By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

HEBREWS 11:27KJV
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Hebrews 11:27 (KJV)

What does Hebrews 11:27 mean?

Hebrews 11:27 says that Moses left Egypt because he trusted God, not because he was afraid of the king’s anger; instead, Moses kept going because he was confident in the reality of God, even though God could not be seen. The verse highlights Moses’ faith as the reason he was able to endure hardship and opposition.

The writer of Hebrews is encouraging Jewish Christians by pointing to Moses as an example of faith. Moses’ decision to leave Egypt—whether in fleeing Pharaoh after killing the Egyptian or leading Israel out—was not driven by fear but by trust in God’s unseen presence. The verse emphasizes that faith means acting with confidence in God’s promises, even when they are not visible.

The Greek behind Hebrews 11:27

  • faith (πίστις, pistis): This word means trust or confidence. Here, it underlines that Moses’ actions were rooted in a deep trust in God, not just belief in facts.
  • forsook (κατέλιπεν, katelipen): This verb means to leave behind or abandon. The sense is that Moses decisively left Egypt, turning his back on his old life and its security.
  • endured (καρτέρησεν, karterēsen): This word means to be steadfast or to persevere. It shows that Moses kept going despite difficulties, holding firm because of his faith.
  • seeing (ὡς ὁρῶν, hōs horōn) him who is invisible (ἀόρατος, aoratos): The phrase means “as if seeing the invisible one.” It stresses that Moses’ endurance came from a real awareness of God, even though God could not be seen with physical eyes.

Why Hebrews 11:27 matters

  • Hebrews 11:27 clears up the idea that Moses left Egypt out of fear; the verse insists his actions were motivated by faith, not by running away from danger.
  • The verse highlights that true faith is not just belief in ideas, but a steady confidence in God’s presence and promises, even when they are not visible.
  • Hebrews 11:27 connects Moses’ story to the larger theme of Hebrews 11, showing that faith has always meant trusting God beyond what can be seen or proven, which encourages readers to do the same.

Where else these words appear

“invisible” Greek G517 · used in 5 verses

  • Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
  • Colossians 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
  • Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

“wrath” Greek G2372 · used in 18 verses

  • Luke 4:28 And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,
  • Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
  • Revelation 15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

“Egypt” Greek G125 · used in 22 verses

  • Matthew 2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
  • Acts 7:11 Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance.
  • Acts 7:40 Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.

“forsook” Greek G2641 · used in 25 verses

  • Matthew 4:13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
  • Luke 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
  • Acts 24:27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.