Bible Strands
Hebrews 11:34
quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The author of Hebrews addresses Jewish Christians facing persecution, summarizing the historical acts of faith in the preceding chapter. This verse concludes a list of Old Testament figures who relied on divine intervention rather than their own resources.
The words — ἔσβεσαν (esbesan) translates literally as "quenched," describing the extinguishing of flames. ἐδυναμώθησαν (edynamōthēsan) means "were empowered," indicating strength derived from an external source rather than innate ability.
The thread — The text references survival from fire and the sword, echoing the deliverance narratives in Daniel 3 and the martyrdom accounts in 2 Maccabees 6. The theme of foreign armies being put to flight aligns with the military victories recorded in Judges 15:8 and 1 Samuel 17:51.
Why it lands — The text states that faith enables believers to survive lethal threats and overcome physical limitations through divine empowerment. It requires the reader to acknowledge that survival and victory in hostile circumstances depend on God's action, not human strength.
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
Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 17:51 David ran and stood over him. He grabbed the Philistine’s sword and pulled it from its sheath and killed him, and he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran.
- 2 Kings 6:16 “Do not be afraid,” Elisha answered, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
- Judges 15:8 And he struck them ruthlessly with a great slaughter, and then went down and stayed in the cave at the rock of Etam.
- Psalms 144:10 to Him who gives victory to kings, who frees His servant David from the deadly sword.
- 2 Chronicles 32:20 In response, King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out to heaven in prayer,
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.
- Judges 7:19 Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after the changing of the guard. They blew their horns and broke the jars that were in their hands.
- Judges 8:4 Then Gideon and his three hundred men came to the Jordan and crossed it, exhausted yet still in pursuit.
- Judges 15:14 When Samson arrived in Lehi, the Philistines came out shouting against him. And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him. The ropes on his arms became like burnt flax, and the bonds broke loose from his hands.
- 1 Samuel 14:13 So Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer behind him. And the Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and finished them off.