Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

◄ Hebrews 4:12 ►

New International Version
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

New Living Translation
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

English Standard Version
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Berean Standard Bible
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Berean Literal Bible
For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even as far as the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrows, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

King James Bible
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

New King James Version
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

New American Standard Bible
For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

NASB 1995
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

NASB 1977
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Legacy Standard Bible
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Amplified Bible
For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Christian Standard Bible
For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart.

American Standard Version
For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Contemporary English Version
God's word is alive and powerful! It is sharper than any double-edged sword. His word can cut through our spirits and souls and through our joints and marrow, until it discovers the desires and thoughts of our hearts.

English Revised Version
For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
God's word is living and active. It is sharper than any two-edged sword and cuts as deep as the place where soul and spirit meet, the place where joints and marrow meet. God's word judges a person's thoughts and intentions.

Good News Translation
The word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It cuts all the way through, to where soul and spirit meet, to where joints and marrow come together. It judges the desires and thoughts of the heart.

International Standard Version
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul and spirit, joints and marrow, as it judges the thoughts and purposes of the heart.

Majority Standard Bible
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

NET Bible
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart.

New Heart English Bible
For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Webster's Bible Translation
For the word of God is living, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Weymouth New Testament
For God's Message is full of life and power, and is keener than the sharpest two-edged sword. It pierces even to the severance of soul from spirit, and penetrates between the joints and the marrow, and it can discern the secret thoughts and purposes of the heart.

World English Bible
For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
for the Word of God is living, and working, and sharper—beyond every two-edged sword—and piercing as far as [the] division of soul and spirit, of joints and also marrows, and a discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart;

Berean Literal Bible
For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even as far as the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrows, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Young's Literal Translation
for the reckoning of God is living, and working, and sharp above every two-edged sword, and piercing unto the dividing asunder both of soul and spirit, of joints also and marrow, and a discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart;

Smith's Literal Translation
For the word of God living, and effective, and more piercing than any two-mouthed sword, and penetrating even to the division both of soul and spirit, both the joints and marrows, and a critic of the reflections and thoughts of the heart.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
For the word of God is living and effectual, and more piercing than any two edged sword; and reaching unto the division of the soul and the spirit, of the joints also and the marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For the Word of God is living and effective: more piercing than any two-edged sword, reaching to the division even between the soul and the spirit, even between the joints and the marrow, and so it discerns the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

New American Bible
Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.

New Revised Standard Version
Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
For the word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the point of division between soul and spirit, and between the joints and marrow and bones, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For the word of God is living and all-efficient, and much sharper than a double edged sword, and it pierces to the separation of soul and spirit and of joints, marrow and of bones, and judges the reasoning and conscience of the heart.

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, and pierces even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Godbey New Testament
For the word of God is living, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing unto the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and a quick discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Haweis New Testament
For the word of God is quickening, and energetic, and sharper than every two-edged sword, and piercing through and through, so as to divide both soul and spirit, both joints and spinal marrow, and critically judges the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Mace New Testament
for the word of God is active and efficacious, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even to the division of soul and spirit, to the smallest and most inward parts, distinguishing the thoughts, and intentions of the heart.

Weymouth New Testament
For God's Message is full of life and power, and is keener than the sharpest two-edged sword. It pierces even to the severance of soul from spirit, and penetrates between the joints and the marrow, and it can discern the secret thoughts and purposes of the heart.

Worrell New Testament
For the word of God is living, and effectual, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to a dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Worsley New Testament
For the word of God is lively and efficacious, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of the very joints and marrow, and judging the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

God's Word is Living and Active
11Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same pattern of disobedience. 12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Ephesians 6:17
And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Isaiah 55:11
so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.

Jeremiah 23:29
“Is not My word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that smashes a rock?”

2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, / so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. / He was with God in the beginning. / Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.

Revelation 1:16
He held in His right hand seven stars, and a sharp double-edged sword came from His mouth. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.

Proverbs 30:5
Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.

Matthew 4:4
But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

1 Peter 1:23
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

Psalm 19:7-8
The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple. / The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart; the commandments of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

1 Thessalonians 2:13
And we continually thank God because, when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which is also now at work in you who believe.

Luke 8:11
Now this is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.

Romans 1:16
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek.

James 1:21
Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls.

Treasury of Scripture

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

the word.

Hebrews 13:7
Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

Isaiah 49:2
And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;

Luke 8:11
Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

is quick.

Psalm 110:2
The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.

Psalm 119:130
The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

Ecclesiastes 12:11
The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.

sharper.

Psalm 45:3
Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.

Psalm 149:6
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;

Proverbs 5:4
But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.

and is.

Psalm 139:2
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

Jeremiah 17:10
I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

1 Corinthians 14:24,25
But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: …

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Hebrews 4

1. The Sabbath-Rest for Christians is attained by faith.
12. The power of God's word.
14. By our high priest Jesus, the Son of God,
16. we may and must go boldly to the throne of grace.

Berean Study Bible

For the word of God
The phrase "For the word of God" refers to the divine message and revelation given by God, encapsulated in the Scriptures. The Greek term used here is "logos," which signifies not just spoken words but the ultimate reason and order of the universe, as understood in the context of God's communication to humanity. Historically, the "word of God" has been seen as both the written Scriptures and the living Word, Jesus Christ, who embodies God's ultimate revelation. This dual understanding emphasizes the power and authority of God's message, which is central to Christian faith and practice.

is living
The word "living" comes from the Greek "zōn," indicating that the word of God is not static or dead but active and dynamic. This suggests that Scripture is not merely a historical document but a living force that continues to work in the lives of believers. The living nature of God's word implies that it is relevant and applicable to every generation, capable of speaking into the current context and transforming lives.

and active
The term "active" is translated from the Greek "energēs," meaning effective, powerful, and full of energy. This highlights the idea that the word of God is not passive but is constantly at work, accomplishing God's purposes. It is effective in teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16), and it has the power to bring about change and growth in the believer's life.

sharper than any double-edged sword
The imagery of a "double-edged sword" underscores the penetrating and discerning power of God's word. In the ancient world, a double-edged sword was a weapon of precision and effectiveness, capable of cutting in multiple directions. This metaphor suggests that the word of God can pierce through the hardest of hearts and discern the deepest thoughts and intentions. It is a tool for spiritual warfare, able to divide truth from falsehood and righteousness from sin.

it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow
This phrase illustrates the depth and precision with which God's word can reach into the human condition. The distinction between "soul and spirit" and "joints and marrow" indicates the ability of Scripture to discern and separate the innermost parts of a person. The soul and spirit represent the immaterial aspects of humanity, while joints and marrow symbolize the physical. This comprehensive reach signifies that God's word addresses every aspect of our being, both spiritual and physical.

it judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart
The word "judges" comes from the Greek "kritikos," meaning able to discern or judge. This highlights the role of Scripture as a divine standard by which human thoughts and intentions are evaluated. The "heart" in biblical terms often refers to the center of one's being, encompassing mind, will, and emotions. God's word has the authority to reveal and assess the true motivations and desires within us, calling us to align with His will and purpose.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(12) As in Hebrews 3:12 the warning against the "evil heart of unbelief" is solemnly enforced by the mention of the "Living God," so here, in pointing to the peril of disobedience, it is to the living power of the word of God that the writer makes appeal. But in what sense? Does he bring before us again the word of Scripture, or the divine Word Himself? Outside the writings of St. John there is no passage in the New Testament in which the word of God is as clearly invested with personal attributes as here. The word is "quick" (that is, living), "powerful" (or, active--mighty in operation, as most of our versions render the word), "able to discern the thoughts of the heart." Philo, whose writings are pervaded by the doctrine of the divine Word (see the Note appended to St. John's Gospel in Vol. I. of this Commentary, p. 553), in certain passages makes use of expressions so remarkably resembling some that are before us in this verse that we cannot suppose the coincidence accidental. Thus, in an allegorical explanation of Genesis 15:10, he speaks of the sacred and divine Word as cutting through all things, dividing all perceptible objects, and penetrating even to those called indivisible, separating the different parts of the soul. But though these and the many other resemblances that are adduced may prove the writer's familiarity with the Alexandrian philosophy, they are wholly insufficient to show an adoption of Philo's doctrinal system (if system it could be called) in regard to the divine Word, or to rule the interpretation of the single passage in this Epistle in which an allusion to that system could be traced. Nor is the first-mentioned argument conclusive. There certainly is personification here, and in part the language used would, if it stood alone, even suggest the presence of a divine Person; but it is not easy to believe that in the New Testament the words "sharper than a two-edged sword" would be directly applied to the Son of God. In this Epistle, moreover (and even in this context, Hebrews 4:2), reference is repeatedly made to the word of God in revelation, without a trace of any other meaning. The key to the language of this verse, so far as it is exceptional, is found in that characteristic of the Epistle to which reference has been already made--the habitual thought of Scripture as a direct divine utterance. The transition from such a conception to those of this verse was very easy; and we need not feel surprise if with expressions which are naturally applied to the utterance are joined others which lead the thought to God as Speaker. It is, therefore, the whole word of God that is brought before us--mainly the word of threatening and judgment, but also (comp. Hebrews 4:2 and the last member of this verse) the word of promise.

Piercing even to the dividing asunder . . .--Rather, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, both joints and marrow. For the comparison of God's word to a sword see Isaiah 49:2; Ephesians 6:17; (Revelation 1:16); comp. also Wisdom Of Solomon 18:15-16, "Thine Almighty word leapt down from heaven out of Thy royal throne . . . and brought Thine unfeigned commandment as a sharp sword, and standing up filled all things with death." The keen two-edged sword penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit (not soul from spirit), with unfailing stroke severing bone from bone and piercing the very marrow. The latter words, by a very natural metaphor, are transferred from the material frame to the soul and spirit. . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

For
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

the
ὁ (ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

word
λόγος (logos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.

of God
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

[is] living
Ζῶν (Zōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2198: To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

active.
ἐνεργὴς (energēs)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1756: Effective, productive of due result, at work. From en and ergon; active, operative.

Sharper
τομώτερος (tomōteros)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular - Comparative
Strong's 5114: Sharper, keener. Comparative of a derivative of the primary temno; more keen.

than
ὑπὲρ (hyper)
Preposition
Strong's 5228: Gen: in behalf of; acc: above.

any
πᾶσαν (pasan)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

double-edged
δίστομον (distomon)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1366: (lit: twain-mouthed; hence: of a sword, as a drinker of blood), two-edged. From dis and stoma; double-edged.

sword,
μάχαιραν (machairan)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3162: A sword. Probably feminine of a presumed derivative of mache; a knife, i.e. Dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment.

it pierces
διϊκνούμενος (diiknoumenos)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1338: To pass through (to), come through (to), pierce. From dia and the base of hikanos; to reach through, i.e. Penetrate.

even
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

to
ἄχρι (achri)
Preposition
Strong's 891: As far as, up to, until, during. Or achris akh'-rece; akin to akron; until or up to.

dividing
μερισμοῦ (merismou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3311: From merizo; a separation or distribution.

soul
ψυχῆς (psychēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 5590: From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

spirit,
πνεύματος (pneumatos)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 4151: Wind, breath, spirit.

joints
ἁρμῶν (harmōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 719: A joint of the body. From the same as harma; an articulation.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

marrow.
μυελῶν (myelōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3452: Marrow. Perhaps a primary word; the marrow.

It judges
κριτικὸς (kritikos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2924: Critical, able to judge or discern. From krites; decisive, i.e. Discriminative.

[the] thoughts
ἐνθυμήσεων (enthymēseōn)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 1761: Inward thought, reflection, plur: thoughts. From enthumeomai; deliberation.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

intentions
ἐννοιῶν (ennoiōn)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 1771: From a compound of en and nous; thoughtfulness, i.e. Moral understanding.

of [the] heart.
καρδίας (kardias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2588: Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle.

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NT Letters: Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living (Heb. He. Hb)