King James Version

What Does Hebrews 11:28 Mean?

Hebrews 11:28 in the King James Version says “Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.” — study this verse from Hebrews chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.”

Hebrews 11:28 · KJV

Faith

Context

26

Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. of Christ: or, for Christ

27

By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

28

Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

29

By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

30

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

Read Hebrews 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. Moses instituted the Passover by faith, trusting that sprinkled blood would protect Israelite firstborn from the destroying angel (Exodus 12). This inaugural Passover established the pattern for Israel's most significant feast, commemorating deliverance from Egypt through substitutionary sacrifice. The lamb's blood marked households for salvation; the destroyer passed over those sheltered by blood.

The 'sprinkling of blood' (proschysin tou haimatos, πρόσχυσιν τοῦ αἵματος) prefigures Christ's superior sacrifice. The Passover lamb's blood saved from physical death; Christ's blood saves from eternal death. Peter writes that believers are elect 'unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ' (1 Peter 1:2). The author of Hebrews later contrasts ceremonial sprinkling with 'the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than that of Abel' (Hebrews 12:24).

This verse demonstrates faith's obedience to God's prescribed means of salvation. Moses didn't devise his own plan but obeyed God's specific instructions. Similarly, salvation comes only through God's appointed means—faith in Christ's blood, not human merit or alternative paths. The Passover teaches that divine wrath against sin is real ('the destroyer'), but God provides substitutionary atonement through shed blood. Faith trusts God's provision rather than seeking self-salvation.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Passover occurred on Israel's final night in Egypt (approximately 1446 BC), after nine plagues had failed to move Pharaoh's heart. God commanded each household to slaughter an unblemished lamb, apply its blood to doorposts and lintel, and remain inside until morning. That night, the destroying angel killed every Egyptian firstborn but passed over houses marked by blood. This dramatic deliverance became Israel's foundational redemption narrative, celebrated annually in Passover feast. Christ's crucifixion during Passover week fulfills the typology—He is 'our passover sacrificed for us' (1 Corinthians 5:7).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding Passover's substitutionary sacrifice deepen your appreciation for Christ's atonement?
  2. What does Moses' obedience to God's specific salvation method teach about the exclusivity of salvation through Christ alone?
  3. In what ways should you respond to being sheltered by Christ's blood as Israelites responded to lamb's blood?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 17 words
Πίστει1 of 17

“Through faith”

G4102

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

πεποίηκεν2 of 17

“he kept”

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

τὸ3 of 17
G3588

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

πάσχα4 of 17

“the passover”

G3957

the passover (the meal, the day, the festival or the special sacrifices connected with it)

καὶ5 of 17

“and”

G2532

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

τὴν6 of 17
G3588

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

πρόσχυσιν7 of 17

“the sprinkling”

G4378

a shedding forth, i.e., affusion

τοῦ8 of 17
G3588

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

αἵματος9 of 17

“of blood”

G129

blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k

ἵνα10 of 17
G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

μὴ11 of 17
G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

ὁ12 of 17
G3588

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

ὀλοθρεύων13 of 17

“he that destroyed”

G3645

to spoil, i.e., slay

τὰ14 of 17
G3588

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

πρωτότοκα15 of 17

“the firstborn”

G4416

first-born (usually as noun, literally or figuratively)

θίγῃ16 of 17

“should touch”

G2345

to manipulate, i.e., have to do with; by implication, to injure

αὐτῶν17 of 17

“them”

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

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 11:28 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 11:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 12:21-30Hebrews 9:19Hebrews 12:241 Peter 1:2Exodus 12:3-14

Test Your Knowledge

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