Hebrews 11:38

οὐκ ἦν ἄξιος. The world was unworthy of them though it treated them as worthless. The Greek would also admit the meaning that they outweighed in value the whole world (see Proverbs 8:11, LXX.). The remark would be a striking source of consolation to Christians, on whom every epithet of hatred was exhausted and every disgraceful charge accumulated by their heathen adversaries. No small part of the task of the early Christian apologists consisted in shewing the baselessness and absurdity of the views respecting Christians which were held alike by the multitude, by rulers, and by philosophers.

ὄρεσιν καὶ σπηλαίοις. The Israelites in general (Judges 6:2). The prophets of the Lord (1 Kings 18:4; 1 Kings 18:13). Elijah (1 Kings 19:9). Mattathias and his sons “fled into the mountains” (1Ma 2:28), and many others “into the wilderness” (id. 29). Judas the Maccabee (2Ma 5:27). Refugees in caves (2Ma 6:11). “Like beasts” (id. Hebrews 10:6). The catacombs were often used as places of refuge by the early Roman bishops and martyrs.

τῆς γῆς. Not “of the earth” but “of the land.” The writer’s historic view rarely extends beyond the horizon of Jewish history.