King James Version

What Does Hebrews 11:7 Mean?

Hebrews 11:7 in the King James Version says “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his hous... — study this verse from Hebrews chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. moved: or, being wary

Hebrews 11:7 · KJV


Context

5

By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

6

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

7

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. moved: or, being wary

8

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

9

By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Noah 'warned of God of things not yet seen' (the flood) responded with faith by building an ark. His faith was demonstrated by obedience to God's warning over decades despite no visible evidence. 'By the which he condemned the world' means his obedient faith stood as judgment on unbelief around him. He 'became heir of the righteousness which is by faith,' showing that even before Abraham, righteousness came through faith.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Noah built the ark for perhaps 100 years (Genesis 6-7) while preaching righteousness (2 Peter 2:5) to a scoffing world. His faith saved his family while judgment fell on unbelief.

Reflection Questions

  1. Are you willing to obey God's word even when you cannot see the reason or result?
  2. How does your faithful obedience serve as testimony against the unbelief around you?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 27 words
πίστιν1 of 27

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

χρηματισθεὶς2 of 27

being warned of God

G5537

to utter an oracle (compare the original sense of g5530), i.e., divinely intimate; by implication, (compare the secular sense of g5532) to constitute

Νῶε3 of 27

Noah

G3575

no, (i.e., noch), a patriarch

περὶ4 of 27

of

G4012

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

τῶν5 of 27
G3588

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

μηδέπω6 of 27

as yet

G3369

not even yet

βλεπομένων7 of 27

seen

G991

to look at (literally or figuratively)

εὐλαβηθεὶς8 of 27

moved with fear

G2125

to be circumspect, i.e., (by implication) to be apprehensive; religiously, to reverence

κατεσκεύασεν9 of 27

prepared

G2680

to prepare thoroughly (properly, by external equipment; whereas g2090 refers rather to internal fitness); by implication, to construct, create

κιβωτὸν10 of 27

an ark

G2787

a box, i.e., the sacred ark and that of noah

εἰς11 of 27

to

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

σωτηρίαν12 of 27

the saving

G4991

rescue or safety (physically or morally)

τοῦ13 of 27
G3588

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

οἴκου14 of 27

house

G3624

a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively)

αὐτοῦ15 of 27
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

δι'16 of 27

by

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

ἧς17 of 27

the which

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

κατέκρινεν18 of 27

he condemned

G2632

to judge against, i.e., sentence

τὸν19 of 27
G3588

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

κόσμον20 of 27

the world

G2889

orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))

καὶ21 of 27

and

G2532

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

τῆς22 of 27
G3588

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

κατὰ23 of 27

which is by

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

πίστιν24 of 27

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

δικαιοσύνης25 of 27

of the righteousness

G1343

equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification

ἐγένετο26 of 27

became

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

κληρονόμος27 of 27

heir

G2818

a sharer by lot, i.e., inheritor (literally or figuratively); by implication, a possessor


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 11:7 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 11:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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