What Does Hebrews 2:18 Mean in the King James?
For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The same testing that he has endured is the testing in which he is able to help you.
THE MEANING
You are not facing testing before a stranger to its force: the one who suffered under testing is able to come to your aid as you are tested. His help meets you within the pressure itself.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The lie that no one can meet you in a pressure you are enduring is undone: the verse locates help in one who has suffered testing himself.
THE ROOT
πειρασθείς
peirasthéis
GROWS FROM
πειραζ-
peiraz-
To test, try, or put to proof.
The Greek verb can name being put under trial as well as being tempted. The same testing word applies first to him and then to those needing aid, placing his help within a pressure he has experienced.
ALSO GROWS
peirasmós: Testing, trial, temptation.
πειρασμός
This noun names the pressure itself, showing that the verse speaks to testing broadly, not only to an enticing lure.
pepeirasmenon: Having been tested or tempted.
πεπειρασμένον
This form appears in Hebrews 4:15, where the same root makes his tested experience explicit.
βοηθῆσαι
boēthēsai
GROWS FROM
βοηθ-
boēth-
To come to help; to aid.
The verb describes active aid from the one who knows testing. Its word family names both the helper and the help, giving succour the sense of aid arriving where it is needed.
ALSO GROWS
boēthos: Helper, one who aids.
βοηθός
The helper is not merely aware of need; this word family centers on coming to someone’s aid.
boētheia: Help, aid.
βοήθεια
This related noun names the help itself, as in the help that arrives in a time of need.
THE PATTERN
Divine help meets affliction with presence, shared suffering, and comfort that can be passed on.
To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.THE THREAD
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.The same Greek verb for being tested appears in both verses, and Hebrews 4:15 makes the shared experience explicit: he is tested as we are. Its final words hold the distinction alongside the kinship, naming him “yet without sin.”
Read the SDV Bible.
Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.
The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.
Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us