20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau — even concerning things to come. [11:21] By faith Jacob, in the process of dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. [11:22] By faith Joseph, at the completion of his life, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel and gave instructions concerning his bones.
HEB 11:20-22
The Faith of Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph
In the world it was spoken into
In the first century, the blessings of Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph would have resonated deeply with Jewish listeners familiar with their ancestral narratives. Blessings were not mere words but carried weighty covenantal significance, often determining inheritance and future prosperity. Isaac’s blessing of Jacob and Esau (Genesis 27) was understood as a divine act shaping the destinies of nations. Jacob’s blessing of Joseph’s sons (Genesis 48) while (in the process of dying) underscored the urgency and authority of a patriarch’s final words, ensuring the continuation of God’s promises. Joseph’s instructions about his bones (Genesis 50:25) reflected his faith in God’s covenant and the future (exodus) of Israel from Egypt, a pivotal event in Jewish identity. The act of (worship) by Jacob on his staff symbolized submission to God’s sovereignty even in frailty. For a Jewish audience, these acts of faith affirmed God’s faithfulness across generations, anchoring their hope in the covenant promises.
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How other translations render this
HEB 11:20
- KJV
- By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
- BSB
- By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning the future.
- Koinōnos
- By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau — even concerning things to come.
HEB 11:21
- KJV
- By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
- BSB
- By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Josephʼs sons and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
- Koinōnos
- By faith Jacob, in the process of dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.
HEB 11:22
- KJV
- By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
- BSB
- By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions about his bones.
- Koinōnos
- By faith Joseph, at the completion of his life, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel and gave instructions concerning his bones.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
HEB 11:21
- dying:The word translated 'dying' here emphasizes the process of death, the act of passing away, rather than simply being dead.
- worshiped:The term translated 'worshiped' literally meant to prostrate oneself before someone, often as an act of homage or reverence, indicating a posture of submission and honor.
HEB 11:22
- dying:The word translated 'dying' in this instance often refers to the completion or end of life, carrying a sense of finality and fulfillment of one's earthly course.
- exodus:The word translated 'exodus' literally means 'a way out' or 'departure,' and in this context, it specifically refers to the departure of the Israelites from Egypt.