Hebrews 11:38

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 11:38

Of whom the world was not worthy - The world was so wicked that it had no claim that such holy men should live in it. These poor, despised, and persecuted people, living as outcasts and wanderers, were of a character far elevated above the world. This is a most beautiful expression. It is at once a statement of their eminent holiness, and of the wickedness of the rest of mankind.They wandered in deserts ... - On the Scripture meaning of the word “desert” or wilderness, see the notes on Matthew... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Hebrews 11:37-38

Hebrews 11:37-38. They were stoned As Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada, 2 Chronicles 24:21. See also Matthew 23:31; they were sawn asunder As, according to the tradition of the Jews, Isaiah was by Manasseh; were tempted With offers of deliverance; but remaining steadfast, were then slain with the sword As also were the eighty-five priests slain by Doeg, 1 Samuel 22:18; and the prophets, of whose slaughter by the sword Elijah complains, 1 Kings 19:10. Or, as επειρασθησαν may be rendered,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Hebrews 11:23-40

More examples of true faith (11:23-40)Moses’ parents had faith to believe that God had chosen their child for a great purpose. Acting on this faith, they risked their own lives to preserve the life of the child (23; cf. Exodus 1:22; Exodus 2:1-2). As Moses grew to adulthood, he too exercised faith, in spite of the sacrifice, hardship and danger that it brought. He endured because he was confident of the future reward and he trusted in the unseen God (24-27; cf. Exodus 2:10-15).Through faith the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Hebrews 11:38

in . The texts read epi . App-104 . dens . Greek. spelaion. See Luke 19:46 . caves . Greek. ope . Only here and James 3:11 (place). read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 11:38

38. Of whom the world was not worthy—So far from their being unworthy of living in the world, as their exile in deserts, c., might seem to imply, "the world was not worthy of them." The world, in shutting them out, shut out from itself a source of blessing such as Joseph proved to Potiphar (Genesis 39:5), and Jacob to Laban (Genesis 30:27). In condemning them, the world condemned itself. caves—literally, "chinks." Palestine, from its hilly character, abounds in fissures and caves, affording... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Hebrews 11:32-40

4. Faith in subsequent eras 11:32-40 read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Hebrews 11:35-38

Faith does not result in deliverance in every case, however. These verses refer to many different forms of persecution, which would have been particularly comforting to the original distressed readers. Traditionally Isaiah suffered death at King Manasseh’s hand by being sawn in two. [Note: The Martyrdom of Isaiah 5:1-14.] "According to . . . mutually complementary rabbinic sources, Manasseh, enraged because Isaiah had prophesied the destruction of the Temple, ordered his arrest. Isaiah fled to... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:1-40

Heroes of FaithThe Achievements of Faith, illustrated from the annals of Israel, beginning with the patriarchs and coming down to the martyrs. The writer has already mentioned faith as a necessary condition of a righteous life, and he now proceeds to illustrate the fact that it was by faith that the fathers of the race were able to work righteousness and to endure their trials. Their heroic example ought to encourage the Hebrews to stand fast. The primary purpose, therefore, of this long... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Hebrews 11:1-40

The Beginning of Faith Hebrews 11:1 As we hear these words we seem to penetrate down through all the differences and distinctions of outward forms and ceremonies to that which lies at the very root and foundation of religion the sense that beyond and behind the visible there is an invisible; that all that we see is but a reflection, a broken image of an unseen Divine ideal; that all around us and above us and within us there are mighty agencies ever working, regulating, creating, controlling... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Hebrews 11:20-40

CHAPTER XIII.A CLOUD OF WITNESSES."By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot... read more

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