Hebrews 11:37 - They were stoned. 2 Chronicles 24:20-21 They were sawn apart. They were tempted. They were slain with the sword. Jeremiah 26:20-23; 1 Kings 19:10 They went around in sheep skins and in goat skins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated
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What does "Hebrews 11:37" mean?
Hebrews 11 is often called the "Hall of Faith" because it celebrates the faith of Old Testament figures. Verse 37, specifically, describes the brutal and often tragic experiences endured by some of these faithful individuals. Let's break down each part:
"They were stoned": This refers to the practice of executing people by throwing stones at them. The reference to 2 Chronicles 24:20-21 probably alludes to the stoning of Zechariah, a prophet who rebuked the people for their unfaithfulness.
"They were sawn apart": This is a particularly gruesome form of execution. While not explicitly described in the Old Testament, tradition (both Jewish and early Christian) holds that the prophet Isaiah was killed in this way.
"They were tempted": This describes the various trials and pressures they faced that tested their faith and commitment to God. This could include temptations to compromise their beliefs, to give up hope, or to turn away from God.
"They were slain with the sword": This is a common method of execution in ancient times. Jeremiah 26:20-23 recounts the pursuit and likely slaying of the prophet Urijah for prophesying against Jerusalem. 1 Kings 19:10 refers to Elijah's lament that he alone was left and that the people sought to kill him with the sword.
"They went around in sheepskins and in goatskins": This describes a life of poverty and hardship. Animal skins were used as clothing, but they were a sign of destitution and a life lived outside of normal society. Think of prophets who often lived in the wilderness.
"Being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated": This sums up the overall state of suffering experienced by these faithful individuals. They lacked basic necessities (destitute), experienced pain and hardship (afflicted), and were treated poorly by others (ill-treated) because of their faith.
In summary, Hebrews 11:37 means that these individuals, despite their faith, faced extreme suffering, persecution, and even death for their devotion to God. The author is highlighting the cost of faith and the difficult circumstances these Old Testament figures endured. The purpose is to encourage the readers (likely Jewish Christians facing persecution) to remain steadfast in their faith, even when facing hardship.
Key Takeaways:
Cost of Faith: The verse highlights that following God can come with a high price, including suffering and persecution.
Encouragement: It's an encouragement to persevere in faith even when things are difficult, knowing that others have faced similar challenges and remained faithful.
Definition of Faith: It challenges the reader's understanding of faith. It's not a guarantee of an easy life, but rather a commitment to God even in the face of adversity.
Continuity: The suffering of these Old Testament figures sets the stage for the ultimate suffering of Jesus Christ, who is presented as the ultimate example of faith in Hebrews.
Essentially, this verse is a powerful reminder that faith is not always easy and that true followers of God may face significant challenges and persecution. It's a testament to the strength and resilience of those who remain faithful despite the hardships they endure.
Hebrews 11:37 - They were stoned. 2 Chronicles 24:20-21 They were sawn apart. They were tempted. They were slain with the sword. Jeremiah 26:20-23; 1 Kings 19:10 They went around in sheep skins and in goat skins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated
What does "Hebrews 11:37" mean?
Hebrews 11 is often called the "Hall of Faith" because it celebrates the faith of Old Testament figures. Verse 37, specifically, describes the brutal and often tragic experiences endured by some of these faithful individuals. Let's break down each part:
"They were stoned": This refers to the practice of executing people by throwing stones at them. The reference to 2 Chronicles 24:20-21 probably alludes to the stoning of Zechariah, a prophet who rebuked the people for their unfaithfulness.
"They were sawn apart": This is a particularly gruesome form of execution. While not explicitly described in the Old Testament, tradition (both Jewish and early Christian) holds that the prophet Isaiah was killed in this way.
"They were tempted": This describes the various trials and pressures they faced that tested their faith and commitment to God. This could include temptations to compromise their beliefs, to give up hope, or to turn away from God.
"They were slain with the sword": This is a common method of execution in ancient times. Jeremiah 26:20-23 recounts the pursuit and likely slaying of the prophet Urijah for prophesying against Jerusalem. 1 Kings 19:10 refers to Elijah's lament that he alone was left and that the people sought to kill him with the sword.
"They went around in sheepskins and in goatskins": This describes a life of poverty and hardship. Animal skins were used as clothing, but they were a sign of destitution and a life lived outside of normal society. Think of prophets who often lived in the wilderness.
"Being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated": This sums up the overall state of suffering experienced by these faithful individuals. They lacked basic necessities (destitute), experienced pain and hardship (afflicted), and were treated poorly by others (ill-treated) because of their faith.
In summary, Hebrews 11:37 means that these individuals, despite their faith, faced extreme suffering, persecution, and even death for their devotion to God. The author is highlighting the cost of faith and the difficult circumstances these Old Testament figures endured. The purpose is to encourage the readers (likely Jewish Christians facing persecution) to remain steadfast in their faith, even when facing hardship.
Key Takeaways:
Cost of Faith: The verse highlights that following God can come with a high price, including suffering and persecution.
Encouragement: It's an encouragement to persevere in faith even when things are difficult, knowing that others have faced similar challenges and remained faithful.
Definition of Faith: It challenges the reader's understanding of faith. It's not a guarantee of an easy life, but rather a commitment to God even in the face of adversity.
Continuity: The suffering of these Old Testament figures sets the stage for the ultimate suffering of Jesus Christ, who is presented as the ultimate example of faith in Hebrews.
Essentially, this verse is a powerful reminder that faith is not always easy and that true followers of God may face significant challenges and persecution. It's a testament to the strength and resilience of those who remain faithful despite the hardships they endure.