Hebrews 11:28
New International Version
By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.

New Living Translation
It was by faith that Moses commanded the people of Israel to keep the Passover and to sprinkle blood on the doorposts so that the angel of death would not kill their firstborn sons.

English Standard Version
By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.

Berean Standard Bible
By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch Israel’s own firstborn.

Berean Literal Bible
By faith he has kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the one destroying the firstborn would not touch them.

King James Bible
Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

New King James Version
By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

New American Standard Bible
By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch them.

NASB 1995
By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them.

NASB 1977
By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the first-born might not touch them.

Legacy Standard Bible
By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them.

Amplified Bible
By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood [on the doorposts], so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch them (the firstborn of Israel).

Christian Standard Bible
By faith he instituted the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch the Israelites.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
By faith he instituted the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch the Israelites.

American Standard Version
By faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them.

Contemporary English Version
His faith also made him celebrate Passover. He sprinkled the blood of animals on the doorposts, so that the first-born sons of the people of Israel would not be killed by the destroying angel.

English Revised Version
By faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Faith led Moses to establish the Passover and spread the blood [on the doorposts] so that the destroying angel would not kill the firstborn sons.

Good News Translation
It was faith that made him establish the Passover and order the blood to be sprinkled on the doors, so that the Angel of Death would not kill the first-born sons of the Israelites.

International Standard Version
By faith he established the Passover and the sprinkling of blood to keep the destroyer of the firstborn from touching the people.

Majority Standard Bible
By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch Israel?s own firstborn.

NET Bible
By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the one who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them.

New Heart English Bible
By faith, he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them.

Webster's Bible Translation
Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the first-born should touch them.

Weymouth New Testament
Through faith he instituted the Passover, and the sprinkling with blood so that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch the Israelites.

World English Bible
By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
By faith he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, so that He who is destroying the firstborn might not touch them.

Berean Literal Bible
By faith he has kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the one destroying the firstborn would not touch them.

Young's Literal Translation
by faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that He who is destroying the first-born might not touch them.

Smith's Literal Translation
By faith he has kept the pascha, and the pouring out of blood, lest he destroying the first born should touch them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
By faith he celebrated the pasch, and the shedding of the blood; that he, who destroyed the firstborn, might not touch them.

Catholic Public Domain Version
By faith, he celebrated the Passover and the shedding of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn might not touch them.

New American Bible
By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.

New Revised Standard Version
By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Through faith he instituted the passover, and sprinkled the blood, lest he who destroyed the first-born should touch them.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
By faith he observed Passover and sprinkled the blood, lest he who was destroying the firstborn should touch them.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
By faith he kept the passover, and the affusion of blood, that he who destroyed the first-born might not touch them.

Godbey New Testament
By faith he instituted the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, in order that the one destroying the first-born might not touch them.

Haweis New Testament
By faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the first-born might not touch them.

Mace New Testament
through faith he celebrated the passover, and sprinkled blood, that the destroying angel might pass by the first-born.

Weymouth New Testament
Through faith he instituted the Passover, and the sprinkling with blood so that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch the Israelites.

Worrell New Testament
By faith he has instituted the passover, and the applying of the blood, lest the destroyer of the first-born should touch them.

Worsley New Testament
By faith he observed the passover and sprinkling of the blood, that he, who destroyed the first-born of the Egyptians, might not touch them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Faith of Moses
27By faith Moses left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible. 28By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch Israel’s own firstborn. 29By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were drowned.…

Cross References
Exodus 12:21-28
Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and told them, “Go at once and select for yourselves a lamb for each family, and slaughter the Passover lamb. / Take a cluster of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin, and brush the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe. None of you shall go out the door of his house until morning. / When the LORD passes through to strike down the Egyptians, He will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway; so He will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down. ...

Exodus 12:1-14
Now the LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, / “This month is the beginning of months for you; it shall be the first month of your year. / Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man must select a lamb for his family, one per household. ...

Exodus 12:29-30
Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn among the livestock. / During the night Pharaoh got up—he and all his officials and all the Egyptians—and there was loud wailing in Egypt; for there was no house without someone dead.

Exodus 12:43-50
And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “This is the statute of the Passover: No foreigner is to eat of it. / But any slave who has been purchased may eat of it, after you have circumcised him. / A temporary resident or hired hand shall not eat the Passover. ...

Exodus 13:3-10
So Moses told the people, “Remember this day, the day you came out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; for the LORD brought you out of it by the strength of His hand. And nothing leavened shall be eaten. / Today, in the month of Abib, you are leaving. / And when the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Hivites, and Jebusites—the land He swore to your fathers that He would give you, a land flowing with milk and honey—you shall keep this service in this month. ...

Numbers 9:1-5
In the first month of the second year after Israel had come out of the land of Egypt, the LORD spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai: / “The Israelites are to observe the Passover at its appointed time. / You are to observe it at the appointed time, at twilight on the fourteenth day of this month, in accordance with its statutes and ordinances.” ...

Numbers 9:13
But if a man who is ceremonially clean and is not on a journey still fails to observe the Passover, he must be cut off from his people, because he did not present the LORD’s offering at its appointed time. That man will bear the consequences of his sin.

1 Corinthians 5:7-8
Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. / Therefore let us keep the feast, not with the old bread, leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and of truth.

Matthew 26:17-19
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” / He answered, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him that the Teacher says, ‘My time is near. I will keep the Passover with My disciples at your house.’” / So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

Luke 22:7-13
Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb was to be sacrificed. / Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.” / “Where do You want us to prepare it?” they asked. ...

John 1:29
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

John 19:36
Now these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of His bones will be broken.”

1 Peter 1:18-19
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, / but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.

Revelation 5:6-9
Then I saw a Lamb who appeared to have been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. / And He came and took the scroll from the right hand of the One seated on the throne. / When He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. ...

Leviticus 23:4-8
These are the LORD’s appointed feasts, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times. / The Passover to the LORD begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. / On the fifteenth day of the same month begins the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD. For seven days you must eat unleavened bread. ...


Treasury of Scripture

Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

he kept.

Exodus 12:3-14,21-30
Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: …

the sprinkling.

Hebrews 9:19
For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

Hebrews 12:24
And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

Exodus 12:7,13,23
And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it…

Jump to Previous
Angel Blood Death Destroyed Destroyer Destruction Faith Firstborn First-Born Houses Instituted Israel Israelites Kept Oldest Passover Sign Sprinkled Sprinkling Touch
Jump to Next
Angel Blood Death Destroyed Destroyer Destruction Faith Firstborn First-Born Houses Instituted Israel Israelites Kept Oldest Passover Sign Sprinkled Sprinkling Touch
Hebrews 11
1. What faith is.
6. Without faith we cannot please God.
7. The examples of faithfulness in the fathers of old time.














By faith
The phrase "By faith" is a recurring theme throughout Hebrews 11, often referred to as the "Faith Chapter." It emphasizes the importance of faith as the foundation of the believer's relationship with God. The Greek word for faith, "pistis," implies trust, conviction, and reliance on God. In the context of Hebrews, faith is not merely intellectual assent but an active trust in God's promises, even when they are not yet visible. This faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).

he kept
The verb "kept" in Greek is "poieō," which means to make, do, or perform. In this context, it signifies Moses' active obedience to God's command. This action was not passive but a deliberate and faithful adherence to God's instructions. Moses' keeping of the Passover was an act of obedience that demonstrated his trust in God's deliverance.

the Passover
The Passover, or "Pascha" in Greek, is a significant event in Jewish history, commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt. Instituted in Exodus 12, the Passover involved the sacrifice of a lamb and the application of its blood on the doorposts, symbolizing God's protection and deliverance. For Christians, the Passover foreshadows Christ's sacrificial death, as He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Moses' observance of the Passover by faith highlights the continuity of God's redemptive plan from the Old Testament to the New Testament.

and the sprinkling of blood
The "sprinkling of blood" refers to the application of the lamb's blood on the doorposts and lintels of the Israelites' homes. This act was a sign of faith and obedience, marking the homes to be passed over by the angel of death. The Greek word "rhantismos" for sprinkling signifies purification and consecration. In the New Testament, the sprinkling of blood is associated with the cleansing and sanctification of believers through the blood of Christ (Hebrews 9:13-14, 1 Peter 1:2).

so that the destroyer
The "destroyer" refers to the angel of death sent by God to strike down the firstborn of Egypt. This event was the final plague that led to Pharaoh's release of the Israelites. The Greek term "olothreutēs" conveys the idea of one who brings destruction. This highlights the seriousness of God's judgment against sin and disobedience, as well as His power to protect and deliver those who are faithful to Him.

of the firstborn
The "firstborn" in this context refers to the firstborn sons of Egypt, who were struck down during the Passover. In ancient cultures, the firstborn held a place of prominence and inheritance. The judgment on Egypt's firstborn was a direct challenge to the Egyptian gods and a demonstration of God's sovereignty. For the Israelites, the sparing of their firstborn was a sign of God's covenant faithfulness and protection.

would not touch them
The phrase "would not touch them" underscores God's protective power over His people. The Greek word "thiggō" means to touch or harm. This divine protection was contingent upon the Israelites' obedience to God's command to apply the blood. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness to those who trust and obey Him, and it foreshadows the ultimate protection and salvation found in Christ's atoning sacrifice.

(28) Through faith he kept.--Rather, By faith he hath kept (see Hebrews 11:17). The celebration of the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood were acts of obedience, having reference to a danger as yet un seen, but present in God's word (Exodus 12:12).

Lest he that destroyed.--Better, that the destroyer of the first-born may not touch them. (See Exodus 12:21-22; Exodus 12:28-29.)

Verses 28, 29. - By faith he kept (literally, hath kept, πεποίηκεν, the perfect being used rather than the historical aorist, as denoting an accomplished act, with continuing effect and significance (cf. προσενήνοχεν, ver. 17). But πεποίηκεν does not mean, as some suppose, "hath instituted," ποιεῖν τὸ Πάσχα being the usual expression for the celebration) the Passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red Sea, as by dry land; which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. The faith of Moses himself is still mainly intended here, though the conjunction of πίστει with διέβησαν seems to imply faith in the people too. Nor is this inconsistent with the narrative; for, though they are represented as having cried out in their sore fear, and even reproached their leader for bringing them out of Egypt to die in the wilderness, yet on his exhortation, "Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD," they may be supposed to have trusted him, and caught something of the inspiration of his faith. Moses, indeed, stands out as a prominent example (and this is one point in the moral teaching of his history) of the strong faith of one great man, not only availing in behalf of others, but also in some degree infecting a whole community, little disposed at first to make heroic ventures.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
By faith
Πίστει (Pistei)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4102: Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness.

he kept
πεποίηκεν (pepoiēken)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

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.

Passover
πάσχα (pascha)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3957: The feast of Passover, the Passover lamb. Of Chaldee origin; the Passover.

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

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative 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.

sprinkling
πρόσχυσιν (proschysin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4378: A pouring upon, an effusion, a sprinkling. From a comparative of pros and cheo; a shedding forth, i.e. Affusion.

of blood,
αἵματος (haimatos)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 129: Blood, literally, figuratively or specially; by implication, bloodshed, also kindred.

so that
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative 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.

destroyer
ὀλοθρεύων (olothreuōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3645: To destroy, cause to perish. From olethros; to spoil, i.e. Slay.

[of] the
τὰ (ta)
Article - Accusative 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.

firstborn
πρωτότοκα (prōtotoka)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4416: First-born, eldest. From protos and the alternate of tikto; first-born.

would not touch
θίγῃ (thigē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2345: A prolonged form of an obsolete primary thigo; to manipulate, i.e. Have to do with; by implication, to injure.

[Israel’s own] [ firstborn ].
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


Links
Hebrews 11:28 NIV
Hebrews 11:28 NLT
Hebrews 11:28 ESV
Hebrews 11:28 NASB
Hebrews 11:28 KJV

Hebrews 11:28 BibleApps.com
Hebrews 11:28 Biblia Paralela
Hebrews 11:28 Chinese Bible
Hebrews 11:28 French Bible
Hebrews 11:28 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: Hebrews 11:28 By faith he kept the Passover (Heb. He. Hb)
Hebrews 11:27
Top of Page
Top of Page