By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.

HEBREWS 11:23KJV
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Hebrews 11:23 (KJV)

What does Hebrews 11:23 mean?

Hebrews 11:23 says that Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born because they saw he was a special child and were not afraid of the king’s order. The verse highlights their faith in God, which gave them courage to defy the king’s command to kill Hebrew baby boys.

The writer of Hebrews is reminding Jewish Christians about the faith of people from Israel’s history. In this verse, the focus is on Moses’ parents, who trusted God more than they feared Pharaoh’s law. Their actions set the stage for Moses’ later role in leading Israel, showing that faith can lead to bold choices even in dangerous situations.

The Greek behind Hebrews 11:23

  • The word for "faith" is πίστις (pistis), which often means trust or confidence in God. The verse credits this trust as the reason for Moses’ parents’ actions, not just parental instinct or courage.
  • The word for "proper" is ἀστεῖος (asteios), which can mean beautiful or well-formed. This suggests Moses’ parents saw something remarkable or promising about their child, beyond just physical appearance.
  • The phrase "were not afraid" uses φοβέω (phobeō), meaning to fear or be intimidated. The Greek here emphasizes that their faith was stronger than their fear of the king’s (βασιλεύς, basileus) command.

Why Hebrews 11:23 matters

  • Hebrews 11:23 shows that faith is not just about personal belief but can lead to risky, practical actions, even in the face of powerful opposition.
  • The verse connects Moses’ story to a larger theme in Hebrews 11, where faith shapes the choices of ordinary people, not just famous leaders.
  • By highlighting the courage of Moses’ parents, the verse reminds readers that faith can begin in small, hidden acts that have a much larger impact on God’s plans.

Where else these words appear

“proper” Greek G791 · used in 2 verses

  • Acts 7:20 In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months:

“hid” Greek G2928 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
  • Luke 18:34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
  • Colossians 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

“because” Greek G1360 · used in 21 verses

  • Luke 1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
  • Acts 22:18 And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.
  • Philippians 2:26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.

“child” Greek G3813 · used in 48 verses

  • Matthew 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
  • Mark 5:39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.
  • Luke 2:27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,