Hebrews 12:17

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected. He found no opportunity for repentance, even though he sought it with tears.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Ἴστε γὰρ ὅτι καὶ μετέπειτα, θέλων κληρονομῆσαι τὴν εὐλογίαν, ἀπεδοκιμάσθη: μετανοίας γὰρ τόπον οὐχ εὗρεν, καίπερ μετὰ δακρύων ἐκζητήσας αὐτήν.

Transliteration

You iste for that also metepeita, wishing klēronomēsai the eulogian, he was apedokimasthē: metanoias for topon not he heuren, though with dakryōn ekzētēsas it.

Grammar Details

• *iste*: verb, perfect active indicative, 2nd person plural - you know
• *metepeita*: adverb - afterward/later
• *klēronomēsai*: verb, aorist active infinitive - to inherit
• *eulogian*: noun, accusative, singular, feminine - blessing
• *apedokimasthē*: verb, aorist passive indicative, 3rd person singular - was rejected
• *metanoias*: noun, genitive, singular, feminine - of repentance/change of mind
• *topon*: noun, accusative, singular, masculine - place/opportunity
• *heuren*: verb, aorist active indicative, 3rd person singular - found
• *dakryōn*: noun, genitive, plural, neuter - of tears
• *ekzētēsas*: participle, aorist active, nominative, singular, masculine - having sought earnestly/diligently

Word Meanings

• *klēronomēsai*: to inherit/obtain/receive as an inheritance
• *apedokimasthē*: was rejected/disapproved/refused
• *metanoias*: repentance/change of mind/change of purpose
• *topon*: place/opportunity/chance/room
• *ekzētēsas*: having sought earnestly/diligently/carefully

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  For{G1063} ye know{G2467} that{G3754} even{G2532} when he afterward{G3347} desired{G2309} to inherit{G2816} the blessing,{G2129} he was rejected;{G593} for{G1063} he found{G2147} no{G3756} place{G5117} for a change of mind{G3341} [in his father], though{G2539} he sought{G1567} it{G846} diligently{G1567} with{G3326} tears.{G1144}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  For{G1063} ye know{G2467}{(G5759)} how{G3754} that afterward{G2532}{G3347}, when he would{G2309}{(G5723)} have inherited{G2816}{(G5658)} the blessing{G2129}, he was rejected{G593}{(G5681)}: for{G1063} he found{G2147}{(G5627)} no{G3756} place{G5117} of repentance{G3341}, though{G2539} he sought{G1567} it{G846} carefully{G1567}{(G5660)} with{G3326} tears{G1144}.

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  Ye knowe how that afterwarde when he wolde have inherited the blessinge he was put by and he foude no meanes to come therby agayne: no though he desyred it with teares.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  For ye knowe, how that afterwarde whan he wolde haue inhereted the blessynge, he was put by: for he foude no place of repetaunce, though he desyred (ye blessynge) with teares.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  For ye knowe howe that afterwarde also when he woulde haue inherited the blessing, he was reiected: for he founde no place to repentance, though he sought that blessing with teares.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  For ye knowe, howe that afterwarde when he woulde haue inherited the blessyng, he was reprobated: For he founde no place of repentaunce, though he sought it with teares.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  For you know that even when he afterward desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for a change of mind though he sought it diligently with tears.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  for ye know that also afterwards, wishing to inherit the blessing, he was disapproved of, for a place of reformation he found not, though with tears having sought it.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  For ye know that even when he afterward desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place for a change of mind `in his father,' though he sought is diligently with tears.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  For ye know that even when he afterward desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place for a change of mind [in his father], though he sought it diligently with tears.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  For you have knowledge that even long after, when he was desiring the blessing for his heritage, he was turned away, though he made his request frequently and with weeping; because the past might not be changed.

• World English Bible (2000)

  For you know that even when he afterward desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for a change of mind though he sought it diligently with tears.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  For you know that later when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no opportunity for repentance, although he sought the blessing with tears.

Referenced Verses

• Gen 27:30-41 : 30 As soon as Isaac finished blessing Jacob, and Jacob had scarcely left his father’s presence, his brother Esau came in from his hunting. 31 He too prepared a tasty meal and brought it to his father. And he said, 'My father, please sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may bless me.' 32 His father Isaac asked him, 'Who are you?' He replied, 'I am your son, your firstborn, Esau.' 33 Isaac trembled violently and said, 'Who was it then that hunted game and brought it to me? I ate it just before you came in, and I blessed him—and indeed he will be blessed!' 34 When Esau heard his father’s words, he burst out with a loud and bitter cry and said to his father, 'Bless me—me too, my father!'. 35 But Isaac said, 'Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing.' 36 Esau said, 'Isn't he rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me twice: He took my birthright, and now he has taken my blessing!' Then he asked, 'Haven't you reserved any blessing for me?' 37 Isaac answered Esau, 'Behold, I have made him lord over you and have given him all his brothers as servants, and I have sustained him with grain and new wine. So what can I possibly do for you, my son?' 38 Esau said to his father, 'Do you have only one blessing, my father? Bless me too, my father!' Then Esau lifted up his voice and wept. 39 His father Isaac answered him, 'Your dwelling will be away from the richness of the earth and away from the dew of heaven above.' 40 You will live by the sword and serve your brother. But when you grow restless, you will throw his yoke from off your neck. 41 Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. He said to himself, 'The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob.'
• Prov 1:24-31 : 24 Because I called and you refused, I stretched out my hand, but no one paid attention, 25 And you ignored all my advice and would have none of my correction, 26 I too will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you, 27 When your terror comes like a storm, and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish overwhelm you. 28 Then they will call to me, but I will not answer; they will seek me earnestly, but they will not find me. 29 Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, 30 They would have none of my counsel and despised all my correction. 31 Therefore they will eat the fruit of their own way and be filled with their own schemes.
• Jer 6:30 : 30 They are called rejected silver, for the LORD has rejected them.
• Matt 7:23 : 23 Then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'
• Matt 25:11-12 : 11 Later, the other virgins also came and said, ‘Lord, lord, open the door for us.’ 12 But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’
• Luke 13:24-27 : 24 'Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. 25 Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Lord, open the door for us.’ But he will answer, 'I don’t know you or where you come from.' 26 'Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 'But he will reply, 'I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!'
• Heb 6:4-6 : 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, 6 if they fall away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying the Son of God again for themselves and subjecting Him to public disgrace.
• Heb 6:8 : 8 But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.
• Heb 10:26-29 : 26 For if we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. 28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much more severe punishment do you think someone deserves who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, treated as unholy the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and insulted the Spirit of grace?