Hebrews 11:23
What does Hebrews 11:23 mean?
A plain-English look at Hebrews 11:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Hebrews 11:23 means
Moses’ parents hid him for three months, defying the royal decree, because they saw he was a beautiful child and trusted God. Their faith perceived God’s purpose for the boy and valued his life over fear of the king. Courageous parental faith can be costly, but it places the child under God’s care. By preserving Moses, they became part of God’s plan to save many. Faith sometimes resists unjust commands, choosing reverence for God over compliance with evil, confident that God is at work even in oppressive times.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw he was a goodly child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.
KJV
King James Version · 1611By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw he was a goodly child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949By faith Moses was kept secretly by his father and mother for three months after his birth, because they saw that he was a fair child; and they had no fear of the king's orders.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862By faith Moses, having been born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw the child comely, and were not afraid of the decree of the king;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents: because they saw he was a comely babe, and they feared not the king's edict.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890By faith Moses, being born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw the child beautiful; and they did not fear the injunction of the king.
Context
With Joseph’s deathbed hope pointing to deliverance, the author begins the Moses narrative. The first act of faith is not Moses’ own but his parents’, who resisted Pharaoh’s edict. This highlights that faith often starts in quiet, costly obedience. The following verses will trace Moses’ personal choices—to identify with God’s people, to bear reproach, and to endure—culminating in the Passover and the Red Sea deliverance.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 10:28
And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
- Psalms 56:4
In God (I will praise his word), In God have I put my trust, I will not be afraid; What can flesh do unto me?
- Hebrews 13:6
So that with good courage we say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear: What shall man do unto me?
- Psalms 118:6
Jehovah is on my side; I will not fear: What can man do unto me?
- Exodus 1:22
And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.
- Exodus 1:16
and he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the birth-stool; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him; but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.
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