Hebrews 12:16–17
Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
Lest there bee any fornicatour, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsell of meat sold his birthright.
For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
For yee know how that afterward when hee would haue inherited the blessing, hee was reiected: for hee found no ‖place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with teares.
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- ‖Alternative wordingOr, way to change his minde.
Narration uses the Pure Cambridge Edition.
PASSAGE SELECTION
Build from either side
Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.
SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE
Cross References
10 Essential passages are open for comparison.
From verse 16
- Genesis 25:31–34Rank 1 from verse 16
31And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.
32And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?
33And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.
34Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
31And Iacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.
32And Esau said, Behold, I am †at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright doe to me?
33And Iacob said, Sweare to mee this day: and he sware to him: and *he sold his birthright vnto Iacob.
34Then Iacob gaue Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eate and drinke, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
- 1 Corinthians 6:15–20Rank 2 from verse 16
15Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
16What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
17But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
18Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
19What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
15Know yee not that your bodies are the members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
16What, know ye not that he which is ioyned to an harlot, is one body? for two (saith he) shalbe one flesh.
17But hee that is ioyned vnto the Lord, is one spirit.
18Flee fornication: Euery sinne that a man doeth, is without the body: but he that committeth fornication, sinneth against his owne body.
19What, know ye not that your body is the Temple of the holy Ghost which is in you, which yee haue of God, and ye are not your owne?
20For yee are bought with a price: therefore glorifie God in your body, and in your spirit, which are Gods.
- Hebrews 13:4Rank 3 from verse 16
- Revelation 22:15Rank 4 from verse 16
- 1 Thessalonians 4:3–7Rank 6 from verse 16
3For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
4That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
5Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
6That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
7For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
3For this is the will of God, euen your sanctification, that yee should absteine from fornication:
4That euery one of you should know how to possesse his vessell in sanctification and honour:
5Not in the lust of concupiscence, euen as the Gentiles which know not God:
6That no man goe beyond and ‖defraud his brother ‖in any matter, because that the Lord is the auenger of all such; as we also haue forewarned you, and testified:
7For God hath not called vs vnto vncleannesse, but vnto holinesse.
- Acts 15:29Rank 7 from verse 16
29That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
29That ye abstaine from meates offered to idoles, and from blood, & from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keepe your selues, yee shall doe well. Fare ye well.
- 1 Corinthians 10:8Rank 8 from verse 16
- 1 Corinthians 5:1–6Rank 9 from verse 16
1IT is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.
2And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
3For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,
4In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
5To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
6Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
1¶ It is reported commonly, that there is fornication among you, and such fornication, as is not so much as named amongst the Gentiles, that one should haue his fathers wife.
2And yee are puffed vp, and haue not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed, might bee taken away from among you.
3*For I verily as absent in body, but present in spirit, haue ‖iudged alreadie, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,
4In the Name of our Lord Iesus Christ, when yee are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Iesus Christ,
5*To deliuer such a one vnto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saued in the day of the Lord Iesus.
6Your glorying is not good: *know ye not that a little leauen leaueneth the whole lumpe?
- 1 Corinthians 5:9–11Rank 10 from verse 16
9I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
10Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
11But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
9I wrote vnto you in an Epistle, not to company with fornicators.
10Yet not altogether with the fornicatours of this world, or with the couetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must yee needs goe out of the world.
11But now I haue written vnto you, not to keepe company, if any man that is called a brother bee a fornicator, or couetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner: with such a one, no, not to eate.
- 2 Corinthians 12:21Rank 11 from verse 16
21And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
21 And least when I come againe, my God will humble mee among you, and that I shall bewaile many which haue sinned alreadie, and haue not repented of the vncleannesse, and fornication, and lasciuiousnesse which they haue committed.
- Acts 15:20Rank 12 from verse 16
- Colossians 3:5Rank 13 from verse 16
5Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
5Mortifie therefore your members which are vpon the earth: fornication, vncleannesse, inordinate affection, euill concupiscence, and couetousnesse, which is idolatrie:
- Ephesians 5:5Rank 14 from verse 16
5For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
5For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor vncleane person, nor couetous man who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdome of Christ, and of God.
- Galatians 5:19–21Rank 15 from verse 16
19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
19Nowe the workes of the flesh are manifest, which are these, adulterie, fornication, vncleannesse, lasciuiousnesse,
20Idolatrie, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21Enuyings, murthers, drunkennesse, reuellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I haue also tolde you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherite the kingdome of God.
- Genesis 27:36Rank 16 from verse 16
36And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?
36And he said, Is not he rightly naned †Iacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: hee tooke away my birthright, and behold, now he hath taken away my blessing: and hee said, Hast thou not reserued a blessing for mee?
- Revelation 2:20–23Rank 17 from verse 16
20Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
21And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
22Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
23And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
20Notwithstanding, I haue a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman *Iezebel, which calleth herselfe a Prophetesse, to teach and to seduce my seruants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed vnto idoles.
21And I gaue her space to repent of her fornication, and she repented not.
22Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her, into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
23And I will kill her children with death, and all the Churches shall know that *I am hee which searcheth the reines and hearts: and I will giue vnto euery one of you according to your workes.
- Ephesians 5:3Rank 18 from verse 16
- Revelation 21:8Rank 19 from verse 16
8But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
8But the fearefull, and vnbeleeuing, and the abominable, and murderers, and whore mongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all lyars, shall haue their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
From verse 17
- Proverbs 1:24–31Rank 1 from verse 17
24¶ Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
25But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
26I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
27When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
28Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
29For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord:
30They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
31Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
24¶ *Because I haue called, and yee refused, I haue stretched out my hand, and no man regarded:
25But ye haue set at nought all my counsell, & would none of my reproofe:
26I also will laugh at your calamitie, I wil mocke when your feare commeth.
27*When your feare commeth as desolation, and your destruction commeth as a whirlewinde; when distresse and anguish commeth vpon you:
28*Then shall they call vpon mee, but I will not answere; they shall seeke me early, but they shall not finde me:
29For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the feare of the LORD.
30They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproofe.
31Therefore shall they eate of the fruite of their owne way, and be filled with their owne deuices.
- Matthew 25:11–12Rank 2 from verse 17
- Matthew 7:23Rank 3 from verse 17
- Hebrews 10:26–29Rank 4 from verse 17
26For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
26For if we sinne wilfully after that we haue receiued the knowledge of the trueth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sinnes,
27But a certaine fearefull looking for of iudgement, and fiery indignation, which shall deuoure the aduersaries.
28Hee that despised Moses Lawe, died without mercy, vnder two or three witnesses.
29Of how much sorer punishment suppose ye, shall hee be thought worthy, who hath troden vnder foote y e Sonne of God, and hath counted the blood of the couenant wherwith he was sanctified, an vnholy thing, and hath done despite vnto the spirit of grace?
- Hebrews 6:8Rank 5 from verse 17
- Genesis 27:30–41Rank 6 from verse 17
30¶ And it came to pass, as soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing Jacob, and Jacob was yet scarce gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting.
31And he also had made savoury meat, and brought it unto his father, and said unto his father, Let my father arise, and eat of his son’s venison, that thy soul may bless me.
32And Isaac his father said unto him, Who art thou? And he said, I am thy son, thy firstborn Esau.
33And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed.
34And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father.
35And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing.
36And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?
37And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now unto thee, my son?
38And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept.
39And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above;
40And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.
41¶ And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.
30¶ And it came to passe, as soone as Isaac had made an ende of blessing Iacob, and Iacob was yet scarce gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting.
31And hee also had made sauoury meate, and brought it vnto his father, and said vnto his father, Let my father arise, and eat of his sonnes venison, that thy soule may blesse me.
32And Isaac his father said vnto him, Who art thou? and he said, I am thy sonne, thy first borne Esau.
33And Isaac †trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? Where is he that hath †taken venison, and brought it me, and I haue eaten of all before thou camest, and haue blessed him? yea and he shalbe blessed.
34And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said vnto his father, Blesse mee, euen me also, O my father.
35And hee said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing.
36And he said, Is not he rightly naned †Iacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: hee tooke away my birthright, and behold, now he hath taken away my blessing: and hee said, Hast thou not reserued a blessing for mee?
37And Isaac answered and saide vnto Esau, Behold, I haue made him thy LORD, and all his brethren haue I giuen to him for seruants: and with corne and wine haue I ‖susteined him: and what shall I doe now vnto thee, my sonne?
38And Esau said vnto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? blesse mee, euen mee also, O my father. And Esau lift vp his voyce, *and wept.
39And Isaac his father answered, and said vnto him, Behold, *thy dwelling shall be ‖the fatnesse of the earth, and of the dew of heauen from aboue.
40And by thy sword shalt thou liue, and shalt serue thy brother: and it shall come to passe when thou shalt haue the dominion, that thou shalt breake his yoke from off thy necke.
41¶ And Esau hated Iacob, because of the blessing, wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The dayes of mourning for my father are at hand; *then will I slay my brother Iacob.
- Hebrews 6:4–6Rank 7 from verse 17
4For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
4For it is impossible for those who were once inlightned, and haue tasted of the heauenly gift, and were made partakers of the holy Ghost,
5And haue tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come;
6If they shall fall away, to renue them againe vnto repentance: seeing they crucifie to themselues the Sonne of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
- Jeremiah 6:30Rank 8 from verse 17
- Luke 13:24–27Rank 9 from verse 17
24¶ Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
25When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
26Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
27But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
24¶ *Striue to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say vnto you, will seeke to enter in, and shall not be able.
25When once the master of the house is risen vp, & hath shut to the doore, and ye begin to stand without, & to knocke at the doore, saying, Lord, Lord, open vnto vs, and he shal answere, & say vnto you, I know you not whence you are:
26Then shall ye begin to say, Wee haue eaten and drunke in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
27*But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence you are; depart from me all ye workers of iniquitie.
WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE
Definitions
Open a word for its full definition and concordance.
DEFINED WORDS
Hebrews 12:16
For fear that, to prevent the possibility that, or so that an undesired or warned-of result may not occur.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
COMBINED MEANING
fornicator
A person who commits unlawful sexual intercourse.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Unholy, irreverent, defiled, or common in contrast with consecrated; to profane is to dishonour, desecrate, defile, or treat as common.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
A piece; a meal; something to be eaten.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Sense 1: Food, nourishment, sustenance, or provision. Sense 2: Figuratively, that which nourishes or sustains.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references
Transferred for a price or gave over.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
COMBINED MEANING
birthright
A right, privilege, or inheritance belonging to a person by birth, especially to the firstborn.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
DEFINED WORDS
Hebrews 12:17
1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
The second-person plural subject pronoun, referring to the persons being addressed as those who are, do, or receive the stated predicate.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
To perceive, understand, recognize, experience, or be assured of something.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
At a later or subsequent time; afterward or subsequently.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of inherit, meaning to receive or possess as one's portion or inheritance.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Sense 1: The act or words of pronouncing good; divine favor. Sense 2: A benefit bestowed by God.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Thrown away; cast off; refused; slighted.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. Discovered or obtained. 2. Established or founded.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: A physical location or room. Sense 2: A position or office. Sense 3: An occasion, circumstance, or passage. Sense 4: To set, fix, locate, or establish.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
COMBINED MEANING
repentance
A change of mind or purpose concerning what has been done or intended, often coupled with grief or sorrow.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
1. With close attention or diligence. 2. With anxious concern.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Drops of fluid shed from the eyes in weeping, grief, pain, or strong feeling.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
READ BEFORE AND AFTER
Surrounding Verses
Nearby Scripture remains separate from the selected passage until you add it.
15Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
15Looking diligently, lest any man ‖faile of the grace of God, lest any roote of bitternesse springing vp, trouble you, and thereby many be defiled:
16Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
16Lest there bee any fornicatour, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsell of meat sold his birthright.
Selected passage17For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
17For yee know how that afterward when hee would haue inherited the blessing, hee was reiected: for hee found no ‖place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with teares.
Selected passage18For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
18For yee are not come vnto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor vnto blacknesse, and darknes, and tempest,