Bible Strands
Hebrews 11:33
who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The author addresses Jewish Christians facing persecution and temptation to abandon their faith, using a catalog of Old Testament figures to illustrate endurance. This verse functions as a continuation of that historical survey, listing specific feats accomplished by the faithful.
The words — κατηγωνίσαντο (katēgōnisanto) literally means "conquered" or "overcame through struggle," carrying a military or athletic contest sense. The phrase διὰ πίστεως (dia pisteōs) translates directly as "through faith," identifying the means by which these outcomes were achieved.
The thread — The motif of divine empowerment for conflict appears in Psalm 144:1, where God trains hands for battle. The link between faith and obtaining promises runs parallel to Hebrews 6:12, which ties patience and faith to inheriting what is promised.
Why it lands — The text states that faith enabled historical figures to rule, administer justice, survive lethal threats, and overcome weakness. It requires the reader to treat faith as a functional discipline that produces measurable endurance and to align their own actions with this demonstrated pattern.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
Cross-references
- Psalms 144:1 Of David. Blessed be the LORD, my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.
- Hebrews 6:12 Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
- 2 Timothy 4:17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion.
- Hebrews 10:36 You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.
- Judges 14:5 Then Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother and came to the vineyards of Timnah. Suddenly a young lion came roaring at him,
- 2 Samuel 5:4 David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years.
- Psalms 144:10 to Him who gives victory to kings, who frees His servant David from the deadly sword.
- Daniel 6:20 When he reached the den, he cried out in a voice of anguish, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”
- Galatians 3:16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed,” meaning One, who is Christ.
- Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous when God gave approval to his gifts. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.