We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain, because you are dull of hearing.
Parallel translations
- WEB About him we have many words to say, and hard to interpret, seeing you have become dull of hearing.
- KJV Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
- NKJV of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
- NASB Concerning him we have much to say, and it is difficult to explain, since you have become poor listeners.
- NLT There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The writer says there is much to explain about Melchizedek and Christ's priesthood, but it is hard to convey because the readers have grown dull of hearing. Their spiritual sluggishness, not the subject itself, is the obstacle.
Overview
Here begins a pastoral warning interrupting the doctrinal argument. The truth about Christ is rich, but the readers' spiritual dullness makes them slow to grasp it. This sets up the exhortation to grow toward maturity rather than drift back.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Matt 13:15For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’
- 2 Pet 3:16He writes this way in all his letters, speaking in them about such matters. Some parts of his letters are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.
- Acts 28:27For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’
- John 16:12I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it.
- Isa 6:10Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”
- John 6:6But He was asking this to test him, for He knew what He was about to do.
- Mark 8:21Then He asked them, “Do you still not understand?”
- Luke 24:25Then Jesus said to them, “O foolish ones, how slow are your hearts to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
- Mark 8:17–18Aware of their conversation, Jesus asked them, “Why are you debating about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Do you have such hard hearts?
- 1 Kgs 10:1Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with difficult questions.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Hebrews is sustained worship of Christ: better than angels, Moses, and the priests; the great High Priest after Melchizedek who by one sacrifice perfects forever those he saves.
How Hebrews 5:11 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.