Hebrews 10:37 (KJV)

What does Hebrews 10:37 mean?

Hebrews 10:37 promises that the one who is expected—understood by Christians as Jesus—will come soon and will not delay. The verse assures readers that the awaited arrival is certain and imminent, even if it feels like a wait.

The writer of Hebrews is encouraging believers who are facing hardship and urging them to remain patient and faithful. The statement draws from Old Testament language to remind the audience that God’s promises are trustworthy and that the fulfillment will come at the right time, even if it seems delayed from a human perspective.

The Greek behind Hebrews 10:37

• μικρὸν (mikron, "little"): This word means "little" or "small," emphasizing that the remaining time to wait is short. The sense is that the delay is brief, not indefinite.
• ὁ ἐρχόμενος (ho erchomenos, "he that shall come"): This phrase refers to "the coming one," a title often used for the Messiah. It highlights the certainty and identity of the one who is promised.
• οὐ χρονιεῖ (ou chroniē, "will not tarry"): The Greek here carries the sense of not lingering or delaying. The assurance is that the coming will happen without unnecessary postponement.

Why Hebrews 10:37 matters

• Hebrews 10:37 clears up the fear that God’s promises are vague or endlessly postponed, stressing that the fulfillment is near and definite.
• The verse connects to the wider passage, which encourages perseverance and faithfulness in the face of trials, by grounding that encouragement in the certainty of God’s timing.
• This verse helps readers see that waiting is part of the journey, but it is a waiting with a clear end in sight, rooted in the reliability of God’s word.