Hebrews 11:20 (KJV)

What does Hebrews 11:20 mean?

Hebrews 11:20 says that Isaac, by faith, blessed his sons Jacob and Esau about what would happen to them in the future. The verse highlights Isaac’s trust in God’s promises when he spoke blessings over his children, even though he could not see how those promises would unfold.

The writer of Hebrews is reminding readers that Isaac’s actions were rooted in faith, not just tradition or family custom. In the original story from Genesis, Isaac was old and near death when he blessed Jacob and Esau, believing that God’s word about their futures would come true. This verse is part of a larger section showing how key figures in Israel’s history acted with confidence in God’s promises, even when those promises were not yet visible.

The Greek behind Hebrews 11:20

• πίστις (pistis, "faith"): This word means trust or confidence, especially in God. The verse emphasizes that Isaac’s blessings were not just wishes but acts of trust in God’s future plans.
• εὐλογέω (eulogeo, "blessed"): This word means to speak well of or to pronounce good things over someone. Here, it refers to Isaac’s formal pronouncement of God’s favor and destiny over Jacob and Esau.
• μέλλω (mellō, "come"): This word means something that is about to happen or is destined to happen. The verse points out that Isaac’s blessings were about future events, not present realities.

Why Hebrews 11:20 matters

• The verse clarifies that faith is not only about personal belief but also about trusting God’s promises for others, even when the outcome is unseen.
• Hebrews 11:20 connects Isaac’s actions to the broader theme of Hebrews 11, which is about people who lived by faith in God’s promises, not by sight.
• The verse helps readers see that the blessings given by the patriarchs were more than family traditions—they were acts of faith in God’s unfolding plan.