Hebrews 11:31

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hebrews 11:4-31

The apostle, having given us a more general account of the grace of faith, now proceeds to set before us some illustrious examples of it in the Old-Testament times, and these may be divided into two classes:?1. Those whose names are mentioned, and the particular exercise and actings of whose faith are specified. 2. Those whose names are barely mentioned, and an account given in general of the exploits of their faith, which it is left to the reader to accommodate, and apply to the particular... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Hebrews 11:30-31

11:30-31 It was by faith that the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. It was by faith that Rahab, the harlot, did not perish with the disobedient because she had welcomed the scouts in peace. The writer to the Hebrews has been citing as examples of faith the great figures of the time before Israel entered into the Promised Land. Now he takes two figures from the period of struggle when the children of Israel were winning a place for themselves within... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 11:31

By faith the harlot Rahab ,.... The Targum on Joshua 2:1 calls her אתתא פונדקיתא , "a woman, that kept a victualling house": this paraphrase is taken notice of by Jarchi and Kimchi on the place, who interpret it, "a seller of food": and even the Hebrew word זונה , is so explained by a considerable Jewish writer F16 R. Sol. Urbin. Ohel Moed, fol. 24. 1. ; and this may rather seem to be the sense of the word, and to be her proper business, from the spies going to her house, as... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:31

The harlot Rahab perished not - See this account Joshua 2:1 , Joshua 2:9 , Joshua 2:11 , and Joshua 6:23 , where it is rendered exceedingly probable that the word זונה zonah in Hebrew, and πορνη in Greek, which we translate harlot, should be rendered innkeeper or tavernkeeper, as there is no proper evidence that the person in question was such a woman as our translation represents her. As to her having been a harlot before and converted afterwards, it is a figment of an idle... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:31

Verse 31 31.By faith the harlot Rahab, etc. Though at the first view, this example may seem, on account of the meanness of the person, hardly entitled to notice, and even unworthy of being recorded, yet it was not unsuitably, nor without reason, adduced by the Apostle. He has hitherto shown that the Patriarchs, whom the Jews most honored and venerated, did nothing worthy of praise except through faith; and that all the benefits conferred on us by God, even the most remarkable, have been the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:30-31

Believers and unbelievers at Jericho. I. BELIEVERS OUTSIDE . No illustration of faith is given from the wanderings in the wilderness. In truth, those wanderings were conspicuous for unbelief rather than faith, for apostasy rather than fidelity. At times the people mounted high in faith, and then they fell as low. Just at the time they came to Jericho there was everything in the circumstances of their outward life to inspirit them. They were escaped from the wilderness, they had... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:30-38

Exploits and endurances of faith. The last two specific examples here cited are connected with the entrance of Israel into Canaan under Joshua. 1. The fall of Jericho. (Verse 30) That stronghold was not reduced as the result of a long siege. It was not successfully assaulted with engines of war. The only means employed were processions, trumpets, and shouts. But the Israelites did not doubt that the word of Jehovah would be fulfilled; and, as the Divine reward of their faith, which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:31

By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, when she had received the spies with peace. Rahab is instanced also by St. James ( James 2:25 ) as having shown her faith by works. Such special notice of her is accounted for by her being so remarkable an instance of a heathen, an alien, one of the very doomed Canaanite race, being through faith adopted into the commonwealth of Israel, so as even to become an ancestress of the Messiah ( Matthew 1:5 ). Faith is thus... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:31

The faith of a heathen woman. "By faith the harlot Rahab perished not," etc. What did Rahab believe? What does the Bible teach us concerning her faith? She exercised: 1. Faith in Jehovah as the true and supreme God. She believed in him not simply as a superior and powerful local or national deity, but as supreme over all beings universally. This is her confession, "Jehovah your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath" ( Joshua 2:11 ). 2. Faith in the fidelity and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 11:31

By faith the harlot Rahab - She resided in Jericho; Joshua 2:1. When Joshua crossed the Jordan, he sent two men as spies to her house, and she saved them by concealment from the enemies that would have destroyed their lives. For this act of hospitality and kindness, they assured her of safety when the city should be destroyed, and directed her to give an indication of her place of abode to the invading Israelites, that her house might be spared; Joshua 2:18-19. In the destruction of the city,... read more

Group of Brands