12
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Reference
Greek: ἀντί (antí)
opposite, i.e. instead or because of (rarely in addition to)
Hebrew: bᵉmôw
in, with, by, etc.
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Hebrew: dabbârâh
a word
Greek: κύριος (kýrios)
supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)
Hebrew: ʼĕlâhh
God
Greek: καίγε (kaíge)
and at least (or even, indeed)
Hebrew: kîy
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Greek: καίγε (kaíge)
and at least (or even, indeed)
Hebrew: kîy
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Greek: τομώτερος (tomṓteros)
more comprehensive or decisive than G2875 (κόπτω), as if by a single stroke; whereas that implies repeated blows, like hacking); more keen
Greek: ἤπερ (ḗper)
than at all (or than perhaps, than indeed)
Greek: ἕκαστος (hékastos)
each or every
Hebrew: nephesh
properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
Greek: ῥομφαία (rhomphaía)
a sabre, i.e. a long and broad cutlass (any weapon of the kind, literally or figuratively)
Hebrew: madqârâh
a wound
Greek: μέν (mén)
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with G1161 (δέ) (this one, the former, etc.)
Hebrew: hêʼ
{lo!}
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: μερισμός (merismós)
a separation or distribution
Hebrew: nᵉdîybâh
properly, nobility, i.e. reputation
Greek: καίγε (kaíge)
and at least (or even, indeed)
Hebrew: kîy
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Greek: φάντασμα (phántasma)
(properly concrete) a (mere) show ("phantasm"), i.e. spectre
Greek: καίγε (kaíge)
and at least (or even, indeed)
Hebrew: kîy
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Hebrew: chammûwq
a wrapping, i.e. drawers
Greek: καίγε (kaíge)
and at least (or even, indeed)
Hebrew: kîy
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Greek: μυελός (myelós)
the marrow
Hebrew: môach
fat, i.e. marrow
Greek: καίγε (kaíge)
and at least (or even, indeed)
Hebrew: kîy
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Hebrew: ʼechâd
properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first
Greek: κριτικός (kritikós)
decisive ("critical"), i.e. discriminative
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: καίγε (kaíge)
and at least (or even, indeed)
Hebrew: kîy
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Hebrew: bâl
properly, anxiety, i.e. (by implication) the heart (as its seat)
Parallel theme
Jeremiah 17:10
References God
Romans 1:16
Spirit
Ephesians 6:17
Word
Jeremiah 23:29
Isaiah 55:11
Psalm 119:130
1 Peter 1:23
Isaiah 49:2
Revelation 1:16
1 Thessalonians 2:13
Verse Explanation
God's word is described as living, powerful, and sharper than a two-edged sword, penetrating deeply enough to expose thoughts, intentions, and motives, showing that God's message examines the inner person rather than merely outward behavior.
History
1st century AD: The image of a sharp sword would have been familiar in the Roman world, where swords represented power, judgment, and penetrating force.