Hebrews 11:20

KJV

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

KJV (with Strong's)

By faith {G4102} Isaac {G2464} blessed {G2127} Jacob {G2384} and {G2532} Esau {G2269} concerning {G4012} things to come {G3195}.

Complete Jewish Bible

By trusting, Yitz’chak in his blessings over Ya‘akov and Esav made reference to events yet to come.

Berean Standard Bible

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning the future.

American Standard Version

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 11:20 succinctly praises Isaac's faith, highlighting his prophetic act of blessing his sons, Jacob and Esau, concerning their future destinies. This verse, nestled within the "Hall of Faith," underscores Isaac's profound trust in God's sovereign plan, even amidst human fallibility and deception, recognizing that the blessings he pronounced were not mere parental wishes but divinely ordained declarations that would shape the unfolding of God's covenant promises for generations to come.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Hebrews 11, often called the "Hall of Faith" or "Faith's Roll Call," which systematically presents examples of faith from Old Testament history. Following the commendation of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac's inclusion demonstrates that faith is a multi-generational legacy, passed down and lived out by successive patriarchs. The author of Hebrews selects specific instances that illustrate a deep trust in God's promises, often in the face of challenging circumstances or when the fulfillment seemed distant. Isaac's blessing of Jacob and Esau, detailed in [Genesis 27](/genesis/27 "Genesis 27 - Isaac Blesses Jacob and Esau"), is a pivotal moment in the Genesis narrative, determining the lineage through which the Abrahamic covenant would continue and foreshadowing the distinct destinies of the nations of Israel and Edom. The author's choice to highlight Isaac's faith in this act, despite the deception involved, emphasizes that God's purposes prevail even through human imperfections.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, and particularly within Israelite culture, patriarchal blessings were far more than sentimental good wishes; they were solemn, legally binding, and prophetically significant declarations. Spoken words, especially those from a father to his sons, were believed to carry inherent power and to shape destiny. The firstborn son typically received the primary blessing, which included the double portion of inheritance and the leadership of the family. Isaac's intention to bless Esau, the firstborn, was in line with this tradition. However, the narrative in [Genesis 27](/genesis/27 "Genesis 27 - Isaac's Deception and Blessing") reveals Rebekah's intervention and Jacob's deception to secure the blessing of primogeniture. Despite the irregular circumstances, Isaac's subsequent confirmation of the blessing to Jacob, even after realizing the deception (see [Genesis 27:33](/genesis/27-33 "Genesis 27:33 - Isaac Trembles")), demonstrates his recognition of divine providence at work. His later blessing of Esau, though secondary, also foretold his descendants' future (see [Genesis 27:39-40](/genesis/27-39-40 "Genesis 27:39-40 - Esau's Blessing")).

* **Key Themes:** Isaac's actions in [Hebrews 11:20](/hebrews/11-20 "Hebrews 11:20 - Isaac's Faith") powerfully illustrate several key themes. Firstly, it underscores **God's Sovereignty and Election**, showing that God's plan for the covenant lineage ultimately prevails, even when human actors attempt to circumvent or manipulate it. The blessing given to Jacob, though obtained deceptively, was divinely intended, as foreshadowed by God's words to Rebekah in [Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "Genesis 25:23 - The Elder Shall Serve the Younger"). Secondly, the verse highlights the **Prophetic Nature of Patriarchal Blessings**, emphasizing that these were not just familial pronouncements but declarations concerning "things to come," shaping the spiritual and physical inheritance of future nations. Isaac's blessing of Jacob, for instance, spoke of him becoming a multitude of nations and receiving the Abrahamic covenant promises (cf. [Genesis 28:3-4](/genesis/28-3-4 "Genesis 28:3-4 - God's Blessing to Jacob")). Thirdly, it reaffirms the theme that **God Works Through Imperfect Instruments**. Isaac, like his father Abraham, was not without flaws—his favoritism towards Esau and his susceptibility to deception are evident. Yet, God used his act of faith, however imperfectly executed from a human standpoint, to advance His divine purposes, demonstrating that God's power is often perfected through human weakness and unexpected means.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **blessed (Greek, _eulogéō'_):** From a compound of _eu_ (well) and _logos_ (word), this term literally means "to speak well of." In this biblical context, however, it signifies far more than mere commendation. It means to invoke divine favor, to consecrate, or to impart spiritual benefit through a solemn, authoritative declaration. Isaac's blessing was a transfer of divine authority and prophetic destiny, not merely a good wish. It carried the weight of God's covenant promises.
* **Jacob (Greek, _Iakṓb'_):** Of Hebrew origin (עַקֹּב, _Ya`aqob_), Jacob means "supplanter" or "he grasps the heel." He is the progenitor of the Israelites, the chosen lineage through whom God's covenant promises to Abraham would be fulfilled. The mention of Jacob here is crucial, as his blessing was the primary conduit for the continuation of the covenant.
* **things to come (Greek, _méllō'_):** This word, a strengthened form of _melō_ (through the idea of expectation), conveys the sense of intending, being about to be, or being destined to occur. The phrase "things to come" (τὰ μέλλοντα - _ta mellonta_) emphasizes the future, prophetic aspect of Isaac's blessing, underscoring that his declarations were not about the immediate present but pointed to long-term divine purposes and the unfolding of God's plan across generations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau":** This opening clause immediately attributes Isaac's action to faith. Despite his advanced age, blindness, and the subsequent deception, Isaac's act of blessing his sons is seen as an expression of his deep trust in God's promises. He understood that these blessings, once pronounced, carried divine authority and would shape the destinies of his sons. Even when he realized he had been deceived regarding Jacob, his faith enabled him to affirm the divine orchestration of the event, recognizing God's hand in what seemed like human error.
* **"concerning things to come.":** This concluding phrase clarifies the nature and scope of Isaac's blessing. It was not merely a parental farewell or a distribution of earthly inheritance, but a prophetic declaration. Isaac, by faith, looked beyond the immediate circumstances and spoke into the future, foretelling the distinct destinies of Jacob's descendants (Israel) and Esau's descendants (Edom). This demonstrates his conviction that God's covenant promises, though unfolding over generations, would assuredly come to pass.

#### Literary Devices
The author of Hebrews employs several literary devices to convey the profound significance of Isaac's faith. **Emphasis** is placed on "by faith," which frames Isaac's actions, highlighting that his blessing was not a mere human custom but an act rooted in divine trust. This is crucial given the deceptive circumstances surrounding the blessing of Jacob, suggesting that the author sees God's sovereign hand working through imperfect human means. There is also a strong element of **Foreshadowing** in Isaac's blessing "concerning things to come." His words prophetically outlined the future of two nations, Israel and Edom, whose destinies would be intertwined yet distinct, setting the stage for much of Old Testament history. The narrative itself contains **Irony**, as Isaac, intending to bless Esau, unknowingly blesses Jacob, the one God had chosen. Yet, the author of Hebrews presents this not as a failure of faith but as an example of faith's triumph, where God's ultimate purpose is achieved despite human fallibility and deceptive practices. Finally, the act of blessing itself can be seen as **Symbolism**, representing the transfer of divine favor and covenant promises from one generation to the next, a vital link in the chain of God's redemptive plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaac's faith, as presented in [Hebrews 11:20](/hebrews/11-20 "Hebrews 11:20 - Isaac's Faith"), offers a profound theological insight into the nature of God's sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. Despite Isaac's human limitations, including his favoritism and susceptibility to deception, his act of blessing is commended as an act of faith because he ultimately acknowledged God's providential hand in the unfolding destinies of his sons. This demonstrates that God's plans are not contingent upon human perfection but are sovereignly accomplished, often through means that appear flawed or unexpected from a human perspective. Isaac's prophetic declarations concerning "things to come" underscore the enduring power of God's word and the certainty of His future fulfillment, inviting believers to trust in God's ultimate purposes even when present circumstances are unclear or challenging.

* [Genesis 27:28-29](/genesis/27-28-29 "Genesis 27:28-29 - Jacob's Blessing")
* [Romans 9:10-13](/romans/9-10-13 "Romans 9:10-13 - God's Choice of Jacob")
* [Genesis 28:3-4](/genesis/28-3-4 "Genesis 28:3-4 - God's Covenant Blessing to Jacob")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 11:20 offers a powerful encouragement for believers today, reminding us that faith involves trusting God's future plans, even when our present circumstances are unclear, imperfect, or even marked by human error. Like Isaac, we are called to live by faith, believing that God is working out His purposes through our lives and through our interactions, even when we make mistakes or when situations don't unfold as we initially intended. It highlights the enduring power of spoken blessings and declarations made in faith, which can have profound and lasting impacts on future generations, shaping destinies in ways we may not fully comprehend in the moment. This verse challenges us to consider the long-term impact of our faithful obedience and to recognize God's sovereignty even in the midst of life's complexities, trusting that He can redeem and use even our imperfections to accomplish His perfect will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Isaac's story encourage you to trust God's sovereignty even when circumstances seem confusing or imperfect?**
* **In what ways can you, by faith, "bless" or speak prophetically into the lives of others, especially future generations?**
* **What "things to come" are you trusting God for in your own life or for the church, despite present challenges?**
* **How does the idea of God working through imperfect instruments (like Isaac) deepen your understanding of grace and God's faithfulness?**

### FAQ

**How was Isaac's blessing "by faith" if he was deceived into blessing Jacob instead of Esau?**

Answer: Isaac's faith is commended not because he was flawless in his execution, but because of his underlying conviction that the blessings he pronounced carried divine authority and would indeed come to pass. When he realized he had blessed Jacob, he "trembled violently" ([Genesis 27:33](/genesis/27-33 "Genesis 27:33 - Isaac Trembles")) but then affirmed the blessing, stating, "and indeed he will be blessed!" This indicates his recognition that God's sovereign hand was at work, overriding his human intention and the deceptive means. His faith was in God's ability to fulfill His promises, even through unexpected and humanly flawed circumstances, rather than in his own perfect discernment. He trusted that God's will, not his own preference or a human trick, would ultimately prevail in the destiny of his sons.

**What is the significance of patriarchal blessings like the one Isaac gave?**

Answer: Patriarchal blessings in the Old Testament were profoundly significant, serving as more than mere good wishes. They were solemn, prophetic declarations that carried legal, spiritual, and often covenantal weight. They typically involved the transfer of authority, inheritance, and divine favor, shaping the future destiny of individuals and their descendants. In Isaac's case, the blessings to Jacob and Esau determined the lineage through which God's covenant with Abraham would continue (Jacob) and foretold the future of two distinct nations (Israel and Edom). These blessings were seen as irrevocable and divinely empowered, reflecting the belief that spoken words, especially from a patriarch, had a tangible impact on the future, guided by God's providence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaac's blessing of Jacob and Esau "concerning things to come" finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Isaac's prophetic words outlined the destinies of two earthly nations, Christ embodies the spiritual reality of all blessings and the culmination of all God's promises. The "things to come" that Isaac foresaw were but shadows of the glorious realities revealed in Christ. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus became the true heir of all promises, the "seed" through whom all the families of the earth are blessed, as promised to Abraham ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Seed is Christ")). In Christ, believers are spiritually blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Blessed in Christ")), inheriting not merely land or earthly prosperity, but eternal life, reconciliation with God, and participation in the divine nature. He is the mediator of a new and better covenant ([Hebrews 9:15](/hebrews/9-15 "Hebrews 9:15 - Christ, Mediator of the New Covenant")), fulfilling the prophetic trajectory set in motion by the patriarchs. Thus, Isaac's faith in future things points directly to the one who is the "Alpha and the Omega," the beginning and the end of all God's redemptive purposes, in whom all of God's promises find their "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 27:27

And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son [is] as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed:

Genesis 27:40

And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.

Genesis 28:2

Arise, go to Padanaram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother's father; and take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother's brother.

Genesis 28:3

And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;