Hebrews 5:11 Meaning and Explanation
“Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →There is much to say about Melchizedek, but it is hard to explain because the hearers have grown slow to understand.
What Does Hebrews 5:11 Mean?
Having raised the rich subject of Melchizedek, the writer pauses with a pastoral concern. He has much to teach, but it is hard to convey, not because the truth is unclear, but because his readers have become dull of hearing, slow and sluggish in spiritual understanding.
This is a loving rebuke. The problem is not the difficulty of the doctrine but the deafness of the listeners, a dullness that can creep over anyone who stops pressing forward. The verse turns the mirror toward us: deep truths about Christ are within reach, yet they require attentive, growing hearts. The writer cares enough to name the drift before it hardens, calling his readers back to eager listening.
Hebrews 5:11 in the Original Language
nothros (νωθρός), 'dull' -- sluggish or slow, a spiritual lethargy that has dulled the readers' ability to take in deeper teaching.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hebrews 5:11
What does Hebrews 5:11 mean?
There is much to say about Melchizedek, but it is hard to explain because the hearers have grown slow to understand.