Passage

Hebrews 11.3-39

Book: Hebrews · NASB95

Immediate context (±2 verses)

ASV (ASV)

"1. Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen. 2. For therein the elders had witness borne to them."

"3. By faith we understand that the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen hath not been made out of things which appear. 4. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had witness borne to him that he was righteous, God bearing witness in respect of his gifts: and through it he being dead yet speaketh. 5. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God translated him: for he hath had witness borne to him that before his translation he had been well-pleasing unto God: 6. And without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him. 7. By faith Noah, being warned of God concerning things not seen as yet, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. 8. By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9. By faith he became a sojourner in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10. for he looked for the city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11. By faith even Sarah herself received power to conceive seed when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised: 12. wherefore also there sprang of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand, which is by the sea-shore, innumerable. 13. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14. For they that say such things make it manifest that they are seeking after a country of their own. 15. And if indeed they had been mindful of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16. But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city. 17. By faith Abraham, being tried, offered up Isaac: yea, he that had gladly received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; 18. even he to whom it was said, In Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19. accounting that God is able to raise up, even from the dead; from whence he did also in a figure receive him back. 20. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. 21. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. 22. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. 23. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw he was a goodly child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. 24. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25. choosing rather to share ill treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26. accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked unto the recompense of reward. 27. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28. By faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them. 29. By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were swallowed up. 30. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. 31. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, having received the spies with peace. 32. And what shall I more say? for the time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah; of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33. who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34. quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, waxed mighty in war, turned to flight armies of aliens. 35. Women received their dead by a resurrection: and others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36. and others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37. they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword: they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated 38. (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves, and the holes of the earth. 39. And these all, having had witness borne to them through their faith, received not the promise,"

"40. God having provided some better thing concerning us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect." (Hebrews 11:1-40, ASV)

WEB (WEB)

"1. Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen. 2. For by this, the elders obtained testimony."

"3. By faith, we understand that the universe has been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen has not been made out of things which are visible. 4. By faith, Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had testimony given to him that he was righteous, God testifying with respect to his gifts; and through it he, being dead, still speaks. 5. By faith, Enoch was taken away, so that he wouldn’t see death, and he was not found, because God translated him. For he has had testimony given to him that before his translation he had been well pleasing to God. 6. Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him. 7. By faith, Noah, being warned about things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared a ship for the saving of his house, through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. 8. By faith, Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out to the place which he was to receive for an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he went. 9. By faith, he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise. 10. For he looked for the city which has the foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11. By faith, even Sarah herself received power to conceive, and she bore a child when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised. 12. Therefore as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as innumerable as the sand which is by the sea shore, were fathered by one man, and him as good as dead. 13. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and embraced them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15. If indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had enough time to return. 16. But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. 17. By faith, Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had gladly received the promises was offering up his one and only son, 18. to whom it was said, “your offspring will be accounted as from Isaac”; 19. concluding that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Figuratively speaking, he also did receive him back from the dead. 20. By faith, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. 21. By faith, Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. 22. By faith, Joseph, when his end was near, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave instructions concerning his bones. 23. By faith, Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment. 24. By faith, Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25. choosing rather to share ill treatment with God’s people, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a time; 26. accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward. 27. By faith, he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28. By faith, he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them. 29. By faith, they passed through the Red Sea as on dry land. When the Egyptians tried to do so, they were swallowed up. 30. By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been encircled for seven days. 31. By faith, Rahab the prostitute, didn’t perish with those who were disobedient, having received the spies in peace. 32. What more shall I say? For the time would fail me if I told of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets; 33. who, through faith subdued kingdoms, worked out righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34. quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, grew mighty in war, and caused foreign armies to flee. 35. Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36. Others were tried by mocking and scourging, yes, moreover by bonds and imprisonment. 37. They were stoned. They were sawn apart. They were tempted. They were slain with the sword. They went around in sheep skins and in goat skins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated 38. (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts, mountains, caves, and the holes of the earth. 39. These all, having had testimony given to them through their faith, didn’t receive the promise,"

"40. God having provided some better thing concerning us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect." (Hebrews 11:1-40, WEB)

KJV (KJV)

"1. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ^{substance: or, ground, or, confidence} 2. For by it the elders obtained a good report."

"3. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. 4. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. ^{yet: or, is yet spoken of} 5. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 7. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. ^{moved: or, being wary} 8. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10. For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11. Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 12. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. 13. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. ^{in faith: Gr. according to faith} 14. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. 17. By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18. Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: ^{of: or, to} 19. Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. 20. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 21. By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. 22. By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. ^{made: or, remembered} 23. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. 24. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25. Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26. Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. ^{of Christ: or, for Christ} 27. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28. Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29. By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. 30. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. 31. By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. ^{that: or, that were disobedient} 32. And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33. Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34. Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36. And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37. They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38. (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:"

"40. God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. ^{provided: or, foreseen}" (Hebrews 11:1-40, KJV)

YLT (YLT)

"1. And faith is of things hoped for a confidence, of matters not seen a conviction, 2. for in this were the elders testified of;"

"3. by faith we understand the ages to have been prepared by a saying of God, in regard to the things seen not having come out of things appearing; 4. by faith a better sacrifice did Abel offer to God than Cain, through which he was testified to be righteous, God testifying of his gifts, and through it, he being dead, doth yet speak. 5. By faith Enoch was translated, not to see death, and was not found, because God did translate him; for before his translation he had been testified to, that he had pleased God well, 6. and apart from faith it is impossible to please well, for it behoveth him who is coming to God to believe that He is, and to those seeking Him He becometh a rewarder. 7. By faith Noah, having been divinely warned concerning the things not yet seen, having feared, did prepare an ark to the salvation of his house, through which he did condemn the world, and of the righteousness according to faith he became heir. 8. By faith Abraham, being called, did obey, to go forth to the place that he was about to receive for an inheritance, and he went forth, not knowing whither he doth go; 9. by faith he did sojourn in the land of the promise as a strange country, in tabernacles having dwelt with Isaac and Jacob, fellow-heirs of the same promise, 10. for he was looking for the city having the foundations, whose artificer and constructor [is] God. 11. By faith also Sarah herself did receive power to conceive seed, and she bare after the time of life, seeing she did judge Him faithful who did promise; 12. wherefore, also from one were begotten, and that of one who had become dead, as the stars of the heaven in multitude, and as sand that [is] by the sea-shore, the innumerable. 13. In faith died all these, not having received the promises, but from afar having seen them, and having been persuaded, and having saluted [them], and having confessed that strangers and sojourners they are upon the earth, 14. for those saying such things make manifest that they seek a country; 15. and if, indeed, they had been mindful of that from which they came forth, they might have had an opportunity to return, 16. but now they long for a better, that is, an heavenly, wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for He did prepare for them a city. 17. By faith Abraham hath offered up Isaac, being tried, and the only begotten he did offer up who did receive the promises, 18. of whom it was said, 'In Isaac shall a seed be called to thee;' 19. reckoning that even out of the dead God is able to raise up, whence also in a figure he did receive [him]. 20. By faith, concerning coming things, Isaac did bless Jacob and Esau; 21. by faith Jacob dying, each of the sons of Joseph did bless, and did bow down upon the top of his staff; 22. by faith, Joseph dying, concerning the outgoing of the sons of Israel did make mention, and concerning his bones did give command. 23. By faith Moses, having been born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw the child comely, and were not afraid of the decree of the king; 24. by faith Moses, having become great, did refuse to be called a son of the daughter of Pharaoh, 25. having chosen rather to be afflicted with the people of God, than to have sin's pleasure for a season, 26. greater wealth having reckoned the reproach of the Christ than the treasures in Egypt, for he did look to the recompense of reward; 27. by faith he left Egypt behind, not having been afraid of the wrath of the king, for, as seeing the Invisible One, he endured; 28. by faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that He who is destroying the first-born might not touch them. 29. By faith they did pass through the Red Sea as through dry land, which the Egyptians having received a trial of, were swallowed up; 30. by faith the walls of Jericho did fall, having been surrounded for seven days; 31. by faith Rahab the harlot did not perish with those who disbelieved, having received the spies with peace. 32. And what shall I yet say? for the time will fail me recounting about Gideon, Barak also, and Samson, and Jephthah, David also, and Samuel, and the prophets, 33. who through faith did subdue kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped mouths of lions, 34. quenched the power of fire, escaped the mouth of the sword, were made powerful out of infirmities, became strong in battle, caused to give way camps of the aliens. 35. Women received by a rising again their dead, and others were tortured, not accepting the redemption, that a better rising again they might receive, 36. and others of mockings and scourgings did receive trial, and yet of bonds and imprisonment; 37. they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tried; in the killing of the sword they died; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, injuriously treated, 38. of whom the world was not worthy; in deserts wandering, and [in] mountains, and [in] caves, and [in] the holes of the earth; 39. and these all, having been testified to through the faith, did not receive the promise,"

"40. God for us something better having provided, that apart from us they might not be made perfect." (Hebrews 11:1-40, YLT)

Setting

Speaker: TBD
Audience: TBD
Location: TBD
Time period: TBD

Theological reading

Patristic / early-church-father exegesis, to be added.

Key words

Theologically-loaded Greek or Hebrew words in this verse may have entries in the lexicon. Curated to roughly 100 contested terms across the corpus, not every word; see Lexicon Roadmap.

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Quoted in

Faith is Belief Without Evidence Objection Defeater

Why these four translations

ris3n chose ASV, WEB, KJV, and YLT for two reasons together. They are the most literal English translations available (formal-equivalence: word-for-word renderings that preserve the Hebrew and Greek grammar rather than smoothing it into modern dynamic-equivalence idiom). And they are in the public domain in the United States, which means fair-use quotation at any length requires no publisher license. Modern licensed translations (NASB95, ESV, NIV) restrict volume of quotation under their copyright terms, so they are not used at stub-level coverage here. NASB95 appears only on hand-curated rich passage hubs under Lockman Foundation's fair-use allowance.

The four:

ASV (American Standard Version, 1901). The basis of the modern critical-text English tradition.
WEB (World English Bible, contemporary). Public-domain revision in the ASV line, in current English.
KJV (King James Version, 1611). Reformation-era, Textus Receptus base.
YLT (Young's Literal Translation, Robert Young, 1862). Hyper-literal preservation of Hebrew and Greek grammar; useful for word-study work even where English reads stiff.

See Bibles for the full per-translation history, translators, textual basis, strengths, and weaknesses.