What Does Hebrews 6:13 Mean in the King James?

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

Hebrews 6:13 · KJV

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

When no greater witness can be called, the promise itself rests on the nature of the one who speaks.

THE MEANING

God’s promise to you carries its own witness: God stakes God’s own being on the word. Its assurance does not depend on a power higher than God, because there is none to appeal to.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

This undoes the belief that a promise can only be trusted when someone stronger stands behind it.

THE ROOT

ἐπαγγειλάμενος

epangeilámenos

GROWS FROM

ἀγγελ-

angel-

To announce, report, or declare.

The word translated “promise” carries the sense of a declared announcement. Here the oath makes the declaration’s source its own guarantee: God swears by God’s own self.

ALSO GROWS

ángelos: Messenger

ἄγγελος

A messenger carries an announcement; the word family keeps the promise connected to a message being declared.

euangélion: Good news, or a good announcement

εὐαγγέλιον

This branch shows how an announcement can carry news that changes what the hearer can expect.

THE PATTERN

God’s word is secured by God’s own nature when no greater authority can serve as witness.

And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:

Genesis 22:16 · KJVThe LORD names himself as the witness behind the oath, just as Hebrews describes.

Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.

Psalm 89:35 · KJVThe oath rests on God’s own holiness as the ground of its truth.

For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

2 Corinthians 1:20 · KJVGod’s promises are affirmed as a sure yes, carrying the same confidence in the promise’s divine source.

THE THREAD

And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:

Genesis 22:16 · KJV

Genesis gives the oath Hebrews compresses into one line: God swears by God’s own self. The promise and its witness meet in the same nature.

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