Hebrews 11:8

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.

By faith {G4102} Abraham {G11}, when he was called {G2564} to go out {G1831} into {G1519} a place {G5117} which {G3739} he should after {G3195} receive {G2983} for {G1519} an inheritance {G2817}, obeyed {G5219}; and {G2532} he went out {G1831}, not {G3361} knowing {G1987} whither {G4226} he went {G2064}.

By trusting, Avraham obeyed, after being called to go out to a place which God would give him as a possession; indeed, he went out without knowing where he was going.

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going.

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

Commentary

Hebrews 11:8 highlights the profound faith of Abraham, a foundational figure in the biblical narrative. This verse presents him as a prime example of someone who acted on God's word without a clear understanding of the immediate outcome, demonstrating a deep trust in the divine caller.

Context

This verse is part of the famous "Hall of Faith" in Hebrews chapter 11, which celebrates individuals throughout Old Testament history who exemplified extraordinary faith. Abraham's story is pivotal, illustrating what it means to live by faith. His call is first recorded in Genesis 12:1-4, where God commanded him to leave his country, kindred, and father's house for a land that God would show him. This was a radical departure from the comfort and familiarity of his home in Ur of the Chaldees, a significant cultural and religious center of his time.

Key Themes

  • Faith as Obedience: Abraham's faith was not passive belief but an active response to God's command. His obedience was immediate and complete, even though the destination was unknown. This underscores that true faith often compels action and a willingness to follow divine instruction.
  • Trust in the Unseen: The phrase "not knowing whither he went" is central to understanding Abraham's faith. It emphasizes his absolute reliance on God's guidance and promise. He trusted God's character and covenant more than his own need for a detailed itinerary or visible path. This kind of trust is fundamental to a walk of faith.
  • Divine Call and Promise: The verse highlights that Abraham "was called." This initiative came entirely from God, who also promised an "inheritance." This foreshadows the greater spiritual inheritance available to all who respond to God's call by faith, as seen in Galatians 3:29, where believers are identified as Abraham's spiritual offspring.
  • The Nature of Inheritance: While it included the physical land of Canaan, Abraham's ultimate inheritance was also spiritual – a covenant relationship with God and the promise of a vast lineage through whom the Messiah would come. This is why Abraham, despite receiving the promise of land, continued to live in tents, looking for a "city which hath foundations" (Hebrews 11:10), indicating his gaze was fixed on an eternal dwelling.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "obeyed" is hypēkousen (ὑπήκουσεν), which implies a hearing and a submission to authority. It's more than just following instructions; it's a deep listening that leads to compliance. The phrase "not knowing whither he went" (μὴ ἐπιστάμενος ποῦ ἔρχεται - mē epistamenos pou erchetai) vividly portrays Abraham's journey into the unknown, underscoring the radical nature of his trust. He had no map, only a divine voice and a promise.

Practical Application

Abraham's example provides profound encouragement for believers today to step out in faith when God calls, even when the path ahead is unclear. It challenges us to trust God's leading more than our need for certainty or comfort, acknowledging that His plans are always perfect. This verse reminds us that true faith often involves leaving the familiar and venturing into the unknown, confident that God, who initiates the call, will also guide and fulfill His promises. It teaches us that faith is a dynamic act of trusting obedience, rewarded by God's faithfulness and leading to spiritual inheritance.

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

  • Genesis 12:1 (16 votes)

    ¶ Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

  • Genesis 12:4 (16 votes)

    ¶ So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram [was] seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.

  • Acts 7:2 (15 votes)

    And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,

  • Acts 7:4 (15 votes)

    Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell.

  • Matthew 7:24 (10 votes)

    Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

  • Matthew 7:25 (10 votes)

    And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

  • 1 Peter 1:22 (7 votes)

    Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, [see that ye] love one another with a pure heart fervently: