King James Version

What Does Hebrews 11:23 Mean?

Hebrews 11:23 in the King James Version says “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they ... — study this verse from Hebrews chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.

Hebrews 11:23 · KJV


Context

21

By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

22

By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. made: or, remembered

23

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.

24

By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

25

Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. Moses' parents, Amram and Jochebed, exercised civil disobedience through faith, refusing Pharaoh's decree to kill Hebrew male infants (Exodus 1:22). They 'were not afraid' (ouk ephobēthēsan, οὐκ ἐφοβήθησαν) of the king's command, demonstrating that fear of God supersedes fear of earthly authorities. When human law contradicts divine law, believers must obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29).

The phrase 'they saw he was a proper child' (asteion, ἀστεῖον, 'beautiful' or 'approved by God') may indicate divine revelation that this child was destined for special purposes. Acts 7:20 says Moses was 'exceeding fair' (asteios tō theō, 'beautiful to God'). Their faith perceived God's hand on this child and acted accordingly, risking their lives to preserve God's chosen deliverer.

This account teaches that genuine faith may require resisting ungodly authority and accepting personal risk for God's purposes. The parents' faith set the stage for Moses' later leadership and Israel's deliverance. Their courageous action demonstrates that God often works through faithful individuals who refuse to compromise, trusting Him with the consequences. The preservation of Moses foreshadows the preservation of infant Jesus from Herod's massacre (Matthew 2:13-18).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Moses was born approximately 1526 BC during Israel's oppression in Egypt. Pharaoh had decreed that all Hebrew male infants be killed to prevent population growth that might threaten Egyptian security (Exodus 1:15-22). This genocide policy forced Hebrew parents to choose between obeying Pharaoh or preserving their children. Amram and Jochebed's defiance of this decree, hidden in Exodus but highlighted in Hebrews, demonstrates that faith sometimes requires civil disobedience when earthly authority commands what God forbids. Egyptian records confirm foreign workers (including Semitic peoples) were present in Egypt during this period, though no extant Egyptian source mentions Hebrew oppression specifically.

Reflection Questions

  1. When has obedience to God required you to resist ungodly human authority or cultural pressure?
  2. What does this passage teach about balancing submission to government with ultimate allegiance to God?
  3. How does Moses' parents' faith in protecting their child challenge you to protect and preserve what God has entrusted to you?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
Πίστει1 of 21

By faith

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

Μωσῆς2 of 21

Moses

G3475

moseus, moses, or mouses (i.e., mosheh), the hebrew lawgiver

γεννηθεὶς3 of 21

when he was born

G1080

to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to regenerate

ἐκρύβη4 of 21

was hid

G2928

to conceal (properly, by covering)

τρίμηνον5 of 21

three months

G5150

a three months' space

ὑπὸ6 of 21

of

G5259

under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (

τῶν7 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πατέρων8 of 21

parents

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

αὐτοῦ9 of 21
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

διότι10 of 21

because

G1360

on the very account that, or inasmuch as

εἶδον11 of 21

they saw

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

ἀστεῖον12 of 21

he was a proper

G791

urbane, i.e., (by implication) handsome

τὸ13 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

παιδίον14 of 21

child

G3813

a childling (of either sex), i.e., (properly), an infant, or (by extension) a half-grown boy or girl; figuratively, an immature christian

καὶ15 of 21

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οὐκ16 of 21

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἐφοβήθησαν17 of 21

afraid

G5399

to frighten, i.e., (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e., revere

τὸ18 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

διάταγμα19 of 21

commandment

G1297

an arrangement, i.e., (authoritative) edict

τοῦ20 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

βασιλέως21 of 21

of the king's

G935

a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Hebrews. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Hebrews 11:23 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Hebrews 11:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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