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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Hebrews 11:12 And so from one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/58_Heb_11_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Hebrews 11:12 - The Faith of Abraham and Sarah" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And so from one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the 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id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad12.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/hebrews/11-11.htm" title="Hebrews 11:11">◄</a> Hebrews 11:12 <a href="/hebrews/11-13.htm" title="Hebrews 11:13">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/hebrews/11.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/hebrews/11.htm">New International Version</a> And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. <a href="/nlt/hebrews/11.htm">New Living Translation</a> And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them. <a href="/esv/hebrews/11.htm">English Standard Version</a> Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. <a href="/bsb/hebrews/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> And so from one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. <a href="/blb/hebrews/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Therefore also were born from one man, and he having been as good as dead, as the stars of heaven in multitude, and countless as the sand by the shore of the sea. <a href="/kjv/hebrews/11.htm">King James Bible</a> Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. <a href="/nkjv/hebrews/11.htm">New King James Version</a> Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. <a href="/nasb_/hebrews/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Therefore even from one man, and one who was as good as dead at that, there were born descendants who were just as the stars of heaven in number, and as the innumerable grains of sand along the seashore. <a href="/nasb/hebrews/11.htm">NASB 1995</a> Therefore there was born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEASHORE. <a href="/nasb77/hebrews/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a> therefore, also, there was born of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEASHORE. <a href="/lsb/hebrews/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Therefore there were born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEASHORE. <a href="/amp/hebrews/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a> So from one man, though he was [physically] as good as dead, were born as many descendants AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND ON THE SEASHORE. <a href="/csb/hebrews/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Therefore, from one man—in fact, from one as good as dead—came offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky and as innumerable as the grains of sand along the seashore. <a href="/hcsb/hebrews/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Therefore from one man—in fact, from one as good as dead—came offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as innumerable as the grains of sand by the seashore. <a href="/asv/hebrews/11.htm">American Standard Version</a> wherefore also there sprang of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand, which is by the sea-shore, innumerable. <a href="/cev/hebrews/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Her husband Abraham was almost dead, but he became the ancestor of many people. In fact, there are as many of them as there are stars in the sky or grains of sand along the seashore. <a href="/erv/hebrews/11.htm">English Revised Version</a> wherefore also there sprang of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand, which is by the sea shore, innumerable. <a href="/gwt/hebrews/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Abraham was as good as dead. Yet, from this man came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the grains of sand on the seashore. <a href="/gnt/hebrews/11.htm">Good News Translation</a> Though Abraham was practically dead, from this one man came as many descendants as there are stars in the sky, as many as the numberless grains of sand on the seashore. <a href="/isv/hebrews/11.htm">International Standard Version</a> Abraham was as good as dead, yet from this one man came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. <a href="/msb/hebrews/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> And so from one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. <a href="/net/hebrews/11.htm">NET Bible</a> So in fact children were fathered by one man--and this one as good as dead--like the number of stars in the sky and like the innumerable grains of sand on the seashore. <a href="/nheb/hebrews/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Therefore as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as innumerable as the sand which is by the sea shore, were fathered by one man, and him as good as dead. <a href="/wbt/hebrews/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Therefore there sprang even from one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea-shore innumerable. <a href="/wey/hebrews/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And thus there sprang from one man, and him practically dead, a nation like the stars of the sky in number, and like the sands on the sea shore which cannot be counted. <a href="/web/hebrews/11.htm">World English Bible</a> Therefore as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as innumerable as the sand which is by the sea shore, were fathered by one man, and him as good as dead. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/hebrews/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> for this reason, also, from one—and that of one who had become dead—were begotten as the stars of the sky in multitude, and innumerable as the sand that [is] by the seashore. <a href="/blb/hebrews/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Therefore also were born from one man, and he having been as good as dead, as the stars of heaven in multitude, and countless as the sand by the shore of the sea. <a href="/ylt/hebrews/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> wherefore, also from one were begotten -- and that of one who had become dead -- as the stars of the heaven in multitude, and as sand that is by the sea-shore -- the innumerable. <a href="/slt/hebrews/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Wherefore also from one were they born, and these of him having been dead, as the stars of heaven for multitude, and as the sand near the lip of the sea innumerable.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/hebrews/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> For which cause there sprung even from one (and him as good as dead) as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. <a href="/cpdv/hebrews/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Because of this, there were also born, from one who himself was as if dead, a mulititude like the stars of heaven, who are, like the sand of the seashore, innumerable. <a href="/nabre/hebrews/11.htm">New American Bible</a> So it was that there came forth from one man, himself as good as dead, descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sands on the seashore. <a href="/nrsvce/hebrews/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, “as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/hebrews/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Therefore, there sprang from one who was as good as dead, as many as the stars of the sky in number, and as the sand which is on the sea shore innumerable. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/hebrews/11.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Because of this, from one who was failing in old age were born as many as the stars in the Heavens, and as the sand which is upon the seashore, which has no measure.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/hebrews/11.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Therefore, there were born of one, who was dead as it respects these things, a posterity like the stars of heaven in multitude, and like the sand on the sea-shore, innumerable.<CM> <a href="/godbey/hebrews/11.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Therefore indeed they were born of one, and those things of one having died, as the stars of heaven for multitude, and as the sands which are by the sea, which are innumerable. <a href="/haweis/hebrews/11.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Wherefore even from one person, and he become dead in respect to these matters, there sprang a race, as the stars of heaven for multitude, and as the sand, which is on the shore of the sea, innumerable. <a href="/mace/hebrews/11.htm">Mace New Testament</a> so that even a single person whose vigour was gone, gave rise to a posterity as numerous as the stars of the sky, or the sands on the sea-shore, which cannot be numbred. <a href="/wey/hebrews/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And thus there sprang from one man, and him practically dead, a nation like the stars of the sky in number, and like the sands on the sea shore which cannot be counted. <a href="/worrell/hebrews/11.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Wherefore also there sprang from one, and one impotent as to these things, as many as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand, which is by the sea-shore, innumerable. <a href="/worsley/hebrews/11.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> So that there descended even from one, and him in a manner dead, a posterity like the stars of heaven for multitude, and as the sand on the sea shore, innumerable. <a href="/parallel/hebrews/11-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x-IAXXp5zcA?start=2194" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/hebrews/11.htm">The Faith of Abraham and Sarah</a> …11By faith Sarah, even though she was barren and beyond the proper age, was enabled to conceive a child, because she considered Him faithful who had promised. 12<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">And</a> <a href="/greek/1352.htm" title="1352: dio (Conj) -- Wherefore, on which account, therefore. From dia and hos; through which thing, i.e. Consequently.">so</a> <a href="/greek/575.htm" title="575: aph’ (Prep) -- From, away from. A primary particle; off, i.e. Away, in various senses.">from</a> <a href="/greek/1520.htm" title="1520: henos (Adj-GMS) -- One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.">one man,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: tauta (DPro-ANP) -- This; he, she, it. ">he</a> <a href="/greek/3499.htm" title="3499: nenekrōmenou (V-RPM/P-GMS) -- Lit. and met: I put to death, make as dead; I render weak, impotent. From nekros; to deaden, i.e. to subdue.">as good as dead,</a> <a href="/greek/1080.htm" title="1080: egennēthēsan (V-AIP-3P) -- From a variation of genos; to procreate; figuratively, to regenerate.">came descendants</a> <a href="/greek/2531.htm" title="2531: kathōs (Adv) -- According to the manner in which, in the degree that, just as, as. From kata and hos; just as, that.">as</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4128.htm" title="4128: plēthei (N-DNS) -- A multitude, crowd, great number, assemblage. From pletho; a fulness, i.e. A large number, throng, populace.">numerous</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-NNP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">as the</a> <a href="/greek/798.htm" title="798: astra (N-NNP) -- A star. Neuter from aster; properly, a constellation; put for a single star.">stars</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">in the</a> <a href="/greek/3772.htm" title="3772: ouranou (N-GMS) -- Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.">sky</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/382.htm" title="382: anarithmētos (Adj-NFS) -- Uncountable, innumerable, that cannot be numbered. Unnumbered, i.e. Without number.">as countless</a> <a href="/greek/5613.htm" title="5613: hōs (Adv) -- Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.">as</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/285.htm" title="285: ammos (N-NFS) -- Sand, sandy ground. Perhaps from hama; sand.">sand</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3844.htm" title="3844: para (Prep) -- Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of. ">on</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/5491.htm" title="5491: cheilos (N-ANS) -- From a form of the same as chasma; a lip; figuratively, a margin.">seashore.</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2281.htm" title="2281: thalassēs (N-GFS) -- Probably prolonged from hals; the sea."></a> 13All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Genesis 15:5</a> And the LORD took him outside and said, “Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.” Then He told him, “So shall your offspring be.” <a href="/genesis/22-17.htm">Genesis 22:17</a> I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies. <a href="/romans/4-18.htm">Romans 4:18-19</a> Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” / Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb. <a href="/genesis/12-2.htm">Genesis 12:2</a> I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. <a href="/genesis/17-5.htm">Genesis 17:5</a> No longer will you be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. <a href="/romans/4-17.htm">Romans 4:17</a> As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the presence of God, in whom he believed, the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not yet exist. <a href="/genesis/21-1.htm">Genesis 21:1-2</a> Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. / So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised. <a href="/romans/9-7.htm">Romans 9:7-8</a> Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring. <a href="/genesis/18-10.htm">Genesis 18:10-14</a> Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year, and your wife Sarah will have a son!” Now Sarah was behind him, listening at the entrance to the tent. / And Abraham and Sarah were already old and well along in years; Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. / So she laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” ... <a href="/galatians/3-29.htm">Galatians 3:29</a> And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise. <a href="/genesis/25-1.htm">Genesis 25:1-2</a> Now Abraham had taken another wife, named Keturah, / and she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. <a href="/isaiah/51-2.htm">Isaiah 51:2</a> Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who gave you birth. When I called him, he was but one; then I blessed him and multiplied him. <a href="/romans/4-11.htm">Romans 4:11-12</a> And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. / And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. <a href="/genesis/13-16.htm">Genesis 13:16</a> I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if one could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted. <a href="/galatians/4-28.htm">Galatians 4:28</a> Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.and him.<a href="/romans/4-19.htm">Romans 4:19</a> And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb:as the stars.<a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Genesis 15:5</a> And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.<a href="/genesis/22-17.htm">Genesis 22:17</a> That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;<a href="/genesis/26-4.htm">Genesis 26:4</a> And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;as the sand.<a href="/genesis/22-17.htm">Genesis 22:17</a> That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;<a href="/genesis/32-12.htm">Genesis 32:12</a> And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.<a href="/joshua/11-4.htm">Joshua 11:4</a> And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/philippians/3-5.htm">Born</a> <a href="/hebrews/2-14.htm">Children</a> <a href="/1_timothy/6-10.htm">Countless</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-4.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-5.htm">Death</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-5.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-14.htm">Fathered</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-2.htm">Good</a> <a href="/matthew/13-4.htm">Grains</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-10.htm">Innumerable</a> <a href="/2_timothy/4-3.htm">Multitude</a> <a href="/philippians/3-5.htm">Nation</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-9.htm">Numbered</a> <a href="/romans/9-27.htm">Sand</a> <a href="/romans/9-27.htm">Sands</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-26.htm">Sea</a> <a href="/mark/2-13.htm">Seashore</a> <a href="/jeremiah/47-7.htm">Sea-Shore</a> <a href="/acts/10-32.htm">Seaside</a> <a href="/acts/28-1.htm">Shore</a> <a href="/acts/26-13.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-14.htm">Sprang</a> <a href="/philippians/2-15.htm">Stars</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-5.htm">Wherefore</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/hebrews/11-23.htm">Born</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-22.htm">Children</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-22.htm">Countless</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-19.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-19.htm">Death</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-18.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-18.htm">Fathered</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-38.htm">Good</a> <a href="/job/29-18.htm">Grains</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-22.htm">Innumerable</a> <a href="/james/5-20.htm">Multitude</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">Nation</a> <a href="/genesis/13-16.htm">Numbered</a> <a href="/revelation/12-17.htm">Sand</a> <a href="/revelation/13-1.htm">Sands</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-29.htm">Sea</a> <a href="/revelation/13-1.htm">Seashore</a> <a href="/exodus/14-30.htm">Sea-Shore</a> <a href="/genesis/22-17.htm">Seaside</a> <a href="/genesis/22-17.htm">Shore</a> <a href="/james/5-18.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/genesis/24-64.htm">Sprang</a> <a href="/jude/1-13.htm">Stars</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-16.htm">Wherefore</a><div class="vheading2">Hebrews 11</div>1. <a href="/hebrews/11-1.htm">What faith is.</a> 6. <a href="/hebrews/11-6.htm">Without faith we cannot please God.</a> 7. <a href="/hebrews/11-7.htm">The examples of faithfulness in the fathers of old time.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hebrews/11.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hebrews/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/hebrews/11.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>And so from one man This phrase refers to Abraham, a central figure in the Bible, known as the father of faith. His story begins in <a href="/genesis/12.htm">Genesis 12</a> when God calls him to leave his homeland and promises to make him a great nation. Abraham's significance is highlighted in the New Testament as an example of faith and obedience. His journey from Ur of the Chaldeans to Canaan is a pivotal moment in biblical history, marking the beginning of God's covenant with the Israelites.and he as good as dead This phrase emphasizes Abraham's advanced age and the seeming impossibility of him fathering a child. At the time of Isaac's birth, Abraham was 100 years old, and Sarah was 90, well beyond the natural age for childbearing. This highlights the miraculous nature of Isaac's birth, demonstrating God's power to fulfill His promises despite human limitations. It also serves as a testament to Abraham's faith, as he believed God's promise against all odds.came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky This imagery is part of God's promise to Abraham in <a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Genesis 15:5</a>, where God tells him to look at the stars and count them, if possible, as a representation of his future offspring. This promise is reiterated in <a href="/genesis/22-17.htm">Genesis 22:17</a>. The stars symbolize the vastness and innumerability of Abraham's descendants, which include not only the physical nation of Israel but also all who share in the faith of Abraham, as explained in <a href="/galatians/3-7.htm">Galatians 3:7</a>.and as countless as the sand on the seashore This phrase further emphasizes the vast number of Abraham's descendants, echoing the promise in <a href="/genesis/22-17.htm">Genesis 22:17</a>. The sand on the seashore is a common biblical metaphor for an innumerable multitude, used to convey the idea of abundance and blessing. This promise finds its ultimate fulfillment in the spiritual descendants of Abraham, those who are part of the covenant through faith in Jesus Christ, as discussed in <a href="/romans/4-16.htm">Romans 4:16-18</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a> The patriarch of the Israelites, whose faith is highlighted in <a href="/bsb/hebrews/11.htm">Hebrews 11</a>. Despite his old age and the barrenness of his wife Sarah, he believed God's promise of numerous descendants. 2. <a href="/topical/s/sarah.htm">Sarah</a> Abraham's wife, who was initially barren but conceived Isaac through faith, playing a crucial role in the fulfillment of God's promise. 3. <a href="/topical/d/descendants.htm">Descendants</a> Refers to the nation of Israel and, by extension, all who are of faith, as numerous as the stars and sand, symbolizing the vastness of God's promise. 4. <a href="/topical/p/promise_of_god.htm">Promise of God</a> The covenant God made with Abraham, promising him numerous descendants and a land for his people. 5. <a href="/topical/f/faith.htm">Faith</a> The central theme of <a href="/bsb/hebrews/11.htm">Hebrews 11</a>, showcasing the trust and belief in God's promises despite seemingly impossible circumstances.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/f/faith_beyond_circumstances.htm">Faith Beyond Circumstances</a> Abraham's account teaches us that faith is not dependent on our circumstances but on God's promises. We are called to trust God even when situations seem impossible. <a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness.htm">God's Faithfulness</a> The fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham reminds us of His faithfulness. We can rely on God's word and His timing, knowing He is true to His promises. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_descendants.htm">Spiritual Descendants</a> As believers, we are part of Abraham's spiritual lineage. This connection calls us to live by faith and embrace our identity as God's children. <a href="/topical/l/legacy_of_faith.htm">Legacy of Faith</a> Just as Abraham's faith impacted generations, our faith can influence those around us and leave a lasting legacy. <a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_timing.htm">Trust in God's Timing</a> Abraham and Sarah waited many years for the promise to be fulfilled. This teaches us patience and trust in God's perfect timing.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_hebrews_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Hebrews 11</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_the_concept_of_panendeism.htm">Who is referred to as 'son of man' in Ezekiel?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_sarah's_late_conception_fit_today.htm">Hebrews 11:11 – If Sarah conceived in her old age, how does this align with modern medical understanding of fertility limits? </a> <a href="/q/how_did_abraham_father_a_child_at_100.htm">How could Abraham, at nearly 100 years old, realistically father a child (Genesis 17:1, 17:17)?</a> <a href="/q/is_there_proof_of_isaiah_4_2's_'branch'.htm">In Isaiah 4:2, how can a 'Branch of the Lord' literally be 'beautiful and glorious,' and is there any archaeological proof to support this description?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/hebrews/11.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) The stars of the sky.--Better, the stars of the heaven. (See <a href="/genesis/15-5.htm" title="And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if you be able to number them: and he said to him, So shall your seed be.">Genesis 15:5</a>; <a href="/genesis/22-17.htm" title="That in blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply your seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is on the sea shore; and your seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;">Genesis 22:17</a>.)And as the sand.--"And as the sand by the seashore, which is innumerable" (<a href="/genesis/22-17.htm" title="That in blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply your seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is on the sea shore; and your seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;">Genesis 22:17</a>). With the first words of the verse compare <a href="/romans/4-19.htm" title="And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb:">Romans 4:19</a>. <a href="/commentaries/hebrews/11-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>And καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. so διὸ (dio) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1352.htm">Strong's 1352: </a> Wherefore, on which account, therefore. From dia and hos; through which thing, i.e. Consequently. from ἀφ’ (aph’) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_575.htm">Strong's 575: </a> From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses. one man, ἑνὸς (henos) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1520.htm">Strong's 1520: </a> One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. he ταῦτα (tauta) Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. as good as dead, νενεκρωμένου (nenekrōmenou) Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3499.htm">Strong's 3499: </a> Lit. and met: I put to death, make as dead; I render weak, impotent. From nekros; to deaden, i.e. to subdue. came descendants ἐγεννήθησαν (egennēthēsan) Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1080.htm">Strong's 1080: </a> From a variation of genos; to procreate; figuratively, to regenerate. as καθὼς (kathōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_2531.htm">Strong's 2531: </a> According to the manner in which, in the degree that, just as, as. From kata and hos; just as, that. numerous πλήθει (plēthei) Noun - Dative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4128.htm">Strong's 4128: </a> A multitude, crowd, great number, assemblage. From pletho; a fulness, i.e. A large number, throng, populace. as the τὰ (ta) Article - Nominative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. stars ἄστρα (astra) Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_798.htm">Strong's 798: </a> A star. Neuter from aster; properly, a constellation; put for a single star. in the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. sky οὐρανοῦ (ouranou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3772.htm">Strong's 3772: </a> Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. as countless ἀναρίθμητος (anarithmētos) Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_382.htm">Strong's 382: </a> Uncountable, innumerable, that cannot be numbered. Unnumbered, i.e. Without number. as ὡς (hōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_5613.htm">Strong's 5613: </a> Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner. the ἡ (hē) Article - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. sand ἄμμος (ammos) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_285.htm">Strong's 285: </a> Sand, sandy ground. Perhaps from hama; sand. on παρὰ (para) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_3844.htm">Strong's 3844: </a> Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of. the τὸ (to) Article - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. seashore. χεῖλος (cheilos) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5491.htm">Strong's 5491: </a> From a form of the same as chasma; a lip; figuratively, a margin. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/hebrews/11-12.htm">Hebrews 11:12 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/hebrews/11-12.htm">Hebrews 11:12 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/hebrews/11-12.htm">Hebrews 11:12 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/hebrews/11-12.htm">Hebrews 11:12 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/hebrews/11-12.htm">Hebrews 11:12 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/hebrews/11-12.htm">Hebrews 11:12 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/hebrews/11-12.htm">Hebrews 11:12 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/hebrews/11-12.htm">Hebrews 11:12 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/hebrews/11-12.htm">Hebrews 11:12 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/hebrews/11-12.htm">Hebrews 11:12 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-12.htm">NT Letters: Hebrews 11:12 Therefore as many as the stars (Heb. He. Hb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/hebrews/11-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Hebrews 11:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Hebrews 11:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/hebrews/11-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Hebrews 11:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Hebrews 11:13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>