Hebrews 11 9

Hebrews 11:9 kjv

By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

Hebrews 11:9 nkjv

By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise;

Hebrews 11:9 niv

By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.

Hebrews 11:9 esv

By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.

Hebrews 11:9 nlt

And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith ? for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise.

Hebrews 11 verses

Hebrews 11 9 Meaning

Hebrews 11:9 describes Abraham's faith-driven lifestyle within the land God had promised him. Despite receiving the divine promise of the land as an inheritance, he lived there as a temporary sojourner, choosing to dwell in impermanent tents. This transient existence was shared with his son Isaac and grandson Jacob, who were fellow inheritors of the same divine promise. This behavior illustrates Abraham's spiritual perspective, anticipating a future, greater fulfillment that transcended earthly possession.

Hebrews 11 9 Context

Hebrews chapter 11, often called the "Hall of Faith," celebrates individuals who exemplified trust in God and His promises. The chapter outlines various acts of faith throughout salvation history, beginning with Abel and progressing through the Old Testament patriarchs and prophets. Verse 9 continues the narrative of Abraham, introduced in verse 8, where he is praised for obeying God's call to leave his home without knowing his destination. This specific verse elaborates on how Abraham's faith was manifested once he reached the "land of promise." Despite the divine decree that the land was his and his descendants', Abraham chose to live a nomadic, non-possessive life, never truly settling down. This paradoxical living highlighted his forward-looking faith, revealing that his true hope was not in an earthly plot of land, but in a divine, spiritual reality yet to be revealed, which is further explained in the subsequent verses (e.g., v. 10 speaks of a city with foundations). This lifestyle contrasts with the settled, often idolatrous, populations of Canaan, subtly affirming God's transient yet certain plan.

Hebrews 11 9 Word analysis

• By faith: Greek: pistei (πίστις, dative instrumental case). Signifies the means or instrument through which Abraham acted. His entire way of living in Canaan was an expression of deep trust and reliance on God, not merely a mental assent but active obedience rooted in belief. It is the defining characteristic of all the figures in this "Hall of Faith."
• he dwelt: Greek: parōkēsen (παρῴκησεν), from the verb paroikeō (παροικέω). This verb specifically means "to sojourn, to live as a foreigner, stranger, or temporary resident" in a place. It's crucial as it deliberately distinguishes Abraham's status from that of an owner or permanent inhabitant. Even though it was "his" promised land, he resided as a non-native, underscoring his detachment from earthly security and attachment to a higher calling.
• in the land of promise: The physical region of Canaan, specifically identified as the place promised by God to Abraham and his descendants (Gen 12:7, 13:15). The irony lies in the fact that he was in the promised land but did not settle permanently within it.
• as in a foreign country: Greek: hōs allotrian (ὡς ἀλλοτρίαν). Allotrian means "foreign," "belonging to another," or "alien." This phrase reinforces and explains parōkēsen. Abraham viewed the promised land itself, which God had designated as his, as if it still belonged to others. This highlights his pilgrim mindset and spiritual outlook that went beyond immediate, tangible possession.
• dwelling in tents: Greek: en skēnais (ἐν σκηναῖς). Tents were temporary, portable dwellings, characteristic of nomadic or transient life (Gen 12:8, 26:25, 35:21). This mode of dwelling directly contrasted with permanent cities or structures (Heb 11:10). It visibly represented Abraham's non-possession of the land and his expectancy of a different, more enduring "home." It symbolized his detachment from earthly permanence.
• with Isaac and Jacob: These are Abraham's immediate descendants, his son and grandson, through whom the Abrahamic covenant and line of promise would continue. Their inclusion emphasizes the continuity of faith and the shared nature of this pilgrim journey across generations. They also adopted the same transient lifestyle (Gen 26:25; 35:21).
• the heirs with him: Greek: synklēronomoi (συνκληρονόμοι). A compound word meaning "fellow heirs" or "co-heirs." This stresses their joint and equal participation in the same divine inheritance and promises as Abraham. It indicates a communal and inherited faith that unified their shared hope in God's future fulfillment.
• of the same promise: The specific divine pledge given to Abraham by God, which encompassed not only the land but also a great nation, blessing to all families of the earth, and an enduring covenant relationship (Gen 12:1-3, 15:18, 17:7-8). This promise formed the foundational hope that sustained their collective transient life.

Hebrews 11 9 Bonus section

• Polemics/Implied Critique: This verse subtly challenges the Jewish believers of the time (to whom Hebrews was primarily addressed) who might have been tempted to revert to the Old Covenant's emphasis on a literal, earthly homeland and Temple. By highlighting Abraham's non-settlement in the promised land, even with the divine promise, the author redirected their focus to a spiritual, heavenly inheritance, diminishing the priority of an earthly, temporary possession.
• Type of Christian Life: Abraham's sojourning in the promised land serves as a powerful type (a prophetic pattern) for the Christian life. Believers are called to live as "strangers and sojourners" on earth (1 Pet 2:11), acknowledging that their ultimate homeland and true citizenship are heavenly (Phil 3:20). Our temporary dwellings and earthly pursuits should always be subordinate to our ultimate hope in God's eternal city.
• Holistic Promise: While Genesis details the promise of a physical land, Hebrews clarifies that the patriarchs understood this earthly promise to point to a greater spiritual and heavenly reality. The "land of promise" becomes a symbolic placeholder for God's full salvation plan, culminating in the "city whose builder and maker is God" (Heb 11:10) and a "heavenly country" (Heb 11:16). This elevates the promise beyond mere geography to encompass a complete spiritual inheritance and relationship with God.

Hebrews 11 9 Commentary

Hebrews 11:9 beautifully illustrates that Abraham's faith wasn't merely intellectual assent, but a transformative principle guiding his daily life and choices. Though God granted him the title deed to the land of Canaan, Abraham deliberately chose not to establish permanent roots there. His consistent dwelling "in tents" rather than building or inheriting structures symbolized his pilgrim status, viewing even the promised land as temporary, "as in a foreign country." This paradoxical living spoke volumes: he wasn't rejecting the promise, but understanding it in a grander, spiritual, and ultimate sense that transcended immediate, physical ownership. This anticipatory living also reveals a deeper faith—trusting God's promises even when their fulfillment seemed distant or unseen (Heb 11:1).

The mention of Isaac and Jacob as "fellow heirs" emphasizes the generational continuity of this faithful perspective. They too embraced the transient lifestyle, living by the same forward-looking faith in the ultimate, heavenly city and inheritance (Heb 11:10, 16). Their shared nomadic existence underlined their common understanding that their true, lasting home was not earthly but divine. This unified commitment serves as a powerful model for believers: our earthly existence is a pilgrimage, and our deepest loyalty and true citizenship reside in heaven, awaiting God's ultimate fulfillment of His eternal promises. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are thus presented as archetypal pilgrims, demonstrating how a steadfast faith leads one to prioritize spiritual, future realities over present, material securities.