Hebrews 11:18

Hebrews 11:18 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
• New International Version (NIV)even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”
• English Standard Version (ESV)of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named."
• New King James Version (NKJV)of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,”

Context of Hebrews 11:18

16But the truth is that they were longing for a better country, that is, a heavenly one. For that reason God is not ashamed [of them or] to be called their God [even to be surnamed their God—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob]; for He has prepared a city for them. 17By faith Abraham, when he was tested [that is, as the testing of his faith was still in progress], offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises [of God] was ready to sacrifice his only son [of promise]; to whom it was said, “Through Isaac your descendants shall be called.” 19For he considered [it reasonable to believe] that God was able to raise Isaac even from among the dead. [Indeed, in the sense that he was prepared to sacrifice Isaac in obedience to God] Abraham did receive him back [from the dead] figuratively speaking. 20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau [believing what God revealed to him], even regarding things to come.

Hebrews 11:18 word by word

πρὸς ὃν ἐλαλήθη ὅτι ἐν Ἰσαὰκ κληθήσεταί σοι σπέρμα·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Ofπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• whomὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• it was saidλαλέωlaleō · to speakG2980
• Thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• IsaacἸσαάκIsaak · IsaacG2464
• shallκαλέωkaleō · to call: callG2564
• thyσύsu · youG4771
• seedσπέρμαsperma · seed: offspringG4690

Cross-references for Hebrews 11:18

• Genesis 17:19But God said, “No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son indeed, and you shall name him Isaac (laughter); and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant and with his descendants after him.
• Genesis 21:12God said to Abraham, “Do not let it distress you because of Ishmael and your maid; whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her and do what she asks, for your descendants will be named through Isaac.
• Romans 9:7and they are not all the children of Abraham because they are his descendants [by blood], but [the promise was]: “Your descendants will be named through Isaac” [though Abraham had other sons].

Commentaries on Hebrews 11:18

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 18Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called; - Genesis 21:12. A numerous posterity had been promised to him. It was there said expressly that this promise was not to be fulfilled through the son of Abraham, by the bondwoman Hagar, but through Isaac. Of course, it was implied that Isaac was to reach manhood, and yet notwithstanding this, and notwithstanding Abraham fully believed it, be prepared deliberately, in obedience to the divine…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8-19Verses 8-19 We are often called to leave worldly connexions, interests, and comforts. If heirs of Abraham's faith, we shall obey and go forth, though not knowing what may befall us; and we shall be found in the way of duty, looking for the performance of God's promises. The trial of Abraham's faith was, that he simply and fully obeyed the call of God. Sarah received the promise as the promise of God; being convinced of that, she truly judged that he both…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17-19ready to offer his one and only son: See Genesis 22:1–18. God did not want Abraham to sacrifice his son. He was testing Abraham's faith, which Abraham showed through his obedience.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1818. Of whom--rather as Greek "He (Abraham, not Isaac) TO whom it was said" [Alford]. Bengel supports English Version. So He 1:7 uses the same Greek preposition, "unto," for "in respect to," or "of." This verse gives a definition of the "only-begotten Son" (He 11:17). in Isaac shall thy seed be called--(Ge 21:12). The posterity of Isaac alone shall be accounted as the seed of Abraham, which is the heir of the promises (Ro 9:7).Read the comment

Topics related to Hebrews 11:18

• Abraham
• Decision
• Faith
• Offerings
• Quotations and Allusions

In the dictionaries

• Isaac
• Abraham
• Builder
• Conceive
• Confess
• Cruel
• Faith
• Impossible
• Proper
• Rewarder

Commentaries on Hebrews 11

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings