Hebrews 11:7
What does Hebrews 11:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Hebrews 11:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Hebrews 11:7 means
Noah trusted God’s warning about a coming judgment he had not yet seen, and he reverently obeyed by building an ark. His action preserved his household and exposed the unbelief of his generation—their refusal to respond condemned them in contrast to his obedience. In doing so, Noah became an heir of the righteousness that comes through faith, not through human merit. His life shows that faith moves with holy fear, takes God’s warnings seriously, and receives salvation as a gift. Righteousness by faith, highlighted here, anticipates the fuller revelation of justification in the gospel.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000By faith Noah, being warned of God concerning things not seen as yet, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
KJV
King James Version · 1611By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901By faith Noah, being warned of God concerning things not seen as yet, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949By faith Noah, being moved by the fear of God, made ready an ark for the salvation of his family, because God had given him news of things which were not seen at the time; and through it the world was judged by him, and he got for his heritage the righteousness which is by faith.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862By faith Noah, having been divinely warned concerning the things not yet seen, having feared, did prepare an ark to the salvation of his house, through which he did condemn the world, and of the righteousness according to faith he became heir.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752By faith Noe, having received an answer concerning those things which as yet were not seen, moved with fear, framed the ark for the saving of his house: by the which he condemned the world and was instituted heir of the justice which is by faith.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890By faith, Noah, oracularly warned concerning things not yet seen, moved with fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his house; by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which [is] according to faith.
Context
The general necessity of faith (verse 6) now takes concrete form again in Noah. Like the creation account, Noah’s story underscores trust in God’s unseen word. It also introduces salvation through judgment, which will echo throughout Scripture. From Noah, the writer will turn to Abraham, the exemplary pilgrim, showing that faith not only obeys warnings but also follows promises into an unknown future, living as a stranger in the world.
v.6and without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him.
v.7This passage
v.8By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Galatians 5:5
For we through the Spirit by faith wait for the hope of righteousness.
- Genesis 6:13
And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
- Hebrews 5:7
Who in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear,
- 2 Peter 2:5
and spared not the ancient world, but preserved Noah with seven others, a preacher of righteousness, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;
- Romans 4:13
For not through the law was the promise to Abraham or to his seed that he should be heir of the world, but through the righteousness of faith.
- Ezekiel 14:14
though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord Jehovah.
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