Hebrews 11 30

Hebrews 11:30 kjv

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

Hebrews 11:30 nkjv

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.

Hebrews 11:30 niv

By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.

Hebrews 11:30 esv

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.

Hebrews 11:30 nlt

It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho for seven days, and the walls came crashing down.

Hebrews 11 verses

Hebrews 11 30 Meaning

Hebrews 11:30 teaches that it was by an act of faith, demonstrated through specific and unusual obedience, that the formidable walls of Jericho supernaturally collapsed. The verse underscores that human strength, strategy, or ingenuity were not the cause, but rather the faithful obedience of the Israelite people to God's divine command, sustained over seven days, which activated God's power to grant victory. It highlights the principle that true faith yields active compliance, leading to seemingly impossible breakthroughs orchestrated by God.

Hebrews 11 30 Context

Hebrews 11:30 is a specific example within the comprehensive "Hall of Faith" chapter (Hebrews 11), where the author systematically catalogues figures from Old Testament history who exemplified faith. This verse, following Rahab's example of faith, marks a transition from individual acts to a corporate act of faith by the nation of Israel. The historical context is the Israelites' conquest of Canaan under Joshua after their exodus from Egypt and forty years in the wilderness. Jericho was the first, heavily fortified city they encountered, symbolizing an insurmountable obstacle. God commanded a highly unconventional strategy: marching silently around the city for six days, and then seven times on the seventh day, culminating in a shout and trumpet blasts. This was not a military tactic, but a test of complete faith and obedience. The fall of Jericho demonstrated God's miraculous power to overcome human limitations when His people obey Him by faith, validating their right to the Promised Land. The author uses this event to encourage first-century Jewish Christians, facing persecution and tempted to abandon their faith in Christ for the perceived security of Judaism, reminding them that their predecessors achieved mighty victories through active trust in God.

Hebrews 11 30 Word analysis

• By faith: Greek: Pistei (Πίστει). The dative case signifies the instrumental cause; faith was the means by which the event occurred, not human ingenuity or strength. This directly aligns with the chapter's overarching theme that faith is the key to God's intervention.

• the walls: Greek: teichē (τείχη). Refers to the fortifications, emphasizing their structural integrity and perceived impregnability. Historically, Jericho's walls were robust, designed to repel attack.

• of Jericho: Greek: Hierichou (Ἱεριχοῦ). The specific city, well-known for its strong defenses and strategic location as the gateway to Canaan. Its fall marked a pivotal moment in the Israelite conquest.

• fell: Greek: epesan (ἔπεσαν). Aorist active indicative of piptō, meaning they decisively and suddenly "collapsed" or "tumbled down." The verb choice highlights the immediate and total nature of the collapse, leaving no doubt as to the divine, rather than human, cause. This was not a gradual erosion or a conventional military breach.

• after the people had marched around them: Greek: kuklōthenta (κυκλωθέντα), aorist passive participle of kukloō ("to encircle"). This phrase refers to the precise action commanded by God. The passive voice implies that while the people performed the marching, the subsequent falling was an act done to the walls, by an external power (God), in response to their obedient circumambulation. The human action was instrumental, the divine action decisive. This highlights their sustained, corporate obedience.

• for seven days: Greek: epi hepta hēmeras (ἐπὶ ἑπτὰ ἡμέρας). Specifies the duration of the act of faith and obedience. The number "seven" in biblical numerology often signifies completeness, perfection, or divine purpose (e.g., creation, Sabbath). Here, it underscores the completeness of their obedience and God's perfect timing for intervention. It required patience, persistence, and an enduring trust in God's counter-intuitive instructions.

• "By faith the walls of Jericho fell": This phrase directly attributes the supernatural collapse to faith. It was not military tactics or superior force but a reliance on God's method. This establishes a causal link: faith activated divine power.

• "after the people had marched around them for seven days": This clause elaborates on the expression of faith. Their marching was a continuous act of obedience to a seemingly irrational command. It showcased perseverance and trust, making the invisible power of God manifest through a visible, obedient action over a divinely appointed period. The specific, detailed obedience was the evidence of their collective faith.

Hebrews 11 30 Bonus section

The story of Jericho emphasizes corporate faith and obedience, not just individual heroism. The entire community was commanded to participate, and their united, prolonged action of faith led to the collective breakthrough. This illustrates that there are instances where God's promises and breakthroughs are contingent upon the unified faithfulness of His people, not just singular champions. Furthermore, the account highlights God's particular disdain for the pagan strongholds and systems of Canaan. The fall of Jericho was not just a military victory, but a demonstration of God's judgment upon a wicked, idolatrous system and the cleansing of the land for His holy people, showing His active involvement in both covenant fulfillment and righteous judgment.

Hebrews 11 30 Commentary

Hebrews 11:30 serves as a powerful testament to the transformative power of active, corporate faith. It illustrates that when humanity trusts in and acts upon God's unconventional commands, even the most formidable obstacles crumble by divine intervention. The absurdity of the marching ritual, from a military standpoint, underscored that the victory was solely God's. It was not a logical outcome of human strategy, but a supernatural demonstration of God's power activated by obedience. This miracle teaches that God often calls His people to step out in faith in ways that defy human reasoning, demonstrating that His wisdom and power far surpass ours. The collective participation of the entire assembly for seven days highlights the importance of sustained, unified faith and patience. It reminds believers that true faith isn't passive belief, but active, enduring, and sometimes foolish-appearing obedience that invites God to do the impossible. For practical usage, this means trusting God's methods over worldly wisdom, patiently obeying His directives even when the outcome isn't immediately clear, and knowing that divine power can overcome any "walls" in our lives when we act in faith.