NMS) -- From epi and the base of aggelos; to announce upon, i.e. to engage to do something, to assert something respecting oneself.">made His promise</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/11.htm" title="11: Abraam (N-DMS) -- Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch.">to Abraham,</a> <a href="/greek/1893.htm" title="1893: epei (Conj) -- Of time: when, after; of cause: since, because; otherwise: else. From epi and ei; thereupon, i.e. Since.">since</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: eichen (V-IIA-3S) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">He had</a> <a href="/greek/3762.htm" title="3762: oudenos (Adj-GMS) -- No one, none, nothing. ">no one</a> <a href="/greek/3173.htm" title="3173: meizonos (Adj-GMS-C) -- Large, great, in the widest sense. ">greater</a> <a href="/greek/3660.htm" title="3660: omosai (V-ANA) -- A prolonged form of a primary, but obsolete omo, for which another prolonged form omoo is used in certain tenses; to swear, i.e. Take oath.">to swear</a> <a href="/greek/2596.htm" title="2596: kat’ (Prep) -- A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).">by,</a> <a href="/greek/3660.htm" title="3660: ōmosen (V-AIA-3S) -- A prolonged form of a primary, but obsolete omo, for which another prolonged form omoo is used in certain tenses; to swear, i.e. Take oath.">He swore</a> <a href="/greek/2596.htm" title="2596: kath’ (Prep) -- A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).">by</a> <a href="/greek/1438.htm" title="1438: heautou (RefPro-GM3S) -- Himself, herself, itself. ">Himself,</a> 14saying, “I will surely bless you and multiply your descendants.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/22-16.htm">Genesis 22:16-18</a> saying, “By Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your only son, / I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies. / And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” <a href="/galatians/3-16.htm">Galatians 3:16</a> The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed,” meaning One, who is Christ. <a href="/romans/4-13.htm">Romans 4:13</a> For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. <a href="/james/2-21.htm">James 2:21-23</a> Was not our father Abraham justified by what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? / You see that his faith was working with his actions, and his faith was perfected by what he did. / And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God. <a href="/genesis/12-1.htm">Genesis 12:1-3</a> Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you. / I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. / I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.” <a href="/romans/4-18.htm">Romans 4:18-22</a> Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” / Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb. / Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, ... <a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Genesis 15:5-6</a> And the LORD took him outside and said, “Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.” Then He told him, “So shall your offspring be.” / Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness. <a href="/galatians/3-8.htm">Galatians 3:8</a> The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” <a href="/genesis/17-4.htm">Genesis 17:4-8</a> “As for Me, this is My covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. / No longer will you be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. / I will make you exceedingly fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will descend from you. ... <a href="/romans/9-7.htm">Romans 9:7-9</a> Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring. / For this is what the promise stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.” <a href="/genesis/26-3.htm">Genesis 26:3-5</a> Stay in this land as a foreigner, and I will be with you and bless you. For I will give all these lands to you and your offspring, and I will confirm the oath that I swore to your father Abraham. / I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, / because Abraham listened to My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.” <a href="/acts/3-25.htm">Acts 3:25</a> And you are sons of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers when He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all the families of the earth will be blessed.’ <a href="/genesis/21-12.htm">Genesis 21:12</a> But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to everything that Sarah tells you, for through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned. <a href="/romans/11-28.htm">Romans 11:28-29</a> Regarding the gospel, they are enemies on your account; but regarding election, they are loved on account of the patriarchs. / For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. <a href="/genesis/28-13.htm">Genesis 28:13-15</a> And there at the top the LORD was standing and saying, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you now lie. / Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and east and north and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. / Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he swore by himself,he sware.<a href="/hebrews/6-16.htm">Hebrews 6:16-18</a> For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife… <a href="/genesis/22-15.htm">Genesis 22:15-18</a> And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, … <a href="/ezekiel/32-13.htm">Ezekiel 32:13</a> I will destroy also all the beasts thereof from beside the great waters; neither shall the foot of man trouble them any more, nor the hoofs of beasts trouble them.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hebrews/5-7.htm">Able</a> <a href="/hebrews/2-16.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/hebrews/3-3.htm">Greater</a> <a href="/hebrews/4-3.htm">Oath</a> <a href="/hebrews/4-1.htm">Promise</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-12.htm">Promised</a> <a href="/hebrews/4-3.htm">Sware</a> <a href="/hebrews/3-18.htm">Swear</a> <a href="/hebrews/4-3.htm">Swore</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/hebrews/7-25.htm">Able</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-15.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-16.htm">Greater</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-16.htm">Oath</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-15.htm">Promise</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-15.htm">Promised</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-21.htm">Sware</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-16.htm">Swear</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-21.htm">Swore</a><div class="vheading2">Hebrews 6</div>1. <a href="/hebrews/6-1.htm">He exhorts not to fall back from the faith;</a> 11. <a href="/hebrews/6-11.htm">but to be steadfast,</a> 12. <a href="/hebrews/6-12.htm">diligent, and patient to wait upon God;</a> 13. <a href="/hebrews/6-13.htm">because God is most sure in his promise.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hebrews/6.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hebrews/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/hebrews/6.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>When God made His promise to Abraham This phrase refers to the covenant God established with Abraham, a foundational moment in biblical history. The promise included land, descendants, and blessings (<a href="/genesis/12.htm">Genesis 12:1-3</a>). This covenant is pivotal as it sets the stage for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through Abraham's lineage, ultimately leading to the coming of Jesus Christ. The promise is reiterated and expanded in <a href="/genesis/15.htm">Genesis 15 and 17</a>, emphasizing its importance.since He had no one greater to swear by In ancient cultures, oaths were sworn by invoking a higher authority to guarantee the truthfulness of one's word. God, being the supreme being, has no higher authority to appeal to. This highlights God's ultimate sovereignty and the absolute certainty of His promises. The concept of swearing by a higher power is seen in various biblical contexts, such as in <a href="/matthew/5-33.htm">Matthew 5:33-37</a>, where Jesus discusses the nature of oaths.He swore by Himself God's self-swearing underscores the unchangeable nature of His promise. This act is unique and signifies the utmost seriousness and reliability of His word. In <a href="/genesis/22-16.htm">Genesis 22:16-18</a>, God swears by Himself after Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac, reinforcing the promise of blessing and multiplication. This self-oath is a profound assurance to believers of God's faithfulness and is echoed in other scriptures, such as <a href="/isaiah/45-23.htm">Isaiah 45:23</a> and <a href="/philippians/2-10.htm">Philippians 2:10-11</a>, where God's word is depicted as irrevocable.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The supreme being who made a promise to Abraham, emphasizing His ultimate authority and faithfulness. 2. <a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a> The patriarch to whom God made a significant promise, highlighting his role as a key figure in the faith account. 3. <a href="/topical/p/promise_to_abraham.htm">Promise to Abraham</a> Refers to God's covenant with Abraham, which includes blessings and the establishment of a great nation through his descendants.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_unchanging_nature.htm">God's Unchanging Nature</a> God's promise to Abraham is a testament to His unchanging nature and faithfulness. He swears by Himself because there is no higher authority, underscoring His reliability. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_faith.htm">The Importance of Faith</a> Abraham's example teaches us the importance of faith in God's promises. Despite circumstances, Abraham trusted God, which is a model for our own faith journey. <a href="/topical/t/the_assurance_of_god's_promises.htm">The Assurance of God's Promises</a> Just as God fulfilled His promise to Abraham, we can have confidence that He will fulfill His promises to us. This assurance should encourage us in times of doubt. <a href="/topical/t/the_significance_of_god's_oath.htm">The Significance of God's Oath</a> God's oath by Himself signifies the seriousness and certainty of His promises. It is a reminder that God's word is trustworthy and binding. <a href="/topical/l/living_in_the_light_of_god's_promises.htm">Living in the Light of God's Promises</a> Understanding God's faithfulness should inspire us to live obediently and expectantly, knowing that His promises are sure and will come to pass.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_hebrews_6.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Hebrews 6</a> <a href="/q/did_jesus_claim_to_be_god.htm">Didn't Jesus never actually claim to be God?</a> <a href="/q/what_did_jesus_mean_by_'i_am'.htm">What did Jesus mean by 'Before Abraham was, I am'?</a> <a href="/q/why_was_john_the_baptist_beheaded.htm">Is the Old Testament God different from the New Testament God?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_god_swear_by_himself.htm">If God is omnipotent, why does He need to swear by Himself to carry out judgment (Amos 6:8)? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/hebrews/6.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13) The connection seems to be this: "You, like them, have promises--promises to which God has given all possible certainty; you, like them, can attain the fulfilment only through faith and patient waiting."For when God made promise.--It is better to follow the words literally, For when to Abraham God had made promise. Abraham is chosen for special mention as the most illustrious example of those who "inherit the promises" (comp. <a href="/john/8-58.htm" title="Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Before Abraham was, I am.">John 8:58</a>); also because (1) the assurance given to him was confirmed by oath; and (2) in it lay included the promise of the Christ. The promises made to Abraham were essentially one, with various parts progressively fulfilled. It seems likely that, though the next verse is quoted from <a href="/genesis/22-17.htm" title="That in blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply your seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is on the sea shore; and your seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;">Genesis 22:17</a>, the writer also has in mind ("had promised") <a href="/genesis/12-3.htm" title="And I will bless them that bless you, and curse him that curses you: and in you shall all families of the earth be blessed.">Genesis 12:3</a>, and especially Genesis 15.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/hebrews/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 13-15. - For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise. Abraham - the ancestor of the Hebrews, the first recipient of the promises, the father of the faithful - is now appropriately adduced as an example. He (<a href="/genesis/22-16.htm">Genesis 22:16</a>), as is the case with you (<a href="/psalms/110.htm">Psalm 110</a>.), was assured of his inheritance by the Divine oath; and so he obtained it, but only through "faith and patience." You have the like assurance, but attended with the like conditions. And then this Divine oath, the significance of which is set forth in vers. 16-18, is made a link of connection between the hortatory section (<a href="/hebrews/5-11.htm">Hebrews 5:11-6:20</a>) and the coming argument about Melchizedek. This is one instance of the artistic way in which, throughout the Epistle, the interposed hortatory passages are so turned as to connect the divided sections of the argument. But what is said about Abraham (vers. 13, 14, 15) has been variously understood. It is connected with ver. 12 thus: "Be ye followers of them who inherit the promises through faith and patience: for God, in his promise to Abraham, swore by himself in confirmation of it; and so (καὶ ὀὔτω) through patience he obtained the promise. Be it here observed that μακροθυμήσας in ver. 15 ("having patiently endured," A.V.) corresponds with διὰ μακροθυμίας in ver. 12, and expresses essentially the same idea. The aorist participle μακροθυμήσας does not in itself imply that the patience was previous to the obtaining; it expresses only that by patiently enduring he obtained. Observe also that καὶ οὔτω (cf. <a href="/acts/7-8.htm">Acts 7:8</a>; <a href="/acts/27-44.htm">Acts 27:44</a>; <a href="/acts/28-14.htm">Acts 28:14</a>) denotes the consequence from what has been previously stated; i.e. that μακροθυμήσας ἐπέτυχε followed from the Divine oath ensuring the fulfillment of the promise. Both his eventually obtaining and his patience in awaiting fulfillment were in consequence of the assuring oath. But then how and when did Abraham himself obtain the promise? Not even the temporal fulfillment in the multiplication of his seed and the inheritance of the Promised Land, much less the spiritual fulfillment in Christ, was during his own life. Both he could but see "afar off." In respect to the latter it is expressly said (<a href="/hebrews/11-13.htm">Hebrews 11:13, 39</a>) that the patriarchs did not receive the promises - μὴ λαβόντες τὰς ἐπογγελίας: οὐκ ἐκομίσαντο τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν. What, then, is meant by μακροθυμήσας ἐπέτυχε? Bleek understands the time of the oath (<a href="/genesis/22.htm">Genesis 22</a>.), when the promise was irrevocably assured, to have been the time of obtaining. But more than this is suggested by the phrase, ἐπέτυχε τῆς ἐπαγγελίας (cf. Hebrews 11:33), as well as by καὶ οὔτω, viz. the actual attainment of the blessing assured to him by oath. There are two other ways of explaining: (1) to identify Abraham with his seed, in whom, though not in his own person, he may be conceived to have obtained, - of which view it may be significant that πληθυνῶ τὸ σπέρμα σου of the LXX. (<a href="/genesis/22-17.htm">Genesis 22:17</a>) is changed in the Epistle to πληθννῶ σε: (2) to regard Abraham, still alive in the unseen world, as himself enjoying the fulfillment of the ancient promise. So Delitzsch, who, dwelling on the thought that nothing less than the blessing of Abraham extended to the whole world (cf. κληρονόμος τοῦ κόσμου, <a href="/romans/4-13.htm">Romans 4:13</a>) can be regarded as complete fulfill-merit, says, "God's oath-sealed word of promise is now fulfilled in Christ, and Abraham, while living on in the unseen world, is conscious of and enjoys that fulfillment, and so may be said to have "obtained the promise." This view derives some support from <a href="/hebrews/11-13.htm">Hebrews 11:13-16</a>, where the longings of the pilgrim patriarchs is so beautifully represented as reaching to a heavenly fulfillment. On the other hand, the aorist ἐπέτυχε is against it, and hence view (1) may be accepted as a sufficient explanation of the expression (see below, or <a href="/hebrews/11-39.htm">Hebrews 11:39</a>). With regard to the general drift, it is obvious how μακροθυμία, as well as πίστις, in respect to the promise first made to him "in Charran," is strikingly displayed in Abraham's recorded life. <a href="/commentaries/hebrews/6-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>[When] γὰρ (gar) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. God Θεός (Theos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. made His promise ἐπαγγειλάμενος (epangeilamenos) Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1861.htm">Strong's 1861: </a> From epi and the base of aggelos; to announce upon, i.e. to engage to do something, to assert something respecting oneself. to Abraham, Ἀβραὰμ (Abraam) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_11.htm">Strong's 11: </a> Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch. since ἐπεὶ (epei) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1893.htm">Strong's 1893: </a> Of time: when, after; of cause: since, because; otherwise: else. From epi and ei; thereupon, i.e. Since. He had εἶχεν (eichen) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. no one οὐδενὸς (oudenos) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3762.htm">Strong's 3762: </a> No one, none, nothing. greater μείζονος (meizonos) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular - Comparative <a href="/greek/strongs_3173.htm">Strong's 3173: </a> Large, great, in the widest sense. to swear ὀμόσαι (omosai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_3660.htm">Strong's 3660: </a> A prolonged form of a primary, but obsolete omo, for which another prolonged form omoo is used in certain tenses; to swear, i.e. Take oath. by, κατ’ (kat’) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_2596.htm">Strong's 2596: </a> A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined). He swore ὤμοσεν (ōmosen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3660.htm">Strong's 3660: </a> A prolonged form of a primary, but obsolete omo, for which another prolonged form omoo is used in certain tenses; to swear, i.e. Take oath. by καθ’ (kath’) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_2596.htm">Strong's 2596: </a> A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined). Himself, ἑαυτοῦ (heautou) Reflexive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1438.htm">Strong's 1438: </a> Himself, herself, itself. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/hebrews/6-13.htm">Hebrews 6:13 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/hebrews/6-13.htm">Hebrews 6:13 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/hebrews/6-13.htm">Hebrews 6:13 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/hebrews/6-13.htm">Hebrews 6:13 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/hebrews/6-13.htm">Hebrews 6:13 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/hebrews/6-13.htm">Hebrews 6:13 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/hebrews/6-13.htm">Hebrews 6:13 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/hebrews/6-13.htm">Hebrews 6:13 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/hebrews/6-13.htm">Hebrews 6:13 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/hebrews/6-13.htm">Hebrews 6:13 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-13.htm">NT Letters: Hebrews 6:13 For when God made a promise (Heb. He. 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