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Hebrews 13

Heb. 13:4 KJV (With Strong’s)

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4
Marriage
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
gamos (Greek #1062)
nuptials
KJV usage: marriage, wedding.
Pronounce: gam'-os
Origin: of uncertain affinity
b is honorable
timios (Greek #5093)
valuable, i.e. (objectively) costly, or (subjectively) honored, esteemed, or (figuratively) beloved
KJV usage: dear, honourable, (more, most) precious, had in reputation.
Pronounce: tim'-ee-os
Origin: τιμιώτερος (tim-ee-o'-ter-os), and the superlative τιμιώτατος (tim-ee-o'-tat-os) from 5092
in
en (Greek #1722)
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
KJV usage: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
Pronounce: en
Origin: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537)
all
pas (Greek #3956)
apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole
KJV usage: all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
Pronounce: pas
Origin: including all the forms of declension
, and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
the bed
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
koite (Greek #2845)
a couch; by extension, cohabitation; by implication, the male sperm
KJV usage: bed, chambering, X conceive.
Pronounce: koy'-tay
Origin: from 2749
undefiled
amiantos (Greek #283)
unsoiled, i.e. (figuratively) pure
KJV usage: undefiled.
Pronounce: am-ee'-an-tos
Origin: from 1 (as a negative particle) and a derivative of 3392
: but
de (Greek #1161)
but, and, etc.
KJV usage: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
Pronounce: deh
Origin: a primary particle (adversative or continuative)
whoremongers
pornos (Greek #4205)
a (male) prostitute (as venal), i.e. (by analogy) a debauchee (libertine)
KJV usage: fornicator, whoremonger.
Pronounce: por'-nos
Origin: from πέρνημι (to sell; akin to the base of 4097)
c and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
adulterers
moichos (Greek #3432)
a (male) paramour; figuratively, apostate
KJV usage: adulterer.
Pronounce: moy-khos'
Origin: perhaps a primary word
God
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
theos (Greek #2316)
a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
KJV usage: X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
Pronounce: theh'-os
Origin: of uncertain affinity
will judge
krino (Greek #2919)
by implication, to try, condemn, punish
KJV usage: avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.
Pronounce: kree'-no
Origin: properly, to distinguish, i.e. decide (mentally or judicially)
.*
krino (Greek #2919)
by implication, to try, condemn, punish
KJV usage: avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.
Pronounce: kree'-no
Origin: properly, to distinguish, i.e. decide (mentally or judicially)
b
Prov. 5:15‑23• 15Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.
 16Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.
 17Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee.
 18Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
 19Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.
 20And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?
 21For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings.
 22His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.
 23He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray. (Prov. 5:15‑23)
c
1 Cor. 6:9• 9Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, (1 Cor. 6:9)
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Rev. 22:15• 15For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. (Rev. 22:15)

More on:

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Bed; Bedstead,
God,
Marriage

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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Marriage.
Gen. 1:27‑28• 27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
 28And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. (Gen. 1:27‑28)
;
Gen. 2:21,24• 21And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
 24Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. (Gen. 2:21,24)
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Lev. 21:13‑15• 13And he shall take a wife in her virginity.
 14A widow, or a divorced woman, or profane, or an harlot, these shall he not take: but he shall take a virgin of his own people to wife.
 15Neither shall he profane his seed among his people: for I the Lord do sanctify him. (Lev. 21:13‑15)
;
2 Kings 22:14• 14So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her. (2 Kings 22:14)
;
Prov. 5:15‑23• 15Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.
 16Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.
 17Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee.
 18Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
 19Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.
 20And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?
 21For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings.
 22His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.
 23He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray. (Prov. 5:15‑23)
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Isa. 8:3• 3And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said the Lord to me, Call his name Maher-shalal-hash-baz. (Isa. 8:3)
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1 Cor. 7:2‑16• 2Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
 3Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
 4The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
 5Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
 6But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.
 7For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
 8I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.
 9But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
 10And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:
 11But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.
 12But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
 13And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
 14For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
 15But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
 16For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife? (1 Cor. 7:2‑16)
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1 Cor. 9:5• 5Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? (1 Cor. 9:5)
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1 Tim. 3:2,4,12• 2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
 4One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
 12Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. (1 Tim. 3:2,4,12)
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1 Tim. 5:14• 14I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. (1 Tim. 5:14)
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Titus 1:6• 6If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. (Titus 1:6)
and the bed.
Heb. 12:16• 16Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. (Heb. 12:16)
;
1 Cor. 6:9• 9Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, (1 Cor. 6:9)
;
Gal. 5:19,21• 19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Gal. 5:19,21)
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Eph. 5:5• 5For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. (Eph. 5:5)
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Col. 3:5‑6• 5Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
 6For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: (Col. 3:5‑6)
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Rev. 22:15• 15For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. (Rev. 22:15)
God.
Psa. 50:16‑22• 16But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?
 17Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.
 18When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.
 19Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.
 20Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son.
 21These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.
 22Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. (Psa. 50:16‑22)
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Mal. 3:5• 5And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts. (Mal. 3:5)
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1 Cor. 5:13• 13But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. (1 Cor. 5:13)
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2 Cor. 5:10• 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Cor. 5:10)
• it is in no way a certificate of respectability which all people possess because they are in wedlock, but a solemn charge to married saints that their use of the relationship be thus pleasing to the Lord in every detail. (“Hebrews 13:1-6” by W. Kelly)
• Every violation of holiness or of the marriage tie will meet with judgment, either governmental or eternal. (“Outside the Camp: Hebrews 13” by H. Smith)

J. N. Darby Translation

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4
Let marriage be held every way in honourk, and the bed be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers will God judge.

JND Translation Notes

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k
Or "Let marriage be held in honour amongst all." The expression does not mean simply that the marriage tie is to be respected when in it, and kept pure, but that the tie itself was to be held in honour. In purity of walk that was done by the married no doubt, but not in every case.

W. Kelly Translation

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4
[Be] marriagea in all [thingsb] held in honour, and the bed undefiledc; butd fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

WK Translation Notes

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a
The KJV is faulty in two respects. It is not a mere affirmative sentence stamping the relationship with dignity, but an exhortation in the imperative calling us to carry it on worthily, and to guard it from all taint of unchastity or impureness. And we are bid to set it in honor; not in this respect or in that, but "in all things." To say it is honorable "in all men" overlooks, if it does not destroy, the force of the scripture for the Christian’s conscience.
b
The true rendering is, Let marriage be honorable (not "among all" as the Revisers say, but) "in all things," and the bed be undefiled. The construction is alike before and after. It is an injunction, not an affirmation. The masculine sense, though popular among Protestants, is here harsh in construction and can hardly be laid down absolutely if we bear in mind {vi 128489}{/vi}.
c
The imperative is right, and "undefiled" is a predicate as "in honor."
d
Or, "for."