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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comVincent Word Studies - Hebrews 11:17 - 11:17
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
When he was tried offered up (προσενήνοχεν πειραζόμενος)
The full sense of the statement is missed in A.V. The meaning is that while the trial is yet in progress, Abraham hath already offered up his son, before the trial has come to an issue, by the act of his obedient will, through faith in God. Comp. Jam 2:21.
He that had received (ὁ ἀναδεξάμενος)
The verb only here and Act 28:7. It means to accept; to welcome and entertain. So Rev. gladly received.
Accounting (λογισάμενος)
See on 1Pe 5:12; see on Rom 4:5; see on Rom 8:18.
From whence (ὅθεν)
Rend. wherefore: because of his faith in God's power and truthfulness. Ὃθεν, though occasionally in a local sense in N.T., as Mat 12:44; Luk 11:24; Act 14:26, is much more common in the logical or causal sense, wherefore, on which account. So in every other instance in Hebrews. In the local sense it would mean from the dead.
Also he received him in a figure (αὐτὸν καὶ ἐν παρασολῇ ἐκομίσατο)
Καὶ marks the receiving as answering to the faith. As Abraham believed in God's power to restore Isaac, so, because of his faith, he also received him. For ἐκομίσατο received see on Heb 10:36. Ἐν παραβολῆ in a parable. Since the sacrifice did not take place as a literal slaughter, there could not be a literal restoration from death. There was a real offering in Abraham's will, but not a real death of Isaac. Isaac's death took place symbolically, in the sacrifice of the ram: correspondingly, the restoration was only a symbolic restoration from the dead. Some expositors, among whom is Westcott, explain thus: Abraham accounted that God was able to raise Isaac from the dead, from which he received him at birth, in that Isaac sprung from one dead (νενεκρωμένου, Heb 11:12). This is extremely labored and artificial.