Hebrews 11:17

Hebrews 11:17

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

a. NLT: It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac,

b. NIV: By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son,

c. YLT: By faith Abraham hath offered up Isaac, being tried, and the only begotten he did offer up who did receive the promises,

d. Amplified BibleClassic: By faith Abraham, when he was put to the test [while the testing of his faith was still in progress], had already brought Isaac for an offering; he who had gladly received and welcomed [God’s] promises was ready to sacrifice his only son,

e. Worrell Translation: By faith Abraham, when tried, has offered up Isaac; yea, he who gladly received the promises was offering up his only begotten son.

1. “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac…”

a. faith [4102 * pistis] [Strong: from 3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:--assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.] [W.E. Vine: The main elements in faith in its relation to the invisible God…are especially brought out in the use of this noun and the corresponding verb, they are: 1. A firm conviction producing a full acknowledgement of god’s revelation or truth [His word]. 2. A personal surrender to Him. 3. A conduct inspired by such surrender.]

1). Pink: “Crediting the sure testimony of God, resting on His promises, and expecting the accomplishment of them, faith gives the object hoped for at a future period, a present reality and power in the soul, as if already possessed, for the believer is satisfied with the security afforded, and acts under the full persuasion that God will not fail of His engagement. Faith gives the soul an appropriating hold of them…it gives not an imaginary appearance to things, but a real subsistence.”

2). Also faith by definition involves a previous instruction. God had to speak faith to the heart in order for the heart to experience “faith”.

a). Romans 10:17 “So the faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

b). In every verse that tells of a man or woman having faith, we must recognize that God had previously spoken, even though the text does not say it. The perfect example in our study is Hebrews 11:4, where because of faith, Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. Many people wonder why Cain’s offering was rejected and why Abel’s was not. It was because there was a previous instruction that Abel from the heart obeyed and Cain did not. Even though the text does not show a previous instruction, the presence of faith in Abel demands it.

b. Abraham [11 * Abraam] [Strong: of Hebrew origin (85); Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch:--Abraham. (In Acts 7:16 the text should probably read Jacob.)]

c. when he was tried [3985 * peirazo] [Strong: from 3984; to test (objectively), i.e. endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline:--assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt(-er), try.]

d. offered ip [4374 * prosphero] [Strong: from 4314 and 5342 (including its alternate); to bear towards, i.e. lead to, tender (especially to God), treat:--bring (to, unto), deal with, do, offer (unto, up), present unto, put to.]

e. Isaac [2464 * Isaak] [Strong: of Hebrew origin (3327); Isaac (i.e. Jitschak), the son of Abraham:--Isaac.]

2. “…and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son.”

a. and [2532 * kai] [Strong: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. he that had received [324 * anadechomai] [Strong: from 303 and 1209; to entertain (as a guest):--receive.]

c. the promises [1860 *  epaggelia] [Strong: from 1861; an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good):--message, promise.]

d. offered up [4374 * prosphero] [Strong: from 4314 and 5342 (including its alternate); to bear towards, i.e. lead to, tender (especially to God), treat:--bring (to, unto), deal with, do, offer (unto, up), present unto, put to.]

e. his only begotten [3439 * monogenes] [Strong: from 3441 and 1096; only-born, i.e. sole:--only (begotten, child).]