Hebrews 11:23

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.

By faith {G4102} Moses {G3475}, when he was born {G1080}, was hid {G2928} three months {G5150} of {G5259} his {G846} parents {G3962}, because {G1360} they saw {G1492} he was a proper {G791} child {G3813}; and {G2532} they were {G5399} not {G3756} afraid {G5399} of the king's {G935} commandment {G1297}.

By trusting, the parents of Moshe hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and they weren’t afraid of the king’s decree.

By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after his birth, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were unafraid of the king’s edict.

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

Commentary

Hebrews 11:23 highlights the profound faith of Moses' parents, Amram and Jochebed, at a critical moment in Israel's history. This verse is part of the renowned "faith hall of fame" in Hebrews 11, which chronicles the lives of Old Testament figures who exemplified unwavering trust in God.

Context

The historical backdrop for this verse is the severe oppression of the Israelites in Egypt. Pharaoh, fearing the rapid growth of the Hebrew population, issued a cruel decree that all male Hebrew infants should be cast into the Nile River (Exodus 1:22). It was into this perilous environment that Moses was born. Despite the immense danger and the king's absolute authority, Moses' parents chose to defy the royal edict, driven by a conviction rooted in their faith.

Key Themes

  • Faith Over Fear: The most prominent theme is the triumph of faith over human fear. Moses' parents were not intimidated by Pharaoh's power or the threat of death. Their trust in God's sovereignty and purpose for their child superseded their natural fear of the king's commandment. This act of courage sets a powerful example of living by conviction rather than by circumstance.
  • Divine Recognition and Purpose: The phrase "they saw [he was] a proper child" (KJV) is crucial. This wasn't merely about physical beauty, but an intuitive or spiritual discernment that Moses was special, divinely favored, and destined for a significant purpose. This recognition fueled their determination to protect him, believing God had a plan for his life that transcended Pharaoh's decree.
  • Obedience to God Over Human Authority: Amram and Jochebed chose to obey God's implicit will (to preserve life and perhaps recognizing God's hand on Moses) over the explicit, tyrannical command of the earthly king. This echoes the principle seen throughout Scripture where God's people must ultimately obey God rather than men when human laws contradict divine principles (Acts 5:29).
  • Parental Faith: This verse beautifully illustrates the vital role of parental faith in nurturing and protecting God's purposes, often at great personal risk. Their initial act of hiding Moses laid the groundwork for his future deliverance of Israel.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "proper" in "a proper child" is asteion (ἀστεῖον), which means "beautiful," "comely," or "exceeding fair." This term is also used in Acts 7:20 by Stephen when describing Moses. It suggests not just outward attractiveness but an inherent divine quality or special grace that was evident to his parents, confirming God's hand upon him from birth.

Practical Application

Hebrews 11:23 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It challenges us to:

  • Confront Fear with Faith: In moments of pressure or uncertainty, will we succumb to fear or stand firm in our trust in God's plan and protection?
  • Discern God's Purpose: Are we sensitive to God's hand at work in our lives and the lives of those around us, even when circumstances seem bleak?
  • Obey God Courageously: When faced with choices where worldly expectations or commands conflict with biblical principles, will we have the courage to prioritize obedience to God?
  • Nurture Faith in the Next Generation: Parents are called to exercise faith and make sacrifices to protect and guide their children in God's ways, recognizing that God has a unique purpose for each life.

The faith of Moses' parents reminds us that even seemingly small acts of obedience and courage, born out of deep faith, can have monumental implications for God's redemptive plan.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 1:22

    And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.

  • Exodus 1:16

    And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see [them] upon the stools; if it [be] a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it [be] a daughter, then she shall live.

  • Hebrews 13:6

    So that we may boldly say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

  • Matthew 10:28

    And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

  • Exodus 2:2

    And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he [was a] goodly [child], she hid him three months.

  • Exodus 2:10

    And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.

  • Psalms 118:6

    The LORD [is] on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
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