Hebrews 11 23

Hebrews 11:23 kjv

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.

Hebrews 11:23 nkjv

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's command.

Hebrews 11:23 niv

By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.

Hebrews 11:23 esv

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.

Hebrews 11:23 nlt

It was by faith that Moses' parents hid him for three months when he was born. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king's command.

Hebrews 11 verses

Hebrews 11 23 Meaning

Hebrews 11:23 extols the faith of Moses’ parents, Amram and Jochebed, in taking an extraordinary and courageous action during a time of extreme danger. Motivated by their belief in God's providence and discerning something uniquely special about their newborn son, they defied Pharaoh's life-threatening decree against Israelite male infants. Their act of hiding Moses for three months, rather than succumbing to the fear of a human king, exemplifies a faith that trusts God’s sovereignty above all earthly powers, securing the preservation of God's appointed deliverer.

Hebrews 11 23 Context

Hebrews 11 is famously known as the "Hall of Faith" chapter, meticulously outlining what faith is and showcasing exemplary individuals from Old Testament history who lived by this principle. Each figure, from Abel to Rahab, serves as a testament to active trust in God amidst diverse challenges. Verse 23 is placed among the lineage of Abraham and the early patriarchs, setting the stage for Moses, the great deliverer, whose life encapsulates profound faith and obedience to God.

The specific historical context for Hebrews 11:23 is the severe oppression of the Israelites in Egypt under Pharaoh, described in Exodus chapter 1. Fearing the rapid growth of the Israelite population, Pharaoh first attempted to curb it through forced labor and then, failing that, by issuing a brutal decree: all male Israelite infants were to be thrown into the Nile River. This verse highlights the precise moment Amram and Jochebed, Moses' parents, confronted this genocidal edict. Their act of hiding Moses was a direct and dangerous defiance of the highest earthly authority, demonstrating that their faith in God superseded their fear of the king. This narrative would resonate deeply with the original audience of Hebrews, likely Jewish Christians facing persecution or strong temptations to abandon Christ due to social pressure and threats, encouraging them to stand firm in their faith just as Moses' parents did.

Hebrews 11 23 Word analysis

• By faith (Πίστει - Pistei): The instrumental dative case emphasizes that faith was the means or instrument through which their action was taken. It was not mere instinct or parental affection alone, but a profound, Spirit-wrought trust in God and His unseen purposes. This connects directly to the definition of faith in Heb 11:1.
• Moses (Μωϋσῆς - Mōusēs): The subject of the parents' action, whose future destiny as deliverer was implicitly understood through their faith. His very name signifies "drawn out," echoing his miraculous rescue.
• when he was born (γεννηθεὶς - gennētheis): Marks the very beginning of his life, emphasizing that the danger was immediate and their faith response equally swift, not a later development.
• was hidden (ἐκρύβη - ekrybē): An aorist passive verb, suggesting an action taken upon him (by his parents) but also perhaps highlighting divine preservation, even though the parents were active agents. The act of concealment was an act of faith.
• for three months (τρεῖς μῆνας - treis mēnas): The specific duration mentioned in Exod 2:2. This period implies a calculated risk, as concealment would become increasingly difficult as the infant grew. It also represents a test of their endurance in faith.
• by his parents (ὑπὸ τῶν πατέρων - hypo tōn paterōn): Specifies the human agents of this act of faith. The plural "parents" emphasizes the unified resolve of Amram and Jochebed, standing together in their conviction.
• because they saw (ἰδόντες - idontes): This word suggests more than just casual observation. It implies a discerning perception, perhaps divinely enabled, seeing beyond the physical to something extraordinary or prophetic about the child. It connects their sight with faith.
• that the child was beautiful (ἀστεῖον τὸ παιδίον - asteion to paidion): The Greek word asteion can mean "urbane," "charming," "fine," or "elegant," but in biblical context (e.g., Acts 7:20), it often denotes "divinely beautiful," "unusual," or "exceptional in God’s sight." This suggests a unique quality, perhaps a spiritual brightness or a clear sign of God's favor and destiny upon him, rather than merely physical attractiveness. It implies a perceived destiny or special grace that superseded normal parental affection.
• and they were not afraid (καὶ οὐκ ἐφοβήθησαν - kai ouk ephobēthēsan): This negates the common human response to fear. Their lack of fear points to a higher conviction—trust in God—which enabled them to transcend the natural and overwhelming dread that Pharaoh's decree would induce. This courage is a direct fruit of their faith.
• of the king’s edict (τὸ τοῦ βασιλέως διάταγμα - to tou basileōs diatagma): The diatagma refers to a royal decree, ordinance, or mandate. This specifies the exact threat they faced, highlighting the immense courage required to defy such a powerful, life-and-death command from the supreme authority of the land. Their non-fear implies prioritizing divine law over human law when they conflict.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents": This phrase highlights the proactive, faith-driven actions of the parents, immediately upon Moses' birth. It shows their prompt response to a desperate situation, choosing faith over panic or despair, and actively preserving the child through divine leading.
• "because they saw that the child was beautiful": This clause provides the immediate reason for their courageous action, not solely a superficial assessment, but an intuitive or spiritual discernment that this child was divinely marked and worthy of saving even at great personal risk. Their "seeing" was an act of faith-infused perception, seeing what God had made uniquely special.
• "and they were not afraid of the king’s edict": This phrase emphatically declares their courage and the core demonstration of their faith. It highlights defiance of a human king's decree because their fear of God, and their faith in His plan, transcended their fear of worldly consequences. It underscores that true faith provides courage in the face of daunting, life-threatening opposition. This stands in direct contrast to human weakness and fear of punishment, portraying God's people living by a higher authority.

Hebrews 11 23 Bonus section

The concept of "civil disobedience" is implicitly present in this verse, demonstrating a scenario where adherence to a higher, divine law takes precedence over a morally corrupt human law. Amram and Jochebed's refusal to obey Pharaoh's genocidal decree highlights that the faithful are not always bound to absolute submission to earthly authorities when those authorities command evil or directly contradict God's commands (Rom 13:1-7, Acts 5:29). Their act was not one of rebellion against governance per se, but rather an act of preserving life, fulfilling God's unseen purpose, and prioritizing the sanctity of life which comes from God. This also underscores the often-overlooked yet critical role of parents in nurturing and protecting the faith legacy. Their immediate and costly act set the trajectory for Moses’ life and his ultimate calling. The faith mentioned here is not just an inner feeling but an active, life-saving decision born of conviction in God’s sovereign power and a prophetic understanding of their child's potential.

Hebrews 11 23 Commentary

Hebrews 11:23 stands as a concise yet powerful testament to the triumph of faith over fear. Moses’ parents, Amram and Jochebed, exemplify a practical and defiant faith that directly confronts and transcends the immediate and life-threatening decree of a human king. Their action of hiding Moses for three months was not an act of naive hope but of deep conviction. They "saw that the child was beautiful" (asteion), indicating a perception of divine grace or extraordinary promise in him, beyond mere physical appearance, perhaps recognizing his destined role in God's redemptive plan for Israel. This spiritual discernment fueled their audacious courage to disregard the "king’s edict," prioritizing obedience to God’s implicit will over the very real threat of execution.

This verse teaches us that genuine faith breeds courage and resolute obedience to God even when it means defying human authority or facing severe personal cost. It reminds believers that God's providence often works through the courageous and sometimes seemingly disobedient actions of His people, protecting His purposes through unlikely means. The preservation of Moses was crucial for the entire story of the Exodus, showcasing how a foundational act of faith, originating from his parents, profoundly impacts God’s broader plan of salvation. Practical application lies in understanding that we are called to prioritize God’s commands above all earthly powers, acting with spiritual discernment and courage when our faith calls us to a higher obedience. This may mean choosing integrity over conformity, righteousness over popular opinion, or trusting God’s unseen hand in a world governed by visible threats.