Hebrews 11 34

Hebrews 11:34 kjv

Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

Hebrews 11:34 nkjv

quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

Hebrews 11:34 niv

quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.

Hebrews 11:34 esv

quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

Hebrews 11:34 nlt

quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight.

Hebrews 11 verses

Hebrews 11 34 Meaning

Hebrews 11:34 recounts the extraordinary achievements of faithful individuals from Old Testament history. These triumphs were not through human might but by God's enabling power accessed through faith. The verse details four distinct manifestations of this divinely empowered faith: overcoming extreme peril from fire, surviving death by the sword, finding supernatural strength from a state of physical weakness, and achieving decisive military victories against opposing forces. It signifies faith as an active principle leading to triumph over seemingly insurmountable odds.

Hebrews 11 34 Context

Hebrews chapter 11, famously known as the "Hall of Faith," presents a cumulative argument for the power and necessity of faith by chronicling numerous Old Testament figures. The preceding verses (Heb 11:32-33) begin listing heroes like Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, summarizing their deeds achieved through faith. Verse 34 continues this summary, highlighting further examples of deliverance and victory.

The primary audience of the Epistle to the Hebrews was Jewish Christians in the early church, likely facing persecution and possibly considering reversion to Judaism to escape suffering. The author's intent throughout the book, and particularly in chapter 11, is to encourage them to persevere in their faith in Christ by showing the great Cloud of Witnesses who endured, not always by avoiding suffering (as seen in later verses, 11:35-38), but by faithfully trusting God to overcome seemingly impossible circumstances. This verse provides powerful examples of God's supernatural intervention for those who walked by faith, bolstering the recipients' conviction that faith truly matters and empowers extraordinary living.

Hebrews 11 34 Word analysis

• quenched (ἔσβεσαν - esbesan): An aorist verb, indicating a definite past action, a completed act of extinguishing. It implies direct action taken against a threatening force, as seen in the account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace (Dan 3), where the fire’s destructive power was rendered null by God's intervention, a clear testament to supernatural faith.
• the violence of fire: Refers to the intense, destructive, and often uncontrollable nature of fire. The "violence" (δύναμιν - dynamin, strength, power) emphasizes the overwhelming, potentially lethal force that was neutralized. This is not just a fire, but fire acting with aggressive force.
• escaped (ἔφυγον - ephygon): Another aorist verb, highlighting a definite act of successful flight or evasion from peril.
• the edge of the sword: A metonymy for deadly warfare or execution. "Edge" (στόμα - stoma, mouth) metaphorically speaks of the sharp, cutting mouth of the blade, signifying imminent death by violence. This refers to instances like David escaping Saul or various prophets and believers eluding those who sought to kill them.
• out of weakness (ἀπὸ ἀσθενείας - apo astheneias): From a state of feebleness, frailty, or lack of inherent power. This signifies a condition of being inherently incapable of accomplishing what was achieved, setting up the subsequent contrast.
• were made strong (ἐνεδυναμώθησαν - enedynamōthēsan): A passive verb, emphasizing that they received strength; it was divinely imparted. The root dynamoo means to empower, endue with strength, showing a supernatural infusion of vigor or ability. Examples include Gideon, Samson, and David against Goliath, who, in their own right, lacked the might for their tasks but were empowered by God.
• waxed valiant in fight (ἐγενήθησαν ἰσχυροὶ ἐν πολέμῳ - egenēthēsan ischyroi en polemō): Literally, "became strong/mighty in war." This denotes a transformation from their ordinary state to a condition of formidable courage and military effectiveness. Their valor was not innate bravery alone, but a divinely inspired, fighting courage and strength for conflict.
• turned to flight (ἔκλιναν - eklinan): A verb meaning to make flee, cause to turn back, or put to rout. It denotes active causation of the enemy's retreat, signifying decisive victory.
• the armies of the aliens (παρεμβολὰς ἀλλοτρίων - parembolas allotriōn): Refers to the encampments or battalions of foreign, non-Israelite, and often hostile peoples. This speaks to the numerous instances in Old Testament history where God's people, often outnumbered and outmatched, supernaturally routed their pagan enemies (e.g., God enabling a small Israelite force to defeat larger, more powerful Philistine or Midianite armies).

Hebrews 11 34 Bonus section

The heroes listed or alluded to in Hebrews 11:33-34 often had significant character flaws or faced immense personal struggles, yet their faith enabled God to work through them. This emphasizes that God's power is not contingent on human perfection but on their obedient faith. The successes enumerated here, such as military victories, also highlight a crucial aspect of biblical faith: it's not always about personal spiritual growth alone, but also about God's purpose for His people in the world, including physical deliverance and national triumphs against adversaries. These historical examples serve as divine assurances that God remains actively engaged with His people, working mightily on their behalf as they continue to trust Him, both in overcoming challenges and in accomplishing His kingdom purposes.

Hebrews 11 34 Commentary

Hebrews 11:34 powerfully illustrates the transformative and victorious nature of faith in God's enablement. It presents a kaleidoscope of God's varied deliverances and empowerments for His people. This verse is not merely a historical record but an affirmation that faith leads to supernatural outcomes when human efforts or natural circumstances are insufficient. The common thread is the intervention of God in the face of impossible human situations.

The transition from "quenching fire" and "escaping the sword"—physical deliverances from lethal threats—to "made strong out of weakness" and "waxing valiant in fight" leading to routing armies, demonstrates faith's ability to not only rescue from danger but also empower for active conquest and successful combat. These triumphs underscore that God's power is limitless and He often chooses to manifest it through His seemingly weak and outnumbered servants. For the original readers, this provided encouragement that their faith was not in vain, and God was capable of delivering them, strengthening them, and granting them victory, even if the "victory" sometimes came in enduring suffering (as presented in the subsequent verses of Hebrews 11). Practically, this verse assures believers that even in dire situations—whether literal dangers, physical ailments, or overwhelming opposition—faith allows access to divine strength and strategic victory beyond natural capacities. It beckons believers to depend on God for empowerment in their struggles, both personal and communal.