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 11:23KJVWhat 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.