Hebrews 5:12

10 and was designated by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain, because you are dull of hearing.

Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food!

13 For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness.

14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food!
KJV
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
WEB
For although by this time you should be teachers, you again need to have someone teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the revelations of God. You have come to need milk, and not solid food.
ASV
For when by reason of the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that some one teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food.
DARBY
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have again need that [one] should teach you what [are] the elements of the beginning of the oracles of God, and are become such as have need of milk, [and] not of solid food.
BLB
For even by the time you ought to be teachers, you⁺ have need of one to teach you⁺ again what [is] the beginning of the elements of the oracles of God; and you⁺ have become [those] having need of milk, and not of solid food.
ÅB
For skjønt dere etter tiden burde være lærere, trenger dere igjen til at en lærer dere hva som er de første grunner i Guds ord, og dere er blitt sådanne som trenger til melk, ikke fast føde.
OTB
For selv om dere nå burde være lærere, trenger dere noen til å lære dere igjen de grunnleggende prinsippene i Guds ord. Dere trenger melk, ikke fast føde!
B1930
For skjønt I efter tiden burde være lærere, trenger I atter til at en lærer eder hvad som er de første grunner i Guds ord, og I er blitt sådanne som trenger til melk, ikke fast føde.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Hebrews 6:1

    Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God,

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 3:1–3

    Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—as infants in Christ.

    Read in context
  • 1 Peter 2:2

    Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,

    Read in context
  • Hebrews 5:13

    For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 28:9–10

    Whom is He trying to teach? To whom is He explaining His message? To infants just weaned from milk? To babies removed from the breast?

    Read in context
  • Colossians 3:16

    Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 28:13

    Then the word of the LORD to them will become: “Order on order, order on order, line on line, line on line; a little here, a little there,” so that they will go stumbling backward and will be injured, ensnared, and captured.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 34:11

    Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

    Read in context