No. The exact wording “the same yesterday, today, and forever” is in the New Testament—Hebrews 13:8—and it speaks specifically of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament does teach the same underlying truth that God does not change, for example in Malachi 3:6.
Where the wording comes from
The familiar sentence many people quote is not originally an Old Testament line. The precise wording appears in the New Testament and is stated about Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 13:8 — “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
This is why the quote is often associated with Christian encouragement about God’s steady character and faithfulness, but the specific phrasing itself is from Hebrews.
Old Testament teaching
Although the exact “yesterday, today, and forever” wording is New Testament, the Old Testament likewise affirms that God does not change. One clear statement appears in Malachi.
Malachi 3:6 — “For I, Yahweh, don’t change.”
This Old Testament verse expresses the same core theme: God’s unchanging nature. So even when someone is mistaken about the quote’s location, they are often reaching for a truth that is taught in the Old Testament as well.
How they fit together
Taken together, Hebrews 13:8 and Malachi 3:6 express God’s unchanging faithfulness across both testaments. Hebrews 13:8 states the unchanging constancy of Jesus Christ using the well-known “yesterday, today, and forever” phrasing, while Malachi 3:6 states directly that Yahweh does not change. The theme is consistent: God’s character is not shifting or unreliable, and that stability is affirmed in both the Old and New Testaments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the quote “God is the same yesterday, today, and forever” in the Old Testament?
No. The exact wording “the same yesterday, today, and forever” is from the New Testament (Hebrews 13:8). The Old Testament does teach the truth that God does not change, such as in Malachi 3:6.
What does Hebrews 13:8 actually say?
Hebrews 13:8 — “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
It is a New Testament statement specifically about Jesus Christ.
Where does the Old Testament say God doesn’t change?
Malachi 3:6 — “For I, Yahweh, don’t change.”
This verse is a direct Old Testament affirmation of God’s unchanging nature.
Why do people think the “yesterday, today, and forever” line is in the Old Testament?
The theme of God’s unchanging nature runs through the Old Testament, so the idea is familiar even if the exact wording is New Testament. The important note is that the precise verse is Hebrews 13:8, though the theme is also taught in the Old Testament.
Do Hebrews 13:8 and Malachi 3:6 teach the same idea?
They align in theme: both express God’s unchanging faithfulness. Hebrews 13:8 uses the “yesterday, today, and forever” phrasing about Jesus Christ, and Malachi 3:6 states, “For I, Yahweh, don’t change.” Together they present a consistent picture across both testaments.