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Hebrews 11:20

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does Hebrews 11:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come.
Hebrews 11:20 — American Standard Version

Context — Hebrews 11

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17By faith Abraham, being tried, offered up Isaac: yea, he that had gladly received the promises was offering up his only begotten [son];
18even he to whom it was said, In Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19accounting that God [is] able to raise up, even from the dead; from whence he did also in a figure receive him back.
20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come.
21By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, [leaning] upon the top of his staff.
22By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
23By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw he was a goodly child; and they were not afraid of the king`s commandment.
← Hebrews 11:19Hebrews 11:21 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, etc..] The history of this is in (<012733>Genesis 27:33-39). The former of these was a good man, and, though the youngest son, he is set before, and was blessed before the eldest; and the latter was a wicked man, and yet had a blessing; for temporal blessings are enjoyed in common: and this blessing was prophetic, it was concerning things to come. Jacob's blessing was plenty of temporal things, and under which may be signified the dews of divine grace, the fatness of God's house, the bread of life, and wine of divine love, which true Israelites partake of; also dominion over his brother, and government over nations, which had their accomplishment in his…”
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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
“Jacob is put before Esau, as heir of the chief, namely, the spiritual blessing. concerning things to come--Greek, "even concerning things to come": not only concerning things present. Isaac, by faith, assigned to his sons things future, as if they were present.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come - see Genesis 27:26-40. The meaning is, that he pronounced a blessing on them in respect to their future condition. This was by faith in God who had communicated it to him, and in full confidence that he would accomplish all that was here predicted. The act of faith here was simply what believes that all that God says is true. There were no human probabilities at the time when these prophetic announcements were made, which could have been the basis of his calculation, but all that he said must have rested merely on the belief that God had revealed it to him. A blessing was pronounced on each, of a very different nature, but…”
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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
“Blessed - Gen 27:27, Gen 27:39; prophetically foretold the particular blessings they should partake of. Jacob and Esau - Preferring the elder before the younger. Hebrews 11:21”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“11:20 Isaac promised blessings: See Gen 27:27-40; the only part of the story that can be considered a blessing for Esau is that he would eventually shake off his subservience to his brother. Esau was later blessed by Jacob’s riches (Gen 33:8-11).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Gen 27:27-40, Gen 28:2, Gen 28:3 Hebrews 11:21”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification