Hebrews 11:3

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Complete Jewish Bible:

By trusting, we understand that the universe was created through a spoken word of God, so that what is seen did not come into being out of existing phenomena.

Berean Standard Bible:

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

American Standard Version:

By faith we understand that the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen hath not been made out of things which appear.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Through faith^{G4102} we understand^{G3539} that the worlds^{G165} were framed^{G2675} by the word^{G4487} of God^{G2316}, so^{G1519} that things which^{G3588} are seen^{G991} were^{G1096} not^{G3361} made^{G1096} of^{G1537} things which do appear^{G5316}.

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Commentary for Hebrews 11:3

Hebrews 11:3 is a verse that encapsulates the essence of faith as understood within the Christian tradition, particularly its role in the creation of the universe. This verse is part of the epistle to the Hebrews, a book in the New Testament that is often attributed to the Apostle Paul, though its authorship is actually uncertain. The epistle is thought to have been written to Jewish Christians, likely in the first century, to encourage them in their faith amidst persecution and to explain the superiority of Christ and the new covenant over the old covenant.

The historical context of Hebrews 11:3 is rooted in the Hellenistic world, where Greek philosophy and Jewish theology intersected. The verse reflects a cosmological understanding that aligns with the opening of Genesis, where God speaks creation into existence. It also resonates with Greek thought, which valued the concept of an unseen, underlying reality that gives rise to the material world.

In this verse, "faith" is presented as the foundational principle for grasping the nature of reality. It asserts that the "worlds," referring to the universe or all of creation, were brought into being by the command of God—a process that is not always apparent or discernible to the human senses. The phrase "things which are seen were not made of things which do appear" suggests that the physical, observable universe was created from that which is unseen, implying a divine substance or power beyond the material realm.

The themes of Hebrews 11:3 include the creative power of God's word, the primacy of faith in understanding the origins of the universe, and the existence of an ultimate reality that transcends empirical observation. This verse emphasizes that true comprehension of the world comes not through sight or scientific inquiry alone but through faith in God's revelation and His role as the Creator. It serves as a cornerstone for the Christian doctrine of creation ex nihilo, the belief that God created the universe out of nothing, and underscores the importance of faith in the Christian life.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G4102
   There are 228 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πίστις
   Transliteration: pístis
   Pronunciation: pis'-tis
   Description: from πείθω; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:--assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3539
   There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: νοιέω
   Transliteration: noiéō
   Pronunciation: noy-eh'-o
   Description: from νοῦς; to exercise the mind (observe), i.e. (figuratively) to comprehend, heed:--consider, perceive, think, understand.
   
3. Strong's Number: G165
   There are 228 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αἰών
   Transliteration: aiṓn
   Pronunciation: ahee-ohn'
   Description: from the same as ἀεί; properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world; specially (Jewish) a Messianic period (present or future):--age, course, eternal, (for) ever(-more), (n-)ever, (beginning of the , while the) world (began, without end). Compare χρόνος.
   
4. Strong's Number: G2675
   There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καταρτίζω
   Transliteration: katartízō
   Pronunciation: kat-ar-tid'-zo
   Description: from κατά and a derivative of ἄρτιος; to complete thoroughly, i.e. repair (literally or figuratively) or adjust:--fit, frame, mend, (make) perfect(-ly join together), prepare, restore.
   
5. Strong's Number: G4487
   There are 67 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ῥῆμα
   Transliteration: rhēma
   Pronunciation: hray'-mah
   Description: from ῥέω; an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negative naught whatever:--+ evil, + nothing, saying, word.
   
6. Strong's Number: G2316
   There are 1172 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: θεός
   Transliteration: theós
   Pronunciation: theh'-os
   Description: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
   
7. Strong's Number: G1519
   There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἰς
   Transliteration: eis
   Pronunciation: ice
   Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
   
8. Strong's Number: G3588
   There are 498 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὁ
   Transliteration: ho
   Pronunciation: to
   Description: the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
   
9. Strong's Number: G991
   There are 119 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: βλέπω
   Transliteration: blépō
   Pronunciation: blep'-o
   Description: a primary verb; to look at (literally or figuratively):--behold, beware, lie, look (on, to), perceive, regard, see, sight, take heed. Compare ὀπτάνομαι.
   
10. Strong's Number: G1096
    There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: γίνομαι
    Transliteration: gínomai
    Pronunciation: ghin'-om-ahee
    Description: a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.):--arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.
    
11. Strong's Number: G3361
    There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μή
    Transliteration: mḗ
    Pronunciation: may
    Description: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas οὐ expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas οὐ expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also ἐὰν μή, ἵνα μή, οὐ μή, μῆκος, μηκύνω, μήν, μὴ οὐκ.
    
12. Strong's Number: G1537
    There are 761 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐκ
    Transliteration: ek
    Pronunciation: ex
    Description: a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.
    
13. Strong's Number: G5316
    There are 31 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: φαίνω
    Transliteration: phaínō
    Pronunciation: fah'-ee-no
    Description: prolongation for the base of φῶς; to lighten (shine), i.e. show (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative):-- appear, seem, be seen, shine, X think.