Heb 11:33-40 | RWP | e4.org | Through faith ( δια πιστεως ). Change thus from the routine πιστε used so far. Subdued kingdoms ( κατηγωνισαντο βασιλειας ). First aorist middle indicative of καταγωνιζομα , Koine verb to struggle against, to overcome, here alone in the N.T. Used by Josephus of David's conquests. The author has here (verses , ), "nine terse clauses" (Moffatt) with no connective (asyndeton) with great rhetorical and oratorical force (sledge-hammer style). For "wrought righteousness" ( ηργασαντο δικαιοσυνην , first aorist middle indicative of εργαζομα ) see . Obtained promises ( επετυχον επαγγελιων ). Second aorist active indicative of επιτυγχανω , old verb (already in ) with genitive. But they did not see the fulfilment of the Messianic promise ( .). Stopped the mouths of lions ( εφραξαν στοματα λεοντων ). First aorist active indicative of φρασσω , old verb to fence in, to block up. See .

‏ Hebrews 11:33-40

Through faith ( δια πιστεως ). Change thus from the routine πιστε used so far.

Subdued kingdoms ( κατηγωνισαντο βασιλειας ). First aorist middle indicative of καταγωνιζομα, Koine verb to struggle against, to overcome, here alone in the N.T. Used by Josephus of David's conquests. The author has here (verses 33, 34), "nine terse clauses" (Moffatt) with no connective (asyndeton) with great rhetorical and oratorical force (sledge-hammer style). For "wrought righteousness" ( ηργασαντο δικαιοσυνην, first aorist middle indicative of εργαζομα ) see Ac 10:35.

Obtained promises ( επετυχον επαγγελιων ). Second aorist active indicative of επιτυγχανω, old verb (already in 6:15) with genitive. But they did not see the fulfilment of the Messianic promise (11:39f.).

Stopped the mouths of lions ( εφραξαν στοματα λεοντων ). First aorist active indicative of φρασσω, old verb to fence in, to block up. See Da 6:18-23.

Quenched the power of fire ( εσβεσαν δυναμιν πυρος ). First aorist active indicative of σβεννυμ (Mt 12:20). See Da 3:19-28.

Escaped the edge of the sword ( εφυγον στοματα μαχαιρης ). Second aorist active indicative of φευγω, old verb to flee. "Mouths ( στοματα ) of the sword" (Lu 21:24). See 1Sa 18:11; 1Ki 19:2.

Were made strong ( εδυναμωθησαν ). First aorist passive indicative of δυναμοω, late verb from δυναμις as in Col 1:11.

Waxed mighty in war ( εγενηθησαν ισχυρο εν πολεμω ). "Became strong in battle" (Ps 18:34ff.).

Armies of aliens ( παρεμβολας αλλοτριων ). Late compound ( παρα, εν, βαλλω ) for encampment (Polybius, Plutarch), barracks (Ac 21:34, 37), armies in battle line (Re 20:9 and here as in LXX and Polybius). Apparently a reference to the campaigns of Judas Maccabeus.

By a resurrection ( εξ αναστασεως ). Cf. 1Ki 17:17ff.; 2Ki 4:8-37.

Were tortured ( ετυμπανισθησαν ). First aorist passive indicative of τυμπανιζω, late verb from τυμπανον (kettledrum, drumstick), to beat the drum, to beat to death (cf. II Macc. 7 about Eleazar and the Mother and the seven sons), once in LXX (1Sa 21:13).

Not accepting their deliverance ( ου προσδεξαμενο την απολυτρωσιν ). Offered at the price of disloyalty as in II Macc. 6:21-27.

That they might obtain a better resurrection ( ινα κρειττονος αναστασεως τυχωσιν ). Purpose clause with ινα and the second aorist active subjunctive of τυγχανω to obtain with the genitive case. A "better resurrection" than the temporary ones alluded to in this verse by the women.

Of mockings and scourgings ( εμπαιγμων κα μαστιγων ). Εμπαιγμος is from εμπαιζω (Mt 20:19), late word, in LXX, here alone in N.T. Μαστιγων ( μαστιξ, a whip, a scourge) is old and common enough (Ac 22:24).

They were stoned ( ελιθασθησαν ). Like Zechariah son of Jehoiada (2Ch 24:20). "A characteristic Jewish punishment" (Vincent). First aorist passive indicative of λιθαζω (Joh 10:31).

They were sawn asunder ( επρισθησαν ). First aorist passive indicative of πριω or πριζω, old verb ( πριον, a saw). Cruel Jewish punishment (Am 1:3) said to have been inflicted on Isaiah.

They were tempted ( επειρασθησαν ). First aorist passive indicative of πειραζω. The MSS. vary greatly in the text here and the order of these two items. This mild word seems an anticlimax after επρισθησαν. One of the seven brothers was fried (II Macc. 7:4) and so επρησθεσαν (were burned) from πιμπραω (Ac 28:6) has been suggested.

With the sword ( εν φονω μαχαιρης ). "In (by) slaughter of the sword" (Ionic form of the genitive μαχαιρες as in Ex 17:13; Nu 21:24). The fate of unpopular prophets (1Ki 10:10; Jer 26:23).

They went about ( περιηλθον ). Constative aorist active indicative of περιερχομα (picturesque compound verb). Here the sufferings of the living.

In sheep skins ( εν μηλωταις ). Late word from μηλον (sheep), rough garment of prophets as Elijah (1Ki 19:13, 19), here only in N.T. In Byzantine Greek a monk's garb.

In goatskins ( εν αιγειοις δερμασιν ). Δερμα, old word from δερω, to flay (Mt 21:35), here only in N.T. Αιγειος, old adjective (from αιξ, goat), here only in N.T.

Being destitute ( υστερουμενο ). Present passive participle of υστερεω, old verb to be left behind, used by Paul of himself (2Co 11:9).

Afflicted ( θλιβομενο ). Present passive participle of θλιβω, common verb to oppress.

Evil entreated ( κακουχουμενο ). Present passive participle of κακουχεω, late compound verb from obsolete κακουχος ( κακος and εχω ), in LXX (1Ki 2:26), in N.T. only here and 13:3. See συνκακουχεισθα in 11:25.

Of whom the world was not worthy ( ων ουκ ην αξιος ο κοσμος ) Graphic picture in a short parenthetical relative clause ( ων, genitive plural with αξιος ), a phrase to stir the blood of the readers.

Wandering ( πλανωμενο ). Present middle participle of πλαναω, like lost sheep, hunted by wolves.

Caves ( σπηλαιοις ). Old word from σπεος (cavern) as in Mt 21:13.

Holes ( οπαις ). Old word, perhaps from οπς (root of οραω, to see), opening, in N.T. only here and Jas 3:11. Cf. 1Ki 18:4; II Macc. 5:27; 10:6 (about Judas Maccabeus and others).

These all ( ουτο παντες ). The whole list in verses 5-38. Cf. verse 13.

Through their faith ( δια πιστεως ). Here rather than πιστε as so often.

Received not the promise ( ουκ εκομισαντο την επαγγελιαν ). First aorist middle of κομιζω. The Messianic promise they did not live to see (11:13), though they had individual special promises fulfilled as already shown (11:33).

God having provided ( του θεου προβλεψαμενου ). Genitive absolute with first aorist middle participle of προβλεπω, late compound to foresee, here only in the N.T.

Some better thing ( κρειττον τ ). "Something better," "the better promises" of 8:6.

That apart from us they should not be made perfect ( ινα μη χωρις ημων τελειωθωσιν ). Negative purpose clause with ινα μη and the first aorist passive subjunctive of τελειοω. But this glorious and gracious purpose (foresight) of God is not due to any special merit in us. It is simply the fulness of the time in God's dispensation of grace of which we are the beneficiaries. But all the same and all the more (noblesse oblige), we should prove worthy of our heritage and of God's goodness to us and be loyal to Christ.