Hebrews 11:17-19 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hebrews 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-Testament times, and these may be divided into two classes:?1. Those whose names are mentioned, and the particular exercise and actings of whose faith are specified. 2. Those whose names are barely mentioned, and an account given in general of the exploits of their faith, which it is left to the reader to accommodate, and apply to the particular... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Hebrews 11:17-19

11:17-19 It was by faith that Abraham offered up Isaac when he was put to the test. He was willing to offer up even his only son, although it had been said to him: "It is in Isaac that your descendants will be named." He was willing to do this for he reckoned that God was able to raise him even from the dead. Hence he did receive him back which is a parable of the resurrection. The Isaac story, told in Genesis 22:1-18 , is that most dramatic account of how Abraham met the supreme test of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 11:17

By faith Abraham, when he was tried ,.... Or tempted; that is, by God, Genesis 22:1 . This temptation or trial respects the command given by God to Abraham, to offer up his son Isaac; which lays no foundation for a charge against God, either of sin or cruelty; for God's will is the rule of justice and goodness, and whatever he requires is just and good; and though his creatures are bound by the laws he prescribes them, he himself is not: besides, he is the Lord of life, the giver and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 11:18

Of whom it is said ,.... That is, of Isaac, Abraham's own son, whom he offered up; or rather, "to whom it was said", as the Vulgate Latin and Syriac versions render it; that is, to Abraham, for to him was this said, Genesis 21:12 that in Isaac shall thy seed be called ; that numerous natural seed of his, which should inherit the land of Canaan; and his special famous seed, the Messiah, to whom the promises were made; See Gill on Romans 9:7 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 11:19

Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead ,.... Abraham did not go about this affair without thought; and yet he did not consult with flesh and blood; his reasoning was the reasoning of faith; and the conclusion of it was, not that he believed that God would raise his son from the dead, but that he was able to do it. He knew that he had received him at first, as it were, from the dead; he sprung from his own dead body, and out of Sarah's dead womb; and though his faith... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:17

Abraham, when he was tried - See the history of this whole transaction explained at large in the notes on Genesis 22:1-9 . Offered up his only-begotten - Abraham did, in effect, offer up Isaac; he built an altar, bound his son, laid him upon the altar, had ready the incense, took the knife, and would immediately have slain him had he not been prevented by the same authority by which the sacrifice was enjoined. Isaac is here called his only-begotten, as be was the only son he had by his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:19

To raise him up, even from the dead - Abraham staggered not at the promise through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God. The resurrection of the dead must have been a doctrine of the patriarchs; they expected a heavenly inheritance, they saw they died as did other men, and they must have known that they could not enjoy it but in consequence of a resurrection from the dead. He received him in a figure - Εν παραβολῃ· In my discourse on parabolical writing at the end of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:17

Verse 17 17.By faith Abraham, etc. He proceeds with the history of Abraham, and relates the offering up of his son; and it was a singular instance of firmness, so that there is hardly another like it to be found. Hence for the sake of enhancing it, he adds, when he was tempted, or tried. Abraham had indeed already proved what he was, by many trials; yet as this trial surpassed every other, so the Apostle would have it to be regarded above all his trials. It is then as though he had said, “The... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:19

Verse 19 19.From whence also, etc. As though he said, “Nor did hope disappoint Abraham, for it was a sort of resurrection, when his son was so suddenly delivered from the midst of death. The wordfigure, which is here used, is variously explained. I take it simply as meaning likeness; for though Isaac did not really rise from the dead, yet he seemed to have in a manner risen, when he was suddenly and wonderfully rescued through the unexpected favor of God. (226) However, I do not dislike what... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:8-19

Faith of the Hebrew Pilgrim Fathers. What Anglo-Saxon could look without emotion on the granite boulder at New Plymouth—"the corner-stone of a nation"—upon which the Pilgrim Fathers of New England stepped ashore from the Mayflower? And, in like manner, what Jew can think but with enthusiasm of those three glorious names—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? The verses before us were well fitted to stir the hearts' blood of the Hebrews to whom this treatise was addressed. And they should stir ours... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hebrews 11:4-31

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Hebrews 11:17-19

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 11:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 11:18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 11:19

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:17

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:19

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:17

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:19

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:8-19

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