Hebrews 11:9
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:
Original Language Analysis
Πίστει
By faith
G4102
Πίστει
By faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
1 of 22
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
εἰς
in
G1519
εἰς
in
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
3 of 22
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γῆν
the land
G1093
γῆν
the land
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
5 of 22
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐπαγγελίας
of promise
G1860
ἐπαγγελίας
of promise
Strong's:
G1860
Word #:
7 of 22
an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good)
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
8 of 22
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ἀλλοτρίαν
in a strange country
G245
ἀλλοτρίαν
in a strange country
Strong's:
G245
Word #:
9 of 22
another's, i.e., not one's own; by extension foreign, not akin, hostile
σκηναῖς
tabernacles
G4633
σκηναῖς
tabernacles
Strong's:
G4633
Word #:
11 of 22
a tent or cloth hut (literally or figuratively)
κατοικήσας
dwelling
G2730
κατοικήσας
dwelling
Strong's:
G2730
Word #:
12 of 22
to house permanently, i.e., reside (literally or figuratively)
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
13 of 22
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Ἰακὼβ
Jacob
G2384
Ἰακὼβ
Jacob
Strong's:
G2384
Word #:
16 of 22
jacob (i.e., ja`akob), the progenitor of the israelites
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
συγκληρονόμων
the heirs with him
G4789
συγκληρονόμων
the heirs with him
Strong's:
G4789
Word #:
18 of 22
a co-heir, i.e., (by analogy) participant in common
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐπαγγελίας
of promise
G1860
ἐπαγγελίας
of promise
Strong's:
G1860
Word #:
20 of 22
an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good)
Cross References
Genesis 12:8And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Beth-el, and pitched his tent, having Beth-el on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.Genesis 13:18Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD.Hebrews 6:17Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:Genesis 18:9And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.Genesis 13:3And he went on his journeys from the south even to Beth-el, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Beth-el and Hai;Genesis 35:27And Jacob came unto Isaac his father unto Mamre, unto the city of Arbah, which is Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac sojourned.
Historical Context
Abraham lived in Canaan for 100 years without owning any of it except his burial plot (Genesis 23). This pilgrim existence distinguished faith from sight—he believed God's promise while living as an alien.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you live as a pilgrim in this world or are you too attached to earthly things?
- What promises of God are you believing without yet seeing them fulfilled?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Abraham 'sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country' living in tents with Isaac and Jacob who were 'heirs with him of the same promise.' Though God promised him the land, he lived as a foreigner never possessing it. This demonstrated faith that looked beyond earthly inheritance to heavenly reality. His pilgrim lifestyle testified that he sought something better than earthly possession.