Devine Scripture

Hebrews 11:32

What does Hebrews 11:32 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 11:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 11:32 means

The writer pauses, acknowledging that recounting every story would take too long, and names figures like Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets. This roll call spans judges, royalty, and prophetic witnesses, showing that faith took many forms across Israel’s history. Each faced different challenges, yet all trusted God. The point is cumulative: the cloud of witnesses is vast, and their shared testimony is that God is faithful. Their lives, whether marked by dramatic victories or quiet service, belong to the same family of faith.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And what shall I more say? for the time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah; of David and Samuel and the prophets:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And what shall I more say? for the time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah; of David and Samuel and the prophets:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

What more am I to say? For there would not be time to give the stories of Gideon, Barak, Samson, and Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And what shall I yet say? for the time will fail me recounting about Gideon, Barak also, and Samson, and Jephthah, David also, and Samuel, and the prophets,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And what shall I yet say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, Barac, Samson, Jephthe, David, Samuel, and the prophets:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And what more do I say? For the time would fail me telling of Gideon, and Barak, and Samson, and Jephthah, and David and Samuel, and of the prophets:

Context

This verse signals a shift from detailed narratives to a rapid survey. The author widens the lens to include a representative sampling from the period of the judges through the monarchy and prophetic era. The next verses will summarize the kinds of outcomes faith achieved—subduing kingdoms, working righteousness, and miraculous deliverances—before turning to the equally real experiences of suffering and martyrdom endured by the faithful.

v.31By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, having received the spies with peace.

v.32This passage

v.33who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Judges 11:1

    Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valor, and he was the son of a harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah.

  • Luke 16:31

    And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, if one rise from the dead.

  • Acts 13:22

    And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king; to whom also he bare witness and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who shall do all my will.

  • 2 Peter 3:2

    that ye should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles:

  • 1 Peter 1:10

    Concerning which salvation the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

  • Judges 13:1

    And the children of Israel again did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah; and Jehovah delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years.

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