English Standard Version
Hebrews 12:17
17For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.
Hebrews 12:17 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
- New International Version (NIV)Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.
- New Living Translation (NLT)You know that afterward, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears.
Context of Hebrews 12:17
15See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. 18For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them.
Read all of Hebrews 12Hebrews 12:17 word by word
ἴστε γὰρ ὅτι καὶ μετέπειτα θέλων κληρονομῆσαι τὴν εὐλογίαν ἀπεδοκιμάσθη· μετανοίας γὰρ τόπον οὐχ εὗρεν καίπερ μετὰ δακρύων ἐκζητήσας αὐτήν.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Forγάρgar · forG1063
- ye knowεἴδωeidō · to perceive: understandG1492
- how thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
- ·καίkai · andG2532
- afterwardμετέπειταmetepeita · afterwardG3347
- when he would haveθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
- inheritedκληρονομέωklēronomeō · to inheritG2816
- the blessingὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- the blessingεὐλογίαeulogia · praiseG2129
- he was rejectedἀποδοκιμάζωapodokimazō · to rejectG593
- he foundεὑρίσκωheuriskō · to find/meetG2147
- noοὐou · noG3756
- placeτόποςtopos · placeG5117
- of repentanceμετάνοιαmetanoia · repentanceG3341
- thoughκαίπερkaiper · althoughG2539
- he soughtἐκζητέωekzēteō · to seek outG1567
- itαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- withμετάmeta · with/afterG3326
- tearsδάκρυ, δάκρυονdakru dakruon · teardropG1144
Cross-references for Hebrews 12:17
- Genesis 27:31He also prepared delicious food and brought it to his father. And he said to his father, "Let my father arise and eat of his son's game, that you may bless me."
- Hebrews 6:8But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.
- Proverbs 1:24Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,
- Jeremiah 6:30Rejected silver they are called, for the Lord has rejected them."
- Matthew 7:23And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'
- Matthew 25:11Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.'
- Luke 13:24"Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
- Hebrews 6:4For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit,
- Hebrews 10:26For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
Commentaries on Hebrews 12:17
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17When he would have inherited the blessing - When he wished to have the lordship over the whole family conveyed to him, and sought it earnestly with tears, he found no place for a change in his father's mind and counsel, who now perceived that it was the will of God that Jacob should be made lord of all. Repentance - Here is not to be taken in a theological sense, as implying contrition for sin, but merely change of mind or purpose; nor does the word refer…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17For ye know how that afterward - When he came to his father, and earnestly besought him to reverse the sentence which he had pronounced; see Genesis 27:34-40. The “blessing” here referred to was not that of the birth-right, which he knew he could not regain, but that pronounced by the father Isaac on him whom he regarded as his first-born son. This Jacob obtained by fraud, when Isaac really “meant” to bestow it on Esau. Isaac appears to have been…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-17Verses 12-17 A burden of affliction is apt to make the Christian's hands hang down, and his knees grow feeble, to dispirit him and discourage him; but against this he must strive, that he may better run his spiritual race and course. Faith and patience enable believers to follow peace and holiness, as a man follows his calling constantly, diligently, and with pleasure. Peace with men, of all sects and parties, will be favourable to our pursuit of…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17The author of Hebrews views Esau's lack of respect for his inheritance (Hebrews 12:16) and his loss of the blessing (Genesis 27:30–40) as closely connected. This led to his bitter tears. By extension, those who reject an inheritance through Christ's new covenant will face a future filled with bitterness.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. afterwards--Greek, "even afterward." He despised his birthright, accordingly also he was despised and rejected when he wished to have the blessing. As in the believer's case, so in the unbeliever's, there is an "afterwards" coming, when the believer shall look on his past griefs, and the unbeliever on his past joys, in a very different light from that in which they were respectively viewed at the time. Compare "Nevertheless afterward," &c. He 12:11…Read the comment
Topics related to Hebrews 12:17
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Hebrews 12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
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