Hebrews 3:5

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does Hebrews 3:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were afterward to be spoken;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were afterward to be spoken;
Hebrews 3:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Hebrews 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5And Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were afterward to be spoken;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Moses verily was faithful in all his house as a servant, etc..] Moses was not only a servant to the Israelites, but he was also the Lord's servant, a servant of his choosing, sending, and approving; he was a servant in holy things, and served the Lord heartily, sincerely, and ingenuously, with all becoming fear and reverence, respect, and honour, and with all ready and cheerful obedience; the house in which he was a servant, was not his own, but belonged to God, even the Son of God, as appears from the following verse; he was not a servant in the world, and with respect to civil things, and the affairs of Providence, but in the church of God, and in divine things; and he was faithful…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“faithful in all his house--that is in all GOD'S house (Heb 3:4). servant--not here the Greek for "slave," but "a ministering attendant"; marking the high office of Moses towards God, though inferior to Christ, a kind of steward. for a testimony of, &c.--in order that he might in his typical institutions give "testimony" to Israel "of the things" of the Gospel "which were to be spoken afterwards" by Christ (Heb 8:5; Heb 9:8, Heb 9:23; Heb 10:1).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Moses was faithful ...as a servant - Not as the head of the dispensation; not as having originated it; but as in the employ and under the direction of its great Founder and Author - the Messiah. As such a servant he deserves all the honor for fidelity which has ever been claimed for him, but it cannot be the honor which is due to him who is at the head of the family or house. Paul “assumed” that Moses was a “servant,” and argued on that supposition, without attempting to prove it, because it was so often affirmed in the Old Testament, and must have been conceded by all the Jews. In numerous instances he is spoken of as “the servant of the Lord;” see Joshua 1:1-2; Jos 9:24; 1 Chronicles 6:49;…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Moses verily - Another proof of the pre - eminence of Christ above Moses. Was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of the things which were afterwards to be spoken - That is, which was a full confirmation of the things which he afterward spake concerning Christ. Hebrews 3:6”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“faithful: Heb 3:2; Num 12:7; Mat 24:45, Mat 25:21; Luk 12:42, Luk 16:10-12; Co1 4:2; Ti1 1:12 as: Exo 14:31; Deu 3:24, Deu 34:5; Jos 1:2, Jos 1:7, Jos 1:15, Jos 8:31, Jos 8:33; Neh 9:14; Psa 105:26 for: Heb 8:5, Heb 9:8-13, Heb 9:24; Deu 18:15-19; Luk 24:27, Luk 24:44; Joh 5:39, Joh 5:46, Joh 5:47; Act 3:22, Act 3:23, Act 7:37, Act 28:23; Rom 3:21; Pe1 1:10-12 Hebrews 3:6”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification