4By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he received witness that he was righteous — God bearing witness over his gifts — and through it he still speaks, though dead. [11:5] By faith Enoch was transferred so as not to see death, and he was not found, because God had transferred him; for before the transfer he received witness that he had pleased God. [11:6] And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever approaches God must believe that he exists and that he becomes a rewarder of those who seek him out. [11:7] By faith Noah, having received a divine oracle about things not yet seen, moved with reverence, built an ark for the salvation of his household; through this he condemned the world, and he became an heir of the righteousness that is according to faith.
HEB 11:4-7
The Faith of Abel, Enoch, Noah
In the world it was spoken into
In the first-century Jewish and Greco-Roman world, sacrifice was a central act of piety, understood as a means of honoring the divine and maintaining cosmic order. Abel’s 'more excellent sacrifice' would have resonated with listeners familiar with the Jewish sacrificial system, where the quality and intent of offerings mattered deeply. Cain’s failure contrasted sharply with Abel’s faith, which was 'testified' by God—a divine acknowledgment of righteousness that carried immense weight in an honor-shame culture. Enoch’s 'translation' would evoke Jewish apocalyptic traditions, where figures like Elijah were taken by God, bypassing death—a sign of divine favor and eschatological hope. Noah’s 'divine instruction' reflects the Jewish understanding of prophetic revelation, where God communicates directly with the righteous. The emphasis on faith as essential to pleasing God aligns with Second Temple Judaism’s focus on trust in God’s promises, even in the face of unseen realities.
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How other translations render this
HEB 11:4
- KJV
- By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
- BSB
- By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous when God gave approval to his gifts. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.
- Koinōnos
- By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he received witness that he was righteous — God bearing witness over his gifts — and through it he still speaks, though dead.
HEB 11:5
- KJV
- By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
- BSB
- By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.
- Koinōnos
- By faith Enoch was transferred so as not to see death, and he was not found, because God had transferred him; for before the transfer he received witness that he had pleased God.
HEB 11:6
- KJV
- But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
- BSB
- And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
- Koinōnos
- And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever approaches God must believe that he exists and that he becomes a rewarder of those who seek him out.
HEB 11:7
- KJV
- By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
- BSB
- By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
- Koinōnos
- By faith Noah, having received a divine oracle about things not yet seen, moved with reverence, built an ark for the salvation of his household; through this he condemned the world, and he became an heir of the righteousness that is according to faith.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
HEB 11:4
- a more excellent:The word translated 'a more excellent' here implies a greater quantity or a superior quality, suggesting Abel's offering was not just different, but better in some significant way.
- he was testified:The phrase 'he was testified' indicates that a public, authoritative declaration was made about Abel, affirming his righteousness.
HEB 11:5
- was translated:The word translated 'was translated' suggests a change of place or state, often implying a divine intervention that moved someone from one realm to another.
HEB 11:7
- having been divinely instructed:The term 'having been divinely instructed' means Noah received a direct, authoritative communication from God, often implying a divine oracle or revelation.