Hebrews 5:12
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New International Version (©1984)
In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

International Standard Version (©2008)
In fact, though by now you should be teachers, you still need someone to teach you the basic truths of God's word. You have become people who need milk instead of solid food.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
By now you should be teachers. Instead, you still need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word. You need milk, not solid food.

King James Bible
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

American King James Version
For when for the time you ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

American Standard Version
For when by reason of the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that some one teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food.

Bible in Basic English
And though by this time it would be right for you to be teachers, you still have need of someone to give you teaching about the first simple rules of God's revelation; you have become like babies who have need of milk, and not of solid food.

Douay-Rheims Bible
For whereas for the time you ought to be masters, you have need to be taught again what are the first elements of the words of God: and you are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

Darby Bible Translation
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have again need that one should teach you what are the elements of the beginning of the oracles of God, and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food.

English Revised Version
For when by reason of the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that some one teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food.

Webster's Bible Translation
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need of one to teach you again which are the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong food.

Weymouth New Testament
For although, considering the long time you have been believers, you ought now to be teachers of others, you really need some one to teach you over again the very rudiments of the truths of God, and you have come to require milk instead of solid food.

World English Bible
For although by this time you should be teachers, you again need to have someone teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God. You have come to need milk, and not solid food.

Young's Literal Translation
for even owing to be teachers, because of the time, again ye have need that one teach you what are the elements of the beginning of the oracles of God, and ye have become having need of milk, and not of strong food,

Geneva Study Bible

{7} For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

(7) An example of an apostolic exhortation.

People's New Testament

5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers. You have been disciples long enough to be able to teach others, but still

ye have need that one teach you again first principles. See notes on 6:1,2.

Of the oracles of God. God's word.

Wesley's Notes

5:12 Ye have need that one teach you again which are the first principles of religion. Accordingly these are enumerated in the first verse of the ensuing chapter . And have need of milk - The first and plainest doctrines.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

12. for the time-considering the long time that you have been Christians. Therefore this Epistle was not one of those written early.

which be the first principles-Greek, "the rudiments of the beginning of." A Pauline phrase (see on [2552]Ga 4:3; [2553]Ga 4:9). Ye need not only to be taught the first elements, but also "which they be." They are therefore enumerated Heb 6:1, 2 [Bengel]. Alford translates, "That someone teach you the rudiments"; but the position of the Greek, "tina," inclines me to take it interrogatively, "which," as English Version, Syriac, Vulgate, &c.

of the oracles of God-namely, of the Old Testament: instead of seeing Christ as the end of the Old Testament Scripture, they were relapsing towards Judaism, so as not only not to be capable of understanding the typical reference to Christ of such an Old Testament personage as Melchisedec, but even much more elementary references.

are become-through indolence.

milk . not . strong meat-"Milk" refers to such fundamental first principles as he enumerates in Heb 6:1, 2. The solid meat, or food, is not absolutely necessary for preserving life, but is so for acquiring greater strength. Especially in the case of the Hebrews, who were much given to allegorical interpretations of their law, which they so much venerated, the application of the Old Testament types, to Christ and His High Priesthood, was calculated much to strengthen them in the Christian faith [Limborch].

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

5:11-14 Dull hearers make the preaching of the gospel difficult, and even those who have some faith may be dull hearers, and slow to believe. Much is looked for from those to whom much is given. To be unskilful, denotes want of experience in the things of the gospel. Christian experience is a spiritual sense, taste, or relish of the goodness, sweetness, and excellence of the truths of the gospel. And no tongue can express the satisfaction which the soul receives, from a sense of Divine goodness, grace, and love to it in Christ.


Acts 7:38 "This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness together with the angel who was speaking to him on Mount Sinai, and who was with our fathers; and he received living oracles to pass on to you.
1 Corinthians 3:2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able,
Galatians 4:3 So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world.
Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
1 Peter 2:2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, (NASB ©1995)

Although Considering Fact First Food God's Meat Milk Need Oracles Others Ought Principles Really Reason Rudiments Solid Someone Strong Teach Teachers Time Truths Word


For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

for the. Mt 17:17 Mr 9:19

teachers. Ezr 7:10 Ps 34:11 1Co 14:19 Col 3:16 Tit 2:3,4

teach. Isa 28:9,10,13 Php 3:1

the first. 6:1

the oracles. 2Sa 16:23 Ac 7:38 Ro 3:2 1Pe 4:11

as have. 13 Isa 55:1 1Co 3:1-3 1Pe 2:2

Bible Gateway: Hebrews Chapter 5 Verse 12 NIV ESV NKJV NLT KJV Message Amplified

Alphabetical: again all and be by come elementary fact food For God God's have In milk need not of oracles ought over principles solid someone teach teachers the this though time to truths word you

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NT Letters: Hebrews 5:12 For when by reason of the time (Heb. He. Hb) Christian Bible Study Resources, Dictionary, Concordance and Search Tools

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