Hebrews 11:27 kjv
By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
Hebrews 11:27 nkjv
By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.
Hebrews 11:27 niv
By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.
Hebrews 11:27 esv
By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.
Hebrews 11:27 nlt
It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king's anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible.
Hebrews 11 27 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Heb 11:1 | Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. | Faith definition; seeing the unseen |
| 2 Cor 4:18 | ...we look not at the things that are seen but at the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. | Spiritual focus on eternal unseen |
| Jn 20:29 | Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” | Blessing of believing without physical sight |
| 1 Pet 1:8 | Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him... | Love and belief in unseen Christ |
| Col 1:15 | He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. | Christ as image of the Invisible God |
| 1 Tim 1:17 | To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. | God described as invisible |
| 1 Tim 6:16 | ...who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see... | God's unapproachable light and invisibility |
| Rom 1:20 | For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made... | Invisible God revealed through creation |
| Exo 14:13-14 | Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord... The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” | Moses urging Israel to stand by faith, not fear |
| Exo 33:11 | Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. | Moses' unique intimacy with God (not physical sight) |
| Num 12:6-8 | If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream. Not so with My servant Moses; he is faithful in all My house. With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly... He beholds the form of the Lord. | Moses' privileged direct communication with God |
| Exo 2:15 | When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. | Earlier instance of Moses fearing Pharaoh and fleeing |
| Acts 5:29 | But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men." | Obeying God over human authority/fear |
| Psa 56:4 | In God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? | Trust in God overcomes fear of man |
| Psa 118:6 | The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? | Fearlessness due to the Lord's presence |
| Prov 29:25 | The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe. | Contrast between fear of man and trust in the Lord |
| Rom 5:3-4 | More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. | Suffering leading to endurance |
| Jas 1:2-4 | Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. | Trials leading to steadfastness (endurance) |
| Heb 10:36 | For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. | Necessity of endurance for fulfilling God's will |
| Heb 11:6 | And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him. | Faith in God's existence and reward is essential |
| 2 Tim 4:18 | The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. | God's rescue and eternal kingdom focus |
| Heb 11:10 | For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. | Abraham's focus on the unseen heavenly city |
Hebrews 11 verses
Hebrews 11 27 Meaning
Hebrews 11:27 asserts that Moses' definitive departure from Egypt, leading the Israelites, was an act of profound faith. He did not fear the intense wrath and power of Pharaoh because his spiritual vision of God, the One who is invisible, was more real and compelling to him than any visible threat. This unwavering focus on the unseen God enabled him to endure all challenges with steadfast resolve.
Hebrews 11 27 Context
Hebrews chapter 11, famously known as the "Faith Hall of Fame," presents a panoramic view of Old Testament saints who demonstrated extraordinary faith. Moses is given significant attention, detailing his acts of faith across several verses (Heb 11:23-29). Verse 27 follows descriptions of Moses choosing affliction with God's people over Egyptian pleasures, and considering Christ's reproach greater riches. It specifically focuses on a decisive moment of departure, bridging his personal commitment with the beginning of the national Exodus, directly preceding the crossing of the Red Sea by faith (v. 29). The broader context emphasizes that true faith is not merely intellectual assent but a confident conviction that governs one's actions and decisions, often in defiance of visible circumstances and human power. Historically, this refers to Moses' act of leading the Israelite multitude out of the powerful Egyptian Empire under Pharaoh's tyranny. Pharaoh was considered a god, his word absolute law, and his anger meant death, making Moses' actions a direct challenge to the most powerful ruler of his time.
Hebrews 11 27 Word analysis
- By faith (Πίστει - Pistei): The dative case indicates the instrumental means, emphasizing that faith was the active principle enabling Moses' action. This foundational theme permeates Hebrews 11, portraying faith as the living trust in God's promises and power, which translates into decisive action despite overwhelming opposition. It highlights that God-centered faith empowers one to transcend human limitations and fears.
- he left (κατέλιπεν - katelipen): A strong, active aorist verb signifying a definite, decisive, and complete action of departure. This is not referring to Moses' earlier flight to Midian in Exodus 2:15, which was driven by fear. Instead, this departure speaks to the courageous, God-ordained leadership of the Exodus, which was a national movement in direct confrontation with Pharaoh. It signifies a radical separation from the power and idolatry of Egypt.
- Egypt (Αἴγυπτον - Aigypton): Represents not only a geographical location but also a system of power, idolatry, wealth, and oppression from which God's people were delivered. Leaving Egypt signifies liberation from bondage and alignment with God's redemptive purposes.
- not fearing (μὴ φοβηθεὶς - mē phobētheis): A negative participle, indicating that the absence of fear was intrinsic to the act of leaving. This starkly contrasts with Moses' initial fear that caused him to flee from Pharaoh earlier (Exo 2:15). This "not fearing" shows Moses' immense spiritual growth and maturation of faith. It signifies a courage born of divine confidence rather than natural boldness.
- the king's (τοῦ βασιλέως - tou basileōs): Refers specifically to Pharaoh, the most powerful and absolute monarch of his day. His authority was perceived as divine and supreme, making defiance incredibly perilous.
- wrath (θυμὸν - thymon): Denotes intense, passionate anger or fury, often suggesting a violent outburst. Pharaoh's wrath would have been the ultimate human threat, backed by an invincible army and an unyielding will. Moses' ability to remain unafraid in the face of such wrath is a direct testament to the superior object of his faith.
- for he endured (τὸν γὰρ ... ἐκαρτέρησεν - ton gar ... ekarterēsen): "Gar" introduces the reason for his action. "Ekarterēsen" (endured/persevered) is a robust term implying strength, steadfastness, and resolute endurance through trials. It is not passive resignation but active fortitude. It means he held fast, remaining unshakeable in his resolve despite the pressure and dangers. This endurance was empowered by his spiritual perception.
- as seeing (ὡς ὁρῶν - hōs horōn): An adverbial participial clause implying a qualitative "as if" seeing, yet signifying a spiritual reality. It refers to a profound internal, spiritual perception or apprehension of God's presence, reality, and character, not a literal physical sight (which no one can have of God's essence). It is a faith-seeing that goes beyond sensory experience.
- Him who is unseen (τὸν ἀόρατον - ton aoraton): Refers to God, the Invisible One (cf. Col 1:15, 1 Tim 1:17). This phrase is the pinnacle of the verse, identifying the true object and source of Moses' confidence and courage. The unseen God was more real to Moses than the visible Pharaoh or any tangible threat. His faith apprehended the ultimate reality that is God, who is Spirit and transcends physical sight.
Words-Group Analysis:
- "By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's wrath": This phrase powerfully contrasts Moses' earlier fear-driven flight from Pharaoh with this mature, faith-driven leadership of the Exodus. It highlights the transformation enabled by his deepening trust in God. His defiance of Pharaoh’s wrath illustrates supreme confidence in a higher, unseen power that far exceeds earthly dominion. This act underscores that true freedom comes not from escape but from obedient submission to God's command despite worldly power.
- "for he endured as seeing Him who is unseen": This clause reveals the inner dynamic of Moses' courage. His endurance wasn't an act of stubborn will but flowed from an ongoing, vivid spiritual awareness of God's reality and presence. The paradox of "seeing Him who is unseen" describes a faith that perceives the spiritual realm as more real and authoritative than the visible, physical realm. This spiritual vision anchored his soul and provided unwavering strength against all visible dangers and human threats. It is the core reason for his unfazed determination.
Hebrews 11 27 Bonus section
The concept of "seeing Him who is unseen" underscores a core theological truth: Christian life is a walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor 5:7). It signifies that our spiritual realities and eternal hope are based on a God who is not apprehended by physical senses, but by a deep conviction of His truth and existence, sustained by His Word and Spirit. Moses' example serves as a potent reminder that one's internal perception of God directly impacts their external courage and capacity to endure in challenging circumstances. This spiritual sight is cultivated through communion with God, meditation on His attributes, and experience of His faithfulness.
Hebrews 11 27 Commentary
Hebrews 11:27 succinctly captures a pivotal moment in Moses’ journey of faith, revealing the ultimate source of his unparalleled courage. His "leaving Egypt" by faith refers not to a covert escape, but to his definitive leadership of the Exodus, a public and audacious confrontation with Pharaoh. The critical distinction highlighted here is that Moses did this "not fearing the king's wrath," a stark contrast to his earlier flight (Exo 2:15) where fear played a significant role. This transformation demonstrates the profound growth and maturing of Moses' faith. The explanation for this fearless resolve is profound: "for he endured as seeing Him who is unseen." Moses' capacity to steadfastly persevere through the immense pressure, danger, and trials came from an intense spiritual apprehension of God, the Invisible One. His faith allowed him to perceive God's reality, power, and presence as more tangible and significant than the visible power and terrifying wrath of Pharaoh. This spiritual vision empowered him to defy the mightiest earthly kingdom, focusing on God’s eternal kingdom and unwavering faithfulness. This verse illustrates that true courage springs not from an absence of danger, but from a profound internal vision of the ultimate, invisible reality—God Himself—which strengthens one to endure and act in alignment with His will.