Hebrews 11:8
What does Hebrews 11:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Hebrews 11:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Hebrews 11:8 means
Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave and go to a place he would later inherit. He set out without knowing his destination, demonstrating that faith responds to God’s command even when details are unclear. This is not rashness but trust in the One who leads. Abraham’s obedience shows how faith uproots us from old securities and sets us on a journey sustained by promise. The inheritance was guaranteed by God, but Abraham’s path required daily reliance. Faith often means moving forward with God’s word as our compass, confident he will fulfill what he has promised.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000By 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901By 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949By faith Abraham did as God said when he was ordered to go out into a place which was to be given to him as a heritage, and went out without knowledge of where he was going.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862By faith Abraham, being called, did obey, to go forth to the place that he was about to receive for an inheritance, and he went forth, not knowing whither he doth go;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752By faith he that is called Abraham obeyed to go out into a place which he was to receive for an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing whither he went.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890By faith Abraham, being called, obeyed to go out into the place which he was to receive for an inheritance, and went out, not knowing where he was going.
Context
Transitioning from antediluvian examples, the author now lingers on Abraham, the central Old Testament model of faith. This initial step of obedience introduces a longer meditation on Abraham’s pilgrim life, his hope for a city built by God, and the miraculous birth of descendants. The focus will be on living by promise rather than possession, which prepares for the later test involving Isaac and for the broader theme of seeking a heavenly homeland.
v.7By 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.
v.8This passage
v.9By faith he became a sojourner in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Peter 1:22
Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently:
- Nehemiah 9:7
Thou art Jehovah the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham,
- Genesis 12:1
Now Jehovah said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto the land that I will show thee:
- Hebrews 11:33
who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
- Genesis 22:18
and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
- Genesis 11:31
And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran, his son’s son, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
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