Hebrews 10:37
For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay;
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse isn't just a general promise of God's timing; it's a bold, deliberate re-application of prophecy. The author takes words originally about a divine vision, adds emphasis to make it "a very, very little while," and then personally inserts "He that cometh" to point directly to Christ, transforming an ancient word into a personal encouragement for his readers. This intentional shift makes the prophecy about judgment and deliverance intensely relevant to their present hope.
The author is encouraging believers to persevere through hardship by reminding them that the end is near. Citing Habakkuk, he reassures them that the promised deliverer, Christ, will surely come and not delay, even though appearances might suggest otherwise. This promise serves as a powerful motivation to remain faithful, especially as they await Christ's final return and the full realization of God's kingdom.
Ever felt like waiting for something important, and the time just drags on? This verse speaks to that feeling, but with a twist of urgency. What does 'a little while' really mean here?
The phrase "yet a little while" isn't just a casual estimate; it's packed with intensity.
A Whisper Becomes a Shout
Scholars note that the original phrasing, especially when drawing from Isaiah 26:20, uses a unique expression that literally means something like 'a little, how much, how much!' It's a way of saying 'a very, very little while.' This isn't just a vague promise of future relief; it's a signal that the end of the waiting period is astonishingly close. Imagine waiting for a package, and instead of 'coming soon,' you get 'it's on your doorstep right now!' That's the kind of imminence being conveyed.
Why the Urgency?
For the original readers of Hebrews, who were facing intense persecution and pressure to abandon their faith, this wasn't just abstract theology. It was a lifeline. Knowing that their suffering had an appointed, short end, and that divine intervention was just around the corner, was meant to bolster their endurance. It was a reminder that their current hardship was temporary, overshadowed by an imminent, glorious arrival.
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The one 'who comes' isn't an unknown figure. They were a name on everyone's lips. But here, the author uses it with a profound, new significance.
The title "He who comes" (or "the coming one") was a well-understood Messianic title in the first century. People knew who this referred to – the promised Messiah.
From First Coming to Final Arrival
While the prophet Habakkuk, from whom this passage is adapted, originally spoke of a 'vision' that would surely come (in his case, the fall of Babylon), the ancient Jewish teachers, and now the writer of Hebrews, applied it directly to the Messiah. The addition of the definite article, 'the' coming one, signals this specific Messianic application.
However, there's a crucial shift. While 'He who comes' often pointed to Jesus' first coming – His birth, life, and ministry – the context here in Hebrews strongly suggests it's pointing to His second coming. This isn't just about His historical arrival; it's about His ultimate return in glory to bring final judgment and deliverance. The expectation isn't just relief from present troubles, but the full consummation of God's kingdom.
Waiting is hard, especially when it feels like things are dragging. But what if you had a guarantee that the delay wouldn't last forever? That's the powerful assurance here.
The phrase "and will not tarry" is a divine reassurance against doubt and despair. It speaks to the unwavering faithfulness of God and the certainty of Christ's return.
God's Timing vs. Human Perception
From a human perspective, promises can seem to 'tarry' or be delayed. The original readers of Hebrews were likely feeling this acutely. They might have looked around at their suffering and wondered if God had forgotten them or if His promises were failing. But the text insists that God's timeline, though it may feel long to us, is precise and will not be missed. What seems like a delay to us is simply the appointed time unfolding.
An Anchor in the Storm
This certainty is meant to be an anchor for the soul. It's not just a passive waiting; it's an active, hopeful endurance rooted in the absolute reliability of God's Word. When circumstances scream failure, this promise shouts faithfulness. It assures believers that the final judgment and vindication are not haphazard events but are scheduled and guaranteed by the One who cannot lie.
This verse echoes Habakkuk's ancient promise of God's swift justice and vindication, but applied by the author of Hebrews to the soon-coming return of Christ. It speaks powerfully to believers under pressure, reminding them that even in hardship, God's ultimate deliverance is near.
c. 600s BC
Habakkuk's Prophecy
The prophet Habakkuk, troubled by injustice and the impending Babylonian threat, cries out to God. God responds with a vision promising swift judgment on the wicked and vindication for the faithful.
c. 520 BC
Zechariah's Prophecy
Zechariah, prophesying after the exile, speaks of a future king, lowly and riding on a donkey, who will bring salvation and rule with peace, a passage later applied to the Messiah.
c. 250 BC
LXX Translates Habakkuk
The Book of Habakkuk is translated into Greek (the Septuagint). This version slightly alters the wording, shifting the focus from 'the vision' to 'He who comes,' paving the way for a Messianic interpretation.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry and Teaching
Jesus declares Himself the One who comes in the name of the Lord and speaks of His imminent return, using phrases like 'a little while' to describe the brief separation before His resurrection and ongoing presence.
c. AD 60-70— this verse
Writing of Hebrews
The author of Hebrews, witnessing the struggles of Jewish Christians facing persecution and temptation to revert to Judaism, writes to encourage perseverance, reminding them of the promises of God and the imminent return of Christ.
AD 70
Destruction of Jerusalem
The Roman army destroys Jerusalem and the Temple. For Jewish Christians, this event marked the end of the old covenant system and a powerful demonstration of God's judgment and deliverance.
This is the primary source passage that Hebrews 10:37 is directly quoting and applying, originally referring to a 'vision' that would surely come.
Matthew 24:6Jesus speaks of 'wars and rumors of wars' and tells his disciples that 'the end is not yet,' similar to the 'little while' motif suggesting immediate but not instantaneous fulfillment.
John 16:16Jesus tells his disciples, 'A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me,' echoing the theme of a short period before a significant reappearance.
James 5:8This passage directly parallels Hebrews 10:37 by urging believers to 'be patient' and 'strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand,' reinforcing the imminent nature of Christ's return.
Isaiah 26:20Hebrews 10:37 borrows the phrase 'a little while' from this verse, which speaks of hiding for a brief moment until God's indignation passes, connecting it to divine judgment and deliverance.
ellicottHebrews 10:37: "For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry."
(37) The connection is this: “Ye have need of endurance” for “the end is not yet” ( Matthew 24:6 ); ye shall “receive the promise,” for the Lord shall surely come, and that soon. A little while.—Rather, a very little while. The expression is remarkable and unusual; it is evidently taken from Isaiah 26:20—“Come my people . . . hide thyself for a little moment until the indignation be overpast.” The sub…
cambridgeHebrews 10:37: "For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry."
37 . yet a little while ] The original has a very emphatic phrase ( μικρὸν ὅσον ὅσον ) to imply the nearness of Christ’s return, “yet but a very very little while.” The phrase occurs in the LXX. in Isaiah 26:20 . The quotations in this and the next verse are adapted from Habakkuk 2:3-4 . In the original it is “the vision” which will not tarry, but the writer quotes from the LXX., only inserting the de…
This verse isn't just a general promise of God's timing; it's a bold, deliberate re-application of prophecy. The author takes words originally about a divine vision, adds emphasis to make it "a very, very little while," and then personally inserts "He that cometh" to point directly to Christ, transforming an ancient word into a personal encouragement for his readers. This intentional shift makes the prophecy about judgment and deliverance intensely relevant to their present hope.
The author is encouraging believers to persevere through hardship by reminding them that the end is near. Citing Habakkuk, he reassures them that the promised deliverer, Christ, will surely come and not delay, even though appearances might suggest otherwise. This promise serves as a powerful motivation to remain faithful, especially as they await Christ's final return and the full realization of God's kingdom.
The author is encouraging believers to persevere through hardship by reminding them that the end is near. Citing Habakkuk, he reassures them that the promised deliverer, Christ, will surely come and not delay, even though appearances might suggest otherwise. This promise serves as a powerful motivation to remain faithful, especially as they await Christ's final return and the full realization of God's kingdom.
"For,
“Yet a little while,
and the coming one will come and will not delay;" — This verse isn't just a general promise of God's timing; it's a bold, deliberate re-application of prophecy. The author takes words originally about a divine vision, adds emphasis to make it "a very,…
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