Hebrews 1:12 kjv

And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

Hebrews 1:12 nkjv

Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail."

Hebrews 1:12 niv

You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end."

Hebrews 1:12 esv

like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end."

Hebrews 1:12 nlt

You will fold them up like a cloak
and discard them like old clothing.
But you are always the same;
you will live forever."

Hebrews 1 verses

Hebrews 1 12 Meaning

Hebrews 1:12 powerfully articulates the ultimate authority, eternal nature, and unchanging character of the Son (Jesus Christ) in direct contrast to the created universe, which is temporary and subject to transformation. The verse proclaims that while the heavens and earth, metaphorically described as worn-out garments, will be folded up and radically altered, the Son remains eternally the same, with His years having no end. This profound statement underscores His divine essence as the immutable, ever-existent Creator and Sovereign Ruler over all creation, assuring believers of His unfailing reliability and stability.

Hebrews 1 12 Context

Hebrews chapter 1 sets out to establish the ultimate supremacy and divine identity of Jesus Christ, especially His profound superiority over all angelic beings. This was crucial for its original audience, Jewish Christians who might have over-reverenced angels or were considering a return to Old Covenant practices, which angels helped mediate. The author builds an overwhelming case for Christ's unique Sonship by systematically quoting numerous Old Testament passages. Verses 1:10-12 specifically apply Psalm 102:25-27, a passage originally directed to Yahweh Himself, to Jesus. This deliberate application serves as a conclusive argument for Christ's deity, asserting His role as the immutable and eternal Creator who exists beyond the perishable bounds of His own creation. The immediate context of these verses positions Christ as the permanent and unyielding foundation of faith, contrasted with the changing, temporary elements of the cosmos, including the heavens and earth.

Hebrews 1 12 Word analysis

• and like a cloak: The Greek term is peribolaion (περιβόλαιον), referring to "that which is thrown around," "a covering," or "a garment." This rich metaphor, taken from Psalm 102:26, portrays the heavens and earth as articles worn by God. It signifies His absolute detachment and mastery over creation, implying they are not essential parts of His eternal being but external constructs He can don and discard. This emphasizes His sovereignty over creation, its temporal nature, and its non-inherent connection to His essence.
• you will fold them up: The Greek word is helixeis (ἑλίξεις), derived from helisso (ἑλίσσω), meaning "to roll up," "to coil," or "to furl." This describes a purposeful, deliberate, and authoritative action. Just as one might carefully fold a garment, so the Son will roll up the existing creation. This denotes His full control over creation's end, not merely a passive decay, but an active, sovereign act of change. It underscores Christ’s divine agency in bringing about the ultimate transformation of the cosmos.
• and they will be changed: The Greek is allagesontai (ἀλλαγήσονται), meaning "they will be changed," "altered," or "transformed." This passive verb signifies that the alteration is enacted upon creation by an external power, which is the Son's. This points towards a radical metamorphosis rather than total annihilation. It affirms that even the enduring structures of the universe are not fixed or ultimate, but subject to divine will and profound modification, reinforcing their contingent and non-eternal nature in contrast to their Creator.
• but you are the same: The Greek phrase is sy de ho autos (σὺ δὲ ὁ αὐτὸς), translating to "but you, the same one." This is a definitive statement of divine immutability. Unlike the changeable creation, the Son possesses perfect constancy in His being, character, and power across all eternity. This inherent changelessness is a hallmark of the Divine, providing absolute assurance for every promise He makes and every aspect of His nature. This attribute is exclusively God's, aligning Christ with the eternal Yahweh of the Old Testament.
• and your years will not come to an end: The Greek reads ouk ekleipsousin (οὐκ ἐκλείψουσιν), meaning "will not fail," "will not cease," "will not diminish," or "will not run out." This powerfully declares the infinite eternality of the Son. He exists without beginning or end; His life span is boundless and never subject to the diminishing effects of time. This confirms His divine attribute as the ever-present God who transcends the limits of temporal existence, establishing His supreme authority over all creation and all ages.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "and like a cloak you will fold them up, and they will be changed": This phrase serves as a striking contrast to the immutable nature of the Son. The imagery of the cosmos as a garment being actively folded and fundamentally changed emphasizes that creation is entirely subservient to God's will. It’s a temporary construct that will undergo sovereign transformation by Christ. This highlights His power and authority not only in bringing creation into being but also in its final re-creation or radical alteration. The emphasis is on divine control, demonstrating that the future of the universe rests solely in His hands, underscoring its inherent impermanence relative to its Maker.
• "but you are the same, and your years will not come to an end": This declaration is the profound antithesis to the preceding statement, asserting the eternal stability and unchanging identity of Jesus Christ. "You are the same" (ο αὐτός) underscores His absolute constancy—His being, nature, and attributes remain precisely identical across all periods of existence, untouched by the passage of time. "Your years will not come to an end" (οὐκ ἐκλείψουσιν) speaks of an infinite, undiminished existence, a perpetual being beyond any temporal boundary. This dual assertion of identity and limitless duration attributes essential divine qualities to Christ, demonstrating that He is worthy of ultimate trust and worship, standing as the eternal foundation for faith in an ever-changing world. The application of these terms, originally used for Yahweh, directly to the Son reveals a robust early Christian theology equating Christ with God.

Hebrews 1 12 Bonus section

The citation of Psalm 102:25-27 in Hebrews 1:10-12 is particularly significant as it marks one of the clearest and earliest examples of the New Testament explicitly applying Old Testament descriptions of Yahweh directly to Jesus Christ, unequivocally affirming His divine nature. This highlights the early church's robust high Christology, seeing the Son not as a created being but as the uncreated, eternal God who became incarnate. The concept of "folding up" or "rolling up" the heavens is a potent image often associated with eschatological renewal in other biblical texts (e.g., Isa 34:4). The writer of Hebrews draws upon this to emphasize that the very agent of this cosmic transformation is none other than the Son, reinforcing His unique authority as both Creator and Consummator of all things.

Hebrews 1 12 Commentary

Hebrews 1:12 presents a monumental theological truth, quoting Psalm 102:25-27 to establish the deity and eternal nature of Jesus Christ. The passage directly contrasts the perishable nature of the entire physical cosmos—represented by the heavens and earth wearing out like a garment and being "folded up" and "changed"—with the unyielding permanence of the Son. The active verb "you will fold them up" implies Christ's personal, deliberate, and sovereign control over creation's transformation, not just its decay. This refutes any notion of the cosmos as ultimate or self-sustaining, affirming it as utterly contingent on the Creator. Furthermore, the declaration "but you are the same, and your years will not come to an end" bestows upon Christ divine attributes of immutability and eternality, qualities belonging solely to God. This theological precision firmly anchors the believer's hope and security in an unchangeable and eternal Savior, providing supreme assurance amidst all earthly transience and uncertainty.

• Practical usage example: When human institutions fail, technologies become obsolete, or personal circumstances drastically alter, believers can find unshakable comfort in Hebrews 1:12. It assures us that our foundation is in Jesus Christ, who is eternally steadfast and constant, never changing, thereby guaranteeing His promises and His ability to sustain us through all shifting seasons of life.