Hebrews 10 37

Hebrews 10:37 kjv

For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

Hebrews 10:37 nkjv

"For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.

Hebrews 10:37 niv

For, "In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay."

Hebrews 10:37 esv

For, "Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay;

Hebrews 10:37 nlt

"For in just a little while,
the Coming One will come and not delay.

Hebrews 10 verses

Hebrews 10 37 Meaning

This verse serves as a profound encouragement to endure faithfully, assuring believers that the awaited Messiah, Jesus Christ, is certain to return, and His coming is imminent, occurring without delay. It is a promise of divine timeliness, reinforcing the certainty of Christ's return to bring ultimate salvation and judgment, providing hope amidst present trials and the call to patient perseverance.

Hebrews 10 37 Context

Hebrews chapter 10 concludes the book's exposition on the superiority of Christ's perfect and once-for-all sacrifice over the temporary and repeated sacrifices of the Old Covenant. Having established Christ as the fulfillment of the Law, the author transitions into practical exhortations for persevering in the Christian faith. The immediate context of verse 37 includes strong warnings against "willful sinning" after receiving knowledge of the truth (v. 26-31), urging believers not to "cast away" their "confidence" which has great reward (v. 35). It reminds them of their past endurance in the face of persecution and suffering (v. 32-34) and emphasizes their present "need of patience" or "endurance" (v. 36) to receive the promises of God. This verse provides the ultimate ground for that patience and endurance: the certainty and imminence of Christ's promised return. It anchors the call for steadfastness in the ultimate hope of the Gospel, reinforcing that the time of their suffering is finite and a glorious end is near, counteracting any desire to revert to Judaism out of fear or weariness.

Hebrews 10 37 Word analysis

• For (γὰρ - gar): A conjunction connecting this verse to the preceding thoughts, particularly the necessity of patience (v. 36). It provides the reason or grounding for why endurance is critical: the Lord's coming is certain and imminent.
• yet a little while (μικρὸν ὅσον ὅσον - mikron hoson hoson): This phrase intensifies the idea of brevity. Mikron means "little," and hoson "as much as" or "how long." The repetition (ὅσον ὅσον) emphasizes an extremely short duration. It originates from the Septuagint (LXX) of Habakkuk 2:3. It underscores that any current suffering or period of waiting is exceedingly brief in comparison to eternal realities.
• and He that shall come (ὁ ἐρχόμενος - ho erchomenos): This is a significant Messianic title, meaning "the coming one." It explicitly refers to Jesus Christ. This phrase also draws directly from Habakkuk 2:3 ("he who is coming"), but the author of Hebrews directly applies it to Jesus, who is the fulfillment of that prophecy. It signifies the identity and role of the anticipated deliverer.
• will come (ἥξει - hexei): A strong future tense verb, signifying absolute certainty of arrival. There is no doubt that the Coming One will arrive. It assures the audience that Christ's return is not merely a hope but a definite future event.
• and will not tarry (οὐ χρονίσει - ou chronisei): This means "will not delay" or "will not linger." It is a direct negative statement, again drawn from Habakkuk 2:3, ensuring that the return, when it happens, will be swift and in its appointed time. This is not about human perception of delay but God's faithfulness to His timeline. It counters the idea that the Lord's promise might be put off indefinitely.

• For yet a little while, and He that shall come: This phrase groups the immediacy of time with the person of Christ. It immediately brings to mind that the present time of tribulation is limited, and the focal point of their hope—Christ Himself—is nearing. The promise of the brief delay is intrinsically tied to the promised one.
• He that shall come will come, and will not tarry: This phrase emphasizes the certainty, personhood, and timeliness of Christ's advent. The repetition and double assurance ("will come" and "will not tarry") underline God's unwavering faithfulness to His word regarding the ultimate appearing of His Son. It signifies the reliability of the divine promise and the faithfulness of the One who promised.

Hebrews 10 37 Bonus section

This verse functions as a lynchpin, transitioning from the warning sections of Hebrews to the "faith chapter" (Hebrews 11). The assurance of Christ's imminent return in verse 37 directly paves the way for the statement in verse 38, "Now the just shall live by faith." The logic flows: endure patiently because Christ is coming quickly; and how do we endure patiently? By faith. Thus, the eschatological hope fuels the daily life of faith. The use of Habakkuk 2:3 is significant not only for its promise of coming but also because Habakkuk’s prophecy concerned a time of distress and judgment, where faithfulness would be tested. The author of Hebrews, addressing believers under similar duress, subtly uses this Old Testament precedent to offer the New Covenant solution: Christ’s final appearance and His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. The imminence of His coming is not necessarily a declaration of His absolute near arrival from a human perspective but stresses the certainty that His coming, when compared to the vastness of eternity, is always 'at hand'.

Hebrews 10 37 Commentary

Hebrews 10:37 provides a powerful incentive for enduring faith by citing a prophecy from Habakkuk 2:3 and applying it directly to Jesus Christ. In a context where believers were facing intense pressure to abandon their confession and revert to Judaism due to persecution or discouragement, this verse serves as a beacon of hope and a call to persevere. The emphasis on "yet a little while" asserts that any present suffering or period of waiting is temporary and fleeting in God's timetable. The clear identification of "He that shall come" as Jesus underscores that their hope is in a living, reigning, and returning Savior. The dual assurance, "will come and will not tarry," dismisses any notion of Christ being slow or neglecting His promise, firmly establishing the certainty and timely arrival of His return. This assurance calls believers to unwavering patience and faithfulness, knowing that their vindication and full reward are not far off, and that the One who promised is faithful to perform. This verse motivates the believer to stand firm, embracing suffering as brief, and fixing their eyes on the glorious, certain return of the Lord. For instance, in times of societal moral decline or personal hardship, remembering the immediate return of Christ strengthens the believer not to yield to compromise but to remain steadfast.