passed through . Greek. diabaino. See Acts 16:9 . assaying = endeavouring or attempting (Greek. peira ; here and Hebrews 11:36 ). drowned = swallowed up. Greek. katapino, as 1 Corinthians 15:54 . read more
By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were swallowed up.Though the faith of Moses appears in this, it is also the faith of the people that enabled them to go into the sea at God's command and trust in a deliverance, which from the human point of view was impossible. There are several things of great interest here: (1) The same sea which delivered Israel swallowed the Egyptians. (2) All Israel were baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the... read more
Hebrews 11:29. By faith they passed through the Red sea— "By faith operating in Moses, and in its degree in them likewise, they passed over the Red sea, sedately, as if they had marched on dry land, while its waters by the Divine command divided, and left the channel bare to them, so that they completed their march through it, and arrived safelyon the opposite shore; which the Egyptians making an insolent and rash attempt to do, were all drowned, and sunk like lead in the mighty waters, which... read more
29. they—Moses and Israel. Red Sea—called so from its red seaweed, or rather from Edom (meaning "red"), whose country adjoined it. which . . . assaying to do—Greek, "of which (Red Sea) the Egyptians having made experiment." Rashness and presumption mistaken by many for faith; with similar rash presumption many rush into eternity. The same thing when done by the believer, and when done by the unbeliever, is not the same thing [BENGEL]. What was faith in Israel, was presumption in the Egyptians.... read more
3. Faith in the Mosaic Era 11:23-31Here the writer began to focus on the way faith deals with hostility and persecution, a subject of special interest to his audience, which was facing opposition from Jewish brethren."Moses and Abraham hold the most prominent places in the roll of faith; and the central event of both their lives, as Hebrews presents them, is a journey." [Note: Ellingworth, p. 608.] read more
The people of Israel experienced victory over their enemies as they trusted God, and we can, too. At the Red Sea the Israelites willingly went forward at God’s word rather than turning back. Trust and obedience resulted in the Israelites’ preservation and eventual entrance into their inheritance. The believing community that originally received this homily could identify with a group of people who persevered, not just individuals who did. read more
Heroes of FaithThe Achievements of Faith, illustrated from the annals of Israel, beginning with the patriarchs and coming down to the martyrs. The writer has already mentioned faith as a necessary condition of a righteous life, and he now proceeds to illustrate the fact that it was by faith that the fathers of the race were able to work righteousness and to endure their trials. Their heroic example ought to encourage the Hebrews to stand fast. The primary purpose, therefore, of this long... read more
(29) Which the Egyptians assaying to do.—Literally, Of which the Egyptians making trial were swallowed up (Exodus 14:15). In the same “trial,” but with the support of the word of God, had consisted Israel’s faith. The word land is not in the ordinary Greek text (and hence stands in italics), but is found in the best MSS. It is with this word that the following clause (“of which . . .”) connects itself. read more
The Beginning of Faith Hebrews 11:1 As we hear these words we seem to penetrate down through all the differences and distinctions of outward forms and ceremonies to that which lies at the very root and foundation of religion the sense that beyond and behind the visible there is an invisible; that all that we see is but a reflection, a broken image of an unseen Divine ideal; that all around us and above us and within us there are mighty agencies ever working, regulating, creating, controlling... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Hebrews 11:23-40
More examples of true faith (11:23-40)Moses’ parents had faith to believe that God had chosen their child for a great purpose. Acting on this faith, they risked their own lives to preserve the life of the child (23; cf. Exodus 1:22; Exodus 2:1-2). As Moses grew to adulthood, he too exercised faith, in spite of the sacrifice, hardship and danger that it brought. He endured because he was confident of the future reward and he trusted in the unseen God (24-27; cf. Exodus 2:10-15).Through faith the... read more