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Hebrews 11 · a question people ask

"These all died in faith, not having received the promises" (11:13), and then "he who had gladly received the promises" (11:17). Which is it?

In the text

The WEB has received in both verses, but behind them are two different Greek verbs. Behind had gladly received (11:17) is anadechomai (G324), which Strong's gives as "to entertain (as a guest)", and Hebrews has it only there; behind received in 11:13 is another verb (in all eight editions TAGNT compares). These notes say no more than the verses' words, and don't say who These all are or what the promises were.

The verses

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and embraced them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”
Hebrews 11:13 · World English Bible
“By faith, Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had gladly received the promises was offering up his only born son,”
Hebrews 11:17 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Hebrews 11

Hebrews 11: Assurance of things hoped for

Hebrews 11 opens by saying what faith is, "assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen" (11:1), and the first By faith is said not of anyone from the past but of "we" (11:3). Of those who died in faith it says they had "seen them and embraced them from afar" (11:13).

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Last reviewed October 8, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions