23By faith Moses, after his birth, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw the child was divinely beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. [11:24] By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called a son of Pharaoh's daughter — [11:25] choosing rather to suffer hardship together with the people of God than to have the passing pleasure of sin — [11:26] having considered the reproach of the Anointed One greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking toward the reward. [11:27] By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the king's anger, for he persevered as though seeing the Invisible One. [11:28] By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. [11:29] By faith they crossed the Red Sea as on dry land — which the Egyptians, attempting, were swallowed up.
HEB 11:23-29
The Faith of Moses
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st century, Moses’ story would resonate deeply with Jewish listeners familiar with their ancestral narratives and the oppressive realities of imperial rule. Moses’ parents hid him for three months, defying Pharaoh’s decree—a bold act of resistance against a ruler’s edict, akin to the Jewish experience under Roman or Seleucid domination. Moses’ choice to reject his status as Pharaoh’s adopted son and instead identify with the suffering of his people would evoke the honor-shame dynamics of the Greco-Roman world, where status and privilege were highly prized. The 'reproach of Christ' would be understood as the suffering endured by God’s anointed people, a theme familiar to Jewish audiences who saw themselves as God’s chosen nation. Moses’ perseverance, guided by faith in the 'Invisible One' , would underscore the Jewish belief in Yahweh’s unseen but active presence, even in the face of overwhelming opposition.
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How other translations render this
HEB 11:23
- KJV
- By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.
- BSB
- By faith Mosesʼ parents hid him for three months after his birth, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were unafraid of the kingʼs edict.
- Koinōnos
- By faith Moses, after his birth, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw the child was divinely beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.
HEB 11:24
- KJV
- By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;
- BSB
- By faith Moses, when he was grown, refused to be called the son of Pharaohʼs daughter.
- Koinōnos
- By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called a son of Pharaoh's daughter —
HEB 11:25
- KJV
- Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
- BSB
- He chose to suffer oppression with Godʼs people rather than to experience the fleeting enjoyment of sin.
- Koinōnos
- choosing rather to suffer hardship together with the people of God than to have the passing pleasure of sin —
HEB 11:26
- KJV
- Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
- BSB
- He valued disgrace for Christ above the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his reward.
- Koinōnos
- having considered the reproach of the Anointed One greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking toward the reward.
HEB 11:27
- KJV
- By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
- BSB
- By faith Moses left Egypt, not fearing the kingʼs anger; he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible.
- Koinōnos
- By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the king's anger, for he persevered as though seeing the Invisible One.
HEB 11:28
- KJV
- Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
- BSB
- By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch Israelʼs own firstborn.
- Koinōnos
- By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.
HEB 11:29
- KJV
- By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
- BSB
- By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were drowned.
- Koinōnos
- By faith they crossed the Red Sea as on dry land — which the Egyptians, attempting, were swallowed up.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
HEB 11:23
- [was] beautiful:The word translated 'beautiful' here implies a striking, unusual beauty that drew attention, suggesting something divinely favored or set apart.
HEB 11:25
- to suffer affliction with:The term 'to suffer affliction with' conveys a deep, shared experience of hardship and mistreatment, emphasizing solidarity in enduring adversity.
HEB 11:26
- <the>:The word translated 'Christ' literally means 'anointed one' and refers to a divinely appointed leader or savior, a title rather than a personal name.
HEB 11:27
- Invisible [One]:The word translated 'Invisible One' refers to something that cannot be seen, often implying a spiritual or divine reality beyond human perception.