Hebrews 11:27
By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
Original Language Analysis
Πίστει
By faith
G4102
Πίστει
By faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
1 of 15
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
κατέλιπεν
he forsook
G2641
κατέλιπεν
he forsook
Strong's:
G2641
Word #:
2 of 15
to leave down, i.e., behind; by implication, to abandon, have remaining
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
4 of 15
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
φοβηθεὶς
fearing
G5399
φοβηθεὶς
fearing
Strong's:
G5399
Word #:
5 of 15
to frighten, i.e., (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e., revere
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βασιλέως·
of the king
G935
βασιλέως·
of the king
Strong's:
G935
Word #:
9 of 15
a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
11 of 15
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
13 of 15
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
Cross References
Hebrews 11:13These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.2 Corinthians 4:18While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.Hebrews 11:1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.Exodus 4:19And the LORD said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt: for all the men are dead which sought thy life.Exodus 11:8And all these thy servants shall come down unto me, and bow down themselves unto me, saying, Get thee out, and all the people that follow thee: and after that I will go out. And he went out from Pharaoh in a great anger.1 Timothy 1:17Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.James 5:11Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.Hebrews 10:32But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;Exodus 12:11And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD'S passover.1 Peter 1:8Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Historical Context
Moses' departure from Egypt could refer to his initial flight to Midian (Exodus 2:14-15) or the Exodus itself (Exodus 12-14). Context suggests the Exodus, where Moses confronted Pharaoh repeatedly despite threats, led Israel out despite Egyptian army pursuit, and trusted God's invisible presence symbolized by the pillar of cloud and fire. Ancient Near Eastern kings wielded absolute power; defying Pharaoh required extraordinary courage grounded in faith. Moses' endurance through forty years wilderness wandering further demonstrates sustained faith in God's invisible presence despite lack of visible evidence of promised land inheritance.
Questions for Reflection
- What visible threats or circumstances tempt you to fear rather than trust God's invisible presence and power?
- How can you cultivate seeing 'him who is invisible' more clearly than your visible circumstances?
- In what areas do you need Moses' enduring faith to persevere despite opposition and lack of visible progress?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Moses' departure from Egypt demonstrated faith conquering fear. 'Not fearing the wrath of the king' shows faith in God overcomes fear of human authority. The verb 'endured' (ekarteresenem, ἐκαρτέρησεν) means 'persevered with steadfast patience,' indicating sustained courage through long trial, not momentary bravery.
The phrase 'seeing him who is invisible' (ton gar aoraton hōs horōn, τὸν γὰρ ἀόρατον ὡς ὁρῶν) captures faith's essence: perceiving spiritual realities more clearly than physical circumstances. Though God is invisible to physical eyes, faith sees Him with greater certainty than visible things. This paradox—seeing the unseen—characterizes all biblical faith. Moses oriented his life around God's invisible presence and promises rather than Pharaoh's visible power.
This teaches that genuine faith produces courage in adversity by fixing attention on God rather than threats. The same God who is invisible is also immutable, omnipotent, and faithful—therefore infinitely more reliable than visible, mutable circumstances. Christians today endure persecution, suffering, and opposition by 'seeing him who is invisible' through faith, enabled by God's Word and Spirit to perceive eternal realities clearer than temporal ones.