Let’s read through the book of Hebrews one verse at a time in 2023. Every day explore a single verse and its cross references. AI-generated text draws the passages together. RSS feed.
For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation.
The cross references for Hebrews 6:16 all relate to the importance of oaths and how they are used to make a promise or agreement that is binding and final. They emphasize the idea that an oath is a serious matter and should not be taken lightly. They also highlight the idea that an oath is a way to show trust and faith in God and in one another. The references also point to the importance of keeping one's oath, as breaking it can have serious consequences. Finally, they emphasize the importance of swearing by something greater than oneself, as this is a way of showing reverence and respect.
| Passage | How It’s Related (AI-Generated) |
|---|---|
| Genesis 21:23: Now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my descendants or with my posterity, but as I have dealt kindly with you, so you will deal with me and with the land where you have sojourned.” | Both passages refer to the importance of oaths and making promises. Hebrews 6:16 emphasizes the weight of an oath, as it is seen as something final and binding. Genesis 21:23 shows the importance of oaths in making and keeping promises, as Abraham is asking Abimelech to swear to not deal falsely with him and his descendants. This oath is meant to be a symbol of trust and loyalty between the two parties. |
| Genesis 21:30-31: He said, “These seven ewe lambs you will take from my hand, that this may be a witness for me that I dug this well.” Therefore that place was called Beersheba, because there both of them swore an oath. | Both passages discuss the importance of oaths in confirming agreements. Hebrews 6:16 explains that when two parties are in dispute, an oath is used as a final confirmation of the agreement. Genesis 21:30-31 describes how Abraham and Abimelech used an oath to confirm their agreement about the well at Beersheba, and how this place was named in remembrance of the oath. |
| Genesis 31:53: The God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.” So Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac, | Both passages refer to the practice of swearing an oath to confirm an agreement or dispute. In Hebrews 6:16, the author explains that people swear by something greater than themselves, and that the oath is final for confirmation. Genesis 31:53 describes an example of this practice in which Jacob swears by the Fear of his father Isaac in order to settle a dispute between himself and Laban. |
| Exodus 22:11: an oath by the Lord shall be between them both to see whether or not he has put his hand to his neighbor's property. The owner shall accept the oath, and he shall not make restitution. | Both passages speak to the importance of oaths and their binding nature. Hebrews 6:16 emphasizes that an oath is a final confirmation in disputes, while Exodus 22:11 speaks to the binding nature of an oath in a dispute over property. In this passage, an oath by the Lord is the determining factor in whether or not restitution is made. |
| Joshua 9:15-20: And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore to them. At the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that they were their neighbors and that they lived among them. And the people of Israel set out and reached their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim. But the people of Israel did not attack them, because the leaders of the congregation had sworn to them by the Lord, the God of Israel. Then all the congregation murmured against the leaders. But all the leaders said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by the Lord, the God of Israel, and now we may not touch them. | Both passages discuss the power and importance of oaths. Hebrews 6:16 explains that people swear by something greater than themselves, and that an oath is final for confirmation. Joshua 9:15–20 provides an example of this, as the leaders of the congregation made a covenant with the Gibeonites and swore to them by the Lord. The people of Israel respected this oath and did not attack them, despite the murmuring of the congregation. |
| Ezekiel 17:16-20: “As I live, declares the Lord God, surely in the place where the king dwells who made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant with him he broke, in Babylon he shall die. Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company will not help him in war, when mounds are cast up and siege walls built to cut off many lives. He despised the oath in breaking the covenant, and behold, he gave his hand and did all these things; he shall not escape. Therefore thus says the Lord God: As I live, surely it is my oath that he despised, and my covenant that he broke. I will return it upon his head. I will spread my net over him, and he shall be taken in my snare, and I will bring him to Babylon and enter into judgment with him there for the treachery he has committed against me. | Both passages refer to the importance of taking an oath seriously. Hebrews 6:16 emphasizes the binding nature of an oath, as it is a final confirmation in disputes. Ezekiel 17:16–20 speaks of the consequences of breaking an oath, as it describes the punishment Pharaoh will receive for disregarding his covenant with God. In this passage, God emphasizes the seriousness of breaking an oath by declaring that Pharaoh will not escape the consequences of his actions. |
| Matthew 23:20-22: So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it. And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it. | Both passages discuss the concept of swearing an oath. Hebrews 6:16 explains that in disputes, an oath is final for confirmation. Matthew 23:20-22 details that swearing by the altar, the temple, and heaven is swearing by God and his throne. This highlights the importance of honoring one's oath and the seriousness of swearing by God's name. |
| Hebrews 6:13: For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, | Both passages refer to the importance of an oath in the context of a promise. In Hebrews 6:16, the author explains that an oath is a way to confirm a promise, as it is sworn by something greater than the person making the promise. Hebrews 6:13 reveals that when God made a promise to Abraham, he swore by himself, since there was no one greater than him to swear by. This emphasizes the importance of an oath in making a promise, as even God himself swore by himself to confirm his promise to Abraham. |
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word and Your truth that is found in it. We thank You for the reminder in Hebrews 6:16 that when people swear by something greater than themselves, an oath is final for confirmation. Help us to remember the examples of Abraham and Joshua, who both swore by You to keep their promises. We also thank You for the reminder that when we swear by heaven, we swear by Your throne and by You who sits upon it.
Lord, we ask that You would help us to be people of integrity who keep our promises and our oaths. Give us the strength and the courage to do what is right, even when it is difficult. Help us to be people who are known for our faithfulness and reliability.
We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
This reading plan reads through a single verse each day, six days a week, paired with the most-popular cross references for the verse. AI-generated (and human-reviewed) text provides an opening thought and concluding prayer along with an explanation for how each cross reference relates to the verse. In 2023, this reading plan works through Hebrews one verse at a time. Every seventh day is a catchup day. Want more info? Try this blog post.
Unless otherwise indicated, all content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com.