Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

HEBREWS 11:19KJV
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Hebrews 11:19 (KJV)

What does Hebrews 11:19 mean?

Hebrews 11:19 describes Abraham’s reasoning when he was prepared to offer his son Isaac. Abraham believed that God could bring Isaac back from death, and the writer says that Abraham received him back “in a figure.”

After the account of Abraham’s test in the preceding verses, “in a figure” pictures Isaac’s return as a kind of return from death. Isaac had been placed on the altar, but he was not killed; Genesis 22:10–13 tells how the offering was stopped.

The Greek behind Hebrews 11:19

  • “Accounting” — λογίζομαι (logizomai): This word can mean reckoning or considering. Here it presents Abraham as reasoning about what God was able to do.
  • “figure” — παραβολή (parabolē): This word can refer to a comparison or illustration. It signals that receiving Isaac back from death is a picture of what happened, rather than an account of Isaac actually dying.
  • “received” — κομίζω (komizō): This word can carry the sense of getting something back. It helps explain why the writer speaks of Abraham receiving Isaac, who was already his son.

Why Hebrews 11:19 matters

  • Abraham’s expectation concerned Isaac specifically. Hebrews 11:18 has just recalled God’s words that Abraham’s descendants would be named through Isaac, so the promised future is part of the tension in the account.
  • The verse points to God’s ability, not to an escape Abraham had arranged. The words “God was able to raise him up” explain Abraham’s reasoning as Hebrews presents it.
  • The writer connects Abraham’s action with his inward reasoning. “Accounting” introduces the thought behind the offering described in Hebrews 11:17.

Where else these words appear

“received” Greek G2865 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 25:27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
  • Ephesians 6:8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
  • Hebrews 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

“whence” Greek G3606 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 12:44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
  • Luke 11:24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.
  • Hebrews 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

“able” Greek G1415 · used in 35 verses

  • Matthew 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
  • Luke 24:19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:
  • Romans 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

“Accounting” Greek G3049 · used in 40 verses

  • Mark 11:31 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?
  • Romans 4:10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
  • 2 Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;