Hebrews 11:32

¶ 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:

And {G2532} what {G5101} shall I {G3004} more {G2089} say {G3004}? for {G1063} the time {G5550} would fail {G1952} me {G3165} to tell {G1334} of {G4012} Gedeon {G1066}, and {G5037} of Barak {G913}, and {G2532} of Samson {G4546}, and {G2532} of Jephthae {G2422}; of David {G1138} also {G2532}, and {G5037} Samuel {G4545}, and {G2532} of the prophets {G4396}:

What more should I say? There isn’t time to tell about Gid‘on, Barak, Shimshon, Yiftach, David, Sh’mu’el and the prophets;

And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets,

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:

Hebrews 11:32 continues the author's powerful exposition on the nature and examples of faith, often referred to as the "Hall of Faith" chapter. After detailing numerous individuals from Abel to Rahab, the writer pauses, recognizing the impossibility of listing every faithful figure from Israel's history. The phrase "And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me" emphasizes the overwhelming number of those who lived by trust in God.

Context within the Hall of Faith

This verse serves as a summary, preventing the author from delving into the specific acts of faith for each remaining individual. The preceding verses (Hebrews 11:1-31) have provided detailed accounts, but now, the author moves to a rapid-fire list. This list is not exhaustive but highlights prominent figures from the period of the Judges and early Monarchy, demonstrating that faith was a consistent thread through Israel's history, not just isolated incidents. The purpose is to provide a "great cloud of witnesses" for the readers, encouraging them to persevere in their own faith journey, especially amidst trials and temptations.

Key Figures and Their Faith

  • Gedeon (Gideon): A timid man called by God who, through faith, defeated a vast Midianite army with only 300 men (Judges 7:7). His faith grew despite initial doubts.
  • Barak: A military leader who, encouraged by the prophetess Deborah, stepped out in faith to lead Israel against Sisera's powerful army (Judges 4).
  • Samson: Though his life was marked by moral failings, his incredible strength was a gift from God, activated by faith, enabling him to deliver Israel from the Philistines (Judges 13-16). Even in his final act, he called upon God in faith.
  • Jephthae (Jephthah): A Gileadite judge who, though born into difficult circumstances and making a tragic vow, led Israel to victory over the Ammonites by faith (Judges 11).
  • David: The shepherd boy who became king, renowned for his unwavering faith in God, notably in his battle against Goliath (1 Samuel 17:45), and throughout his complex reign.
  • Samuel: A pivotal prophet and judge who faithfully served God from childhood, anointing kings and delivering God's messages to Israel (1 Samuel).
  • The prophets: This general term encompasses a multitude of individuals who spoke God's word, often facing opposition, persecution, and even death, purely by faith in God's message and promises.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Abundance of Faith Examples: The author's inability to list everyone underscores that faith is not rare or confined to a select few, but a widespread characteristic of God's people throughout history.
  • Faith Amidst Imperfection: These individuals were not flawless; some made significant mistakes. Yet, their inclusion demonstrates that God honors and works through genuine faith, even in imperfect vessels.
  • God's Unchanging Character: The consistent theme is that God remains faithful to those who trust Him, regardless of the era or specific challenges faced.
  • Encouragement to Persevere: By presenting such a vast cloud of witnesses, the author aims to inspire believers to endure with patience, knowing they are part of a long lineage of faith.

Linguistic Insight

The KJV phrase "the time would fail me" accurately translates the Greek verb epileipsei (ἐπιλείψει), meaning "to run short," "to be insufficient," or "to fail." It powerfully conveys the sheer volume of testimonies of faith, suggesting that an exhaustive list would be impossible within the scope of the letter, reinforcing the idea of an innumerable company of believers.

Practical Application

Hebrews 11:32 reminds us that faith is a timeless principle, not limited to a bygone era. We are called to live by the same faith that inspired these Old Testament heroes. Their stories, though ancient, provide modern believers with powerful examples of how trust in God can overcome fear, opposition, and personal shortcomings. Our own acts of faith, big or small, contribute to this ongoing narrative of God's faithfulness and the enduring power of belief.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Samuel 16:1

    ¶ And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.

  • 1 Samuel 1:20

    Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, [saying], Because I have asked him of the LORD.

  • 1 Samuel 16:13

    Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

  • Judges 11:1

    ¶ Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, and he [was] the son of an harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah.

  • Judges 11:12

    ¶ And Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What hast thou to do with me, that thou art come against me to fight in my land?

  • Judges 13:1

    ¶ And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years.

  • Judges 13:16

    And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Though thou detain me, I will not eat of thy bread: and if thou wilt offer a burnt offering, thou must offer it unto the LORD. For Manoah knew not that he [was] an angel of the LORD.

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