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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:9-10

The tent and the city. I. OBSERVE THE CONTRAST UNDERLYING THESE VERSES . The tent is in one place in the morning, and may be miles away at night. The city always remains in the same place. Thus there is forcibly indicated an altogether different kind of occupation and interest for the dweller in tents from that for the dweller in cities. As the one class of men increases the other must decrease. The fathers dwell in tents; the children in cities. He who dwells in a tent can... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:11-12

By faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, even when she was past age , because she judged him faithful who had promised. 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. The vitality of Abraham's faith is represented as evinced by its surviving and triumphing over a succession of trials, over apparent impossibilities. One such peculiar trial was the long... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 11:8

By faith Abraham - There is no difficulty in determining that Abraham was influenced by faith in God. The case is even stronger than that of Noah, for it is expressly declared, Genesis 15:6, “And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” Compare notes, Romans 4:1-5. In the illustrations of the power of faith in this chapter, the apostle appeals to two instances in which it was exhibited by Abraham, “the father of the faithful.” Each of these required confidence in... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 11:9

By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country - The land of Canaan that had been promised to him and his posterity. He resided there as if he were a stranger and sojourner. He had no possessions there which he did not procure by honest purchase; he owned no land in fee-simple except the small piece which he bought for a burial-place; see Genesis 23:7-20. In all respects he lived there as if he had no special right in the soil; as if he never expected to own it; as if he... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 11:10

For he looked for a city which hath foundations - It has been doubted to what the apostle here refers. Grotius and some others suppose, that he refers to Jerusalem, as a permanent dwelling for his posterity, in contradistinction from the unsettled mode of life which Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob led. But there is no evidence that Abraham looked forward to the building of such a city, for no promise was made to him of this kind; and this interpretation falls evidently below the whole drift of the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 11:11

Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed - The word “herself” here - αὐτὴ autē - implies that there was something remarkable in the fact that “she” should manifest this faith. Perhaps there may be reference here to the incredulity with which she at first received the announcement that she should have a child; Genesis 18:11, Genesis 18:13. Even “her” strong incredulity was overcome, and though everything seemed to render what was announced impossible, and though she... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Hebrews 11:8

Hebrews 11:8. By faith In the divine promises; Abraham when he was called The call here intended is referred to Genesis 12:1; to go out From his father’s house and native land; into a place far distant, which God promised he should afterward receive for an inheritance Without disputing or murmuring, obeyed; and Relying on the power and veracity of God; went out, not knowing whither he went Although he did not know the country to which he was going, nor whether it was a good or... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Hebrews 11:9-10

Hebrews 11:9-10. By faith, &c. Believing that Canaan was promised to him and his seed only as a type of a better country, he acquired no possessions therein except a burying-place, and built no houses there; but sojourned in the land of promise as in a strange country Αλλοτιαν , a country belonging to others, dwelling in tents, as a sojourner; with Isaac and Jacob Who by the same manner of living showed the same faith. Jacob was born fifteen years before the death of Abraham, as... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Hebrews 11:11-12

Hebrews 11:11-12. Through faith also Sara Though at first she laughed at the promise through unbelief; received strength Εις καταβολην σπερματος , for the conception of seed; and was delivered of a child when she was past age That is, beyond the due time of age for such a purpose, when she was ninety years old, and in the course of nature absolutely incapable of being a mother. “I believe,” says Dr. Owen, “that this was not a mere miraculous generation, but that she received a general... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Hebrews 11:1-22

Examples of true faith (11:1-22)In the previous chapter the writer asserted that people must join faith to perseverance if they are to enjoy the thing hoped for. He now supports this statement with illustrations from the Old Testament. If people have faith, it means they believe that things hoped for according to God’s promises will be achieved and that unseen powers of God are real. Those with faith look beyond what they see. They know that they cannot explain the existence of the world solely... read more

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