Hebrews 11 32

Hebrews 11:32 kjv

And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

Hebrews 11:32 nkjv

And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets:

Hebrews 11:32 niv

And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets,

Hebrews 11:32 esv

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets ?

Hebrews 11:32 nlt

How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets.

Hebrews 11 verses

Hebrews 11 32 Meaning

Hebrews 11:32 marks a pivot in the "faith hall of fame," as the author, realizing the immensity of faithful individuals, transitions from detailed examples to a swift enumeration. He states that recounting every act of faith would exhaust the available time and space. The verse rapidly lists prominent figures—Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel—before culminating in the general category of "the prophets." This condensing mechanism serves to reinforce the pervasive nature of faith throughout Israel's history, showcasing its manifestation across diverse roles and personalities, from deliverers to kings to God's spokespeople, all of whom, despite their individual complexities, were characterized by their trust in God and His promises.

Hebrews 11 32 Context

Hebrews Chapter 11, often called the "Faith Hall of Fame" or "Cloud of Witnesses," systematically defines and illustrates faith through examples from the Old Testament. The author, writing to Jewish Christians potentially struggling with persecution and the temptation to revert to Judaism, presents a continuous narrative of how past heroes maintained their trust in God's promises despite not seeing their full fulfillment in their lifetime. Leading up to verse 32, the author detailed figures like Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and Rahab, each highlighting a distinct facet of active, persevering faith. Verse 32 marks a shift from these individual, often lengthy, narratives to a more condensed, comprehensive overview, recognizing the extensive history of faith in Israel that would be too long to detail entirely within the scope of the letter. It reinforces the central message that faith is the pathway to God's favor and the reception of His promises.

Hebrews 11 32 Word analysis

• And what more shall I say? (τί ἔτι λέγω, ti eti legō): This is a rhetorical question that signals a conscious shift in the author's strategy. It indicates a pause in the detailed exposition of individual heroes, acknowledging the vastness of the subject and the practical limits of his letter. It creates a sense of momentum, suggesting that there are far too many examples to recount fully.

• For time would fail me (ἐπιλείψει με γὰρ διηγούμενον, epileipsei me gar diēgoumenon): Literally, "it will fail me recounting." This phrase explains why the author will shift to a more concise listing. It emphasizes the sheer volume of faithful acts and individuals throughout salvation history. The task of detailing each would be an endless endeavor, highlighting the pervasive nature of faith across generations.

• to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah:

  • Gideon (Judges 6-8): A hesitant leader who, despite fear and needing multiple confirmations, obeyed God's call to deliver Israel with a minimal force. His faith overcame immense numerical disadvantage.
  • Barak (Judges 4-5): A military commander who acted on God's command through the prophetess Deborah, showing dependence on divine strategy rather than his own might.
  • Samson (Judges 13-16): Known for his immense strength and many moral failings. His inclusion highlights that God can use even deeply flawed individuals when they act in faith, even if imperfectly. His final act demonstrates a trust in God's power for deliverance.
  • Jephthah (Judges 11-12): Another judge from the period, known for his leadership in battle and a controversial vow. Despite his complicated story, he delivered Israel by faith, chosen and used by God for His purposes.

• of David and Samuel:

  • David (1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles, Psalms): Israel's most prominent king, revered for his courageous faith against Goliath, his unwavering trust in God amidst adversity, and his spirit of sincere repentance after great sin. He embodies profound reliance on God.
  • Samuel (1 Samuel): A prophet, priest, and judge, who transitioned Israel from the judgeship to the monarchy. His life was marked by early devotion, unwavering obedience, and faithfully speaking God's word, serving as a beacon of faithfulness from his youth.

• and of the prophets (τῶν προφητῶν, tōn prophētōn): This is a collective term that dramatically expands the scope beyond specific individuals. It encompasses a vast number of unlisted faithful individuals, including Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Hosea, and many more. Their inclusion broadens the definition of faith to those who spoke God's word, often suffering persecution, imprisonment, and death for their faithfulness. It also implicitly includes those whose faith empowered their endurance in the face of great adversity, which is further detailed in the subsequent verses (Heb 11:35-38).

• Words-group analysis:

  • Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah: This group specifically represents the Judges, a period often marked by spiritual decline, cyclical disobedience, and external oppression in Israel. Their inclusion underscores that God’s work of salvation and deliverance is not limited to morally pristine heroes but extends to flawed individuals who, in their specific moments of trust, fulfilled God's will for Israel. Their lives often display how God’s power is made perfect in human weakness (2 Cor 12:9).
  • David and Samuel: These two represent the transition from the chaotic period of Judges to the establishment of the unified monarchy. Samuel stands as the last judge and first major prophet who anointed both Saul and David. David represents the ideal king, "a man after God's own heart" (Acts 13:22), despite his personal failures. This duo symbolizes faithful leadership in setting a new course for Israel's governance, under God's guidance.
  • The prophets: This collective term signifies a broader recognition of those who proclaimed God's truth throughout Israel's history, often facing intense opposition and suffering (as detailed in Heb 11:35-38). It extends the "cloud of witnesses" beyond specific, named heroes to include countless anonymous faithful who contributed to God's redemptive plan through their obedience in delivering His message.

Hebrews 11 32 Bonus section

The rhetorical shift "And what more shall I say?" indicates that the author has moved from building an argument for faith to reinforcing it through overwhelming cumulative evidence. It's a strategic rhetorical device to cover a broad spectrum of history without laboring over details already implicitly established by earlier examples. The chapter functions as a historical catechism on the nature of faith, revealing it as an enduring quality regardless of time period or specific circumstance. The varied nature of the acts of faith shown (from military victories to prophetic declarations) underlines that faith isn't a single type of action but a foundational disposition of the heart expressed in countless ways. These individuals, diverse in their backgrounds and sometimes in their moral conduct, share the common denominator of active, expectant trust in God's promises. This broader sweep provides a continuous chain of witness, demonstrating God's consistent working through faith across generations leading up to the New Covenant in Christ.

Hebrews 11 32 Commentary

Hebrews 11:32 is a pivot in the "faith chapter," where the author accelerates his presentation of faithful individuals. After illustrating faith through a select few from the ancient patriarchs and deliverers, the author introduces a new list of heroes, encompassing Judges, kings, and general prophetic figures. The rapid enumeration emphasizes the abundance of those who lived by faith throughout Israel's history, showing that their actions—whether conquering kingdoms, establishing justice, or enduring suffering—were all rooted in trust in God. Significantly, some of these figures, particularly the Judges like Samson and Jephthah, had morally complex lives, highlighting that God's commendation of their faith does not equate to approval of every action, but rather their fundamental reliance on Him to fulfill His purposes. This provides great encouragement to the struggling Jewish Christians that their own imperfect lives can still demonstrate true faith and be used by God. It assures them that persevering in faith, despite flaws and difficult circumstances, aligns them with a vast lineage of God's chosen instruments. For instance, just as Gideon conquered with a small army by faith, so too can the reader overcome their challenges through reliance on God's power rather than their own. Like David, one can return to sincere faith even after significant failures. Like the prophets, one can endure suffering for righteousness’ sake with an eternal perspective.