They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;

HEBREWS 1:11KJV
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Hebrews 1:11 (KJV)

What does Hebrews 1:11 mean?

Hebrews 1:11 says that created things—like the heavens and the earth—will eventually perish and wear out, but God remains unchanged and everlasting. The verse uses the image of clothing growing old to show that everything in creation ages and fades, while God endures.

The writer of Hebrews is quoting from the Old Testament (Psalm 102) to show that Jesus, addressed as Lord, is eternal and unchanging, unlike the world He created. This is part of a larger argument to show Jesus’ superiority over all created things, speaking to Jewish Christians who might be tempted to return to old beliefs or practices.

The Greek behind Hebrews 1:11

  • "Perish" (ἀπόλλυμι, apollymi): This word often means to be destroyed or to pass away completely, not just to get old. It emphasizes the total contrast between creation and God’s unending nature.
  • "Remainest" (διαμένω, diameno): This word means to stay, continue, or endure. The Greek here highlights that God’s existence is steady and unchanging, unlike everything else.
  • "Old" (παλαιόω, palaioō): This word means to become old or obsolete, like something that wears out over time. It adds to the picture of creation as something temporary and fragile.
  • "Garment" (ἱμάτιον, himation): The comparison to a piece of clothing helps readers picture how even the most lasting things in the world are still just temporary coverings compared to God’s permanence.

Why Hebrews 1:11 matters

  • Hebrews 1:11 clears up the idea that anything in creation, no matter how grand, is permanent; only God is truly lasting.
  • The verse emphasizes the unchanging nature of God, which is a key point in the letter’s argument that Jesus is worthy of trust and worship.
  • By quoting the Old Testament, the writer connects Jesus directly to the God of Israel, showing continuity between the old and new covenants for Jewish Christian readers.

Where else these words appear

“old” Greek G3822 · used in 3 verses

  • Luke 12:33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
  • Hebrews 8:13 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.

“remainest” Greek G1265 · used in 5 verses

  • Luke 1:22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
  • Luke 22:28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.
  • Galatians 2:5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

“garment” Greek G2440 · used in 59 verses

  • Matthew 5:40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
  • Mark 9:3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.
  • John 19:5 Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!

“perish” Greek G622 · used in 86 verses

  • Matthew 2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
  • Luke 5:37 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.
  • John 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.