collapse all  

Text -- Hebrews 11:12 (NET)

Strongs On/Off
Context
11:12 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.
Parallel   Cross Reference (TSK)   ITL  

Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Dictionary Themes and Topics: SKY | SHORE | SAND | Quotations and Allusions | PROVIDENCE, 1 | Obedience | LIP | JUSTIFICATION | HEBREWS, EPISTLE TO THE | Faith | FINISHER | DEAD | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Robertson , Vincent , Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , Combined Bible , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Barclay , Constable , College

collapse all
Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Robertson: Heb 11:12 - -- And that as good as dead ( kai tauta nenekrōmenou ). Accusative of general reference (tauta ), sometimes singular as in 1Co 6:8. The perfect passi...

And that as good as dead ( kai tauta nenekrōmenou ).

Accusative of general reference (tauta ), sometimes singular as in 1Co 6:8. The perfect passive participle from nekroō , late verb to make dead, to treat as dead (Rom 4:19), here by hyperbole.

Robertson: Heb 11:12 - -- By the sea shore ( para to cheilos tēs thalassēs ). "Along the lip of the sea"(from Gen 22:17), cheilos here alone in this sense in the N.T.

By the sea shore ( para to cheilos tēs thalassēs ).

"Along the lip of the sea"(from Gen 22:17), cheilos here alone in this sense in the N.T.

Robertson: Heb 11:12 - -- Innumerable ( anarithmētos ). Old compound verbal adjective (alpha privative and arithmeō , to number), here alone in N.T.

Innumerable ( anarithmētos ).

Old compound verbal adjective (alpha privative and arithmeō , to number), here alone in N.T.

Vincent: Heb 11:12 - -- As good as dead ( νενεκρωμένου ) Comp. Rom 4:19. As good as is an addition of A.V. The Greek reads and that a dead m...

As good as dead ( νενεκρωμένου )

Comp. Rom 4:19. As good as is an addition of A.V. The Greek reads and that a dead man . Comp. νέκρωσιν deadness applied to Sarah, Rom 4:19.

Vincent: Heb 11:12 - -- Stars - sand See Gen 22:17; Gen 32:12.

Stars - sand

See Gen 22:17; Gen 32:12.

Vincent: Heb 11:12 - -- By the seashore ( παρὰ τὸ χεῖλος τῆς θαλάσσης ) Lit. by the lip of the sea . The phrase N.T.o . Very ...

By the seashore ( παρὰ τὸ χεῖλος τῆς θαλάσσης )

Lit. by the lip of the sea . The phrase N.T.o . Very often in lxx, as Gen 22:17; Exo 14:30; lip of a river , Gen 41:17; Exo 7:15; of a brook , Deu 2:36; Deu 3:12; of Jordan , 2Ki 2:13. So in Class. The vigor thus supernaturally imparted to Abraham does not appear to have exhausted itself in the generation of Isaac; since, according to Gen 25:2, Abraham became by Keturah the father of six sons after the death of Sarah.

Wesley: Heb 11:12 - -- Till his strength was supernaturally restored, which continued for many years after.

Till his strength was supernaturally restored, which continued for many years after.

JFB: Heb 11:12 - -- Literally, "deadened"; no longer having, as in youth, energetic vital powers.

Literally, "deadened"; no longer having, as in youth, energetic vital powers.

JFB: Heb 11:12 - -- (Gen 22:17).

Clarke: Heb 11:12 - -- Him as good as dead - According to nature, long past the time of the procreation of children. The birth of Isaac, the circumstances of the father an...

Him as good as dead - According to nature, long past the time of the procreation of children. The birth of Isaac, the circumstances of the father and mother considered, was entirely supernatural; and the people who proceeded from this birth were a supernatural people; and were and are most strikingly singular through every period of their history to the present day.

Calvin: Heb 11:12 - -- 12.=== Therefore sprang there even of one, === etc. He now also reminds the Jews, that it was by faith that they were the descendants of Abraham; fo...

12.=== Therefore sprang there even of one, === etc. He now also reminds the Jews, that it was by faith that they were the descendants of Abraham; for he was as it were half dead, 220 and Sarah his wife, who had been barren in the flower of her age, was now sterile, being far advanced in years. Sooner then might oil be expected to flow from a stone, than a nation to proceed from them: and yet there sprang from them an innumerable multitude. If now the Jews are proud of their origin, let them consider what it was. Whatever they are, everything is doubtless to be ascribed to the faith of Abraham and Sarah. It hence follows, that they cannot retain and defend the position they have acquired in any other way than by faith.

TSK: Heb 11:12 - -- and him : Rom 4:19 as the stars : Gen 15:5, Gen 22:17, Gen 26:4; Exo 32:13; Deu 1:10, Deu 28:62; 1Ch 27:23; Neh 9:23; Rom 4:17 as the sand : Gen 22:17...

collapse all
Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Heb 11:12 - -- Therefore sprang there even of one - From a single individual. What is observed here by the apostle as worthy of remark, is, that the whole Jew...

Therefore sprang there even of one - From a single individual. What is observed here by the apostle as worthy of remark, is, that the whole Jewish people sprang from one man, and that, as the reward of his strong faith he was made the father and founder of a nation.

And him as good as dead - So far as the subject under discussion is concerned, To human appearance there was no more probability, that he would have a son at that period of life, than that the dead would have.

So many as the stars in the sky ... - An innumerable multitude. This was agreeable to the promise; Gen 15:5; Gen 22:17. The phrases used here are often employed to denote a vast multitude, as nothing appears more numerous than the stars of heaven, or than the sands that lie on the shores of the ocean. The strength of faith in this case was, that there was simple confidence in God in the fulfillment of a promise where all human probabilities were against it. This is, therefore, an illustration of the nature of faith. It does not depend on human reasoning; on analogy; on philosophical probabilities; on the foreseen operation of natural laws; but on the mere assurance of God - no matter what may be the difficulties to human view, or the improbabilities against it.

Poole: Heb 11:12 - -- Because of this faith of Abraham and Sarah, and the fruit of it in conceiving and bringing forth Isaac, was laid the foundation of a numerous seed b...

Because of this faith of Abraham and Sarah, and the fruit of it in conceiving and bringing forth Isaac, was laid the foundation of a numerous seed by God’ s promise; from Abraham, a hundred, and Sarah, ninety years old, and barren, and both dead as to procreation, Rom 4:19 , there were begotten a vast and unbounded seed, as the stars in the firmament, or the sand on the sea shore; and amongst them the teeming blessing, the one eminent Seed of Abraham, the Messiah, in whom all nations were to be blessed. Within four hundred years from the birth of Isaac, this seed increased to above six hundred thousand fighting men, besides women and children, and after increased to a stupendous greatness, according to the promise, Gen 13:16 15:5 Exo 12:47 1Ch 21:5,6 .

Haydock: Heb 11:12 - -- Hid as dead: dead in a manner in that respect, and incapable of having children by Sara [Sarah]. (Witham) =============================== [BIBL...

Hid as dead: dead in a manner in that respect, and incapable of having children by Sara [Sarah]. (Witham)

===============================

[BIBLIOGRAPHY]

Et hoc emortuo: the ordinary Greek copies have, Greek: kai tauta nenek romenou; i.e. secundum hæc, or in this respect dead, being incapable of having children by Sara.

Gill: Heb 11:12 - -- That is, Abraham: the Arabic version has here a strange interpolation; "this faith Isaac and Rebecca conceived in mind, and so there were born of o...

That is, Abraham: the Arabic version has here a strange interpolation;

"this faith Isaac and Rebecca conceived in mind, and so there were born of one, Esau and Jacob.''

And him as good as dead; being an hundred years of age; See Gill on Rom 4:19. The Ethiopic version reads, "the bodies of both were like a dead carcass"; both of Abraham and Sarah:

so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable; as was promised to Abraham, Gen 15:5 which has been fulfilled, Isa 10:22 and will still have a further fulfilment, Hos 1:10.

expand all
Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Heb 11:12 An allusion to Gen 22:17 (which itself goes back to Gen 15:5).

Geneva Bible: Heb 11:12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as ( f ) dead, [so many] as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea...

expand all
Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Heb 11:1-40 - --1 What faith is.6 Without faith we cannot please God.7 The worthy fruits thereof in the fathers of old time.

Combined Bible: Heb 11:11-12 - --Faith of Sarah    (Hebrews 11:11, 12)    In the verses which are now to be before us the apostle calls attention to the marvelo...

MHCC: Heb 11:8-19 - --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 ...

Matthew Henry: Heb 11:4-31 - -- The apostle, having given us a more general account of the grace of faith, now proceeds to set before us some illustrious examples of it in the Old ...

Barclay: Heb 11:11-12 - --The story of the promise of a son to Abraham and Sarah is told in Gen 17:15-22; Gen 18:9-15; Gen 21:1-8. Its wonder is that both Abraham and Sarah ...

Constable: Heb 11:1--12:14 - --IV. THE PROPER RESPONSE 11:1--12:13 "In chapter 10:22-25 there were three exhortations, respectively to Faith, H...

Constable: Heb 11:1-40 - --A. Perseverance in Faith ch. 11 The writer encouraged his readers in chapter 11 by reminding them of the...

Constable: Heb 11:8-22 - --2. Faith in the Patriarchal Era 11:8-22 11:8-10 Like Abraham we should look forward to our inheritance in the coming world and should live as stranger...

College: Heb 11:1-40 - --HEBREWS 11 VII. GOD EXPECTS US TO SHOW FAITH (11:1-40) A. THE NATURE OF FAITH (11:1-3) 1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of...

expand all
Introduction / Outline

Robertson: Hebrews (Book Introduction) The Epistle to the Hebrews By Way of Introduction Unsettled Problems Probably no book in the New Testament presents more unsettled problems tha...

JFB: Hebrews (Book Introduction) CANONICITY AND AUTHORSHIP.--CLEMENT OF ROME, at the end of the first century (A.D), copiously uses it, adopting its words just as he does those of the...

JFB: Hebrews (Outline) THE HIGHEST OF ALL REVELATIONS IS GIVEN US NOW IN THE SON OF GOD, WHO IS GREATER THAN THE ANGELS, AND WHO, HAVING COMPLETED REDEMPTION, SITS ENTHRONE...

TSK: Hebrews 11 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Heb 11:1, What faith is; Heb 11:6, Without faith we cannot please God; Heb 11:7, The worthy fruits thereof in the fathers of old time.

Poole: Hebrews 11 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 11

MHCC: Hebrews (Book Introduction) This epistle shows Christ as the end, foundation, body, and truth of the figures of the law, which of themselves were no virtue for the soul. The grea...

MHCC: Hebrews 11 (Chapter Introduction) (Heb 11:1-3) The nature and power of faith described. (Heb 11:4-7) It is set forth by instances from Abel to Noah. (Heb 11:8-19) By Abraham and his ...

Matthew Henry: Hebrews (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Epistle to the Hebrews Concerning this epistle we must enquire, I. Into the divine authority of it...

Matthew Henry: Hebrews 11 (Chapter Introduction) The apostle having, in the close of the foregoing chapter, recommended the grace of faith and a life of faith as the best preservative against apos...

Barclay: Hebrews (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO THE LETTER TO THE HEBREWS God Fulfils Himself In Many Ways Religion has never been the same thing to all men. "God," as Tennyson sai...

Barclay: Hebrews 11 (Chapter Introduction) The Christian Hope (Heb_11:1-3) The Faith Of The Acceptable Offering (Heb_11:4) Walking With God (Heb_11:5-6) The Man Who Believed In God's Messag...

Constable: Hebrews (Book Introduction) Introduction Historical background The writer said that he and those to whom he wrote ...

Constable: Hebrews (Outline)

Constable: Hebrews Hebrews Bibliography Andersen, Ward. "The Believer's Rest (Hebrews 4)." Biblical Viewpoint 24:1 (April 1990):31...

Haydock: Hebrews (Book Introduction) THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL, THE APOSTLE, TO THE HEBREWS. INTRODUCTION. The Catholic Church hath received and declared this Epistle to be part of ...

Gill: Hebrews (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO HEBREWS That this epistle was written very early appears from hence, that it was imitated by Clement of Rome, in his epistle to the...

Gill: Hebrews 11 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO HEBREWS 11 The apostle having, in the preceding chapter, spoken in commendation of the grace, and life of faith, and of its usefuln...

College: Hebrews (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION It is difficult to overestimate the significance of Hebrews for understanding the nature of the new covenant. No other document in the N...

College: Hebrews (Outline) OUTLINE I. JESUS IS SUPERIOR TO THE ANGELS - 1:1-14 A. The Preeminence of the Son - 1:1-4 B. The Son Superior to the Angels - 1:5-14 II. ...

Advanced Commentary (Dictionaries, Hymns, Arts, Sermon Illustration, Question and Answers, etc)


TIP #24: Use the Study Dictionary to learn and to research all aspects of 20,000+ terms/words. [ALL]
created in 0.16 seconds
powered by
bible.org - YLSA