King James Version
Hebrews 12:23
23To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
Hebrews 12:23 in other versions
- New International Version (NIV)to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
- English Standard Version (ESV)and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
- New King James Version (NKJV)to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,
- New Living Translation (NLT)You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect.
Context of Hebrews 12:23
21And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) 22But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. 25See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
Read all of Hebrews 12Hebrews 12:23 word by word
καὶ ἐκκλησίᾳ πρωτοτόκων ἀπογεγραμμένων ἐν οὐρανοῖς καὶ κριτῇ θεῷ πάντων καὶ πνεύμασιν δικαίων τετελειωμένωνRead the interlinear
- To the general assemblyπανήγυριςpanēguris · assemblyG3831
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- churchἐκκλησίαekklēsia · assemblyG1577
- of the firstbornπρωτότοκοςprōtotokos · firstbornG4416
- which are writtenἀπογράφωapographō · to registerG583
- inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- heavenοὐρανόςouranos · heavenG3772
- to Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
- the Judgeκριτήςkritēs · judgeG2923
- of allπᾶςpas · allG3956
- to the spiritsπνεῦμαpneuma · spirit/breath: spiritG4151
- of just menδίκαιοςdikaios · justG1342
- made perfectτελειόωteleioō · to perfectG5048
Cross-references for Hebrews 12:23
- Psalms 89:7God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.
- Psalms 111:1Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
- Acts 20:28Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
- Ephesians 1:22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
- Ephesians 5:24Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
- Colossians 1:24Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:
- 1 Timothy 3:5(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
- Exodus 4:22And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:
- Exodus 13:2Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.
- Deuteronomy 21:17But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.
- Psalms 89:27Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.
- Jeremiah 31:9They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.
- James 1:18Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
- Revelation 14:4These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
- Exodus 32:32Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
- Psalms 69:28Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.
Commentaries on Hebrews 12:23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23To the general assembly - . This word is joined to the preceding by some of the best MSS., and is quoted in connection by several of the fathers: Ye are come - to the general assembly of innumerable angels; and this is probably the true connection. The word is compounded of , all, and , an assembly; and means, particularly, an assembly collected on festive occasions. It is applied to the assembly of the Grecian states at their national games, Olympic…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23To the general assembly - see the notes on Hebrews 12:22. And church of the first-born - That is, you are united with the church of the first-born. They who were first-born among the Hebrews enjoyed special privileges, and especially pre-eminence of rank; see the notes on Colossians 1:15. The reference here is, evidently, to those saints who had been distinguished for their piety, and who may be supposed to be exalted to special honors in heaven - such as…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 18-29Verses 18-29 Mount Sinai, on which the Jewish church state was formed, was a mount such as might be touched, though forbidden to be so, a place that could be felt; so the Mosaic dispensation was much in outward and earthly things. The gospel state is kind and condescending, suited to our weak frame. Under the gospel all may come with boldness to God's presence. But the most holy must despair, if judged by the holy law given from Sinai, without a Saviour…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 23The word translated as assembly is usually translated "church." It refers to God's gathered people. God's firstborn children are those who are part of the new covenant (see Hebrews 1:6; 2:10–13). The idea that God's people have their names written in heaven shows God's special care for them (see also Exodus 32:32; Psalm 69:28; Isaiah 4:3; Daniel 12:1; Luke 10:20; Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5). For God's children, God as judge is the one who defends…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-29For We Are under, Not a Law of Terror, but the Gospel of Grace, to Despise Which Will Bring the Heavier Penalties, in Proportion to Our Greater Privileges. 1. we also--as well as those recounted in He 12:11. are compassed about--Greek, "have so great a cloud (a numberless multitude above us, like a cloud, 'holy and pellucid,' [Clement of Alexandria]) of witnesses surrounding us." The image is from a "race," an image common even in Palestine from the time…Read the comment
Topics related to Hebrews 12:23
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
King James Version — Public Domain except in the United Kingdom (Crown rights)
Commentaries