King James Version

What Does Hebrews 8:11 Mean?

Hebrews 8:11 in the King James Version says “And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know m... — study this verse from Hebrews chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest .

Hebrews 8:11 · KJV


Context

9

Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

10

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: put: Gr. give in: or, upon

11

And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest .

12

For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

13

In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Under the new covenant, there's no need for human teachers saying 'Know the LORD,' because 'all shall know Me, from the least to the greatest.' This doesn't eliminate teaching offices (Ephesians 4:11) but emphasizes direct, personal knowledge of God through the Spirit available to all believers. The democratization of covenant knowledge surpasses the old covenant's mediation through priests and prophets. All believers are priests (1 Peter 2:9).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Under the old covenant, knowledge of God was mediated through prophets, priests, and teachers. Most people depended on others for access to God's word and presence. The new covenant grants direct access through Christ and the indwelling Spirit to every believer.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does your direct access to God through Christ change your spiritual life compared to requiring human mediators?
  2. What does it mean that the 'least' in the new covenant has the same spiritual access as the 'greatest'?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 27 words
καὶ1 of 27

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οὐ2 of 27
G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

μὴ3 of 27
G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

διδάξωσιν4 of 27

teach

G1321

to teach (in the same broad application)

ἕκαστος5 of 27

every man

G1538

each or every

τὸν6 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πλησίον7 of 27

neighbour

G4139

(adverbially) close by; as noun, a neighbor, i.e., fellow (as man, countryman, christian or friend)

αὐτοῦ8 of 27
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ9 of 27

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἕκαστος10 of 27

every man

G1538

each or every

τὸν11 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀδελφὸν12 of 27

brother

G80

a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

αὐτοῦ13 of 27
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

λέγων,14 of 27

saying

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Γνῶθι15 of 27

Know

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

τὸν16 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κύριον17 of 27

the Lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

ὅτι18 of 27

for

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

πάντες19 of 27

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

εἰδήσουσίν20 of 27

shall know

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

με21 of 27

me

G3165

me

ἀπὸ22 of 27

from

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

μικροῦ23 of 27

the least

G3398

small (in size, quantity, number or (figuratively) dignity)

αὐτῶν24 of 27
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἕως25 of 27

to

G2193

a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)

μεγάλου26 of 27

the greatest

G3173

big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)

αὐτῶν27 of 27
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Hebrews. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Hebrews 8:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Hebrews 8:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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