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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 6:16 Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and their oath serves as a confirmation to end all argument.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/hebrews/6-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/58_Heb_06_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Hebrews 6:16 - God's Unchangeable Promise" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and their oath serves as a confirmation to end all argument." /><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/6-16.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/6-16.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 16</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="/ad16.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/6-15.htm" title="Hebrews 6:15">◄</a> Hebrews 6:16 <a href="/hebrews/6-17.htm" title="Hebrews 6:17">►</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> People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. <a href="/nlt/hebrews/6.htm">New Living Translation</a> Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. <a href="/esv/hebrews/6.htm">English Standard Version</a> For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. <a href="/bsb/hebrews/6.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and their oath serves as a confirmation to end all argument. <a href="/blb/hebrews/6.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For men swear by one greater, and an end of all their disputes, for confirmation, is the oath, <a href="/kjv/hebrews/6.htm">King James Bible</a> For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. <a href="/nkjv/hebrews/6.htm">New King James Version</a> For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. <a href="/nasb_/hebrews/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> For people swear an oath by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath serving as confirmation is an end of every dispute. <a href="/nasb/hebrews/6.htm">NASB 1995</a> For men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute. <a href="/nasb77/hebrews/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a> For men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute. <a href="/lsb/hebrews/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> For men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute. <a href="/amp/hebrews/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Indeed men swear [an oath] by one greater than themselves, and with them [in all disputes] the oath serves as confirmation [of what has been said] and is an end of the dispute. <a href="/csb/hebrews/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> For people swear by something greater than themselves, and for them a confirming oath ends every dispute. <a href="/hcsb/hebrews/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> For men swear by something greater than themselves, and for them a confirming oath ends every dispute. <a href="/asv/hebrews/6.htm">American Standard Version</a> For men swear by the greater: and in every dispute of theirs the oath is final for confirmation. <a href="/cev/hebrews/6.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> When anyone wants to settle an argument, they make a vow by using the name of someone or something greater than themselves. <a href="/erv/hebrews/6.htm">English Revised Version</a> For men swear by the greater: and in every dispute of theirs the oath is final for confirmation. <a href="/gwt/hebrews/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> When people take oaths, they base their oaths on someone greater than themselves. Their oaths guarantee what they say and end all arguments. <a href="/gnt/hebrews/6.htm">Good News Translation</a> When we make a vow, we use the name of someone greater than ourselves, and the vow settles all arguments. <a href="/isv/hebrews/6.htm">International Standard Version</a> For people swear by someone greater than themselves, and an oath given as confirmation puts an end to all argument. <a href="/msb/hebrews/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Men indeed swear by someone greater than themselves, and their oath serves as a confirmation to end all argument. <a href="/net/hebrews/6.htm">NET Bible</a> For people swear by something greater than themselves, and the oath serves as a confirmation to end all dispute. <a href="/nheb/hebrews/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> For people swear oaths by something greater, and in every dispute of theirs the oath is final for confirmation. <a href="/wbt/hebrews/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all contradiction. <a href="/wey/hebrews/6.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> For men swear by what is greater than themselves; and with them an oath in confirmation of a statement always puts an end to a dispute. <a href="/web/hebrews/6.htm">World English Bible</a> For men indeed swear by a greater one, and in every dispute of theirs the oath is final for confirmation. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/hebrews/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> for men swear by the greater, and the oath [is] for confirmation of the end of all their controversy, <a href="/blb/hebrews/6.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For men swear by one greater, and an end of all their disputes, for confirmation, is the oath, <a href="/ylt/hebrews/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> for men indeed do swear by the greater, and an end of all controversy to them for confirmation is the oath, <a href="/slt/hebrews/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For truly men swear by the greater: and the oath for confirmation to them the end of all controversy.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/hebrews/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> For men swear by one greater than themselves: and an oath for confirmation is the end of all their controversy. <a href="/cpdv/hebrews/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> For men swear by what is greater than themselves, and an oath as confirmation is the end of all their controversy. <a href="/nabre/hebrews/6.htm">New American Bible</a> Human beings swear by someone greater than themselves; for them an oath serves as a guarantee and puts an end to all argument. <a href="/nrsvce/hebrews/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Human beings, of course, swear by someone greater than themselves, and an oath given as confirmation puts an end to all dispute.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/hebrews/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For men swear by one who is greater than themselves: and in every dispute among them, the true settlement is by oaths. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/hebrews/6.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> For among men, they swear by that which is greater than they, and concerning every dispute which they have had among them, a sure end of it has come by an oath.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/hebrews/6.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> For, verily, men swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all contradiction.<CM> <a href="/godbey/hebrews/6.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> For men swear by the greater: and an oath of confirmation is to them an end to all controversy: <a href="/haweis/hebrews/6.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> For men indeed swear by something greater than themselves; and an oath for confirmation is with them conclusive in all disputes. <a href="/mace/hebrews/6.htm">Mace New Testament</a> for when men swear by a superior, the ratifying what they say with an oath, puts an end to all further debate. <a href="/wey/hebrews/6.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> For men swear by what is greater than themselves; and with them an oath in confirmation of a statement always puts an end to a dispute. <a href="/worrell/hebrews/6.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> For men swear by the greater; and the oath for confirmation is an end, to them, of every dispute: <a href="/worsley/hebrews/6.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> For men swear by a greater Being, and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all controversy. <a href="/parallel/hebrews/6-16.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=920" 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> …15And so Abraham, after waiting patiently, obtained the promise. 16<a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason."></a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: Anthrōpoi (N-NMP) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">Men</a> <a href="/greek/3660.htm" title="3660: omnyousin (V-PIA-3P) -- 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.">swear</a> <a href="/greek/2596.htm" title="2596: kata (Prep) -- A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).">by</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">someone</a> <a href="/greek/3173.htm" title="3173: meizonos (Adj-GMS-C) -- Large, great, in the widest sense. ">greater than themselves,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</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.">their</a> <a href="/greek/3727.htm" title="3727: horkos (N-NMS) -- An oath. From herkos; a limit, i.e. restraint.">oath</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">serves as</a> <a href="/greek/951.htm" title="951: bebaiōsin (N-AFS) -- Confirmation, ratification, establishment. From bebaioo; stabiliment.">a confirmation</a> <a href="/greek/4009.htm" title="4009: peras (N-NNS) -- (a) a boundary, limit, extremity, (b) an end, conclusion. From the same as peran; an extremity.">to end</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pasēs (Adj-GFS) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">all</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/485.htm" title="485: antilogias (N-GFS) -- Contradiction, contention, rebellion. From a derivative of antilego; dispute, disobedience.">argument.</a> 17So when God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath.…<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 22:16-17</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. <a href="/exodus/22-11.htm">Exodus 22:11</a> an oath before the LORD shall be made between the parties to determine whether or not the man has taken his neighbor’s property. The owner must accept the oath and require no restitution. <a href="/numbers/30-2.htm">Numbers 30:2</a> If a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word; he must do everything he has promised. <a href="/deuteronomy/6-13.htm">Deuteronomy 6:13</a> Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths in His name. <a href="/deuteronomy/10-20.htm">Deuteronomy 10:20</a> You are to fear the LORD your God and serve Him. Hold fast to Him and take your oaths in His name. <a href="/joshua/9-15.htm">Joshua 9:15-20</a> And Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them. / Three days after they had made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites learned that they were neighbors, living among them. / So the Israelites set out and on the third day arrived at their cities—Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim. ... <a href="/1_samuel/14-24.htm">1 Samuel 14:24-28</a> Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, for Saul had placed the troops under an oath, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So none of the troops tasted any food. / Then all the troops entered the forest, and there was honey on the ground. / And when they entered the forest and saw the flowing honey, not one of them put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath. ... <a href="/1_samuel/19-6.htm">1 Samuel 19:6</a> Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan and swore an oath: “As surely as the LORD lives, David will not be put to death.” <a href="/1_kings/8-31.htm">1 Kings 8:31-32</a> When a man sins against his neighbor and is required to take an oath, and he comes to take an oath before Your altar in this temple, / then may You hear from heaven and act. May You judge Your servants, condemning the wicked man by bringing down on his own head what he has done, and justifying the righteous man by rewarding him according to his righteousness. <a href="/psalms/15-4.htm">Psalm 15:4</a> who despises the vile but honors those who fear the LORD, who does not revise a costly oath, <a href="/isaiah/45-23.htm">Isaiah 45:23</a> By Myself I have sworn; truth has gone out from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow before Me, every tongue will swear allegiance. <a href="/jeremiah/4-2.htm">Jeremiah 4:2</a> and if you can swear, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ in truth, in justice, and in righteousness, then the nations will be blessed by Him, and in Him they will glory.” <a href="/jeremiah/12-16.htm">Jeremiah 12:16</a> And if they will diligently learn the ways of My people and swear by My name, saying, ‘As surely as the LORD lives’—just as they once taught My people to swear by Baal—then they will be established among My people. <a href="/matthew/5-33.htm">Matthew 5:33-37</a> Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ / But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; / or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ... <a href="/matthew/23-16.htm">Matthew 23:16-22</a> Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ / You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes it sacred? / And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.’ ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For men truly swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.swear.<a href="/hebrews/6-13.htm">Hebrews 6:13</a> For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,<a href="/genesis/14-22.htm">Genesis 14:22</a> And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,<a href="/genesis/21-23.htm">Genesis 21:23</a> Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son: but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned.an oath.<a href="/genesis/21-30.htm">Genesis 21:30,31</a> And he said, For these seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well… <a href="/genesis/31-53.htm">Genesis 31:53</a> The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware by the fear of his father Isaac.<a href="/exodus/22-11.htm">Exodus 22:11</a> Then shall an oath of the LORD be between them both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbour's goods; and the owner of it shall accept thereof, and he shall not make it good.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hebrews/3-10.htm">Always</a> <a href="/philippians/1-7.htm">Confirmation</a> <a href="/romans/9-1.htm">Confirms</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-3.htm">Contradiction</a> <a href="/1_timothy/6-20.htm">Controversy</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-5.htm">Dispute</a> <a href="/titus/3-9.htm">Disputes</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-11.htm">End</a> <a href="/acts/21-27.htm">Ended</a> <a href="/colossians/4-18.htm">Final</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-13.htm">Greater</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-14.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-6.htm">Making</a> <a href="/hebrews/5-1.htm">Matters</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-13.htm">Oath</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-10.htm">Oaths</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-5.htm">Puts</a> <a href="/hebrews/5-12.htm">Someone</a> <a href="/titus/3-8.htm">Statement</a> <a href="/titus/3-9.htm">Strife</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-11.htm">Sure</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-13.htm">Swear</a> <a href="/hebrews/1-4.htm">Theirs</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-6.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/hebrews/4-16.htm">Times</a> <a href="/hebrews/3-5.htm">Verily</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/hebrews/7-7.htm">Always</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/1-20.htm">Confirmation</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-20.htm">Confirms</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-7.htm">Contradiction</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-7.htm">Controversy</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-7.htm">Dispute</a> <a href="/exodus/18-19.htm">Disputes</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-3.htm">End</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-7.htm">Ended</a> <a href="/1_john/2-18.htm">Final</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-7.htm">Greater</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-2.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-6.htm">Making</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-1.htm">Matters</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-17.htm">Oath</a> <a href="/genesis/21-31.htm">Oaths</a> <a href="/james/1-13.htm">Puts</a> <a href="/james/2-14.htm">Someone</a> <a href="/james/5-16.htm">Statement</a> <a href="/james/3-14.htm">Strife</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-19.htm">Sure</a> <a href="/james/5-12.htm">Swear</a> <a href="/hebrews/8-6.htm">Theirs</a> <a href="/hebrews/8-11.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-6.htm">Times</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-5.htm">Verily</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>Men swear by someone greater than themselves In ancient cultures, oaths were a common practice to affirm truthfulness and sincerity. Swearing by someone greater than oneself was a way to invoke a higher authority, often divine, to validate one's words. This reflects the human understanding of hierarchy and the need for a transcendent standard of truth. In biblical times, swearing by God was considered the ultimate guarantee of one's promise, as seen in <a href="/genesis/21-23.htm">Genesis 21:23-24</a>, where Abraham swears by God in a covenant with Abimelech. This practice underscores the belief in a supreme being who oversees human affairs and holds individuals accountable.and their oath serves as a confirmation An oath served as a binding agreement, providing assurance and certainty in human interactions. In the context of Hebrews, this reflects the legal and cultural practices of the time, where oaths were used to confirm covenants and agreements. The use of oaths is seen throughout the Old Testament, such as in <a href="/numbers/30-2.htm">Numbers 30:2</a>, where vows and oaths are described as binding commitments before God. This phrase highlights the importance of integrity and the weight of one's word in maintaining social order and trust.to end all argument The purpose of an oath was to resolve disputes and bring an end to any contention. By invoking a higher authority, the oath acted as a final word in disagreements, providing a clear resolution. This reflects the human desire for peace and order, as well as the recognition of a need for an ultimate arbiter. In the biblical narrative, God Himself uses oaths to assure His promises, as seen in <a href="/genesis/22-16.htm">Genesis 22:16-18</a>, where God swears by Himself to bless Abraham. This divine example sets a precedent for the reliability and finality of oaths, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises in Jesus Christ, who is the "Yes" and "Amen" of all God's promises (<a href="/2_corinthians/1-20.htm">2 Corinthians 1:20</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/m/men.htm">Men (Anthropoi)</a> Refers to human beings in general, emphasizing the common practice among people to swear oaths by something or someone greater to establish truth and trustworthiness. 2. <a href="/topical/o/oath.htm">Oath (Horkos)</a> A solemn promise or declaration, often invoking a divine witness, used to confirm the truth of one's words or intentions. 3. <a href="/topical/g/greater.htm">Greater (Meizon)</a> This term indicates something or someone superior, often used in the context of God, who is the ultimate authority and witness. 4. <a href="/topical/a/argument.htm">Argument (Antilogia)</a> Refers to disputes or disagreements that are resolved through the confirmation of an oath.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_oaths_in_human_society.htm">The Role of Oaths in Human Society</a> Oaths are used to establish trust and resolve disputes, reflecting a human need for assurance and accountability. <a href="/topical/g/god_as_the_ultimate_authority.htm">God as the Ultimate Authority</a> When God swears by Himself, it underscores His supreme authority and the absolute reliability of His promises. <a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_integrity.htm">The Call to Integrity</a> Christians are called to live with integrity, where their word is trustworthy without the need for oaths, reflecting the character of God. <a href="/topical/r/resolving_disputes_with_truth.htm">Resolving Disputes with Truth</a> In conflicts, believers should seek resolution through truth and integrity, rather than relying solely on formal oaths or promises. <a href="/topical/r/reflecting_god's_faithfulness.htm">Reflecting God's Faithfulness</a> As God is faithful to His word, Christians are encouraged to be faithful and reliable in their commitments and interactions.<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/what_does_the_bible_say_on_secret_societies.htm">What does the Bible say about Christian secret societies?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_heb._3_11_align_with_god's_love.htm">Hebrews 3:11 alludes to God's wrath preventing entry into rest; how does this align with a loving God in contrast to other biblical passages emphasizing divine mercy?</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 href="/q/why_spare_gibeonites_despite_deut._20_16-17.htm">How does sparing the Gibeonites (Joshua 9:15) align with instructions to destroy all Canaanite inhabitants (Deuteronomy 20:16-17)?</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>(16) And an oath for confirmation.--Rather, and of every dispute in their case the oath is an end (is final) to settle the matter.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/hebrews/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 16-20. - For men swear by the greater: and of every dispute of theirs (literally, to them), the oath is final (literally, an end) for confirmation (εἰς βεβαίωσιν being connected with πέρας, not, as in the A.V., with ὅρκος). Here begins the explanation of the meaning and purpose of the Divine oath, already cursorily touched on in ver. 13. God thus, for full assurance, condescends to the form of confirmation most binding among men when they promise to each other. They appeal to one greater than themselves to intervene between them. He, having no one greater than himself to appeal to, appeals (so to speak) to his own immutability, and thus may be said to intervene with an oath (ἐμεσίτευσεν ὄρκῳ ever. 17), the verb being neuter, with the sense of "mediate" or "intervene," not, as in A.V., "confirmed it". The reason is not that the Divine promise is not in itself enough, but that God, willing to show more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, is pleased to grant them this additional confirmation; that by two immutable things (first the promise, in itself sufficient; and secondly the oath, for more abundant assurance), in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong consolation (παράκληησιν, bearing elsewhere this sense, and also that of exhortation, as in <a href="/hebrews/12-5.htm">Hebrews 12:5</a>; <a href="/hebrews/13-22.htm">Hebrews 13:22</a>; which latter sense is understood here by most commentators as uniting best the drift of the passage with the general notion of encouragement) who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us. The course of thought has now passed again from Abraham to Christians, the transition having been prepared for by the general expression, τοῖς κληρονόμοις τῆς ἐπαγγελίας in ver. 17. Indeed, the oath to him was an assurance to us also, we being the final inheritors of the promised blessing. Then finally, in the two concluding verses, the subject to be treated in <a href="/hebrews/7.htm">Hebrews 7</a>. is again beautifully led up to by a natural sequence of thought: Which (so. hope) we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and entering into that which is within the veil; whither as a Forerunner Jesus entered for us, become a High Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. Our hope (ἐλπίς), regarded in ver. 18 objectively, assumes here a subjective sense: it is our anchor east upwards beyond the heavens through which our Forerunner has passed (cf. <a href="/hebrews/4-14.htm">Hebrews 4:14</a>, διελελυθότα τοὺς οὐρανοὺς), and, in virtue of the promise and the oath, fixed there secure and firm. "That which is within the veil" (καταπετάσματος, the word invariably denoting the veil in the temple, is the heavenly holy of holies, of which the earthly was symbolical, as is fully set forth in <a href="/hebrews/8.htm">Hebrews 8</a>. This first mention of the veil is an instance of the manner in which, throughout this Epistle, ideas to be afterwards expanded are often intimated by way of preparation beforehand. Instructive in this chapter is the view presented of Divine purpose in relation to human will. The Divine purpose may have been evinced by supplies of grace so abundant as to remove all doubt of the possibility of success; yet through the human will there may be failure: the very Divine oath may have ensured fulfillment of the promise; yet, as to Abraham, so to individual Christians, faith and patience are the conditions of fulfillment. It is evident that the Divine purpose and the Divine promise are all along referred to, not to dishearten any for fear that they may not be included in them, not to encourage remissness in any on the ground of certainty of attainment, not so as to suggest any idea of arbitrary selection irrespective of desert, but simply to incite to perseverance on the ground of assurance of success, if the human conditions are fulfilled. And this is the practical application of the doctrine of predestination found also elsewhere in St. Paul's Epistles (cf. <a href="/romans/8-28.htm">Romans 8:28-39</a>). Predestination and free-will may be to human reason theoretically irreconcilable, though reason, as well as theology, may compel us to acknowledge both. The problem may properly be left unsolved, as among the many deep things of God. But it is of importance to observe how the doctrine of-predestination is practically applied in Scripture as bearing upon human conduct. <a href="/commentaries/hebrews/6-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Men Ἄνθρωποι (Anthrōpoi) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. swear ὀμνύουσιν (omnyousin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <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 κατὰ (kata) 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). [someone] τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. greater [than themselves], μείζονος (meizonos) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular - Comparative <a href="/greek/strongs_3173.htm">Strong's 3173: </a> Large, great, in the widest sense. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. [their] ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. oath ὅρκος (horkos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3727.htm">Strong's 3727: </a> An oath. From herkos; a limit, i.e. restraint. serves as εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. a confirmation βεβαίωσιν (bebaiōsin) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_951.htm">Strong's 951: </a> Confirmation, ratification, establishment. From bebaioo; stabiliment. to end πέρας (peras) Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4009.htm">Strong's 4009: </a> (a) a boundary, limit, extremity, (b) an end, conclusion. From the same as peran; an extremity. all πάσης (pasēs) Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. argument. ἀντιλογίας (antilogias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_485.htm">Strong's 485: </a> Contradiction, contention, rebellion. From a derivative of antilego; dispute, disobedience. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/hebrews/6-16.htm">Hebrews 6:16 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/hebrews/6-16.htm">Hebrews 6:16 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/hebrews/6-16.htm">Hebrews 6:16 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/hebrews/6-16.htm">Hebrews 6:16 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/hebrews/6-16.htm">Hebrews 6:16 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/hebrews/6-16.htm">Hebrews 6:16 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/hebrews/6-16.htm">Hebrews 6:16 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/hebrews/6-16.htm">Hebrews 6:16 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/hebrews/6-16.htm">Hebrews 6:16 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/hebrews/6-16.htm">Hebrews 6:16 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-16.htm">NT Letters: Hebrews 6:16 For men indeed swear by a greater (Heb. He. Hb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/hebrews/6-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Hebrews 6:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Hebrews 6:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/hebrews/6-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Hebrews 6:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Hebrews 6:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>