Hebrews 11:9 Meaning and Explanation
“By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Abraham lived as a stranger in the very land God had promised him, dwelling in tents alongside Isaac and Jacob, who shared the same promise.
What Does Hebrews 11:9 Mean?
The account continues with how Abraham lived once he reached Canaan. Though it was the land of promise, he held no settled estate there, living in tents as a foreigner passing through.
Isaac and Jacob lived the same tent-dwelling life, fellow heirs of a promise none of them saw fully kept in their lifetimes. Their faith held the promise even while their feet rested only on borrowed ground. To live by faith is often to hold an inheritance not yet possessed, content as a pilgrim because the One who promised cannot fail. The tent speaks of a heart set on something more lasting.
Hebrews 11:9 in the Original Language
paroikeo (παροικέω), 'sojourned' -- to dwell as a resident alien, living beside others without belonging.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hebrews 11:9
What does Hebrews 11:9 mean?
Abraham lived as a stranger in the very land God had promised him, dwelling in tents alongside Isaac and Jacob, who shared the same promise.