Breakdown of Hebrews 1:11-12

"they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, 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.”" — The verse highlights the profound contrast between the temporary nature of creation, even the heavens, and the eternal permanence of Christ. The imagery of the heavens wearing out "like a garment" em…

Hebrews 1:11-12 Meaning Explained

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Hebrews 1:11-12

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

English Standard Version (ESV)

The verse highlights the profound contrast between the temporary nature of creation, even the heavens, and the eternal permanence of Christ. The imagery of the heavens wearing out "like a garment" emphasizes their eventual decay, a striking detail that might be overlooked when we think of the vastness of the cosmos.

What Hebrews 1:11-12 means

The author is contrasting the enduring nature of God's Son with the temporary existence of the created heavens and earth. Quoting Psalm 102, the text emphasizes that while the universe will wear out and perish, the Son remains eternally, highlighting his divine immutability and superiority over all created things, including angels.

Understand the original words

Original language

perishἀπολοῦνται

apolountai · Greek Verb

To come to an end, cease to exist, or be destroyed; in a biblical context, it often refers to the transience of the created order compared to the eternal nature of God.

remainδιαμένεις

diameneis · Greek Verb

To continue in existence; to endure or remain constant. It emphasizes God's immutability and eternal nature amidst the changing creation.

wear outπαλαιωθήσονται

palaiōthēsontai · Greek Verb

To grow old, decay, or lose strength over time. It symbolizes the inevitable decline of the physical creation.

Historical context

Written: Dated to the mid-60s AD, prior to the destruction of Jerusalem.
Author: Traditionally, the Apostle Paul is credited with writing Hebrews, though some scholars suggest authorship by an associate like Luke or Barnabas due to linguistic differences.
Location: The letter was likely written from Rome, addressed to Jewish Christians in Judea.
Genre: Epistle, characterized by its strong use of Old Testament quotations and theological argumentation.

Key themes

01Divine immutability
02Cosmic impermanence
03Eternal King

Cross-references

Isaiah 34:4

This prophetic passage describes the heavens being rolled up like a scroll, visually echoing the imagery of the heavens wearing out and perishing used in Hebrews 1:11.

Isaiah 51:6

This verse directly parallels the idea of the heavens and earth wearing out like a garment, emphasizing their temporary nature compared to God's eternal word.

Psalm 102:26-27

This psalm speaks of the heavens perishing and wearing out while God remains unchanging, directly anticipating the contrast made in Hebrews 1:11 and highlighting God's eternal nature.

2 Peter 3:10-12

This passage reiterates the concept of the heavens and earth passing away and the elements melting, reinforcing the idea of creation's impermanence and the Lord's enduring existence.

Hebrews 13:8

This verse directly states Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever, reinforcing the 'thou remainest' aspect of Hebrews 1:11 by highlighting Christ's immutability.

Scholarly commentary

Hebrews 1:11: "They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;"

They shall perish; the heavens themselves instanced in, as containing the most excellent part of the creation, (such as the Gentile philosophy esteemed incorruptible), are mutable, as by the various changes, not only in the airy part of it, but in the ethereal, doth appear: the glorious lights in it have their spots and rusts, as the sun itself, both increasing and diminishing upon them, and so…
poole

Hebrews 1:11: "They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;"

They shall perish - That is, the heavens and the earth. They shall pass away; or they shall be destroyed. Probably no more is meant by the phrase here, than that important changes will take place in them, or than that they will change their form. Still it is not possible to foresee what changes may yet take place in the heavenly bodies, or to say that the present universe may not at some period…
barnes

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