Hebreos 6:13

13 Porque prometiendo Dios á Abraham, no pudiendo jurar por otro mayor, juró por sí mismo,

Hebreos 6:13 Meaning and Commentary

Hebrews 6:13

For when God made promise to Abraham
The apostle proposes Abraham as a pattern, because he was the father of these Hebrews, and of all believers; and because they were interested in the promise made to him, and had a right to the same blessing with him; and because he was remarkable for his faith and patience: the promise made to him is not that in ( Genesis 12:1-3 ) nor that in ( Genesis 15:1 Genesis 15:4 Genesis 15:5 Genesis 15:13 Genesis 15:14 ) but that in ( Genesis 22:16 Genesis 22:17 ) for that only had an oath annexed to it: and this was made by Jesus Christ, there called the Angel of the Lord, and here God; and who is truly and properly so; and than whom there is none greater; and who elsewhere, as here, is said to swear by himself, ( Isaiah 45:23 ) as follows:

because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself;
swearing is ascribed to a divine person after the manner of men, and in condescension to them; and who is never introduced swearing, but in matters of moment and of great importance; the note of Philo the Jew


FOOTNOTES:

F14 on the passage in ( Genesis 22:16 ) from whence the following words are cited, is worthy of observation, being very near the apostle's words;

``well does he (God) confirm the promise with an oath, and with an oath that becomes God; for you see that God does not swear by another, for nothing is better than himself, but by himself, who is the best of all; but some have suggested as if it was inconvenient to swear, for an oath is taken for the sake of faith; but God alone is faithful''


F14 Leg. Allegor. l. 2. p. 98.

Hebreos 6:13 In-Context

11 Mas deseamos que cada uno de vosotros muestre la misma solicitud hasta el cabo, para cumplimiento de la esperanza:
12 Que no os hagáis perezosos, mas imitadores de aquellos que por la fe y la paciencia heredan las promesas.
13 Porque prometiendo Dios á Abraham, no pudiendo jurar por otro mayor, juró por sí mismo,
14 Diciendo: De cierto te bendeciré bendiciendo, y multiplicando te multiplicaré.
15 Y así, esperando con largura de ánimo, alcanzó la promesa.
The Reina-Valera Antigua (1602) is in the public domain.