Hebrews 11 33

Hebrews 11:33 kjv

Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.

Hebrews 11:33 nkjv

who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

Hebrews 11:33 niv

who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions,

Hebrews 11:33 esv

who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

Hebrews 11:33 nlt

By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions,

Hebrews 11 verses

Hebrews 11 33 Meaning

Hebrews 11:33 testifies to the transformative power of faith, listing mighty deeds accomplished by Old Testament believers. Through their steadfast trust in God, they actively overcame powerful adversaries, establishing divine justice and experiencing the fulfillment of God's specific pledges, even miraculously averting grave dangers like the mouths of lions. This verse illustrates faith as an active, courageous, and effectual principle that enabled individuals to participate in God’s grand redemptive plan.

Hebrews 11 33 Context

Hebrews chapter 11, often called the "Hall of Faith," celebrates the profound impact of faith through a roll call of Old Testament figures. This chapter aims to encourage first-century Jewish Christians, who were undergoing persecution and tempted to abandon their faith, by demonstrating that faith is not a passive belief but an active principle enabling believers to endure trials and accomplish remarkable feats for God. Verse 33 falls within a broader section (vv. 32-34) that provides a summary list of varied accomplishments of these faith heroes, shifting from named individuals (like Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, and Samuel) to general categories of achievements. This list underscores the power and diversity of God's work through faithful people, setting the stage for the suffering experienced by some faith heroes in the subsequent verses (vv. 35b-38), thereby presenting a balanced picture of faith's outcomes.

Hebrews 11 33 Word analysis

• who (οἳ, hoi): This Greek plural relative pronoun refers collectively to the unnamed but understood "faith heroes" previously alluded to or named in the preceding verses, especially those of verse 32 (Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets). It emphasizes that these achievements are the results of their faith, united under this common principle.
• through faith (διὰ πίστεως, dia pisteōs): This recurring instrumental phrase throughout Hebrews 11 highlights faith as the means or instrument by which these extraordinary deeds were accomplished. Pistis denotes not mere intellectual assent, but a deep, trusting conviction and reliance upon God and His word, which then motivates and empowers action. It signifies that human agency, while present, was divinely enabled.
• subdued (κατηγωνίσαντο, katēgōnisanto): A strong Greek verb meaning "to fight down," "to overcome completely," or "to vanquish." It implies an intense struggle and a decisive victory. This term has connotations of athletic or military conquest. It portrays faith not as escapism but as engagement in spiritual battle leading to triumph.
• kingdoms (βασιλείας, basileias): Plural, referring to earthly powers, nations, and their rulers. This signifies the overthrow or bringing into submission of political or military adversaries. Examples include David's conquests (2 Sam 8) and various judges and kings leading Israel against enemy nations. This highlights God's sovereignty over worldly authorities.
• worked (εἰργάσαντο, eirgasanto): This aorist verb means they "performed," "accomplished," or "brought about." It indicates active exertion and successful completion. It emphasizes that faith is not passive, but results in tangible actions.
• righteousness (δικαιοσύνην, dikaiosunēn): This term encompasses justice, moral uprightness, and conformity to God’s standards. "Working righteousness" implies actively implementing God’s will, establishing justice, and living righteously. This goes beyond personal piety; it refers to demonstrating God's righteous character through actions, like judging fairly, obeying commandments, and acting in line with God's covenant demands, often within a societal context (e.g., Samuel as a righteous judge, David's just reign).
• obtained (ἐπέτυχον, epetuchon): Meaning "to reach," "to acquire," "to gain," or "to receive." This signifies the successful realization of something sought or promised.
• promises (ἐπαγγελιῶν, epangeliaōn): Refers to divine pledges or assurances made by God, especially those related to His covenant with Israel, the patriarchs, and eventually, the coming Messiah. This can include specific tangible blessings (like children, land) or the general faithfulness of God to His word. While many did not obtain the ultimate promise of Christ's full redemptive work in their lifetime (v. 39), they experienced specific, tangible fulfillments of God's pledges in their temporal lives due to their faith.
• stopped (ἔφραξαν, ephraxan): A forceful verb meaning "to fence in," "to block," or "to shut up." It conveys an action that completely restrains or muzzles.
• the mouths (στόματα, stomata): Refers to the physical mouths.
• of lions (λεόντων, leontōn): Clearly alludes to specific incidents where God miraculously protected His faithful servants from the danger of literal lions. The most direct and famous example is Daniel in the lions' den (Dan 6). This provides a vivid and dramatic illustration of divine protection enabled by faith against seemingly insurmountable, deadly threats.

• who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises: This tripartite phrase summarizes the broad scope of faith's activity. "Subdued kingdoms" relates to military or political victory; "worked righteousness" refers to ethical, judicial, and moral conduct establishing God's will; and "obtained promises" covers the reception of God's blessings and fulfillment of His word. Together, they demonstrate faith's comprehensive influence across various spheres of life and challenge.
• obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions: This transition from a general category ("obtained promises") to a highly specific, miraculous event ("stopped the mouths of lions") amplifies the power of faith. The specificity of the lion example (pointing to Daniel) adds dramatic emphasis and provides a clear, undeniable testament to God's supernatural intervention through faith, moving from conceptual achievements to a concrete, awe-inspiring miracle.

Hebrews 11 33 Bonus section

The order of accomplishments in this verse moves from large, societal achievements ("subdued kingdoms," "worked righteousness") to specific, personal miracles ("stopped the mouths of lions"), perhaps emphasizing the diverse scope of faith's application. While "subdued kingdoms" could include figures like Joshua, Gideon, and David, and "worked righteousness" figures like Samuel and even David in his role as king establishing justice, the act of "stopping the mouths of lions" unmistakably points to Daniel (Daniel 6). This particular example provides an ultimate illustration of faith's ability to triumph over what would normally be certain death, a strong encouragement to believers facing severe persecution. This list of positive outcomes through faith stands in stark contrast to the sufferings that follow in the latter part of chapter 11, presenting a full picture of the life of faith: one that experiences both triumphs and endurance through hardship.

Hebrews 11 33 Commentary

Hebrews 11:33 stands as a powerful testament to the dynamic and active nature of faith. Far from being a mere intellectual ascent or a passive belief, the faith described here is a vibrant, empowering force that actively engages with the realities of life, whether in conflict, conduct, or expectation. The heroes of faith did not merely believe about God; they believed in God and acted upon His word, allowing Him to work through them. "Subduing kingdoms" illustrates faith's capacity for strategic victory against formidable earthly opposition, showcasing divine enablement in military or political spheres. "Worked righteousness" highlights the ethical dimension of faith, where personal trust in God translates into actions that align with His divine standard of justice and uprightness within society. "Obtained promises" points to the fulfillment of God's specific pledges, reminding believers that God is faithful to His word and honors the faith that trusts Him. The dramatic example of "stopped the mouths of lions" powerfully demonstrates faith's ability to invoke miraculous divine intervention in the face of imminent and deadly threat. Together, these achievements reveal that true faith has tangible, transformative outcomes, not just for the individual but for the advancement of God's kingdom and purpose. The verse serves as a beacon of encouragement, showing that challenges, no matter how great, can be overcome by steadfast trust in God.