Hebrews 12:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: 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.

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.

NASB: For you know that even afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.

CSB: For you know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, even though he sought it with tears, because he didn’t find any opportunity for repentance.

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.

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.

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.

This verse completes a reference to Esau, the older brother of Jacob (Genesis 25:24–26). Esau was entitled to certain privileges as the firstborn, but he treated that status with recklessness and contempt. As a result, Esau lost out on those blessings. The prior verse referred to his attitude as "unholy," a serious charge. The key event demonstrating Esau's attitude towards his birthright was mentioned in the last verse, a story given in Genesis 25:29–34. There, Esau carelessly promised to sell his birthright to his younger brother, in exchange for a bowl of soup.

Here, the end result of Esau's mistake is explained. The prior verse used the Greek term bebēlos, also used to describe something "profane." Esau learned, the hard way, that he could not show contempt for his blessings, then expect to actually obtain them. When the time came to inherit his full blessing, Esau found it had been given to someone else (Genesis 27:34–35). In the context of this passage in Hebrews, this is meant to reinforce prior warnings. Earlier verses mentioned an Old Testament metaphor of a "bitter root;" this referred to a person who presumed they could sin against God without suffering the consequences (Hebrews 12:15; Deuteronomy 29:18–19). God does not take sin lightly (Hebrews 2:1–3), and He is especially offended when those who claim to know Him choose to ignore His will (Hebrews 10:26–31). Christians cannot expect to treat our relationship with Christ in a careless way without consequences.

Hebrews 12:3–17 builds from a description of heroes of the faith, culminating in Jesus Christ. Those who came before were loved by God and honored by God, and yet they suffered hardships in this world. In this passage, the writer makes it clear that suffering is often God's way of building us up and training us, not necessarily a sign of His displeasure. Christians who respond to trials by seeking God, in faith, can avoid the fate of less-faithful men, like Esau.

Chapter 11 explained the victories of some of the Old Testament's greatest heroes. It also explained their sufferings and persecution. This chapter uses those examples as a ''cloud of witnesses'' to prove that God does not abandon us when we suffer. In many cases, He uses those experiences to ''train'' us, as if we were athletes, to make us stronger. In other cases, it's the same kind of discipline that a child receives from a loving father. Unlike the old covenant, which rightly inspired fear and dread, the new covenant offers us peace. As with any other matter of truth or falsehood, we should cling to what's true, so that we can be part of ''a kingdom that cannot be shaken.''

Hebrews chapter 12 builds on the example of the heroes of the faith mentioned in chapter 11. The main point of this lesson is that these figures endured suffering and hardship, yet held to their faith in God, which allowed them to achieve victory. Chapter 12, in particular, points out that earthly hardship is not a sign of God's displeasure, or abandonment. Rather, it's part of living in a fallen, godless world. And, in many cases, it's a form of ''training'' the Lord uses to mold us into more powerful instruments. This, as with other passages in Hebrews, leads into another explanation of why we should take these ideas seriously, and sets up a few final practical lessons in chapter 13.

The book of Hebrews is meant to challenge, encourage, and empower Christian believers. According to this letter, Jesus Christ is superior to all other prophets and all other claims to truth. Since God has given us Christ, we ought to listen to what He says and not move backwards. The consequences of ignoring God are dire. Hebrews is important for drawing on many portions of the Old Testament in making a case that Christ is the ultimate and perfect expression of God's plan for mankind. This book presents some tough ideas about the Christian faith, a fact the author makes specific note of.