By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

HEBREWS 11:7KJV
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Hebrews 11:7 (KJV)

What does Hebrews 11:7 mean?

Hebrews 11:7 describes how Noah trusted what God told him about things that had not yet happened, and because he respected God's warning, he built an ark that saved his family. By acting on this faith, Noah showed the world’s lack of faith and became someone who received the kind of righteousness that comes from trusting God.

The writer of Hebrews is highlighting examples of faith to encourage readers to trust God even when they cannot see the outcome. In this verse, Noah’s story is used to show how faith leads to action, even when God’s warnings or promises seem impossible or far off. Noah’s obedience set him apart from the rest of his generation, and his faith is presented as a model for others.

The Greek behind Hebrews 11:7

  • πίστις (pistis; faith): This word means trust or confidence, especially in God. The verse emphasizes that Noah’s actions were rooted in this kind of trust, not in what he could see or prove.
  • εὐλαβέομαι (eulabeomai; fear): This word is often understood as “reverent awe” or “respect,” not just being afraid. Noah’s response to God was shaped by deep respect, which moved him to act.
  • κιβωτός (kibōtos; ark): The specific term for the large vessel Noah built. The Greek word points to something constructed for preservation or safety, highlighting the practical side of Noah’s faith.
  • κατακρίνω (katakrinō; condemned): This means to judge or show something as wrong. By building the ark, Noah’s faith made the unbelief of his generation stand out in contrast.

Why Hebrews 11:7 matters

  • Hebrews 11:7 clears up the idea that faith is only a feeling or belief; here, faith leads to concrete action, even when the reasons are not visible.
  • The verse connects Noah’s story to the larger theme of Hebrews 11, which is about people who trusted God despite uncertainty or opposition.
  • It highlights that righteousness, in this context, is not earned by works but is received through faith—trusting God’s word and acting on it.

Where else these words appear

“fear” Greek G2125 · used in 2 verses

  • Acts 23:10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.

“ark” Greek G2787 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
  • Luke 17:27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
  • 1 Peter 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

“Noah” Greek G3575 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
  • Luke 3:36 Which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech,
  • Luke 17:27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

“God” Greek G5537 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
  • Luke 2:26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
  • Romans 7:3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.