HEB 11:30-40

The Faith of Many

30By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after being encircled for seven days. [11:31] By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, having received the spies with peace. [11:32] And what more shall I say? For time would fail me recounting of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, and Samuel, and the prophets — [11:33] who through faith conquered kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, [11:34] quenched the power of fire, escaped the edges of the sword, were strengthened from weakness, became mighty in war, turned to flight the armies of foreign nations. [11:35] Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were beaten to death, not accepting release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; [11:36] and others experienced mocking and flogging, and further, chains and imprisonment; [11:37] they were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the edge of the sword — going about in sheepskins, in goatskins, destitute, afflicted, mistreated — [11:38] of whom the world was not worthy — wandering in deserts and mountains, and caves and holes in the ground. [11:39] And all these, though approved through their faith, did not receive the promise — [11:40] God having provided something better for us, so that apart from us they should not be brought to completion.

In the world it was spoken into

In the 1st century, the stories of faith recounted here would resonate deeply with Jewish and early Christian audiences familiar with their Scriptures. Rahab, labeled a (prostitute), would evoke both her marginalized status and her pivotal role in Israel’s history, highlighting how faith transcends social stigma. The mention of Jericho’s walls falling by faith underscores divine intervention against human strength, a theme familiar to Jewish listeners. The catalog of figures like Gideon, Barak, and David would evoke their heroic deeds, often tied to Israel’s deliverance and covenant promises. The phrase 'shut the mouths of lions' recalls Daniel’s deliverance, while 'quenched the power of fire' evokes Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The brutal torture and deprivation described reflect the harsh realities of Roman persecution, which many early Christians faced. This passage contrasts earthly suffering with eternal promises, affirming that faith often leads to hardship but ultimately aligns with God’s purposes.

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How other translations render this

HEB 11:30

KJV: By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
BSB: By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.
Koinōnos: By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after being encircled for seven days.

HEB 11:31

KJV: By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
BSB: By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies in peace, did not perish with those who were disobedient.
Koinōnos: By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, having received the spies with peace.

HEB 11:32

KJV: 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:
BSB: And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets,
Koinōnos: And what more shall I say? For time would fail me recounting of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, and Samuel, and the prophets —

HEB 11:33

KJV: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.
BSB: who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions,
Koinōnos: who through faith conquered kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions,

HEB 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.
BSB: quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.
Koinōnos: quenched the power of fire, escaped the edges of the sword, were strengthened from weakness, became mighty in war, turned to flight the armies of foreign nations.

HEB 11:35

KJV: Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
BSB: Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused their release, so that they might gain a better resurrection.
Koinōnos: Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were beaten to death, not accepting release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection;

HEB 11:36

KJV: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
BSB: Still others endured mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.
Koinōnos: and others experienced mocking and flogging, and further, chains and imprisonment;

HEB 11:37

KJV: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
BSB: They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they were put to death by the sword. They went around in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, oppressed, and mistreated.
Koinōnos: they were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the edge of the sword — going about in sheepskins, in goatskins, destitute, afflicted, mistreated —

HEB 11:38

KJV: (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
BSB: The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and hid in caves and holes in the ground.
Koinōnos: of whom the world was not worthy — wandering in deserts and mountains, and caves and holes in the ground.

HEB 11:39

KJV: And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
BSB: These were all commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised.
Koinōnos: And all these, though approved through their faith, did not receive the promise —

HEB 11:40

KJV: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
BSB: God had planned something better for us, so that together with us they would be made perfect.
Koinōnos: God having provided something better for us, so that apart from us they should not be brought to completion.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

HEB 11:31

prostitute:The word translated 'prostitute' here referred to a woman who sold sexual favors, often a slave, and was generally viewed with disdain in 1st-century society.

HEB 11:34

[the] blades:The term used here, literally meaning 'mouth,' was a common idiom in ancient Greek for the edge or blade of a sword, emphasizing its destructive power.

HEB 11:35

were tortured:The word translated 'were tortured' describes a specific, brutal form of execution where victims were beaten to death, often stretched on a rack or drum-like device.

HEB 11:37

skins,:The word translated 'skins' refers to animal hides, indicating that these individuals were so destitute they had no proper clothing and were forced to wear raw or minimally processed animal skins.