Hebrews 5:11

KJV

Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

KJV (with Strong's)

Of {G4012} whom {G3739} we {G2254} have {G3056} many things {G4183} to say {G3056}, and {G2532} hard {G1421} to be uttered {G3004}, seeing {G1893} ye are {G1096} dull {G3576} of hearing {G189}.

Complete Jewish Bible

We have much to say about this subject, but it is hard to explain, because you have become sluggish in understanding.

Berean Standard Bible

We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain, because you are dull of hearing.

American Standard Version

Of whom we have many things to say, and hard of interpretation, seeing ye are become dull of hearing.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 5:11 marks a poignant interjection by the author, expressing profound frustration with his audience's spiritual immaturity. Having just introduced the complex and crucial doctrine of Christ's high priesthood according to the order of Melchizedek, the author anticipates significant difficulty in further explaining these deep truths due to the recipients' spiritual sluggishness and lack of receptivity, which he labels as "dullness of hearing." This verse serves as a pivot, highlighting the challenge of teaching advanced theological concepts to those who are unwilling or unable to progress beyond foundational principles.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a profound and intricate theological exposition on the high priesthood of Jesus Christ, particularly His appointment as a high priest "after the order of Melchizedek" ([Hebrews 5:6-10](/hebrews/5-6-10 "Hebrews 5:6-10 - Christ's Melchizedekian Priesthood")). The author has just concluded a significant section establishing Christ's qualifications and divine appointment to this unique priestly office. The phrase "Of whom we have many things to say" directly refers to Melchizedek and, by extension, the deeper implications of Christ's priesthood. The author intends to delve further into this pivotal theme, which is central to his argument for the superiority of Christ and the new covenant. However, this verse abruptly pauses the theological discussion, shifting focus from Christ's person and work to the spiritual condition of the audience, indicating that their immaturity is a significant impediment to the continuation of the discourse. This interruption sets the stage for the subsequent exhortation to spiritual growth in [Hebrews 5:12-6:3](/hebrews/5-12-6-3 "Hebrews 5:12-6:3 - The Call to Maturity").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Epistle to the Hebrews was written to a community of Jewish Christians who were likely facing persecution or intense social pressure to revert to Judaism. This pressure may have led to spiritual weariness, apathy, or a reluctance to fully embrace the implications of Christ's finished work. Their "dullness of hearing" was not necessarily an intellectual deficit but a spiritual lethargy, a lack of diligent engagement with the truths they had received. In a culture where oral teaching and active listening were paramount, being "dull of hearing" implied a serious deficiency in spiritual receptivity and commitment. The author's frustration reflects the challenge of discipling believers who, despite having received foundational truths, were stagnating and failing to progress in their understanding and application of the deeper mysteries of the faith, particularly those that distinguished Christianity from traditional Judaism.
* **Key Themes:** Hebrews 5:11 contributes significantly to several major themes woven throughout the epistle. The most prominent is **Spiritual Immaturity vs. Maturity**, as the author directly confronts the audience's undeveloped spiritual state, contrasting their need for "milk" with the "solid food" of deeper doctrine (as elaborated in [Hebrews 5:12-14](/hebrews/5-12-14 "Hebrews 5:12-14 - Milk vs. Solid Food")). This verse also underscores the **Challenge of Teaching Profound Truths**, revealing the author's pastoral burden to convey complex theological insights, such as the Melchizedekian priesthood, to an unresponsive audience. Implicit in his lament is an urgent **Call to Spiritual Diligence and Perseverance**, urging believers to move beyond elementary principles and "go on unto perfection" ([Hebrews 6:1](/hebrews/6-1 "Hebrews 6:1 - Pressing on to Maturity")). The verse also highlights the **Supremacy of Christ's Priesthood**, as the very subject that is "hard to be uttered" is the profound and unique nature of Christ's high priestly ministry, which the author considers essential for his audience to grasp fully.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **hard (Greek, _dysermḗneutos'_):** From the Greek `G1421`, meaning "difficult of explanation" or "hard to be uttered." This word emphasizes the inherent complexity of the subject matter—the Melchizedekian priesthood of Christ—but also implies that the difficulty is compounded by the audience's unreadiness. It suggests that the author finds it challenging not because the truth itself is obscure, but because his listeners lack the spiritual capacity or diligence to receive it.
* **dull (Greek, _nōthrós'_):** From the Greek `G3576`, meaning "sluggish," "lazy," or "stupid." This term describes a spiritual apathy or lethargy rather than a lack of intellectual ability. It implies a condition of spiritual sluggishness, a slowness to perceive or respond to spiritual truth, possibly due to a lack of effort, diligence, or a hardening of heart. This "dullness" is a moral and spiritual failing, not merely an intellectual one.
* **hearing (Greek, _akoḗ'_):** From the Greek `G189`, referring to the act of hearing, the sense of hearing, or even the thing heard (a report or rumor). In this context, it signifies spiritual receptivity. To be "dull of hearing" means to be slow or unresponsive in receiving and understanding spiritual instruction, indicating a lack of attentiveness and a failure to internalize the message. It's not about physical hearing but about spiritual comprehension and obedience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Of whom we have many things to say":** This clause refers to Melchizedek and, more broadly, the profound implications of Christ's high priesthood in the Melchizedekian order, which the author is eager to explain further. The "many things" are deep theological truths essential for the audience's full understanding of the new covenant and Christ's supremacy.
* **"and hard to be uttered":** This phrase reveals the author's predicament. The truths he wishes to convey are not simple; they require careful explanation and a receptive audience. The difficulty lies not in the author's ability to articulate, but in the audience's capacity to comprehend, suggesting a significant barrier to effective communication of these advanced doctrines.
* **"seeing ye are dull of hearing":** This is the core accusation and the reason for the author's struggle. The audience's "dullness" (sluggishness, apathy, spiritual insensitivity) makes them unreceptive to deeper teaching. Their spiritual lethargy prevents them from grasping the profound truths about Christ's priesthood, hindering their spiritual growth and the author's ability to progress in his theological argument.

#### Literary Devices
The author employs several powerful literary devices in this concise verse. **Apostrophe** is evident as the author directly addresses his audience ("ye are dull of hearing"), creating an immediate and personal tone of lament and challenge. This direct address underscores the pastoral concern behind the theological exposition. A powerful **Metaphor** is used in "dull of hearing," likening spiritual insensitivity or sluggishness to a physical impairment. This vivid imagery conveys the severity of their spiritual condition, suggesting a lack of attentiveness and responsiveness to divine truth, much like someone who physically struggles to hear. Furthermore, there is an element of **Pathos**, as the author expresses his frustration and disappointment, appealing to the emotions of his readers and highlighting the burden he carries as a teacher. The implied contrast between the "many things to say" (the richness of the truth) and the "dullness of hearing" (the poverty of reception) creates a dramatic tension that serves to shock the audience into self-reflection and a renewed commitment to spiritual growth.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 5:11 is a crucial theological statement about the nature of spiritual growth and the responsibility of the believer to actively engage with divine truth. It underscores that while God provides revelation, human receptivity is essential for understanding and maturity. The "dullness of hearing" is not merely a passive state but an active spiritual impediment, implying a lack of diligence, attentiveness, and perhaps a hardening of heart that hinders the reception of "solid food" (deeper doctrine). This verse highlights the tension between the profound, inexhaustible truths of God concerning Christ and the often-limited capacity or willingness of believers to grasp them, emphasizing the need for continuous spiritual effort and a desire for deeper knowledge.

* [Hebrews 5:12-14](/hebrews/5-12-14 "Hebrews 5:12-14 - From Milk to Solid Food")
* [Hebrews 6:1](/hebrews/6-1 "Hebrews 6:1 - Pressing on to Maturity")
* [1 Corinthians 3:1-3](/1_corinthians/3-1-3 "1 Corinthians 3:1-3 - Spiritual Immaturity in Corinth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 5:11 serves as a timeless mirror for every believer, prompting profound self-reflection on our own spiritual journey. It challenges us to honestly assess our hunger for God's Word and our willingness to move beyond foundational truths into the deeper, more challenging aspects of Christian doctrine and life. Are we genuinely eager to grow, or have we become complacent, content with spiritual "milk" when we should be consuming "solid food"? This verse calls us to examine any spiritual apathy, laziness, or distractions that might be hindering our ability to hear, understand, and apply the profound truths of the gospel. Spiritual maturity is not automatic; it requires intentional effort, diligent study, and a heart open to the Holy Spirit's teaching. For those who teach, it reminds us of the pastoral challenge of discerning our audience's spiritual state and patiently guiding them toward deeper understanding, while also calling them to greater diligence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my faith might I be "dull of hearing," unwilling to engage with deeper truths or challenging teachings?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate greater spiritual diligence and receptivity to God's Word?**
* **Am I actively pursuing spiritual maturity, or am I content with remaining a spiritual "babe"?**
* **How does my own spiritual receptivity impact my ability to live out the Christian faith more fully?**

### FAQ

**What does "dull of hearing" specifically mean in this context?**

Answer: In Hebrews 5:11, "dull of hearing" (Greek: _nōthros_ of _akoē_) does not refer to a physical hearing impairment but to a spiritual sluggishness, apathy, or lack of diligence. It implies that the audience was slow to understand, not because the message was inherently impossible to grasp, but because they lacked the spiritual attentiveness, effort, or desire to progress beyond elementary doctrines. It's a moral and spiritual failing, indicating a lack of receptivity and responsiveness to the deeper truths the author wished to impart, particularly concerning the [Melchizedekian priesthood of Christ](/hebrews/7 "Hebrews 7 - Christ's Priesthood after the Order of Melchizedek").

**Why was the author of Hebrews frustrated with his audience?**

Answer: The author's frustration stemmed from his audience's spiritual immaturity and lack of progress. He had profound and complex theological truths to share, especially concerning the unique and superior priesthood of Jesus Christ, but he perceived that his readers were not ready to receive them. This "dullness of hearing" meant they were still stuck on foundational teachings ("milk") when they should have advanced to more substantial spiritual "food" ([Hebrews 5:12-14](/hebrews/5-12-14 "Hebrews 5:12-14 - Milk vs. Solid Food")). Their spiritual stagnation hindered the author's ability to explain the full implications of Christ's work and the new covenant, which was crucial for their perseverance in faith amidst potential apostasy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 5:11, though a lament of spiritual immaturity, ultimately points us back to Christ as the ultimate revelation and the one who empowers spiritual growth. The "many things to say" that were "hard to be uttered" concerned the profound mystery of Christ's high priesthood after the order of Melchizedek, a truth central to understanding His unique role as both King and Priest, and the superiority of the new covenant. This deep truth, fully revealed in Christ, is not meant to remain obscure. Rather, [Jesus Christ](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Made Flesh") Himself is the Word made flesh, the perfect embodiment of God's truth, and the one through whom all spiritual understanding is made possible. The very truths the audience struggled with—Christ's perfect sacrifice, His eternal intercession, and His role as the mediator of a better covenant ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - A Better Covenant"))—are the means by which believers are transformed and grow. Through the Holy Spirit, whom Christ sent ([John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth")), believers are enabled to overcome spiritual dullness, to have their "ears" opened, and to grasp the profound riches of God's wisdom, all centered on the person and work of Christ, "in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Treasures in Christ")). Thus, the solution to spiritual dullness is a deeper engagement with Christ Himself, the source and substance of all truth.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 13:15

For this people's heart is waxed gross, and [their] ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and should understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

2 Peter 3:16

As also in all [his] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as [they do] also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

Acts 28:27

For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

John 16:12

I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

Luke 24:25

Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

Mark 8:21

And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?

Isaiah 6:10

Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.