King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
But that which beareth thorns and briers [is] rejected, and [is] nigh unto cursing; whose end [is] to be burned.
Complete Jewish Bible:
but if it keeps producing thorns and thistles, it fails the test and is close to being cursed; in the end, it will be burned.
Berean Standard Bible:
But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless, and its curse is imminent. In the end it will be burned.
American Standard Version:
but if it beareth thorns and thistles, it is rejected and nigh unto a curse; whose end is to be burned.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
But{G1161} that which beareth{G1627} thorns{G173} and{G2532} briers{G5146} is rejected{G96}, and{G2532} is nigh{G1451} unto cursing{G2671}; whose{G3739} end{G5056} is to{G1519} be burned{G2740}.
Cross-References (KJV):
John 15:6
- If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast [them] into the fire, and they are burned.
Genesis 3:17
- ¶ And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed [is] the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat [of] it all the days of thy life;
Genesis 3:18
- Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
Deuteronomy 29:28
- And the LORD rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as [it is] this day.
Luke 13:7
- Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
Luke 13:9
- And if it bear fruit, [well]: and if not, [then] after that thou shalt cut it down.
Isaiah 5:1
- ¶ Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Hebrews 6:8
Hebrews 6:8 is part of an extended metaphor within the Epistle to the Hebrews, which is a book in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. This verse continues the agricultural imagery used by the author to illustrate spiritual truths to the readers, who were likely Jewish Christians facing persecution and considering returning to their former Jewish practices.
In the broader context, the author has been discussing the danger of apostasy, or falling away from faith in Christ. Hebrews 6:4-6 describes the impossibility of renewing to repentance those who have fallen away after having received the knowledge of the truth. Verse 7 then shifts to a more positive note, comparing the productive land that drinks in the rain and yields useful crops to those who continue in faith and reap the blessings of their steadfastness.
Hebrews 6:8, the verse in question, presents a stark contrast to the fertile land. It speaks of ground that produces only thorns and briers, which are worthless and a hindrance to cultivation. Such land is deemed worthless and is near to being cursed, with its ultimate fate being burning—a common method of clearing worthless vegetation in ancient agriculture. This imagery serves as a warning to the readers: just as unproductive land is of no use and is destined for destruction, so too are those who reject Christ and do not bear the fruit of righteousness. The verse underscores the serious consequences of persistent unbelief and the importance of persevering in faith.
Historically, this passage reflects the early Christian struggle with maintaining faith in the face of hardship and the temptation to revert to the familiarity of Jewish law. The author of Hebrews emphasizes the superiority of Christ and the new covenant over the old covenant, urging believers to hold fast to their confession and not to fall into spiritual complacency or rejection of Christ, which would lead to a fate as dire as that of land destined for burning.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G1161
There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δέ
Transliteration: dé
Pronunciation: deh
Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English). - Strong's Number: G1627
There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐκφέρω
Transliteration: ekphérō
Pronunciation: ek-fer'-o
Description: from ἐκ and φέρω; to bear out (literally or figuratively):--bear, bring forth, carry forth (out). - Strong's Number: G173
There are 44 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἄκανθα
Transliteration: ákantha
Pronunciation: ak'-an-thah
Description: probably from the same as ἀκμήν; a thorn:--thorn. - Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G5146
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τρίβολος
Transliteration: tríbolos
Pronunciation: trib'-ol-os
Description: from τρεῖς and βέλος; properly, a crow-foot (three-pronged obstruction in war), i.e. (by analogy) a thorny plant (caltrop):--brier, thistle. - Strong's Number: G96
There are 53 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀδόκιμος
Transliteration: adókimos
Pronunciation: ad-ok'-ee-mos
Description: from Α (as a negative particle) and δόκιμος; unapproved, i.e. rejected; by implication, worthless (literally or morally):--castaway, rejected, reprobate. - Strong's Number: G1451
There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐγγύς
Transliteration: engýs
Pronunciation: eng-goos'
Description: from a primary verb (to squeeze or throttle; akin to the base of ἀγκάλη); near (literally or figuratively, of place or time):--from , at hand, near, nigh (at hand, unto), ready. - Strong's Number: G2671
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: κατάρα
Transliteration: katára
Pronunciation: kat-ar'-ah
Description: from κατά (intensive) and ἀρά; imprecation, execration:--curse(-d, ing). - Strong's Number: G3739
There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅς
Transliteration: hós
Pronunciation: ho
Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ. - Strong's Number: G5056
There are 41 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τέλος
Transliteration: télos
Pronunciation: tel'-os
Description: from a primary (to set out for a definite point or goal); properly, the point aimed at as a limit, i.e. (by implication) the conclusion of an act or state (termination (literally, figuratively or indefinitely), result (immediate, ultimate or prophetic), purpose); specially, an impost or levy (as paid):--+ continual, custom, end(-ing), finally, uttermost. Compare φόρος. - Strong's Number: G1519
There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰς
Transliteration: eis
Pronunciation: ice
Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively). - Strong's Number: G2740
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καῦσις
Transliteration: kaûsis
Pronunciation: kow'-sis
Description: from καίω; burning (the act):--be burned.