Hebrews 11:19

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does Hebrews 11:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “accounting that God [is] able to raise up, even from the dead; from whence he did also in a figure receive him back.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

accounting that God [is] able to raise up, even from the dead; from whence he did also in a figure receive him back.
Hebrews 11:19 — American Standard Version

Context — Hebrews 11

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
19accounting that God [is] able to raise up, even from the dead; from whence he did also in a figure receive him back.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, etc..] Abraham did not go about this affair without thought; and yet he did not consult with flesh and blood; his reasoning was the reasoning of faith; and the conclusion of it was, not that he believed that God would raise his son from the dead, but that he was able to do it. He knew that he had received him at first, as it were, from the dead; he sprung from his own dead body, and out of Sarah's dead womb; and though his faith did not prescribe to God, yet as he believed the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, he might believe that God would raise his son from the dead, rather than that his promise should fail; and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Faith answered the objections which reason brought against God's command to Abraham to offer Isaac, by suggesting that what God had promised He both could and would perform, however impossible the performance might seem (Rom 4:20-21). able to raise him--rather, in general, "able to raise from the dead." Compare Rom 4:17, "God who quickeneth the dead." The quickening of Sarah's dead womb suggested the thought of God's power to raise even the dead, though no instance of it had as yet occurred. he received him--"received him back" [ALFORD]. in a figure--Greek, "in a parable." ALFORD explains, "Received him back, risen from that death which he had undergone in, under, the figure of the ram." I…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Accounting that God was able to raise him up even from the dead - And that he would do it; for so Abraham evidently believed, and this idea is plainly implied in the whole narrative. There was no other way in which the promise could be fulfilled; and Abraham reasoned justly in the case. He had received the promise of a numerous posterity. He had been told expressly that it was to be through this favorite child. He was now commanded to put him to death as a sacrifice, and he prepared to do it. To fulfil these promises, therefore, there was no other way possible but for him to be raised up from the dead, and Abraham fully believed that it would be done. The child had been given to him at first…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Accounting that God was able even to raise him from the dead - Though there had not been any instance of this in the world. From whence also - To speak in a figurative way. He did receive him - Afterwards, snatched from the jaws of death. Hebrews 11:20”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“11:19 Abraham reasoned: The resurrection of Isaac was the only answer to Abraham’s dilemma. In Gen 22:5, Abraham expressed confidence that Isaac would return with him.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“God: Gen 22:5 \*Heb: Mat 9:28; Rom 4:17-21; Eph 3:20 from the: Heb 11:11, Heb 11:12, Heb 9:24; Gen 22:4, Gen 22:13; Rom 5:14 Hebrews 11:20”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification