This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "things that are made" reveals that the things being removed aren't inherently flawed, but simply temporary by their very design, like a temporary shelter built to be eventually replaced by a permanent home. This highlights that God's creation can be designed for change and transition, making way for something even more enduring.
This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author is explaining the profound significance of God's promise, "Yet once more," which points to a final, decisive upheaval. This isn't just about a future event but about how God is fundamentally reordering things, shaking apart the temporary and man-made so that only His eternal, unshakeable kingdom can endure.
Have you ever felt like everything you relied on was suddenly gone? This verse speaks to a profound, divinely orchestrated upheaval.
The phrase "yet once more" in Hebrews 12:27 isn't just a hint of change; it signifies a singular, ultimate event. Unlike previous upheavals or reforms (like the transition from the Old Covenant to the New), this "once more" is final. It signals the complete removal of everything that can be shaken—meaning anything created, temporary, or imperfect. Think of it as a cosmic reset button being pushed, not to bring back the old, but to usher in something entirely new and permanent. This emphasizes the absolute nature of God's judgment and His ultimate plan for a renewed creation.
The verse contrasts two categories of 'things.' What's the crucial difference, and why does it matter for us today?
Hebrews 12:27 draws a sharp distinction between 'things that are made' and 'things that cannot be shaken.' The 'things that are made' are the created, earthly, and temporary realities—institutions, systems, and even the physical universe as we know it, which are all subject to decay and change. These are the things that will be shaken and removed. In contrast, 'the things that cannot be shaken' represent the eternal, unchanging realities of God's kingdom: His righteousness, His truth, His unyielding promises, and ultimately, His people dwelling in the new creation. The entire purpose of the shaking and removal is to make it clear that only what is founded on God's eternal nature and His unshakeable kingdom will endure.
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The upheaval is happening, or is coming, but the verse's end points to a present reality. What is it, and how do we access it?
While the ultimate removal of all that can be shaken is a future event, the verse's conclusion—'that the things that cannot be shaken may remain'—points to a present reality for believers. The following verses (Hebrews 12:28) explicitly state, 'Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken...' This means we are already citizens of, and participants in, God's eternal, unshakeable kingdom now. The shaking of the old world order doesn't threaten our ultimate security because our foundation is not in the created, temporary things, but in Christ and His everlasting reign. Our task is to live in light of this present, unshakeable reality, serving God with gratitude and awe.
Understand the original words
saleuō · Greek Verb
The state of being fundamentally unstable, temporary, or subject to removal; it refers to the created order that lacks the permanence of God's eternal Kingdom.
The phrase 'yet once more' points to a divine, final act that will remove the temporary and establish the eternal. This echoes historical events like the destruction of Jerusalem, but ultimately points to the ultimate, unshakeable kingdom of God that transcends earthly turmoil.
c. 520 BC
Haggai's Prophecy
The prophet Haggai delivers a message from God about rebuilding the Temple, including the phrase 'yet once more' to signify a future, transformative event.
c. 4 BC - c. AD 30/33
Jesus' Ministry and Crucifixion
The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, initiating the new covenant and the spiritual kingdom.
c. AD 62-64— this verse
Writing of the Book of Hebrews
The author of Hebrews writes to Jewish Christians facing persecution, encouraging them to persevere in their faith in Christ.
AD 70
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
The Roman army destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, marking the end of the Old Covenant sacrificial system and the fulfillment of many prophecies concerning the 'shaking' of the existing order.
Second Century AD onwards
Ongoing Christian Endurance
The Christian community continues to live in expectation of Christ's return, holding fast to the unshakeable kingdom established through Him.
This prophecy of a new heaven and a new earth that will remain speaks to the permanence that will ultimately endure after the temporary is removed, directly aligning with the enduring reality the author of Hebrews is pointing to.
2 Peter 3:13This passage echoes the author's point about a future transformation, stating that we look forward to new heavens and a new earth where righteousness dwells, reinforcing the idea of an unshakable reality replacing the temporary.
Haggai 2:6This is the foundational prophecy being discussed; the phrase 'yet once more' is drawn directly from Haggai and its meaning of a coming, decisive divine action is central to the author's argument about removing the temporary.
1 Corinthians 3:13This passage describes the 'day' that will 'disclose' works because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done, showing that ultimately, only what is genuinely enduring will survive.
Daniel 7:18The concept of receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken directly parallels the mention of Daniel's vision of the saints receiving the kingdom, which is an eternal, unshakeable reality.
vincentHebrews 12:27: "And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain."
This word "yet once more" (τὸ δέ Ἔτι ἅπαξ)Attention is called to this phrase as specially significant, because it indicates that the shaking prophesied by Haggai is to be final. It is to precede the new heaven and the new earth. Isaiah 65:17; Isaiah 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1.Signifieth (δηλοῖ)Fr…
barnesHebrews 12:27: "And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain."
And this word, Yet once more - That is, this reference to a great agitation or commotion in some future time. This is designed as an explanation of the prophecy in Haggai, and the idea is, that there would be such agitations that everything which was not fixed on a permanent and immovable basis would be thrown do…
The phrase "things that are made" reveals that the things being removed aren't inherently flawed, but simply temporary by their very design, like a temporary shelter built to be eventually replaced by a permanent home. This highlights that God's creation can be designed for change and transition, making way for something even more enduring.
The author is explaining the profound significance of God's promise, "Yet once more," which points to a final, decisive upheaval. This isn't just about a future event but about how God is fundamentally reordering things, shaking apart the temporary and man-made so that only His eternal, unshakeable kingdom can endure.
The author is explaining the profound significance of God's promise, "Yet once more," which points to a final, decisive upheaval. This isn't just about a future event but about how God is fundamentally reordering things, shaking apart the temporary and man-made so that only His eternal, unshakeable kingdom can endure.
"This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain." — The phrase "things that are made" reveals that the things being removed aren't inherently flawed, but simply temporary by their very design, like a temporary shelter built to be eventually replaced b…
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Last reviewed October 2026