Hebrews 11:12
Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
2 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀφ'
of
G575
ἀφ'
of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
3 of 26
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
ἐγεννήθησαν
sprang there
G1080
ἐγεννήθησαν
sprang there
Strong's:
G1080
Word #:
5 of 26
to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to regenerate
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
νενεκρωμένου
as good as dead
G3499
νενεκρωμένου
as good as dead
Strong's:
G3499
Word #:
8 of 26
to deaden, i.e., (figuratively) to subdue
ἡ
which
G3588
ἡ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἄστρα
the stars
G798
ἄστρα
the stars
Strong's:
G798
Word #:
11 of 26
properly, a constellation; put for a single star (natural or artificial)
ἡ
which
G3588
ἡ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανοῦ
of the sky
G3772
οὐρανοῦ
of the sky
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
13 of 26
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
ἡ
which
G3588
ἡ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πλήθει
in multitude
G4128
πλήθει
in multitude
Strong's:
G4128
Word #:
15 of 26
a fulness, i.e., a large number, throng, populace
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
which
G3588
ἡ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παρὰ
is by
G3844
παρὰ
is by
Strong's:
G3844
Word #:
20 of 26
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
ἡ
which
G3588
ἡ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χεῖλος
shore
G5491
χεῖλος
shore
Strong's:
G5491
Word #:
22 of 26
a lip (as a pouring place); figuratively, a margin (of water)
ἡ
which
G3588
ἡ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Genesis 22:17That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;Genesis 32:12And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.Hosea 1:10Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.Jeremiah 33:22As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me.Genesis 15:5And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.Revelation 20:8And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.Isaiah 10:22For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness.Genesis 26:4And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;Isaiah 48:19Thy seed also had been as the sand, and the offspring of thy bowels like the gravel thereof; his name should not have been cut off nor destroyed from before me.Nehemiah 9:23Their children also multipliedst thou as the stars of heaven, and broughtest them into the land, concerning which thou hadst promised to their fathers, that they should go in to possess it.
Historical Context
Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born (Genesis 21:5), long past natural capacity for fatherhood. Romans 4:19-21 emphasizes he was 'about a hundred years old' and 'considered his own body, now as good as dead.' Sarah was 90 (Genesis 17:17). The New Testament repeatedly highlights their advanced age and her barrenness to underscore that Isaac's birth was supernatural. For first-century Hebrew Christians facing persecution, this demonstrated that God's promises, though delayed and seemingly impossible, are absolutely certain because they rest on His character and power, not human circumstances.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this passage illustrate sovereign grace—that salvation originates entirely from God, not human capacity?
- What promises of God seem impossible in your circumstances yet require faith in His power to bring life from death?
- In what ways are you part of the 'innumerable seed' promised to Abraham, and how should this shape your identity?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. From one man, Abraham, who was 'as good as dead' (nenekromenou, νενεκρωμένου, perfect passive participle—'having been deadened') regarding reproductive capacity, God brought forth descendants beyond counting. This celebrates God's faithful fulfillment of His covenant promises despite absolute human impossibility.
The imagery of 'stars of the sky' and 'sand by the sea shore' echoes God's original covenant promises to Abraham (Genesis 15:5, 22:17, 32:12), emphasizing both the certainty and magnitude of divine fulfillment. This multiplication from death to innumerable life illustrates the gospel pattern: God brings spiritual life from spiritual death, creates a people for Himself from those who were 'dead in trespasses and sins' (Ephesians 2:1-3). Just as Isaac's birth was wholly God's work through aged, barren parents, so salvation is entirely God's work in spiritually dead sinners.
Reformed theology sees Abraham's descendants—both physical Israel and the spiritual seed through faith in Christ (Galatians 3:7-9, 29; Romans 4:16-17)—existing solely because of God's promise and power, not human merit or ability. The church universal, comprised of believers from every nation, represents the ultimate fulfillment of the promise to multiply Abraham's seed beyond number. We are the impossible miracle, brought from death to life by sovereign grace alone.