1Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.
2For by this, the elders obtained approval.
3By 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.
4By 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.
5By 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.
6Without 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.
7By 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.
8By 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.
9By 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.
10For he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
11By 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.
12Therefore 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.
13These 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.
14For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.
15If indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had enough time to return.
16But 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.
17By faith, Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had gladly received the promises was offering up his only born son,
18to whom it was said, “Your offspring will be accounted as from Isaac,”
19concluding that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Figuratively speaking, he also did receive him back from the dead.
20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come.
21By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.
22By faith Joseph, when his end was near, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.
23By 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.
24By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
25choosing rather to share ill treatment with God’s people than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a time,
26considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
27By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
28By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them.
29By faith they passed through the Red Sea as on dry land. When the Egyptians tried to do so, they were swallowed up.
30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.
31By faith Rahab the prostitute didn’t perish with those who were disobedient, having received the spies in peace.
32What more shall I say? For the time would fail me if I told of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets—
33who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked out righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34quenched 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.
35Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.
36Others were tried by mocking and scourging, yes, moreover by bonds and imprisonment.
37They 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—
38of whom the world was not worthy—wandering in deserts, mountains, caves, and the holes of the earth.
39These all, having been commended for their faith, didn’t receive the promise,
40God having provided some better thing concerning us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Hebrews 11 presents faith as the foundational principle by which God's people throughout history have lived and pleased Him, defining it as confidence in unseen realities and future hopes. The chapter chronicles a panoramic survey of faithful individuals from Abel through the prophets, demonstrating how each trusted God's promises despite not receiving their complete fulfillment in their lifetimes. These examples establish faith as the essential requirement for approaching God and living as pilgrims who seek a heavenly homeland rather than earthly security.
Context
Following the warnings about apostasy in chapter 10, this chapter provides positive examples of persevering faith to encourage the Hebrew Christians in their own trials.
Key Themes
Outline
Defines faith as assurance of things hoped for and proof of things unseen, noting that by faith we understand God's creation of the universe.
theme_rarity
Faith uniquely bridges epistemology and cosmology here, as the author links believing in unseen realities with understanding that visible creation emerged from God's invisible word.
Illustrates faith through examples of Abel's acceptable sacrifice, Enoch's translation, and Noah's obedient preparation for the flood, showing how faith pleases God and brings righteousness.
person_contrast
Abel's transformation from victim of fratricide to exemplar of righteous sacrifice demonstrates how Hebrews reframes Old Testament narratives through the lens of faith rather than judgment.
The author of Hebrews presents the patriarchs as exemplars of faith who obeyed God's calling, lived as strangers seeking a heavenly country, and trusted in God's promises even unto death. Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac demonstrates the ultimate test of faith in God's ability to fulfill His promises.
person_contrast
Abraham's faith journey uniquely progresses from geographical obedience (leaving Ur) to biological impossibility (Isaac's birth) to ultimate sacrifice (offering Isaac), creating an escalating test sequence unmatched elsewhere in Scripture.
This passage highlights Moses' faith in choosing God's people over Egyptian privilege and leading the Israelites through the Red Sea and Passover. It also commends Rahab's faith in protecting the Israelite spies, demonstrating how faith enables deliverance and victory.
person_contrast
Moses appears in 95 biblical passages typically associated with law and holiness, yet here uniquely emphasizes his courageous faith in rejecting Egyptian privilege and choosing suffering with God's people.
The author catalogs the faith of judges and prophets who achieved great victories and endured terrible sufferings for their faith. These faithful witnesses demonstrate that God's promise transcends earthly life and death, pointing to a better resurrection.
person_contrast
Gideon, typically celebrated for military victories and divine signs, appears here uniquely among those who "received not the promise" despite their faith.
Hebrews 11:4
Hebrews 8:3lexicalFor every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this high priest a…
Hebrews 5:1lexicalFor every high priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer b…
Hebrews 9:9lexicalThis is a symbol of the present age, where gifts and sacrifices are offered that are incapable, concerning the conscienc…
Acts 10:22lexicalThey said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man and one who fears God, and well spoken of by all the nation of the J…
Romans 3:26lexicalto demonstrate his righteousness at this present time, that he might himself be just and the justifier of him who has fa…
Hebrews 11:5
Hebrews 7:12lexicalFor the priesthood being changed, there is of necessity a change made also in the law.
Hebrews 11:7
1 Peter 3:20lexicalwho before were disobedient when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ship was being built. In it, few, th…
Romans 4:13lexicalFor the promise to Abraham and to his offspring that he would be heir of the world wasn’t through the law, but through t…
2 Peter 2:5lexicaland didn’t spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah with seven others, a preacher of righteousness, when he brought a…
Luke 17:27lexicalThey ate, they drank, they married, and they were given in marriage until the day that Noah entered into the ship, and t…
Matthew 24:38lexicalFor as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until t…
Hebrews 11:8
Luke 8:25lexicalHe said to them, “Where is your faith?” Being afraid, they marveled, saying to one another, “Who is this then, that he c…
Hebrews 9:15lexicalFor this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, since a death has occurred for the redemption of the transgression…
Hebrews 7:5lexicalThey indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have a commandment to take tithes from the people accord…
Galatians 3:14lexicalthat the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the S…
1 Thessalonians 1:8lexicalFor from you the word of the Lord has been declared, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your fait…
Hebrews 11:11
1 Peter 1:5lexicalwho by the power of God are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Revelation 2:13lexical“I know your works and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. You hold firmly to my name, and didn’t deny my faith in…
Mark 12:2lexicalWhen it was time, he sent a servant to the farmer to get from the farmer his share of the fruit of the vineyard.
Hebrews 11:12
Acts 22:3lexical“I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according…
1 Thessalonians 5:11lexicalTherefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do.
Hebrews 11:17
Romans 4:16lexicalFor this cause it is of faith, that it may be according to grace, to the end that the promise may be sure to all the off…
Galatians 3:14lexicalthat the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the S…
Romans 4:13lexicalFor the promise to Abraham and to his offspring that he would be heir of the world wasn’t through the law, but through t…
Hebrews 11:20
Mark 12:26lexicalBut about the dead, that they are raised, haven’t you read in the book of Moses about the Bush, how God spoke to him, sa…
Romans 9:13lexicalEven as it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
Hebrews 11:23
Acts 7:20lexicalAt that time Moses was born, and was exceedingly handsome to God. He was nourished three months in his father’s house.
Luke 1:13lexicalBut the angel said to him, “Don’t be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard. Your wife, Elizabeth, will…
Matthew 2:9lexicalThey, having heard the king, went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them until it…
Hebrews 11:24
Acts 7:21lexicalWhen he was abandoned, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up and reared him as her own son.
Matthew 15:28lexicalThen Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you even as you desire.” And her daughter was healed…
Hebrews 11:32
Luke 24:44lexicalHe said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Mo…
Acts 28:23lexicalWhen they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about God’s…
Hebrews 11:33
Romans 4:5lexicalBut to him who doesn’t work, but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.
Romans 4:13lexicalFor the promise to Abraham and to his offspring that he would be heir of the world wasn’t through the law, but through t…
Romans 3:19lexicalNow we know that whatever things the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be closed,…
Hebrews 6:15lexicalThus, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
Word-by-word original language
Places and events in this chapter
God's global judgment through a worldwide flood, saving only Noah's family and the animals in the ark. This event demonstrates divine justice while preserving a righteous remnant for humanity's continuation.
Noah's faith in building the ark demonstrates obedient preparation for God's coming judgment.
Faith of the AntediluviansIsrael's miraculous deliverance from Egyptian slavery under Moses' leadership, including the ten plagues and Red Sea crossing. This foundational event established Israel as God's chosen nation.
Moses' faith enabled him to lead Israel from Egypt through miraculous Red Sea deliverance.
Faith of Moses and the Exodus Generation