Hebrews 11 17

Hebrews 11:17 kjv

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

Hebrews 11:17 nkjv

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

Hebrews 11:17 niv

By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son,

Hebrews 11:17 esv

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son,

Hebrews 11:17 nlt

It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God's promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac,

Hebrews 11 verses

Hebrews 11 17 Meaning

Hebrews 11:17 speaks of Abraham's profound faith when God tested him by commanding him to offer his son, Isaac, as a sacrifice. This was the same Isaac through whom all of God's promises—of numerous descendants and a great nation—were to be fulfilled. Abraham, despite the paradoxical nature of this command, was prepared to obey, demonstrating absolute trust in God's character and His ability to bring His promises to pass, even from death.

Hebrews 11 17 Context

Hebrews chapter 11, often called the "Hall of Faith," celebrates biblical heroes who demonstrated exemplary trust in God despite challenging circumstances, often not receiving the full manifestation of God's promises in their lifetime. Each figure illustrates a facet of faith, defined in the chapter's opening as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

Verse 17 focuses on Abraham, building upon his earlier acts of faith detailed in the chapter, such as his departure from Ur (v. 8) and his long wait for Isaac's birth (v. 11-12). This particular event, the Akedah (binding of Isaac) in Genesis 22, is presented as the supreme test of Abraham's faith. It directly challenges the very promises God had made to him – that his numerous descendants would come through Isaac. For Abraham to obey such a command meant placing his ultimate trust not in the outcome he saw (Isaac's death), but in the character and power of God to fulfill His word, even if it meant resurrection (as detailed in Heb 11:19). Historically and culturally, this command also stood in stark contrast to the human sacrifices common in Canaanite pagan worship. God was not desiring Isaac's death, but demonstrating Abraham's absolute loyalty and distinguishing Himself from the false gods of the region.

Hebrews 11 17 Word analysis

• By faith (Greek: Pistei, instrumentall case of pistis): This is the foundational principle of Hebrews 11. It indicates that Abraham's action was not born of logic, emotional fervor, or ritualistic obligation, but from a deep, trusting reliance on God. It was the "means" by which he acted.

• Abraham: The patriarchal example, uniquely chosen by God and foundational to God's redemptive plan for humanity. His faith set a standard.

• when he was tested (Greek: peirazomenos, present participle, passive of peirazō): This term signifies a divine examination or trial, not a malicious temptation to sin (which is also peirazō but differentiated by context, God tempts no one to evil - Jas 1:13). God tested Abraham to prove and mature his faith, not to cause him to fail. It was an ultimate validation of his faithfulness.

• offered up (Greek: prosenegken, aorist active indicative of prosphero): Implies bringing something to an altar or before God, dedicating or presenting it. It indicates Abraham’s decisive and completed act of dedication, even if the sacrifice itself was providentially prevented. He had fully presented Isaac for sacrifice in his heart and action, up to the point of divine intervention.

• Isaac: The son of promise, miraculously born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age. He was the only hope for the continuation of God’s covenant lineage. His name (meaning "he laughs") points to the joy and the miracle of his birth.

• and he who had received the promises: This highlights the profound paradox and ultimate test. The very person who had God's unwavering promises, centered around this particular son, was commanded to destroy the means of those promises. This emphasizes the extraordinary nature of Abraham’s faith.

• offered up: Repeats the act, underscoring the completeness of Abraham's internal decision and external preparation.

• his only begotten son (Greek: ton monogenē): This powerful descriptor of Isaac emphasizes his unique and special status. Monogenēs means "only of its kind," "unique," or "one and only." While Abraham later had other children (e.g., Ishmael, then Keturah’s sons), Isaac was unique as the singular "son of promise" (Gen 21:12, Heb 11:18), the sole inheritor of the covenant. This term echoes in John 3:16, where Jesus is God's monogenēs Son, establishing a deep theological type/antitype relationship.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac": This phrase encapsulates the core theme – an act of obedient faith performed under divine trial. It defines Abraham's character and the nature of the test as a proving of trust, leading to an intentional act of offering.
  • "and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son": This clause elevates the magnitude of Abraham's faith. It wasn't just any son, but the "son of promise" and "his only begotten (unique/special) son" who was on the altar. The repetition of "offered up" stresses the deliberate and decisive nature of Abraham’s response, despite the inherent contradiction of God's command to His promises. This paradox serves to highlight the extraordinary depth of Abraham's belief that God could fulfill His promises even from an apparent end.

Hebrews 11 17 Bonus section

The profound implications of Isaac being "his only begotten son" extend to Christology. The Greek term monogenēs does not primarily mean "only child" in the sense of being the sole child someone ever had, but rather "unique," "one of a kind," or "the only one of its class." Isaac was Abraham’s unique son because he was the miraculously conceived "son of promise," distinct from Ishmael. This designation establishes a strong typological link between Isaac and Jesus Christ. Just as Isaac was the unique, beloved son whom the Father was willing to offer, Jesus is the unique, beloved Son of God whom the Father actually offered (Jn 3:16; Rom 8:32). This makes Abraham's test a dramatic foreshadowing of God's ultimate provision and sacrifice, underscoring the immeasurable cost and depth of God’s love for humanity through Christ.

Hebrews 11 17 Commentary

Hebrews 11:17 portrays Abraham's faith at its apex, showcasing an unreserved obedience that transcends human logic. When commanded to sacrifice Isaac, Abraham faced an unparalleled paradox: how could God's promise of countless descendants through Isaac (Gen 22:18) be fulfilled if Isaac himself was to die? Abraham's response reveals his radical trust in God's power and character, anticipating that God could even raise Isaac from the dead (as indicated in Heb 11:19) to fulfill His word. This test was not an arbitrary cruelty but a profound demonstration and refinement of Abraham’s absolute reliance on God. It confirmed that Abraham feared God above all else, placing divine command above natural affection or the perceived failure of God's own promises. This act profoundly foreshadows God the Father’s willingness to offer His own monogenēs Son, Jesus Christ, for the salvation of humanity (Jn 3:16). Abraham's obedience, born of faith, serves as an eternal example of costly surrender and trust that God is always faithful to His word, even when His path seems inscrutable.

• Example for practical usage: When faced with a situation where God's will seems to contradict His past promises or appears to require a "sacrifice" of something dearly held (e.g., letting go of a deeply cherished career aspiration to serve in a mission field, or releasing control over a child's future to God), Abraham's example encourages trust that God's plans are higher and His provision will be ultimate. It challenges believers to obey even when the full outcome is unclear, trusting God's ability to "provide" or resurrect what seems lost.