By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

HEBREWS 11:8KJV
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Hebrews 11:8 (KJV)

What does Hebrews 11:8 mean?

Hebrews 11:8 says that Abraham trusted God so much that when God called him to leave his home and go to a new place, Abraham obeyed—even though he did not know where he was going. The verse highlights Abraham’s willingness to act on faith, stepping into the unknown because he believed God’s promise.

The writer of Hebrews is explaining to early Christians how faith looks in action, using Abraham as an example. Abraham, a key figure in Jewish history, was called by God to leave everything familiar for a future inheritance. The verse emphasizes not just belief, but obedience and trust in God’s guidance, even without knowing all the details.

The Greek behind Hebrews 11:8

  • πίστις (pistis; faith): This word means trust or confidence, not just intellectual agreement. Here, it stresses that Abraham’s actions were rooted in deep trust in God, not just belief in an idea.
  • ὑπήκουσεν (hypēkousen; obeyed): This word means to listen under, or to heed. The Greek highlights that Abraham’s faith led to real obedience—he didn’t just agree with God in theory, but actually responded with action.
  • ἐξελθεῖν (exelthein; to go out): This word means to leave or depart. The Greek underscores that Abraham physically left his home, showing faith is not just inward but expressed in outward steps.
  • οὐκ ἐπιστάμενος ποῦ ἔρχεται (ouk epistamenos pou erchetai; not knowing where he was going): The Greek phrase makes clear that Abraham had no knowledge of his destination, highlighting the uncertainty and trust involved.

Why Hebrews 11:8 matters

  • Hebrews 11:8 clears up the idea that faith is only about belief; it shows that faith involves real-life decisions and actions, even when the outcome is unclear.
  • The verse emphasizes that obedience to God does not always come with full understanding or guarantees, but is rooted in trust.
  • This verse connects Abraham’s story to the larger theme of Hebrews 11, which is often called the “faith chapter,” showing how faith shaped the lives of key figures in the Bible and encouraging readers to trust God in their own journeys.

Where else these words appear

“inheritance” Greek G2817 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 21:38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.
  • Acts 7:5 And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child.
  • Ephesians 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

“knowing” Greek G1987 · used in 14 verses

  • Mark 14:68 But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.
  • Acts 19:15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
  • Acts 24:10 Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:

“obeyed” Greek G5219 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 8:27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
  • Acts 12:13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.
  • Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

“whither” Greek G4226 · used in 42 verses

  • Matthew 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
  • Luke 22:11 And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?
  • John 14:5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?