Hebrews 11:18

18 even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”^[a]

Hebrews 11:18 in Other Translations

18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

18 of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named."

18 even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.”

18 and this after he had already been told, "Your descendants shall come from Isaac."

18 about whom it had been said, In Isaac your seed will be called.

Hebrews 11:18 Meaning and Commentary

Hebrews 11:18

Of whom it is said
That is, of Isaac, Abraham's own son, whom he offered up; or rather, "to whom it was said", as the Vulgate Latin and Syriac versions render it; that is, to Abraham, for to him was this said, ( Genesis 21:12 )

that in Isaac shall thy seed be called;
that numerous natural seed of his, which should inherit the land of Canaan; and his special famous seed, the Messiah, to whom the promises were made; (See Gill on Romans 9:7).

Hebrews 11:18 In-Context

16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

17 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son,

18 even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”

19 Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.

20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.

Cross References

• 1. Genesis 21:12; Romans 9:7

Footnotes

• [a]. Gen. 21:12