 | For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. |
 | For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. |
 | For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. |
| Hebrews 4:12 |
Commentary
Marrow - the soft tissue inside the hollow cavities of bones. The Bible uses the word marrow figuratively. "Moist marrow" means good health and physical comfort (Job 21:24). To eat marrow refers to eating the choicest of foods (Is. 25:6). To fear the Lord and depart from evil is marrow (refreshment, medicine, strength) to one's bones (Prov. 3:8). The word of God divides the "joints and marrow" (Heb. 4:12), symbolizing the power of the Bible to penetrate to the inner depths of a person's thoughts and motives.
4:12 two-edged sword. While the Word of God is comforting and nourishing to those who believe, it is a tool of judgment and execution for those who have not committed themselves to Jesus Christ. Some of the Hebrews were merely going through the motions of belonging to Christ. Intellectually, they were at least partly persuaded, but inside they were not committed to Him. God's Word would expose their shallow beliefs and even their false intentions (cf. 1 Sam. 16:7; 1 Pet. 4:5).
division of soul and spirit. These terms do not describe two separate entities (any more than "thoughts and intents" do) but are used as one might say "heart and soul" to express fullness (cf. Luke 10:27; Acts 4:32; see note on 1 Thess. 5:23). Elsewhere these two terms are used interchangeably to describe man's immaterial self, his eternal inner person.
MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Heb 4:12). Nashville: Word Pub.
division of soul and spirit. These terms do not describe two separate entities (any more than "thoughts and intents" do) but are used as one might say "heart and soul" to express fullness (cf. Luke 10:27; Acts 4:32; see note on 1 Thess. 5:23). Elsewhere these two terms are used interchangeably to describe man's immaterial self, his eternal inner person.
MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Heb 4:12). Nashville: Word Pub.
Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., Harrison, R. K., & Thomas Nelson Publishers. (1995). Nelson's new illustrated Bible dictionary. Rev. ed. of: Nelson's illustrated Bible dictionary.; Includes index. Nashville: T. Nelson.