Hebrews 11:34

34 1quenched the power of fire, 2escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, 3became mighty in war, 4put foreign armies to flight.

Hebrews 11:34 Meaning and Commentary

Hebrews 11:34

Quenched the violence of fire
Which may be said to be done, when a believer, or a righteous man, is delivered out of it, as Lot from Sodom, when God rained fire and brimstone on it; when, by prayer, it is stopped, as by Moses, at Taberah, ( Numbers 11:1 Numbers 11:2 ) when persons are not hurt by it, as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, when cast into Nebuchadrezzar's fiery furnace; and many of the martyrs have triumphed in the flames: so believers are delivered out of the fire of afflictions, and are not consumed thereby; and quench the fiery darts of Satan, thrown at them; and are untouched by the fire of God's wrath, in every state and case; and shall not be hurt of the second death, which is a lake of fire, burning with brimstone.

Escaped the edge of the sword;
and were not destroyed by it; as Lot, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, the Judges, David, Elijah, Elisha, and others.

Out of weakness were made strong;
being recovered from bodily diseases, as David, Hezekiah by an increase of bodily strength, as Samson; by being filled with courage, and strength of mind; when before timorous, as Barak so believers, when they have been weak in the exercise of grace, have been made strong:

waxed valiant in fight;
as Barak, Gideon, David so believers, in the spiritual fight of faith, have waxed valiant; being engaged in a good cause, and under a good Captain; being well provided with armour, and assured of victory, and a crown.

Turned to fight the armies of the aliens:
such as the Canaanites, the Moabites, Ammonites, Philistines, and others; who were put to flight by Joshua, the Judges, David, and others.

Hebrews 11:34 In-Context

32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,
33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions,
34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.
35 Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection;
36 and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment.

Cross References 4

  • 1. Daniel 3:23f
  • 2. Exodus 18:4; 1 Samuel 18:11; 1 Samuel 19:10; 1 Kings 19; 2 Kings 6; Psalms 144:10
  • 3. Judges 7:21; Judges 15:8, 15; 1 Samuel 17:51; 2 Samuel 8:1-6; 2 Samuel 10:15f
  • 4. Judges 7:21; Judges 15:8, 15; 1 Samuel 17:51; 2 Samuel 8:1-6; 2 Samuel 10:15f
New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California.  All rights reserved.