Hebrews 11:12
New International Version
And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

New Living Translation
And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them.

English Standard Version
Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

Berean Standard Bible
And so from one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore also were born from one man, and he having been as good as dead, as the stars of heaven in multitude, and countless as the sand by the shore of the sea.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

New American Standard Bible
Therefore even from one man, and one who was as good as dead at that, there were born descendants who were just as the stars of heaven in number, and as the innumerable grains of sand along the seashore.

NASB 1995
Therefore there was born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEASHORE.

NASB 1977
therefore, also, there was born of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEASHORE.

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore there were born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEASHORE.

Amplified Bible
So from one man, though he was [physically] as good as dead, were born as many descendants AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND ON THE SEASHORE.

Christian Standard Bible
Therefore, from one man—in fact, from one as good as dead—came offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky and as innumerable as the grains of sand along the seashore.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Therefore from one man—in fact, from one as good as dead—came offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as innumerable as the grains of sand by the seashore.

American Standard Version
wherefore also there sprang of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand, which is by the sea-shore, innumerable.

Contemporary English Version
Her husband Abraham was almost dead, but he became the ancestor of many people. In fact, there are as many of them as there are stars in the sky or grains of sand along the seashore.

English Revised Version
wherefore also there sprang of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand, which is by the sea shore, innumerable.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Abraham was as good as dead. Yet, from this man came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the grains of sand on the seashore.

Good News Translation
Though Abraham was practically dead, from this one man came as many descendants as there are stars in the sky, as many as the numberless grains of sand on the seashore.

International Standard Version
Abraham was as good as dead, yet from this one man came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

Majority Standard Bible
And so from one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

NET Bible
So in fact children were fathered by one man--and this one as good as dead--like the number of stars in the sky and like the innumerable grains of sand on the seashore.

New Heart English Bible
Therefore as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as innumerable as the sand which is by the sea shore, were fathered by one man, and him as good as dead.

Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore there sprang even from 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.

Weymouth New Testament
And thus there sprang from one man, and him practically dead, a nation like the stars of the sky in number, and like the sands on the sea shore which cannot be counted.

World English Bible
Therefore as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as innumerable as the sand which is by the sea shore, were fathered by one man, and him as good as dead.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for this reason, also, from one—and that of one who had become dead—were begotten as the stars of the sky in multitude, and innumerable as the sand that [is] by the seashore.

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore also were born from one man, and he having been as good as dead, as the stars of heaven in multitude, and countless as the sand by the shore of the sea.

Young's Literal Translation
wherefore, also from one were begotten -- and that of one who had become dead -- as the stars of the heaven in multitude, and as sand that is by the sea-shore -- the innumerable.

Smith's Literal Translation
Wherefore also from one were they born, and these of him having been dead, as the stars of heaven for multitude, and as the sand near the lip of the sea innumerable.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For which cause there sprung even from one (and him as good as dead) as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Because of this, there were also born, from one who himself was as if dead, a mulititude like the stars of heaven, who are, like the sand of the seashore, innumerable.

New American Bible
So it was that there came forth from one man, himself as good as dead, descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sands on the seashore.

New Revised Standard Version
Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, “as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Therefore, there sprang from one who was as good as dead, as many as the stars of the sky in number, and as the sand which is on the sea shore innumerable.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Because of this, from one who was failing in old age were born as many as the stars in the Heavens, and as the sand which is upon the seashore, which has no measure.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Therefore, there were born of one, who was dead as it respects these things, a posterity like the stars of heaven in multitude, and like the sand on the sea-shore, innumerable.

Godbey New Testament
Therefore indeed they were born of one, and those things of one having died, as the stars of heaven for multitude, and as the sands which are by the sea, which are innumerable.

Haweis New Testament
Wherefore even from one person, and he become dead in respect to these matters, there sprang a race, as the stars of heaven for multitude, and as the sand, which is on the shore of the sea, innumerable.

Mace New Testament
so that even a single person whose vigour was gone, gave rise to a posterity as numerous as the stars of the sky, or the sands on the sea-shore, which cannot be numbred.

Weymouth New Testament
And thus there sprang from one man, and him practically dead, a nation like the stars of the sky in number, and like the sands on the sea shore which cannot be counted.

Worrell New Testament
Wherefore also there sprang from one, and one impotent as to these things, as many as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand, which is by the sea-shore, innumerable.

Worsley New Testament
So that there descended even from one, and him in a manner dead, a posterity like the stars of heaven for multitude, and as the sand on the sea shore, innumerable.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Faith of Abraham and Sarah
11By faith Sarah, even though she was barren and beyond the proper age, was enabled to conceive a child, because she considered Him faithful who had promised. 12And so from one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. 13All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.…

Cross References
Genesis 15:5
And the LORD took him outside and said, “Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.” Then He told him, “So shall your offspring be.”

Genesis 22:17
I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies.

Romans 4:18-19
Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” / Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb.

Genesis 12:2
I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.

Genesis 17:5
No longer will you be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.

Romans 4:17
As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the presence of God, in whom he believed, the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not yet exist.

Genesis 21:1-2
Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. / So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised.

Romans 9:7-8
Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring.

Genesis 18:10-14
Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year, and your wife Sarah will have a son!” Now Sarah was behind him, listening at the entrance to the tent. / And Abraham and Sarah were already old and well along in years; Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. / So she laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” ...

Galatians 3:29
And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.

Genesis 25:1-2
Now Abraham had taken another wife, named Keturah, / and she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.

Isaiah 51:2
Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who gave you birth. When I called him, he was but one; then I blessed him and multiplied him.

Romans 4:11-12
And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. / And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

Genesis 13:16
I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if one could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted.

Galatians 4:28
Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

and him.

Romans 4:19
And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb:

as the stars.

Genesis 15:5
And 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.

Genesis 22:17
That 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 26:4
And 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;

as the sand.

Genesis 22:17
That 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 32:12
And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.

Joshua 11:4
And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many.

Jump to Previous
Born Children Countless Dead Death Descendants Fathered Good Grains Innumerable Multitude Nation Numbered Sand Sands Sea Seashore Sea-Shore Seaside Shore Sky Sprang Stars Wherefore
Jump to Next
Born Children Countless Dead Death Descendants Fathered Good Grains Innumerable Multitude Nation Numbered Sand Sands Sea Seashore Sea-Shore Seaside Shore Sky Sprang Stars Wherefore
Hebrews 11
1. What faith is.
6. Without faith we cannot please God.
7. The examples of faithfulness in the fathers of old time.














And so from one man
This phrase refers to Abraham, the patriarch of the Israelites. The Greek word for "man" here is "ἕνα" (hena), emphasizing the singularity and uniqueness of Abraham's role in God's plan. Historically, Abraham is a central figure in the narrative of Genesis, chosen by God to be the father of a great nation. His account is a testament to faith and obedience, as he left his homeland to follow God's promise. This phrase underscores the miraculous nature of God's promise, as it was fulfilled through one individual, highlighting the power of divine intervention.

as good as dead
The Greek phrase "νενεκρωμένου" (nenekrōmenou) translates to "as good as dead," referring to Abraham's old age and the seeming impossibility of him fathering a child. At the time of God's promise, Abraham was about a hundred years old, and Sarah, his wife, was barren. This phrase emphasizes the miraculous nature of Isaac's birth, showcasing God's ability to bring life and fulfillment of promises against all odds. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and the faith required to trust in His timing and methods.

came descendants
The Greek word "ἐγένοντο" (egenonto) means "came" or "became," indicating the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham. The descendants, or "σπέρμα" (sperma), refer to the numerous offspring that would come from Abraham, ultimately leading to the nation of Israel. This highlights the faithfulness of God in keeping His covenant and the importance of lineage in biblical history. The descendants of Abraham are not only physical but also spiritual, as those who share in the faith of Abraham are considered his children.

as numerous as the stars in the sky
This phrase is a direct reference to God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 15:5, where God tells him to look at the stars and count them, if possible, as a metaphor for his future offspring. The imagery of stars in the sky symbolizes an innumerable and vast multitude, reflecting the grandeur of God's promise. In a historical context, the stars were often used to signify guidance and divine presence, reinforcing the idea that Abraham's descendants would be a significant and enduring people.

and as countless as the sand on the seashore
Similar to the stars, the sand on the seashore is used as a metaphor for an uncountable number. This imagery is found in Genesis 22:17, where God reiterates His promise to Abraham. The sand represents not only the vastness but also the enduring nature of Abraham's descendants. In a biblical context, this phrase emphasizes the fulfillment of God's promises and the faith required to believe in what seems impossible. It serves as an encouragement to believers to trust in God's promises, no matter how improbable they may seem.

(12) The stars of the sky.--Better, the stars of the heaven. (See Genesis 15:5; Genesis 22:17.)

And as the sand.--"And as the sand by the seashore, which is innumerable" (Genesis 22:17). With the first words of the verse compare Romans 4:19.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
And
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

so
διὸ (dio)
Conjunction
Strong's 1352: Wherefore, on which account, therefore. From dia and hos; through which thing, i.e. Consequently.

from
ἀφ’ (aph’)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

one man,
ἑνὸς (henos)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

he
ταῦτα (tauta)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

as good as dead,
νενεκρωμένου (nenekrōmenou)
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3499: Lit. and met: I put to death, make as dead; I render weak, impotent. From nekros; to deaden, i.e. to subdue.

came descendants
ἐγεννήθησαν (egennēthēsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1080: From a variation of genos; to procreate; figuratively, to regenerate.

as
καθὼς (kathōs)
Adverb
Strong's 2531: According to the manner in which, in the degree that, just as, as. From kata and hos; just as, that.

numerous
πλήθει (plēthei)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4128: A multitude, crowd, great number, assemblage. From pletho; a fulness, i.e. A large number, throng, populace.

as the
τὰ (ta)
Article - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

stars
ἄστρα (astra)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 798: A star. Neuter from aster; properly, a constellation; put for a single star.

in the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

sky
οὐρανοῦ (ouranou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3772: Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

as countless
ἀναρίθμητος (anarithmētos)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 382: Uncountable, innumerable, that cannot be numbered. Unnumbered, i.e. Without number.

as
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

the
(hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

sand
ἄμμος (ammos)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 285: Sand, sandy ground. Perhaps from hama; sand.

on
παρὰ (para)
Preposition
Strong's 3844: Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

seashore.
χεῖλος (cheilos)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5491: From a form of the same as chasma; a lip; figuratively, a margin.


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NT Letters: Hebrews 11:12 Therefore as many as the stars (Heb. He. Hb)
Hebrews 11:11
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