Tree of Life Version
Hebrews 12:23
23and to the assembly of the firstborn who are written in a scroll in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous ones made perfect,
Hebrews 12:23 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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,
- 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,
Context of Hebrews 12:23
21So terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I am quaking with fear.” 22But you have come to Mount Zion— to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, a joyous gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are written in a scroll in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous ones made perfect, 24and to Yeshua, the Mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks of something better than the blood of Abel. 25See to it that you do not refuse the One who is speaking! For if they did not escape when they refused the One who was warning them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject the One who warns us 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
Words taken from the KJV.
- 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 89:7For who in the skies can compare to Adonai? Who is like Adonai among the sons of gods?
- Psalms 111:1Halleluyah! I praise Adonai with all my heart in the company and congregation of the upright.
- Acts 20:28“Take care of yourselves and all the flock of which the Ruach ha-Kodesh has made you overseers, to shepherd the community of God—which He obtained with the blood of His own.
- Ephesians 1:22God placed all things under Messiah’s feet and appointed Him as head over all things for His community—
- Ephesians 5:24But as Messiah’s community is submitted to Messiah, so also the wives to their husbands in everything.
- Colossians 1:24Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and in my physical body—for the sake of His body, Messiah’s community—I fill up what is lacking in the afflictions of Messiah.
- 1 Timothy 3:5(But if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s community?)
- Exodus 4:22You are to say to Pharaoh, “This is what Adonai says: ‘Israel is My son, My firstborn.
- Exodus 13:2“Consecrate to Me all the firstborn, from every womb of Bnei-Yisrael, both men and animals—this is Mine.”
- Deuteronomy 21:17Rather, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the hated one, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For he is the first of his vigor—the right of the firstborn is his.
- Psalms 89:27He will call to Me: ‘You are my Father, my God and the rock of my salvation.’
- Jeremiah 31:9Hear the word of Adonai, O nations, and declare it in the distant islands, and say: ‘He who scattered Israel will gather and watch over him, as a shepherd does his flock.’
- James 1:18By His will, He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all He created.
- Revelation 14:4These are the ones who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been redeemed from among mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb.
- Exodus 32:32Yet now, please forgive their sin. But if not, please blot me out of Your book that You have written.”
- Psalms 69:28Add guilt to their guilt—may they not come into Your righteousness.
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
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