Hebrews 11:23

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 11:23-29

11:23-29 It was by faith that Moses, when he was born, was kept hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful: and they did not fear the edict of the king. It was by faith that Moses, when he grew to manhood, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter and chose rather to suffer evil with the people of God than to enjoy the transient pleasures of sin, for he considered that a life of reproach for the sake of the Messiah was greater wealth than... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 11:23

By faith Moses, when he was born ,.... Which is to be understood, not of the faith of Moses, but of the faith of his parents, at the time of his birth; which was when Pharaoh had published an edict, ordering every male child to be cast into the river; but instead of obeying this order, Moses was hid three months of his parents; that is, in his father's house, as it is said in Acts 7:20 and is here expressed in the Ethiopic version. According to the Targumist F11 Jonathan ben Uzziel in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:23

By faith Moses, etc. - See the notes on Exodus 2:2 , and Acts 7:20 ; (note). We know that Moses was bred up at the Egyptian court, and there was considered to be the son of Pharaoh's daughter; and probably might have succeeded to the throne of Egypt: but, finding that God had visited his people, and given them a promise of spiritual and eternal blessings, he chose rather to take the lot of this people, i.e. God as his portion for ever, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin, which, however... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:23

Verse 23 23.By faith Moses, etc. There have been others, and those heathens, who from no fear of God, but only from a desire of propagating an offspring, preserved their own children at the peril of life; but the Apostle shows that the parents of Moses were inducted to save him for another reason, even for this, — that as God had promised to them, under their oppression, that there would come some time a deliverer, they relied confidently on that promise, and preferred the safety of the infant... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:23

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw that he was a proper ( ἀστεῖον , the word used of the child in Exodus 2:2 , there translated "goodly," and in Acts 7:20 , "fair") child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. Here the usual following of the LXX . again appears in the hiding being attributed to both parents (this is certainly the meaning of πατέρων , not—as some interpret because of the masculine form—father... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:23

The faith of the parents of Moses. "By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid, " etc. The writer now passes from Joseph to Moses; from the time of the peace and prosperity of the Israelites in Egypt to the time of their heavy oppression and bitter persecution. This persecution culminated in the terrible edict that all their male children that should be born should be cast into the Nile. It was at this time that Moses was born. Hence the Jewish proverb, "When the tale of bricks is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:23

Faith in an infant's destiny. I. THE POSSIBILITIES IN EVERY INFANT LIFE . These must often be in the view of every thoughtful parent, and the view must be mixed with a good deal of confidence and sanguine expectation. Parents sometimes wish to stamp their own views and purposes on their children, and it is a dreadful shock to them when they find individuality, originality, strength of will, asserting themselves in wholly unexpected directions. Where one thing is expected... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:23-29

The faith of Moses. These verses exhibit specimen deeds of faith done in connection with the redemption of Israel from Egypt. None of the heroes of faith in this illustrious roll is more eminent than Moses, and no other biography is more dramatic. He shines amongst the constellations of "the elders" as a star of the first magnitude. Consider— I. THE FAITH OF MOSES ' PARENTS DURING HIS INFANCY . ( Hebrews 11:23 ) Had it not been for their piety, the child would have... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 11:23

By faith Moses, when he was born - That is, by the faith of his parents. The faith of Moses himself is commended in the following verses. The statement of the apostle here is, that his parents were led to preserve his life by their confidence in God. They believed that he was destined to some great purpose, and that he would be spared, notwithstanding all the probabilities against it, and all the difficulties in the case.Was hid three months of his parents - By his parents. In Exodus 2:2, it is... read more

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