Hebrews 11:34

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.

Quenched {G4570} the violence {G1411} of fire {G4442}, escaped {G5343} the edge {G4750} of the sword {G3162}, out of {G575} weakness {G769} were made strong {G1743}, waxed {G1096} valiant {G2478} in {G1722} fight {G4171}, turned to flight {G2827} the armies {G3925} of the aliens {G245}.

quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, had their weakness turned to strength, grew mighty in battle and routed foreign armies.

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.

quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, waxed mighty in war, turned to flight armies of aliens.

Commentary

Hebrews 11:34 is a powerful summary within the famous "Hall of Faith" chapter, celebrating the extraordinary triumphs achieved by God's people through unwavering faith. This verse encapsulates a range of miraculous deliverances and supernatural empowerments experienced by Old Testament saints, many of whom are unnamed but whose stories are etched in Israel's history.

Context

This verse follows a long list of specific individuals—from Abel to Samuel and the prophets—whose lives exemplified faith (Hebrews 11:32). Verses 33-38 then shift to a more general description of what these heroes of faith "through faith did." Hebrews 11:34 focuses on their victories over external threats and internal weaknesses, showcasing faith as the conduit for divine intervention and strength. The chapter emphasizes that faith is not merely belief, but an active trust in God that enables believers to perform deeds and endure hardships far beyond natural human capability.

Key Themes

  • Divine Deliverance: The verse highlights God's supernatural protection and rescue from mortal dangers, such as fire and the sword. It underscores that true faith often leads to miraculous preservation.
  • Strength in Weakness: A profound theme is the transformation of human frailty into divine power. Individuals who were naturally weak or disadvantaged found themselves empowered by God's Spirit to achieve extraordinary feats.
  • Valour and Victory: Faith instilled courage and strategic prowess, enabling believers to stand valiantly in battle and decisively defeat formidable enemies, even "armies of the aliens" (foreign invaders).
  • God's Active Involvement: The accomplishments listed are not merely human achievements but are presented as outcomes of God working through those who trust Him, demonstrating His faithfulness to His covenant people.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrases vividly depict the nature of these faith-filled acts:

  • "Quenched the violence of fire": This immediately brings to mind the account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3), where their faith protected them from the flames.
  • "Escaped the edge of the sword": This refers to numerous instances of divine protection from execution or battle, such as David escaping Saul (1 Samuel 19:10) or Elijah fleeing Jezebel (1 Kings 19:3).
  • "Out of weakness were made strong": This is a powerful testament to God's ability to use the humble and the vulnerable. Examples include Gideon's small army (Judges 7), Samson's final surge of strength (Judges 16:28-30), and even Paul's later affirmation that God's "strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9).
  • "Waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens": This describes military victories achieved through faith, often against overwhelming odds. Figures like David against Goliath (1 Samuel 17:50), Gideon routing the Midianites (Judges 7:22), and other judges and kings who led Israel to victory are implied. "Aliens" refers to foreign, non-Israelite armies.

Practical Application

Hebrews 11:34 offers tremendous encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that:

  1. Faith is a powerful force: It is not merely an intellectual assent but an active trust that can move mountains and overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
  2. God uses the weak: Our perceived weaknesses or limitations are not barriers to God's work but can become platforms for His strength to be displayed. When we feel inadequate, it is an opportunity for God to demonstrate His power through us.
  3. Adversity is an arena for faith: The challenges and "fires" we face can be opportunities for God to show His delivering power, just as He did for the saints of old.
  4. Courage comes from trust: When we place our trust in God, He provides the courage and wisdom needed to face our battles, whether they are physical, spiritual, or emotional.

This verse calls us to cultivate a faith that looks beyond circumstances to the all-powerful God who can still work miracles and empower His people for victory.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 6:16

    And he answered, Fear not: for they that [be] with us [are] more than they that [be] with them.

  • 2 Kings 6:18

    And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.

  • 1 Samuel 17:51

    Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.

  • 1 Samuel 17:52

    And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron.

  • Judges 15:8

    And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam.

  • 2 Samuel 10:15

    ¶ And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together.

  • 2 Samuel 10:19

    And when all the kings [that were] servants to Hadarezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more.