Heb 11:32-40 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Heb 11:32-40: 11:32-40 In a rapid series of examples, the author gives an overview of other faithful people through the rest of the old covenant era. In 11:32-35a , the outcome of faith is deliverance and victory. In 11:35b-38 , however, faith brought severe persecution and even martyrdom. The result for both groups was that God honored them with a good reputation because of their faith (11:39 ). 11:32 How much more do I need to say? The author makes a transition to his concluding summary, which begins with six heroes of faith from the time of the judges and the united monarchy. Gideon defeated the Midianites with torches and jars (Judg 7:7-25 ). Barak routed Sisera and the Canaanites (Judg 4:8-16 ). Samson , though weak in moral fiber, was used by God to fight the Philistines on behalf of Israel (Judg 13–16 ). Jephthah won victory over the Amorites and Ammonites (Judg 10:6–12:7 ). David , the only king in the group, loved God and, for the most part, led an exemplary life of faith (1 Sam 16—1 Kgs 1 ). Samuel was an important transitional leader between the judges and the monarchy; he heard God’s voice and obeyed his will (1 Sam 1–15 ). • The statement all the prophets includes Elijah, Elisha, and the “writing prophets” from Isaiah to Malachi. The prophets often exhibited great faith in the face of hostility.

Summary for Heb 11:32-40: 11:32-40 ^a In a rapid series of examples, the author gives an overview of other faithful people through the rest of the old covenant era. In 11:32-35a ^b, the outcome of faith is deliverance and victory. In 11:35b-38 ^c, however, faith brought severe persecution and even martyrdom. The result for both groups was that God honored them with a good reputation because of their faith (11:39 ^d). 11:32 ^e How much more do I need to say? The author makes a transition to his concluding summary, which begins with six heroes of faith from the time of the judges and the united monarchy. Gideon defeated the Midianites with torches and jars (Judg 7:7-25 ^f). Barak routed Sisera and the Canaanites (Judg 4:8-16 ^g). Samson, though weak in moral fiber, was used by God to fight the Philistines on behalf of Israel (Judg 13–16 ^h). Jephthah won victory over the Amorites and Ammonites (Judg 10:6–12:7 ⁱ). David, the only king in the group, loved God and, for the most part, led an exemplary life of faith (1 Sam 16—1 Kgs 1 ^j). Samuel was an important transitional leader between the judges and the monarchy; he heard God’s voice and obeyed his will (1 Sam 1–15 ^k).

• The statement all the prophets includes Elijah, Elisha, and the “writing prophets” from Isaiah to Malachi. The prophets often exhibited great faith in the face of hostility.
11:33 ^l overthrew kingdoms: During the time of the judges and the reign of David, Israel defeated many of their enemies. David and Solomon and a few others ruled with justice (see 2 Sam 8:15 ^m; 1 Kgs 10:9 ⁿ).

• shut the mouths of lions: See Dan 6:1-23 ^o.
11:34 ^p quenched the flames of fire: See Dan 3:16-30 ^q.

• escaped death by the edge of the sword: E.g., Elijah and Jeremiah (see 1 Kgs 19:2 ^r; 2 Kgs 1:1-18 ^s; Jer 26:10-16 ^t; 38:1-13 ^u).
11:35 ^v Elijah and Elisha both brought women’s loved ones back again from death (see 1 Kgs 17:17-24 ^w; 2 Kgs 4:17-37 ^x).

• But others were tortured: Faith does not always have a positive outcome in this life. The author might be alluding to the 170s and 160s BC, when many Jews suffered and died rather than forsake their faith (see, e.g., 1 Maccabees 1:20-64).
11:37 ^y According to tradition, the prophet Jeremiah died by stoning and the prophet Isaiah was sawed in half.
11:38 ^z too good for this world: Their hope was in God more than in the pleasures and comforts of this world.
Summary for Heb 11:39-40: 11:39-40 ^aa The way to live as God’s people under the new covenant is to live as all these people did under the old covenant: by faith in God’s promises, enduring any difficulties faced in this world.

• earned a good reputation: God has borne witness to their faithfulness (see also 11:2 ^ab).

• yet none of them received all that God had promised: They all died prior to Christ’s promised coming; the something better began with Christ’s sacrificial work (8:3–10:18 ^ac) and anticipates the future culmination of God’s plan for his people.

• would not reach perfection: See study notes on 5:9; 7:11. Jesus has fulfilled God’s goal of bringing his people into relationship with him.