BibleWord.ai› Bible› Hebrews› Chapter 11› Verse 12

Hebrews 11:12

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does Hebrews 11:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “wherefore also there sprang of one, and him as good as dead, [so many] as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand, which is by the sea-shore, innumerable.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

wherefore also there sprang of one, and him as good as dead, [so many] as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand, which is by the sea-shore, innumerable.
Hebrews 11:12 — American Standard Version

Context — Hebrews 11

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9By faith he became a sojourner in the land of promise, as in a [land] not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10for he looked for the city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
11By faith even Sarah herself received power to conceive seed when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised:
12wherefore also there sprang of one, and him as good as dead, [so many] as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand, which is by the sea-shore, innumerable.
13These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14For they that say such things make it manifest that they are seeking after a country of their own.
15And if indeed they had been mindful of that [country] from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.
← Hebrews 11:11Hebrews 11:13 →
← Full Chapter 11 Hebrews Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“as good as dead--literally, "deadened"; no longer having, as in youth, energetic vital powers. stars . . . sand-- (Gen 22:17).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Therefore sprang there even of one - From a single individual. What is observed here by the apostle as worthy of remark, is, that the whole Jewish people sprang from one man, and that, as the reward of his strong faith he was made the father and founder of a nation. And him as good as dead - So far as the subject under discussion is concerned, To human appearance there was no more probability, that he would have a son at that period of life, than that the dead would have. So many as the stars in the sky ... - An innumerable multitude. This was agreeable to the promise; Genesis 15:5; Genesis 22:17. The phrases used here are often employed to denote a vast multitude, as nothing appears more…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“As it were dead - Till his strength was supernaturally restored, which continued for many years after. Hebrews 11:13”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“11:12 this one man who was as good as dead: Abraham was very old, yet he became the source for a whole nation. Faith involves believing that God is able to answer his promises seemingly out of nothing. • like the stars . . . and the sand: See Gen 22:17. God fulfilled the promise (Exod 1:7).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“and him: Rom 4:19 as the stars: Gen 15:5, Gen 22:17, Gen 26:4; Exo 32:13; Deu 1:10, Deu 28:62; Ch1 27:23; Neh 9:23; Rom 4:17 as the sand: Gen 22:17, Gen 32:12; Jos 11:4; Jdg 7:12; Sa1 12:5; Sa2 17:11; Kg1 4:20; Isa 10:22, Isa 48:19; Jer 33:22; Hos 1:10; Hab 1:9; Rom 4:18, Rom 9:27; Rev 20:8 Hebrews 11:13”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Hebrews 11 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification