Hebrews 8:11
And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μὴ
G3361
μὴ
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
3 of 27
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πλησίον
neighbour
G4139
πλησίον
neighbour
Strong's:
G4139
Word #:
7 of 27
(adverbially) close by; as noun, a neighbor, i.e., fellow (as man, countryman, christian or friend)
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφὸν
brother
G80
ἀδελφὸν
brother
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
12 of 27
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
λέγων,
saying
G3004
λέγων,
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
14 of 27
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Γνῶθι
Know
G1097
Γνῶθι
Know
Strong's:
G1097
Word #:
15 of 27
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριον
the Lord
G2962
κύριον
the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
17 of 27
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ὅτι
for
G3754
ὅτι
for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
18 of 27
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
εἰδήσουσίν
shall know
G1492
εἰδήσουσίν
shall know
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
20 of 27
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
22 of 27
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
μικροῦ
the least
G3398
μικροῦ
the least
Strong's:
G3398
Word #:
23 of 27
small (in size, quantity, number or (figuratively) dignity)
αὐτῶν
G846
αὐτῶν
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
24 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἕως
to
G2193
ἕως
to
Strong's:
G2193
Word #:
25 of 27
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
Cross References
Jeremiah 31:34And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.Isaiah 54:13And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.John 6:45It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.1 John 2:27But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.Jeremiah 24:7And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.1 John 5:20And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.Acts 8:10To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.1 Chronicles 28:9And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.Habakkuk 2:14For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.Isaiah 2:3And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Historical Context
Under the old covenant, knowledge of God was mediated through prophets, priests, and teachers. Most people depended on others for access to God's word and presence. The new covenant grants direct access through Christ and the indwelling Spirit to every believer.
Questions for Reflection
- How does your direct access to God through Christ change your spiritual life compared to requiring human mediators?
- What does it mean that the 'least' in the new covenant has the same spiritual access as the 'greatest'?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Under the new covenant, there's no need for human teachers saying 'Know the LORD,' because 'all shall know Me, from the least to the greatest.' This doesn't eliminate teaching offices (Ephesians 4:11) but emphasizes direct, personal knowledge of God through the Spirit available to all believers. The democratization of covenant knowledge surpasses the old covenant's mediation through priests and prophets. All believers are priests (1 Peter 2:9).