Hebrews 12:25
See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
Original Language Analysis
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
2 of 24
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
παραιτησάμενοι
that ye refuse
G3868
παραιτησάμενοι
that ye refuse
Strong's:
G3868
Word #:
3 of 24
to beg off, i.e., deprecate, decline, shun
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
7 of 24
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ἐκεῖνοι
they
G1565
ἐκεῖνοι
they
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
8 of 24
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
ἔφυγον,
escaped
G5343
ἔφυγον,
escaped
Strong's:
G5343
Word #:
10 of 24
to run away (literally or figuratively); by implication, to shun; by analogy, to vanish
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐπὶ
on
G1909
ἐπὶ
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
12 of 24
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γῆς
earth
G1093
γῆς
earth
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
14 of 24
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
παραιτησάμενοι
that ye refuse
G3868
παραιτησάμενοι
that ye refuse
Strong's:
G3868
Word #:
15 of 24
to beg off, i.e., deprecate, decline, shun
χρηματίζοντα
that spake
G5537
χρηματίζοντα
that spake
Strong's:
G5537
Word #:
16 of 24
to utter an oracle (compare the original sense of g5530), i.e., divinely intimate; by implication, (compare the secular sense of g5532) to constitute
πολλῷ
much
G4183
πολλῷ
much
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
17 of 24
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπ'
that speaketh from
G575
ἀπ'
that speaketh from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
22 of 24
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
Cross References
Hebrews 8:5Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.Hebrews 11:7By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.Proverbs 13:18Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.Exodus 20:22And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven.Zechariah 7:11But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.Proverbs 1:24Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;Proverbs 1:32For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.Exodus 16:29See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.Deuteronomy 30:17But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;Joshua 22:16Thus saith the whole congregation of the LORD, What trespass is this that ye have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the LORD, in that ye have builded you an altar, that ye might rebel this day against the LORD?
Historical Context
Israel's wilderness generation refused God's voice at Kadesh-barnea when the spies brought negative reports (Numbers 13-14). Despite seeing Egypt's plagues, Red Sea crossing, manna provision, and Sinai theophany, they refused to trust God's promise and enter Canaan. Their refusal cost them the Promised Land—that entire generation died in wilderness. Hebrews argues that rejecting Christ—God's ultimate revelation—brings worse consequences than rejecting Moses. First-century readers facing persecution and temptation to abandon Christianity needed this warning: returning to Judaism or lapsing into paganism after hearing the gospel would incur severe judgment. Church history confirms that apostasy from clearly understood gospel truth often leads to hardening impossible to reverse.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this warning challenge any tendency to take the gospel for granted or treat it casually?
- What does 'turning away from him that speaks from heaven' look like practically, and how can you guard against it?
- In what ways does greater gospel privilege increase your accountability to respond faithfully?
Analysis & Commentary
See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: After describing New Covenant privileges, the author issues solemn warning. 'See that ye refuse not' (blepete mē paraitēsēsthe, βλέπετε μὴ παραιτήσησθε, 'watch that you do not reject') warns against spurning God's gracious offer. 'Him that speaketh' refers to Christ, God's ultimate revelation (Hebrews 1:1-2).
The argument proceeds from lesser to greater. 'If they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth'—Israelites who rejected Moses' mediation of God's earthly Law from Sinai didn't escape judgment (wilderness death, exclusion from Promised Land). 'Much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven'—rejecting Christ's mediation of God's heavenly revelation brings greater judgment. The privileges are greater; so is the accountability.
This confronts the terrifying reality that rejecting greater revelation incurs greater condemnation. Those who heard Law and disobeyed perished; how much more those who hear the gospel and refuse? This isn't arbitrary divine cruelty but logical consequence: greater light rejected produces greater darkness. The warning applies especially to those who hear the gospel clearly yet reject or neglect it. Greater privilege demands greater response; greater grace spurned produces greater judgment.