Keraia
Hebrews 11

Hebrews 11:38

The Faith of Many · Hebrews 11:30–40
Read Hebrews 11

Translations

Modern
The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and hid in caves and holes in the ground.
Traditional
(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
Literal
…of whom the world was not worthy—wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes of the earth.
Latin
…quibus dignus non erat mundus: in solitudinibus errantes, in montibus, in speluncis, et in cavernis terræ.

Original

Greek
English
The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and hid in caves and holes in the ground.

Notes

Hebrews 11:38

The world was not worthy of them: They placed their hope in God more than in the pleasures and comforts of life.

Hebrews 11:32–40

The author quickly highlights other faithful people from the old covenant era. In Hebrews 11:32–35a, faith leads to rescue and triumph. In 11:35b–38, however, faith results in harsh persecution and even death for their beliefs. Despite these outcomes, God honored both groups with a good reputation because of their faith (11:39).

Hebrews 11:1–40

Chapter 11 gives a long list of people who trusted God. This shows clearly that living by faith is the only true way to follow God. The writer keeps repeating the words “by faith” to make this message clear. Each example follows the same pattern:

  • (a) the phrase by faith,

  • (b) the person's name,

  • (c) the event or action showing faith, and

  • (d) the result.

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Descent into Hell Hebrews, Letter to the Inheritance Letter to the Romans Obedience Persecution Perseverance

Topics

Cave: (Used As a Dwelling): Saints Caves were Used as Places of Concealment Caves: Natural Dens used As Places of Refuge Deserts: The Persecuted Fled To Faith: General Scriptures Concerning Mountains: Afford Refuge in Time of Danger Persecution of the Righteous Pilgrims and Strangers: As Saints They: The World is not Worthy of Pilgrims and Strangers: Saints of Old Prophets were Mighty Through Faith