Devine Scripture

Hebrews 11:9

What does Hebrews 11:9 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 11:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 11:9 means

Abraham lived in the promised land as a temporary resident, dwelling in tents. He shared this status with Isaac and Jacob, who were co-heirs of the same promise. This nomadic existence illustrates that faith often waits, holding promise without grasping immediate fulfillment. Tents, by nature, are impermanent; they signify mobility and dependence. Abraham’s patience underlines that God’s promises may span generations, and that faithful people live as stewards of a future they will not fully possess in their lifetimes. Faith anchors identity in God’s word, not in settled circumstances or visible ownership.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

By 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:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

By 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:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

By faith he was a wanderer in the land of the agreement, as in a strange land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, who had a part with him in the same heritage:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

by faith he did sojourn in the land of the promise as a strange country, in tabernacles having dwelt with Isaac and Jacob, fellow-heirs of the same promise,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

By faith he abode in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in cottages, with Isaac and Jacob, the co-heirs of the same promise.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

By faith he sojourned as a stranger in the land of promise as a foreign country, having dwelt in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with [him] of the same promise;

Context

After Abraham’s initial obedience, the writer describes the ongoing character of his life in Canaan—sojourning rather than settling. This sets up the contrast between earthly transience and heavenly permanence, which becomes explicit in the next verse. It also draws Isaac and Jacob into the same story, emphasizing a multi-generational pilgrimage that embodies trust in God’s timing and covenant faithfulness.

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.

v.9This passage

v.10for he looked for the city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Cross references

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

  • Genesis 18:1

    And Jehovah appeared unto him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;

  • Genesis 18:6

    And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes.

  • Genesis 13:18

    And Abram moved his tent, and came and dwelt by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built there an altar unto Jehovah.

  • Genesis 28:4

    and give thee the blessing of Abraham, to thee, and to thy seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit the land of thy sojournings, which God gave unto Abraham.

  • Genesis 28:13

    And, behold, Jehovah stood above it, and said, I am Jehovah, the God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;

  • Genesis 35:27

    And Jacob came unto Isaac his father to Mamre, to Kiriath-arba (the same is Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac sojourned.

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