Hebrews 6:13-20 (NKJV) For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16 For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. 17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.
19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
V13 “For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself…” The Greek word for “promise” is (G1861) ἐπαγγέλλω epangéllō, which means to promise or profess. It is an announcement of something based upon something. A profession in this sense would be to announce one’s skill at something. If the announcement is about doing something for someone, then it is based on the person making the announcement–a promise. God announces that He is going to do something for Abraham. The Greek word for “swear” is (G3660) ὀμνύω omnýō, which means an oath (“A solemn promise regarding one’s future action or behavior”
(Word Hippo)). Thayer has “to swear; to affirm, promise, threaten, with an oath” and “in swearing to call a person or thing as witness, to invoke, swear by”). The solemn promise given by God to Abraham was the blessing in verse 14. God did not have to make a solemn oath, but He did to show humans how this is a serious and set-in-stone promise He was making to Abraham. The covenant made with Abraham was not of two parties who both make an oath. It was one-side in that God made the oath in Himself, since there is no one and nothing greater to make an oath by. This oath is found in Genesis 22:16-18.
V14 “…saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” This blessing was because of Abraham’s faith (believing God) and proving that faith by his actions with what God had commanded concerning Abraham’s son Isaac. God wants to bless and give good things, but we must have faith and prove that faith (James 2:14-26) by our worldview, lifestyle, and following the Law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).
V15 “And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.” Abraham endured for 15 years. He was 85 yo when he received God’s promise for a son (Genesis 15) born to Sarai (Sarah) and him which was not fulfilled until Abraham was 100 years old (Genesis 21:1-5).
V16 “For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute.” The Hebrews writer emphasizes that an oath is made by invoking the witness of someone greater. Since no one is greater than Yahweh, He swore by His own name. The Greek word for “confirmation” is (G0951) βεβαίωσις bebaiōsis, which means confirmation and guarantee. In the NT it is translated as promise except in 1 Timothy 2:10 and 1 Timothy 6:21 where it is translated “professed.” Thus, it is a statement which is a promise of what I believe and is a type of oath.
V17 “Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath…” Who are the heirs of promise? First ,the Jews who are promised a piece of real estate in the Middle East (Genesis 12:1-3 and Genesis 13:14-17). This covenant was passed on to Isaac (Genesis 17:15-21) and Jacob (Genesis 28:4) . Second, it is all people (Genesis 12:1-3 and compare Romans 4;11 and Galatians 3:8). The Lord Jesus, too, was mentioned as “the seed” (Galatians 3:16). The Greek word for “immutability” is (G276) ἀμετάθετος ametathetos, which means without change. The Greek word for “counsel” is (G1012) βουλή boulē, which means advice or plan depending on the context. God wanted to show the unchangeable plan/purpose, so He confirmed it with an oath.
V18 “…that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.” The Greek word for “immutable” is the same as in v17. Here are two immutable, unchangeable traits of God–God cannot lie, and God keeps His unconditional promises. From these two things, we can have great comfort to Him we have gone to asking for salvation (faith and trust). The hope (expectation) we have is for eternal life and His return (Rapture). For Israel, it is deliverance from all enemies (Zechariah 14:3-9).
V19 “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil…” Our hope brings safety and stability in a hopeless and unstable world. Our hope is sure, without any possibility of not being true. Our hope is steadfast, without any possibility of wobbling or failing. Presence is the presence of God. God is present behind the veil. God’s presence guarantees our hope.
V20 “…where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” Jesus entered the heavenly Temple and made atonement for sins. He was successful in everything God the Father wanted Him to do. For His faithful service, the Father gave Him honor which no one has or ever have.