Hebrews 11:27

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

By faith {G4102} he forsook {G2641} Egypt {G125}, not {G3361} fearing {G5399} the wrath {G2372} of the king {G935}: for {G1063} he endured {G2594}, as {G5613} seeing {G3708} him who is invisible {G517}.

By trusting, he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered as one who sees the unseen.

By faith Moses left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible.

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

Commentary

Context

Hebrews 11 is famously known as the "Hall of Faith" or "Faith's Roll Call," celebrating individuals throughout Old Testament history who exemplified profound trust in God. Verse 27 focuses on the remarkable faith of Moses, following previous verses that highlight his parents' faith in hiding him (Hebrews 11:23) and Moses' own choice to identify with God's people over the riches of Egypt (Hebrews 11:24-26). This verse specifically addresses his departure from Egypt, which is best understood as the definitive exodus of the Israelites, when Moses led them out of bondage after the plagues, defying the greatest power on earth at that time. His earlier flight from Pharaoh after killing the Egyptian was also an act of faith, but this verse points to the climactic event of the nation's liberation, where he directly confronted and then departed from Pharaoh's command for Israel to leave.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Courage Born of Faith: Moses' act of leading Israel out of Egypt was an immense act of defiance against Pharaoh, the most powerful ruler of his day. His courage was not a lack of fear, but a faith that transcended it, enabling him to "not fear the wrath of the king." This emphasizes that true courage comes from a steadfast reliance on God.
  • Spiritual Vision Overcomes Worldly Threats: The core message of the verse is captured in the phrase, "for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible." Moses' ability to withstand the immense pressure and danger stemmed from his profound spiritual awareness of God's presence and power. He saw beyond the visible threats of Pharaoh and his army, fixing his gaze on the unseen, yet supremely real, God. This echoes the principle of walking by faith, not by sight.
  • Divine Endurance: The word "endured" signifies perseverance and steadfastness in the face of daunting challenges. Moses' endurance was not self-generated but flowed directly from his spiritual vision of God. It highlights that our capacity to endure trials is directly proportional to our focus on God.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "endured" is kartereō (καρτερέω), meaning "to be strong," "to be steadfast," or "to persevere with firm resolution." It implies an unwavering firmness of purpose even under extreme duress. The term "invisible" (aoratos, ἀόρατος) refers to that which cannot be perceived by the physical senses. Moses' "seeing" was not physical sight but a deep, unshakeable conviction and spiritual apprehension of God's reality, presence, and power, which empowered him to act despite the overwhelming odds and the wrath of Pharaoh.

Practical Application

Hebrews 11:27 offers profound encouragement for believers today. In a world filled with visible challenges, fears, and powerful adversaries, this verse reminds us that true strength and endurance come from focusing on the "invisible" God. When facing daunting circumstances, the "wrath" of opposition, or the temptation to compromise, we are called to emulate Moses' faith. By cultivating a spiritual vision of God's sovereignty, His promises, and His ever-present help, we can find the courage to stand firm, make difficult choices, and not fear, for God is with us. Our ability to endure often depends on what, or whom, we are truly "seeing" with the eyes of faith.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 1.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
7 Major Themes in the Book of Hebrews The "Hall of Faith" Heroes in Hebrews 11 An Introduction to Hebrews: Christ is Better The "Faith Hall of Fame": An Exposition of Hebrews 11 The Cloud of Witnesses in Hebrews 12

Cross-References

  • 2 Corinthians 4:18

    While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen [are] temporal; but the things which are not seen [are] eternal.

  • Hebrews 11:13

    These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

  • Exodus 2:14

    And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known.

  • Exodus 2:15

    Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.

  • Hebrews 11:1

    ¶ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

  • Exodus 10:28

    And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in [that] day thou seest my face thou shalt die.

  • Exodus 10:29

    And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more.
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