Can someone give an explanation on heb 4:12 where its talking about the marrow I know you've covered this topic but what is the meaning of THIS verse, thanks
Hi, again
Sometimes it helps to see verses in different translations or versions:
Youngs:
Hbr 4:12 for the reckoning of God is living, and working, and sharp above every two-edged sword, and piercing unto the dividing asunder both of soul and spirit, of joints also and marrow, and a discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart;
Concordant Literal:
4:12 For the word of God is living and operative, and keen above any two-edged sword, and penetrating up to the parting of soul and spirit, both of the articulations and marrow, and is a judge of the sentiments and thoughts of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 (Amplified Bible):
For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the [a]breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.
And then here are some other verses that contain the word "marrow" that might help when comparing spiritual things with spiritual:
KJV
Job 21:24
His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.
Psalm 63:5
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
Proverbs 3:8
It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
Isaiah 25:6
And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.
Last but not least, is a definition of marrow from one source that might shed some light on its spiritual meaning.
Source: My computer's dictionary
marrow |ˈmarō|
noun
1 (also bone marrow) a soft fatty substance in the cavities of bones, in which blood cells are produced
(often taken as typifying strength and vitality).
2 (also vegetable marrow) Brit. a white-fleshed green-skinned gourd, which is eaten as a vegetable.
PHRASES
to the marrow to one's innermost being : a sight which chilled me to the marrow.If you do a search for "sword" and "two-edged sword" you'll find those phrases a lot in Revelation and that will shed a lot of light on it and how it's used of God.
From what I can tell, Hebrews 4:12 is saying that the Word of God is LIVING and ACTIVE and is able to get to the "heart of the matter" so to speak because it searches our hidden motives and cleans us up -- so if I want to be clean, I should stay in the Word? Probably.
The Holy Spirit will teach you all things, so don't worry that it may not make total sense right now, it will eventually. You can count on it.
Love,
Gina