Hebrews 11:32

At this point the writer sees that he cannot pursue the method he has been following and give in detail all the signal manifestations of faith, which are recorded in the annals of his people. τί ἔτι λέγω, “what shall I further say?” deliberative subjunctive (cf. Romans 1:15, etc.) the writer questioning how he is to handle the numberless instances that rise before his mind. He cannot give them all, ἐπιλείψει με γὰρ … “for time will fail me if I recount in detail”. (Julian, Orat., i. p. 341 B. ἐπιλείψει με τἀκείνου διηγούμενον ὁ χρόνος). ἐπιλείψει με ἡ ἡμέρα is frequent, see many examples in Wetstein. Cf. Virgil, Æn., vi. 121, quid Thesea magnum, quid memorem Alciden? “a favourite device for cutting short a long list” (Page). διηγούμενον means to relate with particularity, see Luke 8:39; Luke 9:10; Acts 12:17; Genesis 29:13. On Gideon see Judges 6-8; Barak chronologically earlier, chap. 4, 5; Samson, 13 16; Jephthah, who also preceded Samson, 11, 12. Samuel is considered as the first of the prophets as in Acts 3:24; Acts 13:20. οἳ covers Hebrews 11:33-34, although not every particular cited, while διὰ πίστεως refers to all the verbs to end of 38. This expression supplants the persistent πίστει of Hebrews 11:3-31, mainly for euphony. κατηγωνίσαντο βασιλείας, “subdued kingdoms,” as is recorded of the Judges and David, who also ἠργάσαντο δικαιοσύνην, which seems to refer to their righteous rule, although the same expression is never used in the LXX except of personal righteousness (Psalms 15:2) but of David it is thrice said that he was f1ποιῶν κρίμα καὶ δικαιοσύνην, 2 Samuel 8:15; 1 Chronicles 18:14; Jeremiah 23:5; and of Samuel testimony is borne that he judged righteously, 1 Samuel 12:3. ἐπέτυχον ἐπαγγελιῶν, “obtained promises” not “ the promise” of Messianic salvation (cf. Hebrews 11:39) but promises given on special occasions, cf. Joshua 21:45; Judges 7:7; Judges 13:5; 1 Kings 8:56. ἔφραξαν στόματα λεόντων, cf. Daniel 6:22, ἐνέφραξε τὰ στόματα τῶν λεόντων, also Judges 14:5-6; 1 Samuel 17:34; 1 Samuel 23:20. ἔσβεσαν δύναμιν πυρός, probably the rescue of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego was suggested by the allusion to Daniel. δύναμιν is explained by the words of Daniel 3:22, ἡ κάμινος ἐξεκαύθη ἐκ περισσοῦ. ἔφυγον στόματα μαχαίρης, “escaped the edge of the sword” of which there are many instances recorded, as 1 Samuel 18:11; 1 Kings 19:2; 1Ma 2:28. ἐδυναμώθησαν ἀπὸ ἀσθενείας … “out of weakness became strong, waxed mighty in battle, routed the armies of aliens,” having in view, possibly, the deliverance recorded in Judges 4 by Deborah, where παρεμβολή (Hebrews 11:16, etc.) is used of the army. Reference may also be made, as von Soden suggests, to the Maccabean deliverances. [παρεμβολή, Malachi 3:3; Malachi 3:3; 1Ma 3:15; Malachi 3:17; Malachi 3:17, etc.; ἀλλοτρ. Hebrews 2:7.] On several occasions in Israel's history the three clauses received abundant illustration.