Preface: Hebrews 11 is the famous faith chapter of the book of Hebrews, where faith is defined and many examples of acts of faith and people of faith are presented.

Bible Summary: Faith is the proof of hope. By faith the world was made. By faith Abraham obeyed. By faith Moses left Egypt. In faith some suffered.

This should be the most extensive examination of Hebrews 11 available, where you will be able to examine in depth every word of the original text.

Brief Overview:

Outline of Chapter 11:

Preface

Introduction

         vv.     1–

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Chapter Summary

Addendum

Charts, Graphics and Short Doctrines:

         Preface               Preface

         Preface               Brief Overview

         Preface               Quotations

         Introduction         Titles and/or Brief Descriptions of Hebrews 11 (by Various Commentators)

         Introduction         Brief, but insightful observations of Hebrews 11 (various commentators)

         Introduction         Fundamental Questions About Hebrews 11

         Introduction 

         Introduction         The Prequel to Hebrews 11

         Introduction         The Principals of Hebrews 11

         Introduction         The Places of Hebrews 11

         Introduction         By the Numbers

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Hebrews 11

         Introduction         Outlines and Summaries of Hebrews 11 (Various Commentators)

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Hebrews 11 from the Summarized Bible

         Introduction 

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         Introduction         The Big Picture (Hebrews –)

         Introduction 

         Introduction 

         Introduction         Changes—additions and subtractions

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         v.       4              Genesis 4:1–12 (World English Bible—Messianic Edition)

         v.       5              Genesis 5:21–24 (Green’s literal translation)

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         v.      19              Genesis 22:1–18 (Tree of Life Version)

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         v.      23              Exodus 1:12–2:10 (ESV; capitalized)

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         v.      28              Exodus 12:1–13 (ESV; capitalized)

         v.      29              Exodus 14:21–31 (ESV; capitalized)

         v.      30              Joshua 6:1–21 (ESV; capitalized)

         v.      31              Joshua 2:1–14 (ESV; capitalized)

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         Summary            A Set of Summary Doctrines and Commentary

         Summary            Why Hebrews 11 is in the Word of God

         Summary            What We Learn from Hebrews 11

         Summary            Jesus Christ in Hebrews 11

         Summary            A Brief Review of Hebrews 11 (Using the New King James Version)

         Summary 

         Summary 

         Addendum 

         Addendum 

         Addendum          A Complete Translation of Hebrews 11

         Addendum          Doctrinal Teachers Who Have Taught Hebrews 11

         Addendum          Word Cloud from the Kukis Paraphrase of Hebrews 11

         Addendum          Word Cloud from Exegesis of Hebrews 11

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An Introduction to Hebrews 11

I ntroduction: Hebrews 11 is the very well-known faith chapter of the book of Hebrews. There are two components of Biblical faith—the fact of faith itself (believing) and the object of faith, which is ultimate the Word of God. Both must be present in order for faith to have eternal impact.

The author of Hebrews goes back primarily into the first six books of the Bible and selects from them examples of believers who have exercised faith in the promises of God. He discusses Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Joseph and even Rahab the prostitute. We are given a brief snapshot of their lives and how God worked through them and the ultimate testimony of faith that they left behind.

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Here is how others have translated this verse:

Ancient texts:                       I will use the Westcott-Hort Greek text as the basis for my English translation. I use that test primarily because e-sword has a nice module by Rob Wolfram which has the interlinear English text, Strong’s #’s, and the Greek morphology. The e-sword tab is IWH+P. I do not use their English text for my translation. Also, throughout, I take in consideration alternate readings.

As a young Christian, I was quite interested in the alternative readings. After many decades of study, I have found that, as with the Hebrew text, disputed readings rarely have any affect on the interpretation of a text (apart from perhaps a half-dozen fairly well-known alternate readings, like the end of the book of Mark).

I will compare the Greek text to English translations of the Latin and Syriac (= Aramaic) texts, using the Douay-Rheims translation and George Lamsa’s translation from the Syriac. I often update these texts with non-substantive changes (e.g., you for thou, etc.).

In general, the Latin text is an outstanding translation from the Hebrew text into Latin and very trustworthy (I say this as a non-Catholic). Unfortunately, I do not read Latin—apart from some very obvious words—so I am dependent upon the English translation of the Latin (principally, the Douay-Rheims translation).

The Septuagint and the Dead Sea Scrolls are irrelevant, as they preceded the writing of the New Testament by over 200 years.

Underlined words indicate differences in the text.

Ancient texts:

Westcott-Hort Text (Greek)    Now keeps on being faith of expectations, a substance; of deeds, a conviction not being seen. For by this was reported the elders. By faith, we understand to prepare the ages by a word of God, for the [word] not from [things] appearing the [things] being seen to have come to be [or, have been created].

Complete Apostles’ Bible      Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

For by it the elders obtained witness.

By faith we understand that time itself was framed by a word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

Revised Douay-Rheims         .

Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.) Now, faith is the substance of things to be hoped for, the evidence of things that appear not.

For by this the ancients obtained a testimony.

By faith we understand that the world was framed by the word of God: that from invisible things visible things might be made.

V. Alexander’s Aramaic T.     .

Eastern Aramaic Mnscrpts     .

James Murdock’s Syriac NT Now faith is the persuasion of the things that are in hope, as if they were in act; and [it is] the manifestness of the things not seen.

And for it the ancients are well testified of.

For by faith, we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God; and that things seen, originated from those that are not seen.

Original Aramaic NT              Now faith is the conviction concerning those things that are in hope, as if it were these things in action*, and the revelation of those things that are unseen;

And by this there was a testimony concerning the ancients.

For by faith we understand that the worlds were fashioned by the word of God, and these things that are seen came into being out of those things which are unseen.

Plain English Aramaic Bible   .

Lamsa Peshitta (Syriac)         .

Significant differences: 

English Translations:          I have included translations which I disagree with and footnotes that I do not necessarily agree with. If I believe that the author is too far from the truth, I may even address that at the footnote. However, nearly all of the correct commentary will be found following the Greek text box and the translation of each phrase.

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

Bible in Basic English             Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the sign that the things not seen are true. 

For by it our fathers had God's approval. 

By faith it is clear to us that the order of events was fixed by the word of God, so that what is seen has not been made from things which only seem to be.

Bible in Worldwide English     If people believe God, then they know they have the things they hope to get. It is the proof of things we do not see.

There were people long ago believed God. He said they were good because they believed him.

We believe in God, so that is how we know that God made the world by his word. The things we see were made out of things that cannot be seen.

Easy English                          .

Easy-to-Read Version–2008  Faith is what makes real the things we hope for. It is proof of what we cannot see. God was pleased with the people who lived a long time ago because they had faith like this. Faith helps us understand that God created the whole world by his command. This means that the things we see were made by something that cannot be seen.

God’s Word™                         Faith assures us of things we expect and convinces us of the existence of things we cannot see. God accepted our ancestors because of their faith. Faith convinces us that God created the world through his word. This means what can be seen was made by something that could not be seen.

Good News Bible (TEV)         To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see. It was by their faith that people of ancient times won God's approval. It is by faith that we understand that the universe was created by God's word, so that what can be seen was made out of what cannot be seen.

The Message                         .

NIRV                                      .

New Life Version                    .

New Simplified Bible              .

Thought-for-thought translations; dynamic translations; paraphrases:

Contemporary English V.       Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see. It was their faith that made our ancestors pleasing to God. Because of our faith, we know that the world was made at God's command. We also know that what can be seen was made out of what cannot be seen.

The Living Bible                     .

New Berkeley Version           .

New Living Translation           .

The Passion Translation        Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen.  This testimony of faith is what previous generations were commended for.  Faith empowers us to see that the universe was created and beautifully coordinated by the power of God’s words! He spoke and the invisible realm gave birth to all that is seen.

UnfoldingWord Simplified T.  Now faith is being sure of the things hoped for and certain of things that are not seen. For because of this the ancestors were approved for their faith. By faith we understand that the universe was created by God's command, so that what is visible was not made out of things that were visible.

Williams’ New Testament      Now faith is the assurance of the things we hope for, the proof of the reality of the things we cannot see. For by it the men of old won God's approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were created, beautifully coordinated, and now exist, at God's command; so the things that we see did not develop out of mere matter.

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          .

Beck’s American Translation .

Breakthrough Version            Trust is a basis of things that are anticipated, a validation of things that are not seen.

You see, in this the older men were witnessed by others.

With trust, we are aware for the spans of time to have been developed by God's statement for the "not from things that appear for the thing that is seen to have happened" part.

Common English Bible           .

Len Gane Paraphrase           Now faith is the assurance of the things we hope for, the evidence of the things we cannot see. For by it the elders received a good testimony [from God]. It is through faith that we understand that the universe was established into systematic order by the word of God, so that the things that we see did not come into existence from things that are visible.

A. Campbell's Living Oracles Now, faith is the confidence of things hoped for, and the conviction of things not seen. By this, the ancients obtained reputation. By faith, we understand that the worlds were formed by the word of God; so that the things which were seen, were not made of things which do appear.

New Advent (Knox) Bible       .

NT for Everyone                     .

20^th Century New Testament Faith is the realization of things hoped for--the proof of things not seen. And it was for faith that the men of old were renowned. Faith enables us to perceive that the universe was created at the bidding of God--so that we know that what we see was not made out of visible things.

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

An Understandable Version   .

Berean Study Bible                Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see.  This is why the ancients were commended.  By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

Christian Standard Bible        .

Conservapedia Translation    .

Evangelical Heritage V.          .

Ferrar-Fenton Bible                .

Free Bible Version                 Now our trust in God is the guarantee of what we hope for, the evidence of what we can’t see. People who lived long ago trusted God and this is what gained them God’s approval. Through our trust in God we understand that the whole universe was created by God’s command, that what can be seen was made out of what cannot be seen.

God’s Truth (Tyndale)           .

International Standard V        The Meaning of Faith

Now faith is the assurance that what we hope for will come about [The Gk. lacks will come about] and the certainty that what we cannot see exists. [The Gk. lacks exist] By faith our ancestors won approval.

By faith we understand that time was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are invisible.

Lexham Bible                         Examples of Faith in Action

Now faith is the realization of what is hoped for, the proof of things not seen. For by this the people of old were approved. By faith we understand the worlds were created by the word of God, in order that what is seen did not come into existence from what is visible.

Montgomery NT                     Now faith is the title-deed of things hoped for; the putting to the proof of things not seen. For by it men of old times had witness borne to them. By faith we understand that the world was fashioned by the Word of God, so that what we see was not made out of what is visible.

NIV, ©2011                             .

Riverside New Testament      FAITH is an assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen. By this the men of old won their fame. By faith we understand that the worlds came into order at the word of God, so that what is now seen did not come out of things that are visible.

Leicester A. Sawyer’s NT      But faith is a confidence in respect to things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen. For by it the ancients obtained a good repute. We know by faith that the worlds were made by the word of God, that the seen was not made from the apparent.

The Spoken English NT         .

UnfoldingWord Literal Text    .

Urim-Thummim Version         Now Faith is the actual evidence of things hoped for, the proof of things not seen. For by it the Elders obtained a good report. Through Faith we understand that the Ages were framed by the Word of Elohim, so that things that are seen did not appear in history from things that come into existence.

Weymouth New Testament    Now faith is a well-grounded assurance of that for which we hope, and a conviction of the reality of things which we do not see. For by it the saints of old won God's approval. Through faith we understand that the worlds came into being, and still exist, at the command of God, so that what is seen does not owe its existence to that which is visible.

Wikipedia Bible Project          .

Worsley’s New Testament    Now faith is the confident expectation of things hoped for, and a conviction of things not seen: for by it the ancients obtained an honorable testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, for the things which are seen were not made of things which appear.

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

Christian Community (1988)     .

The Heritage Bible                 .

New American Bible (2002)   .

New American Bible (2011)   .

New English Bible–1970        .

New Jerusalem Bible             .

New RSV                               .

Revised English Bible–1989   .

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           .

exeGeses companion Bible   .

Hebraic Roots Bible               Now faith is the substance of things being hoped, and it was the substance of things that have come to pass, and the evidence of things not having been seen³.

For by this the elders obtained witness.

By faith we understand the ages to have been framed by the Word of YAHWEH, so that the things seen should not come into being out of things that already appeared⁴.

³ Faith is not blind belief, but is substance and evidence. Revelation 1:8, Romans 10:17, Ja 2:14-26.

⁴ This is proof from creation that time started at conjunction not 1 to 3 days later when the crescent moon would appear.

Holy New Covenant Trans.    Faith is the title-deed to the things we hope for. Faith is being sure of things we cannot see. The elders had this kind of faith long ago. It pleased God. By faith, we understand that the universe was put together by God’s word. What we see was made from what we cannot se.

The Scriptures 2009              And belief is the substance of what is expected, the proof of what is not seen.  For by this the elders obtained witness.  By belief, we understand that the ages were prepared by the word of Elohim, so that what is seen was not made of what is visible.

Tree of Life Version                Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of realities not seen. For by it the elders received commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen did not come from anything visible.

Weird English, Olde English, Anachronistic English Translations:

Accurate New Testament       ...is but Faith [of] [them] being expected Substance [of] things {She is} Conviction not being seen in this for are testified The [Men] Older [by] faith [We] understand to have been prepared the ages [by] word [of] god to the+ not from [things] being shown the [thing] being seen to have become...

Alpha & Omega Bible            NOW FAITH IS THE REAL FOUNDATION OF TRUST, THE PROOF/CONVICTION OF THINGS NOT SEEN.

FOR BY IT THE MEN OF OLD GAINED APPROVAL.

BY FAITH WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE WORLDS WERE PREPARED BY THE WORD OF THEOS (The Alpha & Omega), SO THAT WHAT IS SEEN WAS NOT MADE OUT OF THINGS WHICH ARE VISIBLE.

Awful Scroll Bible                   What is more, confidence is standing-under, for that being anticipated, the conviction, of that being practiced, not being discerned.

For from-within this, the elders are being bore witness.

By confidence we appreciate, the ages to have been made,-fit-along-down, by the spoken Word, of God, for that being discerned, was not to have came to be, from that visible.

Concordant Literal Version    Now faith is an assumption of what is being expected, a conviction concerning matters which are not being observed;"

for in this the elders were testified to.

By faith we are apprehending the eons to adjust to a declaration of God, so that what is being observed has not come out of what is appearing."

exeGeses companion Bible   TRUST

And trust

is the substance of our hoping;

the proof of the unseen.

For in this, the elders were witnessed to.

By trust

we comprehend that the eons

were prepared by the rhema of Elohim:

in this: the seen became not from those manifested.

Orthodox Jewish Bible           Now Emunah is the substance of things for which we have tikvah. Emunah is the conviction of things not seen.

For by Emunah have our Zekenim been given approval.

By Emunah we have binah Shomayim v'ha'Aretz found their "barah" from the Dvar Hashem, so that not from anything visible has what we see come into being. [TEHILLIM 33:6].

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. .

Expanded/Embellished Bibles:

The Amplified Bible                .

An Understandable Version   Now, [having] faith is being sure of [receiving] what is hoped for, and certain [of the existence] of what is not visible. For the men of old [i.e., the forefathers. See 1:1], received [God’s] approval [for their faith]. By [having] faith, we understand that the universe was formed by God’s word [See Gen. 1:1-27], so that what is seen has not been made out of what is visible.

Benjamin Brodie’s trans.       In fact, doctrine [the content of our faith] is the reality [title deed] from which we continue to receive confident hope, the proof [inner conviction] of matters which cannot be seen [invisible spiritual realities],

For our ancestors [super-abounding grace believers during OT times] were approved by the same [Bible doctrine].

By means of doctrine, we come to understand that the ages [dispensations] were put into operation [framed and put in motion] by the spoken word of God [an invisible essence], so that that [order and protocol of each dispensation] which is seen [on earth] has not come into existence from that [visible essence] which has an outward appearance [the sovereignty of God brought them into existence, not man].

The Expanded Bible              .

Jonathan Mitchell NT             Now faith continuously exists being (or: trust with loyal conviction is) a standing-under (a substructure; a basis; = the ground on which to build; that which underlies the apparent, and thus is the substance, essence or real nature) of things being habitually expected and anticipated [p13 reads: is a standing-away from things being presently hoped for]; an evidence from a test which proves concerning effects of practices (or: an evidence-based proof of the results of matters, actions or deeds) [that are] not presently seen or normally being observed. [note: Karen Armstrong, in The Case for God, has suggested that pistis not only involves trust and loyalty, but also engagement and commitment. Paul Tillich saw faith as "the state of being grasped by the Spiritual Presence and opened to the transcendent unity of unambiguous life." (Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, p. 131)]

For in the midst of and in union with this the ancient ones (or: the folks old time; the elders) were given testimony (or: had witness and evidence borne to them that gave them a reputation; had their record attested):

In faith and by confident, loyal trust, with the mind we constantly perceive (or: with the intellect we now understand) the ages to have been completely equipped by (and, or: thoroughly adjusted to; knit together and put in order in) God's gush-effect (or: the result of that which flowed from God; or: a declaration or speech that had the source, character and qualities of God; or: a spoken word which was God), into the [resultant situation]: the thing continuously being seen (being looked at and observed) has not come into being from out of the midst of things which are normally appearing (or: continuously shining and exposing themselves to view; or: presently becoming visible or being given light and thus being made to appear).

Syndein/Thieme                     .

Translation for Translators     .

The Voice                               .

Bible Translations with Many Footnotes:

Lexham Bible                         .

NET Bible®                             .

New American Bible (2011)   .

The Passion Translation        .

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. .

The Spoken English NT         The Meaning of Faith
Faith is the assurance^a of our hopes. It’s the proof^b of things we can’t see.^c

Faith is what the ancients were commended for.^d

By faith we know that the universe was^e crafted by the word of God, so that what we see^f hasn’t come from things that are visible.

^a.Or “substance,” or “reality”.

^b.Or “the certainty“.

^c.Lit. “of matters unseen”.

^d.Verse 2 logically belongs with the stories that begin in v. 4 below. In the recognized, ancient formal argument style that the author of Hebrews uses, it is standard practice to make a statement that hints of your new section before you wrap up the current section.

^e.Or “the ages were”.

^f.Lit. “the seen”.

Wilbur Pickering’s New T.     About faith
Now faith is a realization of things being hoped for, an evidence of things not seen. By it the ancients were approved. By faith we understand that the ages¹ were created by a word from God, so that the things that are seen were made out of things invisible.

(1) That’s what the Text says, ‘ages’; see the note at 1:2.

Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:

A Faithful Version                  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the conviction of things not seen.  For by this kind of faith the elders obtained a good report.  By faith we understand that the worlds were created by the word of God, so that the things that are seen were made from things that are invisible.

Analytical-Literal Translation  Now faith is [the] assurance [or, substance] of [things] being hoped for [or, being confidently expected], [the] confident assurance [or, proof] of things not seen. For by this the elders received approval. By faith we understand the ages [fig., universe] to have been prepared by a word of God, for the [things] being visible not to have come from the [things] being seen.

Berean Literal Bible                .

Bond Slave Version               .

C. Thomson updated NT        .

Charles Thomson NT             Now, faith is a confident expectation of things hoped for; a convincement of the mind with respect to the reality of things not seen. By this therefore the ancients obtained reputation. By faith we understand that the ages were arranged by a word of God, that the things seen should not at all be out of things which appear.

Context Group Version          Now trust is [the] foundation {or substance} of abiding confidence, a conviction of things not seen. For in it the elders had witness borne to them. By trust we understand that the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen has not been made from things which appear.

English Standard Version      .

Far Above All Translation       Now faith is the entitlement to things hoped for, the conviction of matters not seen. For by it the elders were attested to. By faith we understand that the ages have been arranged by the word of God, in such a way that the things seen did not come about from things appearing automatically.

Green’s Literal Translation    .

Literal New Testament           .

Literal Standard Version        .

Modern English Version         .

Modern Literal Version 2020  Now faith is the essence of things being hoped for, a conviction of matters being not seen.

For* the elders were witnessed in this;

in faith, we perceive the ages to have been framed with the declaration of God toward the things seen, not to have become from things which appear.

Modern KJV                           .

New American Standard B.    .

New European Version          .

New King James Version       .

NT (Variant Readings)           .

Niobi Study Bible                   Faith Is...

Now faith is the substance (persuasion) of things hoped for, the evidence of things (revelation of deeds) not seen.

The Honor Roll of the Faithful

For by it the elders obtained a good report.

By Faith We Understand

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Revised Young's Lit. Trans.   .

R. B. Thieme, Jr. translation  In fact, doctrine is the reality from which we keep receiving confidence, the proof of matters not being seen.

For by means of doctrine (resident in the soul) men of old gained approval.

By means of doctrine we learn that the ages (or the dispensations) have been put together by the decree from God, with the result that what is being seen (the unfolding of history) has not come to pass from what is visible in history [people, visible leaders, power structures, events, enemy powers].

A Voice in the Wilderness      .

Updated Bible Version 2.17   .

Webster’s Translation           .

World English Bible                .

Worrell New Testament         Now faith is an assurance of things hoped for, a sure persuasion of things not seen; for in this the elders were well reported of. By faith we perceive that the ages have been constituted by the word of God, so that what is seen has not arisen out of things that appear.

Young’s Updated LT             .

The gist of this passage: 

1-3

Translation: Now faith keeps on being [the] substance of [things] being hoped for,...

What the author of Hebrews is speaking of here is faith-doctrine. It is not enough simply to have faith; the faith must be placed in the right thing. It has to be directed toward truth. That is Bible doctrine.

Now, faith/doctrine is immaterial. This is something which cannot be seen. However, this is fundamental to the Christian way of life. Faith-doctrine is the substance of our hope, expectation and confidence. Knowing and believing these things guides and directs our life (and faith gives great meaning to our lives).

We know, for instance, the promises of God. As a result, we direct our faith toward these promises, knowing that we can trust God to stand behind His Word (it is His Word where we find these promises).

Translation: ...[the] conviction of things not being seen.

Faith is the conviction of things which are not seen. Typical to the Christian experience is testing and suffering. We do not know where these things are leading us; however, we trust God that they are designed for a better outcome for our lives.

Illustration: At one time, I lived in a different state. Things occurred which made it very difficult for me to remain there, as I had hoped to gain a teaching position where I was, and that was just not happening. There was some difficulties as a result, and I found myself forced to move to Texas where I knew no one. I could get a job and that was about all I was aware of. That move was exactly the right thing, but I did not see that at the time. I don’t even recall if I understood that this was God’s geographical will for me (seems like I thought it was; but also that it was temporary). In retrospect, Texas is exactly where I belonged. But it required some difficulties and suffering to move me in this direction.

Illustration: All marriages have difficulties; and, in a good marriage, these difficulties often bring couples closer together. A marriage is not solidified because everything is good all of the time; but because the man and wife become better partners in this shared suffering.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith keeps on being [the] substance of [things] being hoped for, [the] conviction of things not being seen. (Kukis nearly literal translation)

Translation: For by this [faith], the elders received a good report.

It is through faith-doctrine that the believers of the past received a good report (that is what this chapter is all about). We are going to examine a dozen examples.

Hebrews 11:2 For by this [faith], the elders received a good report. (Kukis nearly literal translation)

Translation: By faith, we understand the ages [possibly, periods of time, worlds] to be prepared [restored, adjusted, framed] by the Word of God;...

Although I translated the masculine plural noun above as ages, I do not believe that the point being made is that the ages or dispensations of God were prepared, restored, adjusted or framed by God. God certainly did that. However, the point that the writer is making is, very real physical things were formed by things that cannot be seen (like faith-doctrine). The idea is, we can depend upon things that we cannot see, that do not have a physical manifestation; but from such stuff God made everything that we see. From what cannot be seen, everything that we do see was made.

Translation: ...on account of the [word], from the things not visible the things being seen have come to be.

All that we see was formed, framed and restored by the Word of God, from the things which are not visible. This is where all things that we see have come to be.

From Space.com: The Big Bang Theory is the leading explanation for how the universe began. Simply put, it says the universe as we know it started with an infinitely hot and dense single point that inflated and stretched — first at unimaginable speeds, and then at a more measurable rate — over the next 13.7 billion years to the still-expanding cosmos that we know today.

Science does not know any of the details here, beyond what we read, but we know that this took place by the Word of God. It is very possible, based upon the first verse of Genesis, that God’s pure energy was used to form matter (the amount of energy involved here is beyond our imagination, give how much energy is produced by splitting atoms).

Also, in this construction of the universe, things that we can see—everything all around us—is made up of things that we cannot see: electrons, protons and neutrons. Our impossibly large universe is made up of impossibly small building blocks.

Hebrews 11:3 By faith, we understand the ages [possibly, periods of time, worlds] to be prepared [restored, adjusted, framed] by the Word of God; on account of the [word], from the things not visible the things being seen have come to be. (Kukis nearly literal translation)

The point that the author of Hebrews is making here is, everything that we see all around us is made up of things that we cannot see. This is analogous to the lives of faith lived by the saints of the Old Testament. Their lives formed these great and important arcs, and they did this on the basis of faith-doctrine. This great arc defined by their lives and choices is based upon things which we cannot see or touch.

Hebrews 11:1–3 Now faith keeps on being [the] substance of [things] being hoped for, [the] conviction of things not being seen. For by this [faith], the elders received a good report. By faith, we understand the ages [possibly, periods of time, worlds] to be prepared [restored, adjusted, framed] by the Word of God; on account of the [word], from the things not visible the things being seen have come to be. (Kukis nearly literal translation)

Hebrews 11:1–3 Faith-doctrine continues to be the substance of things hoped for and the conviction of the truth of things which are not seen. For it is by this faith-doctrine that the elders received a good report. It is by this faith that we know that the ages and the worlds were prepared, restored and adjusted by the Word of God. On account of this word, the things which we see have come to be from things which are not visible. (Kukis paraphrase)

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Here is how others have translated this passage:

Ancient texts:

Westcott-Hort Text (Greek)    By faith, a greater sacrifice, Abel more than Cain, brought [forward] to God, through which [sacrifice] he was testified to be righteous, a testifying over the gifts of him from the God. And through her, being dead, yet he keeps on speaking.

Complete Apostles Bible        By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying concerning his gifts; and through it, although he died, he still speaks.

Revised Douay-Rheims         .

Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.) By faith Abel offered to God a sacrifice exceeding that of Cain, by which he obtained a testimony that he was just, God giving testimony to his gifts. And by it he being dead yet speaketh.

V. Alexander’s Aramaic         .

Eastern Aramaic Manuscript  .

James Murdock’s Syriac NT By faith, Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than that of Cain; and on account of it, he is testified of that he was righteous, and God bore testimony to his offering; and in consequence thereof, though dead he yet speaketh.

Original Aramaic NT              By faith, Abel offered to God a sacrifice much better than that of Cain, and because of it there is a testimony concerning him that he was righteous, and God testifies concerning his offering; and because of it, although he died, he also speaks.

Plain English Aramaic Bible   .

Lamsa Peshitta (Syriac)         .

Significant differences: 

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

Bible in Basic English             By faith Abel made a better offering to God than Cain, and he had witness through it of his righteousness, God giving his approval of his offering: and his voice still comes to us through it though he is dead.

Bible in Worldwide English     Because Abel believed God, he made a sacrifice that pleased God more than the one Cain made. Because Abel believed God, God showed that he was good. God was pleased with his gifts. Abel died. But because he believed God, he still speaks to us through his faith.

Easy English                          .

Easy-to-Read Version–2008  Cain and Abel both offered sacrifices to God. But Abel offered a better sacrifice to God because he had faith. God said he was pleased with what Abel offered. And so God called him a good man because he had faith. Abel died, but through his faith he is still speaking.

God’s Word™                         Faith led Abel to offer God a better sacrifice than Cain's sacrifice. Through his faith Abel received God's approval, since God accepted his sacrifices. Through his faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.

Good News Bible (TEV)         It was faith that made Abel offer to God a better sacrifice than Cain's. Through his faith he won God's approval as a righteous man, because God himself approved of his gifts. By means of his faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.

The Message                         .

NIRV                                      .

New Life Version                    .

New Simplified Bible              .

Thought-for-thought translations; dynamic translations; paraphrases:

Contemporary English V.       Because Abel had faith, he offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. God was pleased with him and his gift, and even though Abel is now dead, his faith still speaks for him.

The Living Bible                     .

New Berkeley Version           .

New Century Version             .

New Living Translation           .

The Passion Translation        Faith moved Abel to choose a more acceptable sacrifice to offer God than his brother Cain, and God declared him righteous because of his offering of faith. By his faith, Abel still speaks instruction to us today, even though he is long dead.

UnfoldingWord Simplified T.  It was by faith that Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was attested to be righteous, and God spoke well of him because of his offerings, and by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.

Williams’ New Testament      By faith Abel offered a sacrifice more acceptable to God than Cain did, for by it he was approved as an upright man, since God approved him for the offering he made; and by it he still continues to speak, though dead.

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          .

Beck’s American Translation .

Breakthrough Version            With trust, Abel offered up to God more of a sacrifice than Cain, through which he was witnessed by others to be right, God telling what He witnessed based on his contributions. And through it, after dying, he still speaks.

Common English Bible           .

Len Gane Paraphrase           .

A. Campbell's Living Oracles By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, on account of which he was commended as righteous; God testifying in favor of his oblations: and so, by it, though dead he still speaks.

New Advent (Knox) Bible       .

NT for Everyone                     .

20^th Century New Testament Faith made the sacrifice which Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain's, and won him renown as a righteous man, God himself establishing his renown by accepting his gifts; and it is by the example of his faith that Abel, though dead, still speaks.

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

An Understandable Version   .

Berean Study Bible                .

Christian Standard Bible        .

Conservapedia Translation    .

Evangelical Heritage V.          .

Revised Ferrar-Fenton Bible  .

Free Bible Version                 By trusting him Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain, and as a result God identified him as someone who lived right. God showed this by accepting his offering. Even though Abel has been dead for a long time, he still speaks to us through what he did.

God’s Truth (Tyndale)           .

Holman Christian Standard    .

International Standard V        By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did, [The Gk. lacks did] and by faith [Lit. it] he was declared to be righteous, since God himself accepted his offerings. And by faith [Lit. it] he continues to speak, even though he is dead.

Lexham Bible                         .

Montgomery NT                     .

NIV, ©2011                             .

Numeric New Testament       By faith Abel offered unto: God a sacrifice superior to Cains, through which he had witness borne him that he was righteous,: God bearing witness over his: gifts: and through it he being dead yet speaketh. I do not generally list the Numeric NT, given the weirdness of its premise.

Riverside New Testament      .

Leicester A. Sawyer’s NT      By faith Abel offered to God a greater sacrifice than Cain, through which he was declared to be righteous, God testifying to his gifts, and through the same, having died, he speaks still.

The Spoken English NT         .

UnfoldingWord Literal Text    By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was attested to be righteous, and God spoke well of him because of his offerings, and through faith Abel still speaks, even though he died.

Urim-Thummim Version         By Faith Abel offered to Elohim a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, Elohim testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead still speaks.

Weymouth New Testament    .

Wikipedia Bible Project          .

Worsley’s New Testament    .

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

Christian Community (1988)  .

The Heritage Bible                 .

New American Bible (2002)   .

New American Bible (2011)   .

New English Bible–1970        .

New Jerusalem Bible             .

New RSV                               .

Revised English Bible–1989   .

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           .

Hebraic Roots Bible               By faith Abel offered a greater sacrifice to YAHWEH than Cain, by which he obtained witness to be righteous, Elohim testifying over his gifts; and through it, even though he is dead, yet he speaks.

Holy New Covenant Trans.    By faith, Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. Abel was a good man through faith. God was pleased with his gifts. Abel is dead but, through faith, he still speaks to us.

The Scriptures 2009              By belief, Heel offered to Elohim a greater slaughter offering than Qayin, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, Elohim witnessing of his gifts. And through it, having died, he still speaks.

Tree of Life Version                .

Weird English, Olde English, Anachronistic English Translations:

Accurate New Testament       ...[by] faith more sacrifice abel against cain offers [to] the god through whom [He] is testified to be Right~ testifying at the gifts [of] him the god and through her Dying yet [He] speaks...

Alpha & Omega Bible            BY FAITH ABEL OFFERED TO THEOS (The Alpha & Omega) A BETTER SACRIFICE THAN CAIN, THROUGH WHICH HE OBTAINED THE TESTIMONY THAT HE WAS RIGHTEOUS, THEOS (The Alpha & Omega) TESTIFYING ABOUT HIS GIFTS, AND THROUGH FAITH, THOUGH HE IS DEAD, HE STILL SPEAKS.

Awful Scroll Bible                   By confidence, Abel brings-near an offering, to God, a more preferable sacrifice, off from Cain, through which, he is being testified to be righteous, God bearing witness over his gifts, and by it, being died-away, he himself still speaks.

Concordant Literal Version    By faith Abel offers to God more of a sacrifice than Cain, through which he was testified to that he is just at God's testifying to his approach presents, and through it, dying, he is still speaking."

exeGeses companion Bible   By trust

Abel offered Elohim a much better sacrifice

than Qayin;

through which he witnessed to being just

- Elohim witnessing of his gratuities:

and through it, being dead, he still speaks.

Orthodox Jewish Bible           By Emunah Hevel (Abel) offered to Hashem a korban that was a mincha tovah than that of Kayin. Through this he was given approval that he was a tzaddik, Hashem bearing solemn eidus (testimony) to his matanot; and by his Emunah, Hevel, though niftar (deceased), still speaks.

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. .

Expanded/Embellished Bibles:

The Amplified Bible                .

An Understandable Version   By [having] faith, Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did. [And] because of his faith he was commended by God for being righteous, when God expressed approval of his offerings. By means of his faith, Abel still speaks [to us], even though he is dead.

Benjamin Brodie’s trans.       By means of doctrine, Abel [the first antediluvian person to reach super-abounding grace] offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which [sacrifice] he was certified to be righteous [super-abounding grace status], being approved by God with respect to his gifts. Moreover, through it [the application of Bible doctrine represented by his sacrifice], although he died [was murdered by his brother], he still speaks [as the first monument to the importance of doctrine in the soul].

The Expanded Bible              .

Jonathan Mitchell NT             In faith, by trust, with loyal confidence and to express faithful allegiance, Abel offered to God much more of a sacrifice than (or: compared to) Cain, through which he was given witness (a testimony) to be one in accord with the Way pointed out, with fairness and equity in rightwised relationship (a just one), God's continuous witnessing [being] upon his gifts [with other MSS: a continual testimony upon his gifts, by and in God]; and through it [i.e., faith and God's testimony] he, being dead, is still continuously speaking.

P. Kretzmann Commentary    .

Syndein/Thieme                     .

Translation for Translators     .

The Voice                               .

Bible Translations with Many Footnotes:

Lexham Bible                         By faith Abel offered to God a greater sacrifice than Cain, by which he was approved that he was righteous, because [*Here “when ” is supplied as a component of the temporal participle (“was”)] God approved him for his gifts, and through it [I.e., his faith] he still speaks, although he [*Here “although ” is supplied as a component of the participle (“is dead”) which is understood as concessive] is dead.

NET Bible®                             .

New American Bible (2011)   .

The Passion Translation        .

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. .

The Spoken English NT         Heroes of Faith

By faith Abel^g brought God a better offering than Cain did.^h Through faith Abel received God testimony that he was in the right:ⁱ God testified about his offerings. Through faith, though he’s dead, he still speaks.

^g.Prn. like “able”.

^h.See Genesis 4:3-10.

^i.Or “that he was a person of integrity“; traditionally: “that he was righteous”.

Wilbur Pickering’s New T.     Abel, Enoch, Noah

By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than did Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous,² God testifying concerning his gifts; and by means of it he still speaks, even though being dead.

(2) Although Genesis doesn’t mention it, I assume that God had given instruction to Adam about the necessity of blood sacrifice.

Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:

A Faithful Version                  .

Analytical-Literal Translation  By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was testified to be righteous, God testifying concerning his gifts, and through it [i.e. his faith], having died, he himself still speaks.

Berean Literal Bible                .

Bond Slave Version               .

C. Thomson updated NT        .

Charles Thomson NT             By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain; by means of which he received a testimonial of being righteous, God himself giving a testimony in favour of his gifts; and by it he, though dead, still speaketh.

Context Group Version          By trust Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had witness borne to him who he was vindicated, God giving witness to his gifts: and through it he being dead yet speaks.

English Standard Version      By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.

Far Above All Translation       By faith Abel offered a greater sacrifice to God than Cain, through which he was attested to be righteous, God himself testifying about his gifts, and through it, although he has died, he is still adduced.

Green’s Literal Translation    .

Literal New Testament           .

Literal Standard Version        Now faith is [the] substance of things hoped for, [the] proof of matters not being seen,

for by this, the elders were well-attested;

by faith we understand the ages to have been prepared by a saying of God, in regard to the things seen having not come out of things appearing;

by faith Abel offered a better sacrifice to God than Cain, through which he was testified to be righteous, God testifying of his gifts, and through it, he being dead, yet speaks. Vv. 1–3 are included for context.

Modern English Version         .

Modern Literal Version 2020  In faith, Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice to God than Cain, through which he was witnessed to be righteous, God testifying upon the basis of his gifts and through it, he still speaks, although having died.

Modern KJV                           .

New American Standard        .

New European Version          .

New King James Version       .

NT (Variant Readings)           By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had witness borne to him that he was righteous, God bearing witness in respect of his gifts: and through it he being dead yet speaketh.

Niobi Study Bible                   BibleFaith at the Dawn of History (of Man)

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and by it he, being dead, yet speaks (spoken of).

Revised Young's Lit. Trans.   .

R. B. Thieme, Jr. translation  By means of doctrine [resident in the soul] Abel had offered to the God a greater sacrifice than Cain, through which offering he received confirmation [or approval] that he kept on being righteous [justified, vindicated], the God approving his sacrifice; and through the same [sacrifices, with resident doctrine] while he was dead, yet he still speaks [communicates to us the importance of Bible doctrine].

Updated Bible Version 2.17   .

A Voice in the Wilderness      .

Webster’s Translation           .

World English Bible                .

Worrell New Testament         .

Young’s Updated LT             .

The gist of this passage: