Bible Strands
Hebrews 11:23
By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after his birth, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were unafraid of the king’s edict.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The author of Hebrews addresses a Christian assembly facing social and political pressure, using historical precedents to define faith. The verse records Moses’ parents acting during Pharaoh’s active campaign to eliminate Hebrew male infants.
The words — πίστει (pistei) translates literally as “by faith,” and ἐκρύβη (ekrubē) means “he was hidden.” These terms frame the parents’ concealment of the child as a deliberate act of trust rather than a spontaneous parental reaction.
The thread — The narrative directly parallels Exodus 2:2, where the child’s mother hides him for three months after recognizing his physical appearance. This act occurs in direct response to the royal decrees recorded in Exodus 1:16 and 1:22 to drown every Hebrew newborn son.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to recognize that obedience to divine reality overrides human authority, even when that authority issues lethal commands. It demands a clear-eyed assessment of risk weighed against trust in God’s preservation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.
Cross-references
- Exodus 1:22 Then Pharaoh commanded all his people: “Every son born to the Hebrews you must throw into the Nile, but every daughter you may allow to live.”
- Exodus 1:16 “When you help the Hebrew women give birth, observe them on the birthstools. If the child is a son, kill him; but if it is a daughter, let her live.”
- Exodus 2:2 and she conceived and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him for three months.
- Matthew 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
- Hebrews 13:6 So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
- Psalms 118:6 The LORD is on my side; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
- Isaiah 8:12 “Do not call conspiracy everything these people regard as conspiracy. Do not fear what they fear; do not live in dread.
- Isaiah 41:14 Do not fear, O Jacob, you worm, O few men of Israel. I will help you,” declares the LORD. “Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
- Luke 12:4 I tell you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.
- Acts 7:20 At that time Moses was born, and he was beautiful in the sight of God. For three months he was nurtured in his father’s house.