New Testament
Hebrews 6:17
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this verse, the author of Hebrews emphasizes God's desire to reassure those who inherit His promises.
- Author
- Author unknown; traditionally attributed to Paul
- Written
- Around AD 60-70
- Genre
- Letter and sermon
- Original Audience
- Jewish Christians
God, wanting to show more clearly to the heirs of the promise the unchanging nature of his counsel, confirmed it with an oath.
Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, the author of Hebrews emphasizes God's desire to reassure those who inherit His promises. God is unchanging, and to make this clear, He confirmed His promises with an oath. This means that God’s intentions and plans are reliable and steadfast. The use of an oath signifies the seriousness and certainty of His commitment. For the heirs of the promise, which includes believers, this assurance is vital. It highlights that God’s promises are not just words but are backed by His unchanging nature. This verse encourages believers to trust in God’s promises, knowing that He is faithful and will fulfill what He has declared. It serves as a reminder that even in uncertain times, God’s counsel remains constant and trustworthy, providing hope and confidence to those who follow Him. Explore related gods.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Hebrews 6:17 to your life
As believers, we can take comfort in knowing that God's promises are unchanging. When facing doubts or challenges, we should remember that God is faithful to His word. Trusting in His promises can provide us with peace and strength in our daily lives.
Curated for this public verse page. Hebrews Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Hebrews 6:17 mean?
Hebrews 6:17 explains that God wants to clearly show the heirs of His promises that His plans are unchanging. To emphasize this, He confirmed His promises with an oath, highlighting the reliability of His intentions.
What is the meaning of 'immutability' in Hebrews 6:17?
In Hebrews 6:17, 'immutability' refers to God's unchanging nature. It signifies that God's promises and counsel remain constant and reliable, providing assurance to believers.
How does Hebrews 6:17 provide reassurance to believers?
Hebrews 6:17 reassures believers by affirming that God's promises are backed by His unchanging nature. This means that despite life's uncertainties, they can trust in God's faithfulness to fulfill His word.
Why did God confirm His promises with an oath in Hebrews 6:17?
God confirmed His promises with an oath in Hebrews 6:17 to emphasize the seriousness and certainty of His commitment. This act serves to strengthen the trust of believers in His unchanging counsel.

The Book of Hebrews
Hebrews 1: The Son Above the Angels
God, who formerly spoke through the prophets in many ways, has now spoken through His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things and through whom He made the worlds. The Son is the brightness of God's glory and the express image of His person, upholding all things by His power, and after purging sins He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. The writer proves through Scripture that the Son is far greater than the angels: He is called the Son of God, receives worship from the angels, possesses an eternal throne, and laid the foundations of the earth, while angels are ministering spirits sent to serve the heirs of salvation.
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