• Hebrews 11:19
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 19 λογισάμενος having reckoned ὅτι that καὶ and ἐκ out of νεκρῶν dead (ones) ἐγείρειν to be raising up δυνατὸς able ὁ the θεός· God; ὅθεν from which αὐτὸν him καὶ also ἐν in παραβολῇ parable ἐκομίσατο. he carried off for self.

  • Hebrews Study Notes—Chapter 11
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 11:19

      he reasoned: Under inspiration, Paul explains that Abraham “reasoned,” or pondered over, what Jehovah asked him to do. Jehovah had promised that Abraham would have a son by his wife Sarah. (Ge 18:10, 14) To fulfill that promise, Jehovah miraculously caused barren Sarah to give birth to Isaac in her old age. Abraham himself was about 100 years old at the time, “as good as dead” so far as fathering a child was concerned. (Ro 4:19; Heb 11:11, 12) Also, Jehovah had clearly told him: “What will be called your offspring will be through Isaac.” (Ge 21:12) Abraham carefully considered these facts. He concluded that even if he carried out Jehovah’s instructions and sacrificed Isaac​—who was presently childless​—“God was able to raise him up” in order to fulfill what He had promised. (Ge 13:16; 18:18) This remarkable passage shows that Abraham’s obedience was not blind. It was evidence of his faith, which was based on his knowing his God.

      in an illustrative way: Some translations render this Greek expression “in a figurative sense” or “in a sense”; it has also been rendered “as an illustration.” (Compare Heb 9:9 and study note.) In a figurative way, Abraham received his son back from the dead when Isaac was spared from being put to death on the altar of sacrifice.​—Heb 11:17.