Hebrews 5:12

Revised Standard Version

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need some one to teach you again the first principles of God's word. You need milk, not solid food;

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
You have had enough time that by now you should be teachers. But you need someone to teach you again the first lessons of God's teaching. You still need the teaching that is like milk. You are not ready for solid food.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
For when as cocerninge ye tyme ye ought to be teachers yet have ye nede agayne that we teache you the fyrst principles of the worde of god: and are become soche as have nede of mylke and not of stronge meate:

Hebrew Names Version
For when by reason of the time you ought to be teachers, you again need to have someone teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God. You have come to need milk, and not solid food.

New American Standard Bible
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the actual words of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

New Century Version
By now you should be teachers, but you need someone to teach you again the first lessons of God's message. You still need the teaching that is like milk. You are not ready for solid food.

Update Bible Version
For when by reason of the time you ought to be teachers, you have need again that some one teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God; and have become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food.

Webster's Bible Translation
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need of one to teach you again which [are] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong food.

English Standard Version
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,

World English Bible
For when by reason of the time you ought to be teachers, you again need to have someone teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God. You have come to need milk, and not solid food.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again, which are the first principles of the oracles of God, and are become such as have need of milk and not of strong meat.

Weymouth's New Testament
For although, considering the long time you have been believers, you ought now to be teachers of others, you really need some one to teach you over again the very rudiments of the truths of God, and you have come to require milk instead of solid food.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
For whanne ye ouyten to be maistris for tyme, eftsoone ye neden that ye be tauyt, whiche ben the lettris of the bigynnyng of Goddis wordis. And ye ben maad thilke, to whiche is nede of mylk, and not sad mete.

English Revised Version
For when by reason of the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that some one teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food.

Berean Standard Bible
Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God's word. You need milk, not solid food!

Contemporary English Version
By now you should have been teachers, but once again you need to be taught the simplest things about what God has said. You need milk instead of solid food.

Amplified Bible
For though by this time you ought to be teachers [because of the time you have had to learn these truths], you actually need someone to teach you again the elementary principles of God's word [from the beginning], and you have come to be continually in need of milk, not solid food.

American Standard Version
For when by reason of the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that some one teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food.

Bible in Basic English
And though by this time it would be right for you to be teachers, you still have need of someone to give you teaching about the first simple rules of God's revelation; you have become like babies who have need of milk, and not of solid food.

Complete Jewish Bible
For although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the very first principles of God's Word all over again! You need milk, not solid food!

Darby Translation
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have again need that [one] should teach you what [are] the elements of the beginning of the oracles of God, and are become such as have need of milk, [and] not of solid food.

International Standard Version
In fact, though by now you should be teachers, you still need someone to teach you the basic truths of God's word.oracles">[fn] You have become people who need milk instead of solid food.1 Corinthians 3:1-3; Hebrews 6:1;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
For ye ought to be teachers, on account of the time [fn] by you in learning; but now ye have need again to be taught those which are the first scriptures of the beginningwords of Aloha; and need have ye for milk, and not for solid food.

Murdock Translation
For ye ought to be teachers, seeing ye have been long in the doctrine. But now ye need to learn again the first lines of the commencement of the oracles of God: and ye have need of milk, and not of strong food.

King James Version (1611)
For when for the time yee ought to bee teachers, yee haue neede that one teach you againe which be the first principles of the Oracles of God, and are become such as haue need of milke, and not of strong meat.

New Living Translation
You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God's word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food.

New Life Bible
By now you should be teachers. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the first things you need to know from God's Word. You still need milk instead of solid food.

New Revised Standard
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic elements of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food;

Geneva Bible (1587)
For when as concerning ye time ye ought to be teachers, yet haue ye neede againe that we teach you what are the first principles of the worde of God: and are become such as haue neede of milke, and not of strong meate.

George Lamsa Translation
By now you should be teachers because you have been a long time in training: But even now you need to be taught the primary writings of the word of God; but you are still in need of milk, and not strong meat.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
For, even when ye ought to be teachers, by reason of the time, again, have ye, need, that one be teaching, you, what are the first principles of the oracles of God, and have become such as have, need, of milk, not, of strong food;

Douay-Rheims Bible
For whereas for the time you ought to be masters, you have need to be taught again what are the first elements of the words of God: and you are become such as have need of milk and not of strong meat.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
For when as concernyng the tyme, ye ought to be teachers, yet haue ye nede againe that we teache you the first principles of the begynnyng of the worde of God, and are become such as haue nede of mylke, and not of strong meate.

Good News Translation
There has been enough time for you to be teachers—yet you still need someone to teach you the first lessons of God's message. Instead of eating solid food, you still have to drink milk.

Christian Standard Bible®
Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the basic principles of God’s revelation again. You need milk, not solid food.

King James Version
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

Lexham English Bible
For indeed, although you ought to be teachers by this time, you have need of someone to teach you again the beginning elements of the oracles of God, and you have need of milk, not solid food.

Literal Translation
For indeed because of the time you are due to be teachers, yet you need to have someone to teach you again the rudiments of the beginning of the Words of God, and you came to be having need of milk, and not of solidfood;

Young's Literal Translation
for even owing to be teachers, because of the time, again ye have need that one teach you what [are] the elements of the beginning of the oracles of God, and ye have become having need of milk, and not of strong food,

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
For where as concernynge the tyme ye ought to be teachers, yet haue ye nede agayne, yt we teach you the first preceptes of the worde of God: and are become soch as haue nede of mylke, and not stronge meate.

Mace New Testament (1729)
for though by this time you ought to be capable of teaching others, you want to be instructed anew in the first principles of the divine oracles; and are in such a state as to stand in need of milk, rather than of solid nourishment.

New English Translation
For though you should in fact be teachers by this time, you need someone to teach you the beginning elements of God's utterances. You have gone back to needing milk, not solid food.

New King James Version
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

Simplified Cowboy Version
You've been riding long enough now you should be teaching others how to, but you still need us to tell you to keep your butt down, toes out, and your head up. We shouldn't have to be telling y'all this over and over. This is basic stuff on riding for God.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

Legacy Standard Bible
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

Contextual Overview

¹⁰ being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchiz'edek. ¹¹ About this we have much to say which is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. ¹² For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need some one to teach you again the first principles of God's word. You need milk, not solid food; ¹³ for every one who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a child. ¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their faculties trained by practice to distinguish good from evil.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

for the: Matthew 17:17, Mark 9:19

teachers: Ezra 7:10, Psalms 34:11, 1 Corinthians 14:19, Colossians 3:16, Titus 2:3, Titus 2:4

teach: Isaiah 28:9, Isaiah 28:10, Isaiah 28:13, Philippians 3:1

the first: Hebrews 6:1

the oracles: 2 Samuel 16:23, Acts 7:38, Romans 3:2, 1 Peter 4:11

as have: Hebrews 5:13, Isaiah 55:1, 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, 1 Peter 2:2

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 13:7 - young Job 32:7 - General Psalms 119:99 - than all Jeremiah 3:15 - which shall Jeremiah 31:34 - teach Daniel 12:3 - wise Zechariah 4:13 - Knowest Matthew 15:16 - General Mark 8:17 - perceive Luke 24:25 - O fools John 8:26 - have many John 14:5 - we know not John 16:18 - we Romans 15:14 - able 1 Corinthians 3:2 - fed 1 Corinthians 14:20 - not 1 Corinthians 15:34 - I speak Ephesians 4:11 - pastors Ephesians 4:14 - no more Philippians 1:10 - approve things that are excellent 1 Timothy 3:6 - novice

Cross-References

Luke 3:37
the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Maha'lale-el, the son of Ca-i'nan,

Gill's Notes on the Bible

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers,.... These Hebrews had had great advantages; they were not only descended from Abraham, and had the law of Moses, and the writings of the Old Testament, but some of them had enjoyed the ministry of Christ, and however of his apostles; and it was now about thirty years from the day of Pentecost, in which the gifts of the Holy Ghost were bestowed in such an extraordinary manner, and a large number were converted, and a church state settled among them; and therefore considering the length of time, the opportunities and advantages they had enjoyed, it might have been expected, and indeed it is what should have been, that they would have been teachers of others, some in a private, and some in a public way: from whence it may be observed, that to have time for learning, and yet make no proficiency, is an aggravation of dulness; moreover, that men ought to be hearers, and make some good proficiency in hearing, before they are fit to be teachers of others; also, that persons are not only to hear for their own edification, but for the instruction of others, though all hearers are not designed for public teachers; for to be teachers of others, requires a considerable share of knowledge: to which may be added, that the churches of Christ are the proper seminaries of Gospel ministers. But this was so far from being the case of these Hebrews, that the apostle says of them,

ye have need that one teach on again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; by the oracles of God are meant the Scriptures, not the law of Moses only, but all the writings of the Old Testament, which were given by the respiration of God, and are authoritative and infallible; and by the "first principles" of them are intended, either the first promises in them, concerning the Messiah; or the institutions, rites, and ceremonies of the law, which are sometimes called στοιχεια, elements, Galatians 4:3 where the same word is used as here; and which were the alphabet and rudiments of the Gospel to the Jews: or else the apostle designs the plain doctrines of the Gospel, which were at first preached unto them, in which they needed to be again instructed, as they were at first; so that instead of going forward, they had rather gone back:

and are become such as have need of milk; of the types, shadows, and figures of the law, which were suited to the infant state of the church, who by sensible objects were directed to the view of Gospel grace; or of the plain and easier parts of the Gospel, comparable to milk for their purity, sweetness, nourishing nature, and being easy of digestion:

and not of strong meat: such as the deep things of God, the mysteries of the Gospel; those which are more hard to he understood, received, and digested; such as the doctrines of the Trinity, of God's everlasting love, of eternal election and reprobation, of the person of Christ, the abrogation of the law, &c.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For when for the time - Considering the time which has elapsed since you were converted. You have been Christians long enough to he expected to understand such doctrines. This verse proves that those to whom he wrote were not recent converts.

Ye ought to be teachers - You ought to be able to instruct others. He does not mean to say, evidently, that they ought all to become public teachers, or preachers of the gospel, but that they ought to be able to explain to others the truths of the Christian religion. As parents they ought to be able to explain them to their children; as neighbors, to their neighbors; or as friends, to those who were inquiring the way to life.

Ye have need - That is, probably, the mass of them had need. As a people, or a church, they had shown that they were ignorant of some of the very elements of the gospel.

Again - This shows that they “had been” taught on some former occasion what were the first principles of religion, but they had not followed, up the teaching as they ought to have done.

The first principles - The very elements; the rudiments; the first lessons - such as children learn before they advance to higher studies. See the word used here explained in the notes on Galatians 4:3, under the word “elements.” The Greek word is the same.

Of the oracles of God - Of the Scriptures, or what God has spoken; see the notes on Romans 3:2. The phrase here may refer to the writings of the Old Testament, and particularly to those parts which relate to the Messiah; or it may include all that God had at that time revealed in whatever way it was preserved; in 1 Peter 4:11, it is used with reference to the Christian religion, and to the doctrines which God had revealed in the gospel. In the passage before us, it may mean” the divine oracles or communications,” in whatever way they had been made known. They had shown that they were ignorant of the very rudiments of the divine teaching.

And are become such - There is more meant in this phrase than that they simply “were” such persons. The word rendered “are become” - γίνομαι ginomai - sometimes implies “a change of state,” or a passing from one state to another - well expressed by the phrase “are become;” see Matthew 5:45; Matthew 4:3; Matthew 13:32; Matthew 6:16; Matthew 10:25; Mark 1:17; Romans 7:3-4. The idea here is, that they had passed from the hopeful condition in which they were when they showed that they had an acquaintance with the great principles of the gospel, and that they had become such as to need again the most simple form of instruction. This agrees well with the general strain of the Epistle, which is to preserve them from the danger of apostasy. They were verging toward it, and had come to that state where if they were recovered it must be by being again taught the elements of religion.

Have need of milk - Like little children. You can bear only the most simple nourishment. The meaning is, that they were incapable of receiving the higher doctrines of the gospel as much as little children are incapable of digesting solid food. They were in fact in a state of spiritual infancy.

And not of strong meat - Greek. “Strong food.” The word “meat” with us is used now to denote only animal food. Formerly it meant food in general. The Greek word here means “nourishment.”

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Hebrews 5:12. For when for the time — They had heard the Gospel for many years, and had professed to be Christians for a long time; on these accounts they might reasonably have been expected to be well instructed in Divine things, so as to be able to instruct others.

Which be the first principles — Τινα τα στοιχεια. Certain first principles or elements. The word τινα is not the nominative plural, as our translators have supposed, but the accusative case, governed by διδασκειν. and therefore the literal translation of the passage is this: Ye have need that one teach you a second time (παλιν) certain elements of the doctrines of Christ, or oracles of God; i.e. the notices which the prophets gave concerning the priesthood of Jesus Christ, such as are found in Psa. 110:, and in Isaiah 53:0: By the oracles of God the writings of the Old Testament, are undoubtedly meant.

And are become such — The words seem to intimate that they had once been better instructed, and had now forgotten that teaching; and this was occasioned by their being dull of hearing; either they had not continued to hear, or they had heard so carelessly that they were not profited by what they heard. They had probably totally omitted the preaching of the Gospel, and consequently forgotten all they had learned. Indeed, it was to reclaim those Hebrews from backsliding, and preserve them from total apostasy, that this epistle was written.

Such as have need of milk — Milk is a metaphor by which many authors, both sacred and profane, express the first principles of religion and science; and they apply sucking to learning; and every student in his novitiate, or commencement of his studies, was likened to an infant that derives all its nourishment from the breast of its mother, not being able to digest any other kind of food. On the contrary, those who had well learned all the first principles of religion and science, and knew how to apply them, were considered as adults who were capable of receiving στερεα τροφη, solid food; i.e. the more difficult and sublime doctrines. The rabbins abound with this figure; it occurs frequently in Philo, and in the Greek ethic writers also. In the famous Arabic poem called [Arabic] al Bordah, written by Abi Abdallah Mohammed ben Said ben Hamad Albusiree, in praise of Mohammed and his religion, every couplet of which ends with the letter [Arabic] mim, the first letter in Mohammed's name, we meet with a couplet that contains a similar sentiment to that of the apostle: -

[Arabic]

[Arabic]

"The soul is like to a young infant, which, if permitted, will

grow up to manhood in the love of sucking; but if thou take it

from the breast it will feel itself weaned."

Dr. Owen observes that there are two Sorts of hearers of the Gospel, which are here expressed by an elegant metaphor or similitude; this consists,

1. In the conformity that is between bodily food and the Gospel as preached.

2. In the variety of natural food as suited to the various states of them that feed on it, answered by the truths of the Gospel, which are of various kinds; and, in exemplification of this metaphor, natural food is reduced to two kinds: 1. milk; 2. strong or solid meat; and those who feed on these are reduced to two sorts: 1. children; 2. men of ripe age. Both of which are applied to hearers of the Gospel.

1. Some there are who are νηπιοι, babes or infants, and some are τελειοι, perfect or full grown.

2. These babes are described by a double properly:

1. They are dull of hearing;

2. They are unskilful in the word of righteousness.

In opposition to this, those who are spiritually adult are,

1. They who are capable of instruction.

2. Such as have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

3. The different means to be applied to these different sorts for their good, according to their respective conditions, are expressed in the terms of the metaphor: to the first, γαλα, milk; to the others, στεοεατροφη, strong meat. All these are compromised in the following scheme: -

The hearers of the Gospel are,
I. νηπιοι. BABES or INFANTS.	II. τελειοι. PERFECT or ADULT
Who are 1. νωθροιταιςακοαις. Dull of hearing. 2. απειροι Î»Î¿Î³Î¿Ï Î´Î¹ÎºÎ±Î¹Î¿ÏƒÏ Î½Î·Ï‚. Inexperienced in the doctrine of righteousness. These have need γαλακτος. Of milk.	Who are 1. φρονιμοι. Wise and prudent. 2. τα αισθητηρια Î³ÎµÎ³Ï Î¼Î½Î±ÏƒÎ¼ÎµÎ½Î± εχοντες. And have their senses properly exercised. These have need στερεαςτροφης. Of solid food.

But all these are to derive their nourishment or spiritual instruction εκ των λογιων του θεου, from the oracles of God. The word oracle, by which we translate the λογιον of the apostle, is used by the best Greek writers to signify a divine speech, or answer of a deity to a question proposed. It always implied a speech or declaration purely celestial, in which man had no part; and it is thus used wherever it occurs in the New Testament.

1. It signifies the LAW received from God by Moses, Acts 7:38.

2. The Old Testament in general; the holy men of old having spoken by the inspiration of the Divine Spirit, Romans 3:2, and in the text under consideration.

3. It signifies Divine revelation in general, because all delivered immediately from God, 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 4:11. When we consider what respect was paid by the heathens to their oracles, which were supposed to be delivered by those gods who were the objects of their adoration, but which were only impostures, we may then learn what respect is due to the true oracles of God.

Among the heathens the credit of oracles was so great, that in all doubts and disputes their determinations were held sacred and inviolable; whence vast numbers flocked to them for advice in the management of their affairs, and no business of any importance was undertaken, scarcely any war waged or peace concluded, any new form of government instituted or new laws enacted, without the advice and approbation of the oracle. Croesus, before he durst venture to declare war against the Persians, consulted not only the most famous oracles of Greece, but sent ambassadors as far as Libya, to ask advice of Jupiter Ammon. Minos, the Athenian lawgiver, professed to receive instructions from Jupiter how to model his intended government; and Lycurgus, legislator of Sparta, made frequent visits to the Delphian Apollo, and received from him the platform of the Lacedemonian commonwealth. See Broughton.

What a reproach to Christians, who hold the Bible to be a collection of the oracles of God, and who not only do not consult it in the momentous concerns of either this or the future life, but go in direct opposition to it! Were every thing conducted according to these oracles, we should have neither war nor desolation in the earth; families would be well governed, and individuals universally made happy.

Those who consulted the ancient oracles were obliged to go to enormous expenses, both in sacrifices and in presents to the priests. And when they had done so, they received oracles which were so equivocal, that, howsoever the event fell out, they were capable of being interpreted that way.