Hebrews 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:

KJV (with Strong's)

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}:

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 11:32 marks a pivotal transition in the author's renowned "Hall of Faith" discourse, where he abruptly shifts from detailed individual accounts to a rapid enumeration of additional heroes of faith. This verse expresses the author's rhetorical inability to exhaustively list all those who demonstrated profound trust in God throughout Israel's history, citing the constraint of time. By naming prominent figures from the periods of the Judges and early Monarchy—Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets—the writer underscores the pervasive and enduring nature of faith across diverse circumstances and generations, reinforcing the "great cloud of witnesses" for the readers.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hebrews 11:32 serves as a concluding summary and transition within the celebrated "Hall of Faith" chapter. The preceding verses (Hebrews 11:1-31) meticulously detail the faith of individuals from Abel to Rahab, providing specific examples of how their trust in God enabled them to overcome challenges, receive promises, and endure persecution. The author's rhetorical question, "And what shall I more say?", signals a shift from a selective, in-depth exploration to a more comprehensive, yet condensed, overview. This verse, along with the subsequent verses (Hebrews 11:33-38), rapidly lists numerous other faithful individuals and their accomplishments or sufferings, culminating in the overarching truth that none of these obtained the ultimate promise without the coming of Christ, as stated in [Hebrews 11:39-40](/hebrews/11-39-40 "Hebrews 11:39-40 - The Better Thing for Us"). The purpose is to build a compelling cumulative argument for the perseverance of faith, leading directly into the exhortation of [Hebrews 12:1-3](/hebrews/12-1-3 "Hebrews 12:1-3 - Running the Race with Endurance").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The individuals listed in Hebrews 11:32 span a significant period of Israelite history, primarily from the era of the Judges (Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah) through the early Monarchy (David, Samuel). This period was characterized by cycles of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance, where God raised up leaders (judges, kings, prophets) to guide and save His people. The audience of the book of Hebrews, likely Jewish Christians facing persecution and temptation to revert to Judaism, would have been intimately familiar with these Old Testament figures. These heroes, though imperfect, were revered for their pivotal roles in Israel's national story and their reliance on God in times of crisis. The mention of "the prophets" broadly encompasses a long line of God's messengers who often faced severe opposition and martyrdom for their faithfulness, a reality that would resonate with the suffering Christian readers, reminding them of the cost of discipleship and the enduring legacy of faith.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Hebrews 11 and the broader epistle. Firstly, it reinforces the **Universality and Abundance of Faith**, demonstrating that faith is not a rare phenomenon but a consistent characteristic found across generations and diverse personalities within God's people. Secondly, it highlights **Faith Amidst Imperfection**, as many of the listed figures (e.g., Samson, Jephthah, David) had significant moral failings, yet their acts of faith are still celebrated, underscoring God's grace and His ability to work through flawed individuals. Thirdly, it emphasizes **God's Faithfulness to His Covenant People**, showing that He consistently responded to the faith of His servants by empowering them to achieve extraordinary feats or endure unimaginable suffering. Finally, the cumulative effect of this "cloud of witnesses" (as explicitly stated in [Hebrews 12:1](/hebrews/12-1 "Hebrews 12:1 - The Great Cloud of Witnesses")) serves as a powerful **Exhortation to Perseverance**, encouraging the struggling readers to endure in their own faith journey by drawing inspiration from those who have gone before them, reminding them that they are part of a grand, ongoing narrative of divine faithfulness and human trust.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **fail (Greek, _epileípō'_):** This word, meaning "to leave upon," is used figuratively here to convey the idea of insufficiency or running short. The author implies that the available time or space for his discourse would be inadequate to fully recount the stories of all the faithful, emphasizing the sheer volume of examples that could be cited. It powerfully conveys the overwhelming number of testimonies of faith.
* **tell (Greek, _diēgéomai'_):** Derived from "through" and "to lead," this verb means "to relate fully" or "to declare in detail." The author is not merely listing names but acknowledging that each name represents a rich narrative of faith that he cannot fully expound upon due to time constraints, highlighting the depth and complexity of each individual's journey with God.
* **time (Greek, _chrónos'_):** This term refers to a general space or duration of time, as opposed to _kairos_ which denotes a specific or opportune time. Here, it signifies the practical limitation of the author's writing, indicating that the sheer chronological span and the detailed accounts of these numerous individuals would exceed the bounds of his letter.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And what shall I more say?"**: This is a rhetorical question, indicating the author's readiness to conclude his detailed exposition of individual faith examples. It signals a transition from specific narratives to a more generalized, summary statement, acknowledging the vastness of the subject matter.
* **"for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae;"**: This clause provides the reason for the rhetorical question. The author states that he lacks sufficient time to fully recount the stories of these prominent Old Testament figures. These four individuals were judges in Israel, each demonstrating faith in unique and often flawed ways, leading God's people to victory against their enemies. Their inclusion highlights faith operating in various leadership roles and challenging circumstances.
* **"of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:"**: This final part of the list extends beyond the Judges, including David, the shepherd-king, renowned for his unwavering trust in God, and Samuel, the pivotal prophet and judge who transitioned Israel into the monarchy. The concluding phrase "and of the prophets" is a broad, encompassing category, representing countless others who spoke God's word and lived by faith, often enduring great suffering for their obedience. This collective reference emphasizes the continuity and widespread nature of faith throughout Israel's history.

#### Literary Devices
The author employs several powerful **Literary Devices** in this verse. The opening "And what shall I more say?" is a classic **Rhetorical Question**, designed not to elicit an answer but to emphasize the overwhelming abundance of examples of faith. It serves as a natural transition, signaling a shift in the narrative pace. The repeated use of "of" before each name ("of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets") is an example of **Anaphora** or **Polysyndeton**, which creates a cumulative effect, underscoring the sheer number and diversity of individuals who lived by faith. This rapid-fire listing builds momentum and reinforces the idea that the "time would fail" to elaborate on each one. Finally, the phrase "and of the prophets" is a form of **Synecdoche** (or perhaps **Metonymy**), where a part (the prophets) stands for a larger group or concept (all the faithful individuals who served God through divine revelation and often suffered for it), representing the countless unnamed heroes whose faith also contributed to the "great cloud of witnesses."

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 11:32 profoundly reinforces the theological truth that faith is the consistent and enduring principle by which God's people have always related to Him and received His promises. It highlights that God's faithfulness is not limited to a select few but extends to all who genuinely trust Him, even those with significant personal flaws. The diverse array of individuals listed—from military leaders to kings and prophets—demonstrates that faith is applicable to every sphere of life and every calling, enabling ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary feats through divine power. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that the Christian journey is not solitary but is undertaken in the context of a vast, historical community of believers, inspiring perseverance and confidence in God's unchanging character.

* [Romans 4:20-21](/romans/4-20-21 "Romans 4:20-21 - Abraham's Unwavering Faith")
* [Galatians 3:7-9](/galatians/3-7-9 "Galatians 3:7-9 - Heirs of Abraham's Faith")
* [James 2:20-26](/james/2-20-26 "James 2:20-26 - Faith Without Works is Dead")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 11:32 invites us to consider the vast, unseen company of faithful individuals who have walked with God throughout history. It reminds us that our own journey of faith is not isolated but is part of a grand, ongoing narrative of God's interaction with humanity. The author's admission that "time would fail me" to tell all the stories should inspire us to recognize the countless unsung heroes of faith in our own lives and in the broader history of the church. These Old Testament figures, despite their imperfections, serve as powerful examples that God uses ordinary people who simply trust Him. Their stories encourage us to press on, knowing that our acts of faith, no matter how small, contribute to this enduring legacy. We are called to live with the same reliance on God's promises, to face our challenges with courage, and to persevere in the face of adversity, drawing strength from the knowledge that we are surrounded by such a "great cloud of witnesses."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Which of the figures mentioned in Hebrews 11:32 (Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, the prophets) resonates most with your own faith journey, and why?**
* **How does the author's statement that "the time would fail me" encourage you about the widespread nature of faith throughout history?**
* **What specific challenges are you facing right now that require you to step out in faith, drawing inspiration from these ancient examples?**

### FAQ
**Why does the author suddenly list so many names without detail?**

Answer: The author of Hebrews has just spent significant time detailing the faith of individuals like Abraham, Moses, and Rahab. By [Hebrews 11:32](/hebrews/11-32 "Hebrews 11:32 - The Hall of Faith Continues"), he signals a rhetorical shift, indicating that an exhaustive, detailed account of every faithful person would be too lengthy for the scope of his letter. The rapid enumeration of names like Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, and Samuel, along with "the prophets," serves to create a cumulative effect. It emphasizes the sheer volume and diversity of individuals throughout Israel's history who lived by faith, demonstrating that faith is a pervasive and enduring characteristic of God's people, not an isolated phenomenon. This "cloud of witnesses" (as mentioned in [Hebrews 12:1](/hebrews/12-1 "Hebrews 12:1 - The Great Cloud of Witnesses")) is meant to inspire and encourage the readers to persevere in their own faith.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Hebrews 11 celebrates the faith of Old Testament saints, it ultimately points beyond them to Christ as the ultimate object and perfecter of faith. The faith of Gideon, David, and the prophets, though commendable, was always a faith *in anticipation* of the Messiah and the better covenant He would inaugurate. Their stories, filled with triumphs and failures, foreshadow the perfect faithfulness of Jesus, who alone lived a life of complete obedience and trust in God, even unto death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience Unto Death")). He is the true and perfect "Lamb of God" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")) to whom all the sacrifices and prophetic utterances pointed. The author of Hebrews makes this explicit in [Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of Faith"), identifying Jesus as "the author and perfecter of our faith." He is the one who fulfilled all the promises that the Old Testament heroes "did not receive" ([Hebrews 11:39](/hebrews/11-39 "Hebrews 11:39 - The Promise Not Yet Received")). Therefore, the faith exemplified by these ancient figures finds its ultimate meaning and completion in Christ, who enables believers today to live by an even greater faith, grounded in His finished work and the reality of the new covenant ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - A Better Covenant")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.