Hebrews 11:8–12

Context

Chapter 11 of Hebrews is often called the "faith chapter." After defining faith in 11:1, it recounts in turn the stories of Old Testament figures, each introduced with the words "By faith…" The author of Hebrews is unknown. The recipients are generally understood to have been Christians, chiefly of Jewish background, who had to hold fast to their faith amid persecution and discouragement.

This passage summarizes the story of Abraham (Genesis 12–22) in three scenes:

• His departure without knowing where he was going (v. 8)
• His life as a sojourner dwelling in tents in the land of promise (vv. 9–10)
• Sarah's conception in old age (vv. 11–12)

The "city which hath foundations" in verse 10 connects with the "heavenly" country of the passage that immediately follows, Hebrews 11:13–16.

Interpretation

• As obedient faith: Commentaries and sermons across many denominations read the passage this way. On this reading, faith is not knowing the outcome in advance but trusting the One who made the promise and acting on that trust. The phrase "she judged him faithful who had promised" (v. 11) means that she regarded God as faithful, and it is interpreted as showing that the ground of faith lies in God's character.
• As sojourners and the heavenly city: On this reading, Abraham remained in tents even after receiving the land because his hope was directed toward a city beyond this earth. This interpretation serves as a basis for describing Christian identity in terms of being "pilgrims."
• Readings in covenant theology and dispensationalism: Those who follow covenant theology take this passage as evidence that the land promise is ultimately fulfilled in the heavenly city. Dispensationalists, while affirming the hope of the heavenly city, hold that the land promise given to Israel will be literally fulfilled.

Debates and Issues

• The subject of verse 11: The original text of verse 11 contains an expression that can be rendered "power to deposit seed," which ordinarily refers to male reproductive capacity. For this reason some scholars and English translations (e.g., the NRSV) take Abraham as the subject and treat the reference to Sarah as parenthetical. The Korean Revised Version (Gaeyeok Hangeul) renders Sarah as the subject. Manuscripts also differ on whether a modifier describing Sarah is present, a variation bound up with this interpretive question.
• Relation to Sarah's laughter: In Genesis 18, Sarah laughed upon hearing the promise, yet Hebrews holds her up as an example of faith. One explanation is that Hebrews summarizes her movement from doubt to faith.
• Quotation out of context: "Not knowing whither he went" is sometimes used to justify decisions made without careful consideration. Others respond that the focus of the passage is not uncertainty itself but trust in the promise. In addition, reading "the stars of the sky" and "the sand which is by the sea shore" as a promise of material prosperity has been criticized as an application of prosperity theology.

Perspective: Korean Protestant practiceHow this idea is used in Korean churches, kept from the original Korean article.

In Korean Protestant churches, "he went out, not knowing whither he went" is frequently quoted in sermons for occasions such as the sending of missionaries, church planting, and times when people face emigration or decisions about their future.

Related Passages

• Genesis 12:1–4 (the call of Abraham)
• Genesis 15:1–6 (the promise of descendants as numerous as the stars of heaven)
• Genesis 18:10–14 (the promise given to Sarah)
• Romans 4:18–21 (faith that did not weaken, though Abraham's body was as good as dead)
• Hebrews 11:13–16 (longing for a better country)