Hebrews 1:11 kjv

They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;

Hebrews 1:11 nkjv

They will perish, but You remain; And they will all grow old like a garment;

Hebrews 1:11 niv

They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment.

Hebrews 1:11 esv

they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment,

Hebrews 1:11 nlt

They will perish, but you remain forever.
They will wear out like old clothing.

Hebrews 1 verses

Hebrews 1 11 Meaning

Hebrews 1:11 declares the impermanence of the created universe in contrast to the eternal, immutable nature of the Son, Jesus Christ. While the heavens and earth are destined to perish and decay, the Son remains forever, unchanging and enduring. This statement directly applies Old Testament prophecies to Christ, affirming His divine sovereignty, eternal existence, and supreme nature over all creation, including the angels. It highlights the vast difference between the temporary nature of all created things and the everlasting steadfastness of the Creator Himself.

Hebrews 1 11 Context

Hebrews chapter 1 establishes the supreme glory and divine superiority of the Son (Jesus Christ) over all creation, specifically contrasting Him with angels, who are typically seen as highly exalted beings. The author systematically presents Old Testament scriptures to prove the Son's greater status. Verses 10-12, where Hebrews 1:11 is found, are a direct quotation from Psalm 102:25-27, traditionally a psalm about Yahweh (God). By applying this passage to the Son, the author unequivocally attributes divine characteristics—Creator, Eternal, Immutable—to Jesus. This profound statement serves as a foundational argument that Christ, being eternal and unchanging while the universe itself is temporary, is immeasurably greater than any created being, including the angels. It also serves as a theological grounding for the steadfastness of the new covenant in Him.

Hebrews 1 11 Word analysis

• They (Αὐτοί - Autoi): A third-person plural pronoun, referring specifically to "the heavens and the earth" mentioned in the preceding verse (Heb 1:10). This establishes the subject of perishing and wearing out as the entire created universe.
• will perish (ἀπολοῦνται - apolountai): From the verb apollumi, meaning to destroy, lose, or bring to an end. In this context, it signifies decay, dissolution, or cessation of current form and function, rather than absolute annihilation. It implies that the current state of creation is transient and subject to decline.
• but (δέ - de): A strong adversative conjunction, indicating a sharp contrast or opposition. It powerfully separates the temporary nature of creation from the permanent nature of the Son.
• you (σύ - sy): The second-person singular pronoun, referring directly to the Son, Jesus Christ, as the one who is being addressed in this quoted passage from Psalm 102.
• remain (διαμένεις - diameneis): From the verb diameno, meaning to continue through, abide permanently, or endure. This word directly opposes "perish," highlighting the Son's enduring, unending existence, an attribute solely belonging to the divine.
• they will all (πάντες - pantes): An emphatic inclusion, indicating universality. It underscores that every part of creation, without exception, will experience this wearing out or decay.
• wear out (παλαιωθήσονται - palaiōthēsontai): From the verb palaioō, meaning to make old, to become old, obsolete, or worn out through age and use. It evokes the process of deterioration and decay common to all material things.
• like a garment (ὡς ἱμάτιον - hōs himation): A vivid simile that illustrates the natural process of aging, deterioration, and eventual obsolescence. Just as clothes are made, used, worn out, and discarded or replaced, so too will the created universe decay. This analogy further emphasizes the created, and therefore temporary, nature of the cosmos, contrasting it with the Son who is uncreated and eternal.

Words-group analysis:

• "They will perish, but you remain": This phrase forms a core theological antithesis. It juxtaposes the vulnerability and temporality of the created cosmos ("they") with the unchanging, eternal endurance of the divine Son ("you"). This distinction is fundamental to understanding Christ's deity and unique position above all creation and created beings.
• "they will all wear out like a garment": This entire phrase utilizes a striking analogy to explain the manner of the creation's "perishing." It's not a sudden, cataclysmic annihilation, but a gradual process of becoming old and obsolete, much like an article of clothing. This imagery underscores the entropy and impermanence inherent in the physical universe, a stark contrast to the Son's stability.

Hebrews 1 11 Bonus section

The idea of creation wearing out like a garment, while signaling its end or transformation, also subtly foreshadows the concept of a "new heaven and new earth." The biblical narrative doesn't suggest that the cosmos will simply cease to exist in an annihilated state but rather undergo a renewal or recreation. The imagery of garments implies not just being discarded but often replaced, hinting at God's ultimate plan for a transformed and perfect cosmos (Rev 21:1-4; Isa 65:17). This underlines Christ's continuous involvement beyond creation to re-creation and eternal establishment. Moreover, this verse would have been a strong polemic against contemporary Hellenistic thought that sometimes viewed the material world as eternal or divine in itself. The author asserts that even the cosmic elements are finite and created, placing God (and by extension, the Son) entirely outside and above the created order in terms of time and substance.

Hebrews 1 11 Commentary

Hebrews 1:11 serves as a cornerstone in the argument for Christ's divine supremacy, especially in relation to the angels. By quoting Psalm 102 and applying its words to the Son, the author presents Jesus not merely as a prophet or an exalted being, but as the eternal Creator and Sustainer, fundamentally distinct from His own creation. The "heavens and earth" are subject to perishing and wearing out, reflecting the inherent temporality and entropy of the physical universe. This wearing out is a natural process, akin to an aging garment, and signifies a change of form or end of a specific epoch, not necessarily an ultimate destruction into nothingness. In contrast, the Son remains – a profound statement of His immutability, steadfastness, and everlasting existence. This unchanging nature of Christ is crucial for believers, offering a secure anchor of hope in a fleeting world. His permanence guarantees the stability of the new covenant and the promises made to those who believe in Him, unlike the Old Covenant which, by inference, was associated with a temporary creation.