Devine Scripture

Hebrews 11:12

What does Hebrews 11:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 11:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 11:12 means

From one man—Abraham—whose body was virtually as good as dead for childbearing purposes, God brought forth an innumerable offspring, as countless as the stars and the sand. This emphasizes divine ability to fulfill vast promises through human weakness. The imagery recalls God’s covenant assurances and celebrates their lavish scope. The point is not mere population growth but the faithfulness of God to his word despite impossible odds. Faith rests in that faithfulness. What began in barrenness and old age became a multitude by God’s might, demonstrating that the covenant depends on God’s promise rather than on human vitality.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

wherefore also there sprang of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand, which is by the sea-shore, innumerable.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

wherefore also there sprang of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand, which is by the sea-shore, innumerable.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

So that from one man, who was near to death, came children in number as the stars in heaven, or as the sand by the seaside, which may not be numbered.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

wherefore, also from one were begotten--and that of one who had become dead--as the stars of the heaven in multitude, and as sand that <FI>is<Fi> by the sea-shore--the innumerable.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For which cause there sprung even from one (and him as good as dead) as the stars of heaven in multitude and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Wherefore also there have been born of one, and that of one become dead, even as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the countless sand which [is] by the sea shore.

Context

Having noted Sarah’s faith, the author draws out its result: the astonishing multiplication of Abraham’s seed. This crowns the first section of Abraham’s story and leads naturally into a reflection on how these patriarchs lived and died—holding promises partially realized but still distant. The shift in verse 13 will broaden the perspective from miraculous beginnings to the lifelong posture of pilgrimage and hope that marked all these believers.

v.11By faith even Sarah herself received power to conceive seed when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised:

v.12This passage

v.13These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Joshua 11:4

    And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the sea-shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many.

  • Genesis 32:12

    And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.

  • Genesis 22:17

    that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heavens, and as the sand which is upon the sea-shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

  • Isaiah 48:19

    thy seed also had been as the sand, and the offspring of thy bowels like the grains thereof: his name would not be cut off nor destroyed from before me.

  • 1 Kings 4:20

    Judah and Israel were many as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry.

  • 1 Chronicles 27:23

    But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under, because Jehovah had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of heaven.

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