But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

HEBREWS 10:27KJV
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Hebrews 10:27 (KJV)

What does Hebrews 10:27 mean?

Hebrews 10:27 describes a fearful expectation of judgment and a consuming fire of anger that will destroy those who oppose God. The verse warns that those who reject God’s way face a certain and terrifying outcome, not just uncertainty or vague threat.

The writer of Hebrews is addressing believers who are tempted to turn away from their faith. He emphasizes the seriousness of rejecting God’s truth after knowing it. The language paints a vivid picture of judgment as something definite and dreadful, not just a distant possibility, highlighting the real consequences for those who become adversaries by turning away.

The Greek behind Hebrews 10:27

  • φοβερὰ (phobera, “fearful”): This word means something terrifying or dreadful, not just ordinary fear. It stresses the intensity of the expectation described.
  • πυρὸς (pyros, “fiery”): The Greek word points to fire as a symbol of consuming judgment. This is not just a metaphor for anger, but for something destructive and unstoppable.
  • ἔσθιεῖν (esthiein, “devour”): This verb means to eat up or consume completely. The image is of judgment that leaves nothing behind, showing the totality of what is being warned about.
  • ὑπεναντίους (hupenantious, “adversaries”): This word refers to active opponents, not just passive unbelievers. The focus is on those who set themselves against God after knowing the truth.

Why Hebrews 10:27 matters

  • Hebrews 10:27 clarifies that the warning is not about minor mistakes but about a deliberate turning away from God after knowing the truth, making the judgment described very serious.
  • The verse connects strongly to the surrounding passage, which urges perseverance and warns against willful sin after receiving knowledge of the truth.
  • The vivid language of fire and devouring helps readers understand the gravity of the warning, emphasizing that the consequences are not just symbolic but are meant to be taken seriously.

Where else these words appear

“adversaries” Greek G5227 · used in 2 verses

  • Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

“fearful” Greek G5398 · used in 3 verses

  • Hebrews 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
  • Hebrews 12:21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)

“indignation” Greek G2205 · used in 17 verses

  • John 2:17 And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
  • 1 Corinthians 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
  • 2 Corinthians 12:20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

“judgment” Greek G2920 · used in 47 verses

  • Matthew 5:21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
  • Luke 11:31 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
  • 2 Thessalonians 1:5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: