Devine Scripture

Hebrews 11:19

What does Hebrews 11:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 11:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 11:19 means

Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and in a figurative sense he did receive Isaac back. This reveals the core of faith: confidence in God’s ability to overcome death itself to keep his word. Resurrection hope is not an afterthought but integral to trusting a promise that seems to die. The “figure” points ahead to God’s later work in raising Jesus from the dead, the ultimate validation of promise through resurrection. Abraham’s calculus models how believers face losses: by trusting that God can restore or fulfill beyond what seems final to human sight.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Judging that God was able to give life even to the dead; and because of this he did get him back as if from death.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

reckoning that even out of the dead God is able to raise up, whence also in a figure he did receive <FI>him<Fi> .

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Accounting that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Whereupon also he received him for a parable.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

counting thatGod [was] able to raise [him] even from among [the] dead, whence also he received him in a figure.

Context

This explanation completes the account of Abraham’s test begun in verse 17. It moves from the command and promise to the inner conviction that sustained obedience—belief in God’s power over death. With Abraham’s example rounded out, the narrative flows to the next patriarchs—Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph—showing how faith speaks blessing and hope about the future even at life’s end.

v.18even he to whom it was said, In Isaac shall thy seed be called:

v.19This passage

v.20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come.

Cross references

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

  • Ephesians 3:20

    Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

  • Genesis 22:4

    On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.

  • Hebrews 9:24

    For Christ entered not into a holy place made with hands, like in pattern to the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear before the face of God for us:

  • Romans 5:14

    Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the likeness of Adam’s transgression, who is a figure of him that was to come.

  • Hebrews 11:11

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

  • Matthew 9:28

    And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.

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