Hebrews 11 29

Hebrews 11:29 kjv

By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

Hebrews 11:29 nkjv

By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.

Hebrews 11:29 niv

By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.

Hebrews 11:29 esv

By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.

Hebrews 11:29 nlt

It was by faith that the people of Israel went right through the Red Sea as though they were on dry ground. But when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were all drowned.

Hebrews 11 verses

Hebrews 11 29 Meaning

Hebrews 11:29 testifies to the powerful reality of active faith, specifically through the historical event of Israel crossing the Red Sea. It highlights that by trusting God's direction, the Israelites passed through an otherwise impassable obstacle as if on dry ground. Conversely, the Egyptians, who lacked this faith and acted in hostile pursuit, perished in the very waters that saved God's people. This verse underscores that faith secures divine deliverance and exposes the fatal consequences of unbelief and opposition to God.

Hebrews 11 29 Context

Hebrews chapter 11, famously known as the "Hall of Faith," presents a litany of Old Testament figures and events demonstrating what biblical faith entails. The author, writing to Jewish Christians potentially wavering in their commitment amidst persecution or societal pressures, uses these examples to encourage perseverance. The chapter systematically defines faith as "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb 11:1), showcasing how individuals and the community acted on God's word despite insurmountable obstacles or a lack of immediate visible evidence. The Red Sea crossing is presented not merely as a historical miracle, but specifically as an act undertaken by faith on the part of the Israelites, distinct from other figures who demonstrated individual faith. It emphasizes corporate faith in action and serves as a powerful illustration of divine deliverance through trust, and conversely, divine judgment upon those who oppose God without such faith.

Hebrews 11 29 Word analysis

• By faith (πιστει, pistei): The dative singular form of pistis, meaning "faith," "trust," "belief," "conviction," or "assurance." In this context, it signifies the principle by which the action was performed. It is an active, living faith, not mere intellectual assent, but a confident reliance on God's word and power that moves one to action. This "faith" enabled the impossible.
• they passed through (διέβησαν, diebēsan): Aorist active indicative of diabainō, meaning "to cross over," "to pass through." The subject "they" refers to the Israelites, specifically as a collective body led by Moses. It emphasizes their actual movement and passage, not just a contemplation. This passage was a divine act of salvation.
• the Red Sea (τὴν ἐρυθρὰν θάλασσαν, tēn erythran thalassan): Refers to the Sea of Reeds, a well-known historical location from the Exodus narrative (Exod 14). It represented an impassable natural barrier. Its drying up for the Israelites, and its return to cover the Egyptians, profoundly demonstrated God's control over nature and His sovereignty over nations.
• as by dry land (ὡς διὰ ξηρᾶς, hōs dia xēras): "As by dry" highlights the miraculous nature of the crossing. Xēras refers to dry land, implying ground that was firm and walkable, defying the natural state of a body of water. This specific detail underscores God's total supernatural intervention.
• whereas the Egyptians (ὧν πεῖραν λαβόντες οἱ Αἰγύπτιοι, hōn peiran labontes hoi Aigyptioi): This phrase introduces a stark contrast. "The Egyptians" (οἱ Αἰγύπτιοι) are Pharaoh's army, who were relentlessly pursuing the Israelites.
• attempting to do so (πεῖραν λαβόντες, peiran labontes): A participle phrase meaning "having attempted" or "having put to the test." This is crucial. The Egyptians did not act by faith in God's command but presumed upon the situation or, more accurately, pursued Israel in defiance of God, attempting to replicate the physical act without divine mandate or presence. Their action was rooted in hostility and hubris, not faith. It was a misguided imitation, leading to disaster.
• were swallowed up (κατεπόθησαν, katepothēsan): Aorist passive indicative of katapinō, meaning "to drink down," "to engulf," "to swallow up completely." This signifies a complete and decisive destruction. It's a divine act of judgment, demonstrating God's justice against those who rebel against His will and oppress His people.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• By faith they passed through the Red Sea: This opening establishes that the seemingly impossible crossing was an act initiated and empowered by faith. It's a collective demonstration of trusting obedience to God's leadership through Moses, despite the overwhelming circumstances of being trapped between the sea and the pursuing army. Their faith was not passive belief, but active movement on a divine promise, proving God's faithfulness to His covenant.
• as by dry land: This phrase emphasizes the supernatural character of the event. It was not a shallow crossing or a low tide. God supernaturally created a dry path through the depths of the sea, rendering an impassable barrier traversable by human feet. This points to God's omnipotence working in conjunction with human faith.
• whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were swallowed up: This complete antithesis highlights the consequences of acting without faith and against God. The Egyptians were not acting in faith; rather, they were pursuing out of hostility and rebellion against the Lord's clear action. Their attempt was presumptuous, futile, and led directly to their annihilation. This demonstrates God's dual action: salvation for those who trust Him, and judgment for those who defy Him.

Hebrews 11 29 Bonus section

The account of the Red Sea crossing often served as a core narrative for the people of Israel, continuously recalled in Psalms, prophetic books, and even New Testament writings to inspire hope, recall God's power, and warn against unbelief. For the Hebrew readers, it was not merely an ancient tale but a foundational proof of their covenant God's active involvement in their history. The Red Sea deliverance anticipates ultimate spiritual salvation in Christ. Just as the Red Sea closed off the path to physical slavery for Israel, so also through Christ, sin's dominion and the fear of death are definitively vanquished for those who walk by faith. The dry ground symbolises the firm, trustworthy path God provides through seemingly insurmountable obstacles, while the swallowing up of the Egyptians signifies the complete defeat of hostile forces through divine power.

Hebrews 11 29 Commentary

Hebrews 11:29 stands as a pivotal testament within the "Hall of Faith" by illustrating faith's corporate and active dimensions through one of the most iconic events in Israel's history: the crossing of the Red Sea. This was not a moment for individual heroes to stand out, but for the entire nation, guided by God through Moses, to step out in audacious faith onto dry seabed, confident in God's protective hand. Their "faith" was a responsive trust, moving obediently according to the divine directive (Exod 14:15-16), despite being hemmed in by the pursuing Egyptian army and an impassable sea. This action revealed God's saving power, demonstrating that the barriers humanly deemed impossible yield to divine command, actualized through believing obedience.

The crucial contrast drawn with the Egyptians serves as a stark warning. Their pursuit into the Red Sea, though attempting to use the "dry land" passage, was devoid of faith. It was an act of continued oppression, driven by a hardened heart against God, illustrating human pride and defiance trying to mimic or overcome divine action. Their subsequent destruction was not arbitrary but a righteous judgment on unbelief and hostile rebellion. This emphasizes a fundamental biblical truth: God's salvation for His people often involves the judgment of their adversaries. The Red Sea event thus embodies God's power to deliver the faithful and judge the faithless, solidifying His covenant faithfulness and sovereign justice. It's a foundational type of salvation, echoed later in the concept of Christian baptism (1 Cor 10:1-2), symbolizing new life and liberation from spiritual bondage through God's miraculous intervention, received by faith.