Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and in a sense, he did receive Isaac back from death.
Parallel translations
- WEB concluding that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Figuratively speaking, he also did receive him back from the dead.
- KJV Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
- ESV He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.
- NKJV concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.
- NASB He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type.
- NLT Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so figuratively he did receive Isaac back from death. Faith trusts God's power over death to keep his promises.
Overview
Abraham obeyed because he concluded God was able to raise Isaac, since the promises depended on him. In a figurative sense he received his son back "from the dead" when God spared Isaac and provided a substitute (Genesis 22:13). This points forward to the resurrection of Christ, the true and final answer to the power of death.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Rom 4:17–21As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the presence of God, in whom he believed, the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not yet exist.
- Matt 9:28After Jesus had entered the house, the blind men came to Him. “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” He asked. “Yes, Lord,” they answered.
- Eph 3:20Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us,
- Gen 22:13Then Abraham looked up and saw behind him a ram in a thicket, caught by its horns. So he went and took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son.
- Heb 11:11–12By faith Sarah, even though she was barren and beyond the proper age, was enabled to conceive a child, because she considered Him faithful who had promised.
- Gen 22:4–5On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance.
- Heb 9:24For Christ did not enter a man-made copy of the true sanctuary, but He entered heaven itself, now to appear on our behalf in the presence of God.
- Rom 5:14Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who did not sin in the way that Adam transgressed. He is a pattern of the One to come.
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Christ at the center
Hebrews is sustained worship of Christ: better than angels, Moses, and the priests; the great High Priest after Melchizedek who by one sacrifice perfects forever those he saves.
How Hebrews 11:19 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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