Hebrews 11:7

Authorized King James Version

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Word-by-Word Analysis

πίστιν

G4102

By faith

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

χρηματισθεὶς

G5537

being warned of God

to utter an oracle (compare the original sense of g5530), i.e., divinely intimate; by implication, (compare the secular sense of g5532) to constitute

Νῶε

G3575

Noah

no, (i.e., noch), a patriarch

περὶ

G4012

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

τῶν

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μηδέπω

G3369

as yet

not even yet

βλεπομένων

G991

seen

to look at (literally or figuratively)

εὐλαβηθεὶς

G2125

moved with fear

to be circumspect, i.e., (by implication) to be apprehensive; religiously, to reverence

κατεσκεύασεν

G2680

prepared

to prepare thoroughly (properly, by external equipment; whereas g2090 refers rather to internal fitness); by implication, to construct, create

#10

κιβωτὸν

G2787

an ark

a box, i.e., the sacred ark and that of noah

#11

εἰς

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

#12

σωτηρίαν

G4991

the saving

rescue or safety (physically or morally)

#13

τοῦ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#14

οἴκου

G3624

house

a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively)

#15

αὐτοῦ

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

#16

δι'

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

#17

ἧς

G3739

the which

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

#18

κατέκρινεν

G2632

he condemned

to judge against, i.e., sentence

#19

τὸν

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#20

κόσμον

G2889

the world

orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))

#21

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#22

τῆς

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#23

κατὰ

G2596

which is by

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

#24

πίστιν

G4102

By faith

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

#25

δικαιοσύνης

G1343

of the righteousness

equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification

#26

ἐγένετο

G1096

became

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

#27

κληρονόμος

G2818

heir

a sharer by lot, i.e., inheritor (literally or figuratively); by implication, a possessor

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing faith central to epistemology and the means by which humans receive divine revelation and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Hebrews Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes faith in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How does this verse's literary context within Hebrews chapter 11 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

Topics

Faith
Hope