Devine Scripture

Hebrews 11:18

What does Hebrews 11:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 11:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 11:18 means

God had explicitly said that Abraham’s offspring would be named through Isaac. This sharpened the crisis: if Isaac is the channel of God’s promise, how can God ask for his life? Faith holds what God has said firmly, even when circumstances or commands seem to negate it. Abraham did not discard the promise; he embraced it as the ground on which God must act. The tension here is intentional—it presses faith to rely on God’s ability to keep his word by means beyond human calculation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

even he to whom it was said, In Isaac shall thy seed be called:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

even he to whom it was said, In Isaac shall thy seed be called:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Of whom it had been said, From Isaac will your seed take their name:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

of whom it was said--`In Isaac shall a seed be called to thee;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

(To whom it was said: In Isaac shalt thy seed be called:)

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

as to whom it had been said, In Isaac shall thy seed be called:

Context

This verse quotes the promise that created the dilemma in the previous one. The author emphasizes the specificity of God’s word to show that Abraham’s obedience was not thoughtless; it was profoundly tethered to promise. The next verse will provide Abraham’s reckoning—his conclusion that God could raise the dead—thus resolving the tension by appealing to divine power rather than human logic.

v.17By faith Abraham, being tried, offered up Isaac: yea, he that had gladly received the promises was offering up his only begotten son;

v.18This passage

v.19accounting that God is able to raise up, even from the dead; from whence he did also in a figure receive him back.

Cross references

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

  • Genesis 17:19

    And God said, Nay, but Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his seed after him.

  • Romans 9:7

    neither, because they are Abraham’s seed, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

  • Genesis 21:12

    And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy handmaid; in all that Sarah saith unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.

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