OET interlinear HEB 5:13

5:13–14

In 5:13–14, the author explained the figure of speech “You need milk, not solid food” (5:12c). People who do not know what God says about righteousness are like babies who only drink milk (5:13). Mature believers know the difference between right and wrong. They are like mature people who eat “solid food.” (5:14).

5:13a-b

For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness: This verse indicates that people who only pay attention to simple teaching are like babies who still drink only milk. They do not understand much about the word of righteousness.

In some languages it is necessary to make the comparison more explicit. For example:

for a person like that who lives only on the “milk” of simple teachings is like an infant. He does not know much about the word of righteousness.

A person who only understands simple teachings is like an infant living on milk. He is not trained in the teaching about righteousness.

5:13a

everyone who lives on milk is still an infant: The Greek text of 5:13 has the explanatory conjunction gar, as did 5:12. The BSB, RSV, NRSV and NASB translate it as “For.” But many newer versions leave the connection implicit, as being more natural in current English. The phrase everyone who lives on milk is still an infant refers to someone who has no nourishment except milk because he is a baby. He cannot digest any food except milk until he becomes old enough to eat other food. In many cultures infants take only milk from their mother’s breast until they are ready to eat other food.

Another way to translate this meaning is

anyone who drinks/takes-in only milk because he is still like a baby

5:13b

inexperienced in the message of righteousness: The phrase inexperienced in the message of righteousness has several interpretations. The most likely interpretations are:

1. It means that a person “is unskilled in the matter of what is right.” It indicates that he does not know how to decide what is right and what is wrong. For example:

   without any experience in the matter of right and wrong (GNT) (GNT, CEV, NLT)

2. It means that a person “does not understand the teaching about righteousness.” It indicates that he does not understand the teaching about Christ as high priest atoning for his people’s sins and making them righteous. For example:

   not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness (NIV) (NIV, NET, NCV)

3. It means that a person “is not experienced in speaking about what is right.” For example:

   lack the experience to talk about what is right (GW) (GW)

Some English versions are ambiguous. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It fits best with the contrast in 5:14 with the mature who know how to discern between right and wrong. Another way to translate this meaning is:

is not able to distinguish between what is right and what is wrong

For more information, see just, sense C3, in KBT.