SEV Biblia, Chapter 11:32
¶ ¿Y qu ms digo? Porque el tiempo me faltar contando de Geden, de Barac, de Sansn, de Jeft, de David, de Samuel, y de los profetas,
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Hebrew 11:32
Verse 32. Time would fail me] me dihgoumenon o cronov. A very usual mode of expression with the best Greek writers, when they wish to intimate that much important intelligence remains to be communicated on the subject already in hand, which must be omitted because of other points which have not yet been handled. Gedeon] Who by faith in God, with 300 men, destroyed a countless multitude of Midianites and Amalekites, and delivered Israel from oppression and slavery. Judges 6., 7., 8.
Barak] Who overthrew Jabin, king of Canaan, and delivered Israel from servitude. Judg. 4.
Samson] Who was appointed by God to deliver Israel from the oppressive yoke of the Philistines; and, by extraordinary assistance, discomfited them on various occasions. Jud. 13. - 16.
Jephthae] Who, under the same guidance, defeated the Ammonites, and delivered Israel. Judg. 11., 12.
David] King of Israel, whose whole life was a life of faith and dependence on God; but whose character will be best seen in those books which contain an account of his reign, and the book of Psalms, to which, and the notes there, the reader must be referred. It is probable he is referred to here for that act of faith and courage which he showed in his combat with Goliah. See 1 Samuel 17.
Samuel] The last of the Israelitish judges, to whom succeeded a race of kings, of whom Saul and David were the two first, and were both anointed by this most eminent man. See his history in the first book of Samuel.
All these are said to have performed their various exploits through faith. 1.
The faith of Gideon consisted in his throwing down the altar of Baal, and cutting down his grove, in obedience to the command of God. 2. The faith of Barak consisted in his believing the revelation made to Deborah, and the command to go against Jabin's numerous army. 3. Samson's faith consisted in his obeying the various impulses produced by the Spirit of God in his own mind. 4. Jephthae's faith consisted particularly in his believing the promise made to Abraham and his posterity, that they should possess the land of Canaan; and in his resolutely fighting against the Ammonites, that they might not deprive the Israelites of the land between Arnon and Jabbok. It may be observed, here, that the apostle does not produce these in chronological order; for Barak lived before Gideon, and Jephthae before Samson, and Samuel before David. He was not producing facts in their chronological order, but instances of the power of God exerted in the behalf of men who had strong confidence in him.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 32. And what shall I more say , etc..] Intimating he had said enough to prove the definition of faith he had given; and that the elders, by it, had obtained a good report; and yet he had not said all he could; and that he had so much to say, that he could not say all: for the time would fail me ; either the time of life, and so it is an hyperbolical expression; or the time convenient for the writing this epistle; to enumerate all the instances of faith, and enlarge upon them, would take up too much of his time, and make the epistle prolix and tedious: this form of speech is often used by Philo the Jew f261 , and by Julian the emperor f262 .
It may be observed, that many, who are not mentioned by name, do not stand excluded from being believers; and that the number of believers, under the Old Testament, was very large: to tell of Gedeon ; so Gideon is called in the Septuagint version of ( Judges 6:11) and other places; and by Josephus f263 , and Philo the Jew, as here: he was a man, but of a mean extract, and had his infirmities; and even in the exercise of that particular grace, for which he is mentioned; but was, no doubt, a good man, and is commended for his faith; which appeared in ascribing former mercies and present afflictions to the Lord; in destroying the altar of Baal; in crediting the word of the Lord, that Israel should be saved by him; which he showed by the preparation he made, and in marching against a numerous army, with only three hundred men, and they but weak: all which may be seen in the book of Judges, ( Judges 6:1-8:35) and of Barak ; who was before Gideon, as Jephthah was before Samson, and Samuel before David; for the apostle does not observe strict order, reciting these in haste. Barak, when the word of the Lord came to him, showed some diffidence, yet acted in obedience to it, under the sole direction and counsel of a woman; he engaged Sisera's vast army with a small number, and gave the glory of the victory to the Lord, ( Judges 4:1-5:31). and of Samson : who was a child of promise, and devoted to the Lord; he was famous for his great strength; he had his infirmities, but was, without doubt, a good man: the last act of his life seems to be a great instance of faith; he did it with calling upon the Lord; he was strengthened for it by the Lord; he acted, not as a private person, but as the judge of Israel; nor did he act from private revenge, but from zeal for God, and love to his country; and his intention was not to destroy himself, but his enemies; in which he acted as a type of Christ: and of Jephthah ; the Syriac version calls him Nepthe, and the Arabic version Naphtah; he was base born; and, for a time, joined himself to vain men, but became a believer; and is marked for his faith, in ascribing the conquests of Israel in the wilderness to the Lord; in fighting with the Ammonites, whom he conquered; and in his conscientiousness, in observing his vow, ( Judges 11:30-40). of David also ; a man after God's own heart, raised up to fulfil his will; whose faith appeared in his dependence on God, when he fought with Goliath; in encouraging himself in the Lord his God, when in exile and distress; and in believing his interest in the covenant of grace, when his house and family were in a disagreeable situation, and he just going out of the world: and Samuel ; a child of prayer, and early devoted to the Lord, who ministered to him, when a child; was always ready to hearken to his voice; was used very familiarly by him, and behaved with great uprightness, all his days; and had a good report of God and man: and of the prophets ; from Samuel to John the Baptist, who were famous for their trust in God, their faith in the Messiah, and for their honourable walk and conversation.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 32-38 - After all our searches into the Scriptures, there is more to be learne from them. We should be pleased to think, how great the number of believers was under the Old Testament, and how strong their faith though the objects of it were not then so fully made known as now. An we should lament that now, in gospel times, when the rule of faith i more clear and perfect, the number of believers should be so small, an their faith so weak. It is the excellence of the grace of faith, that while it helps men to do great things, like Gideon, it keeps from hig and great thoughts of themselves. Faith, like Barak's, has recours unto God in all dangers and difficulties, and then makes gratefu returns to God for all mercies and deliverances. By faith, the servant of God shall overcome even the roaring lion that goeth about seeking whom he may devour. The believer's faith endures to the end, and, in dying, gives him victory over death and all his deadly enemies, lik Samson. The grace of God often fixes upon very undeserving an ill-deserving persons, to do great things for them and by them. But the grace of faith, wherever it is, will put men upon acknowledging God in all their ways, as Jephthah. It will make men bold and courageous in good cause. Few ever met with greater trials, few ever showed mor lively faith, than David, and he has left a testimony as to the trial and acts of faith, in the book of Psalms, which has been, and ever wil be, of great value to the people of God. Those are likely to grow up to be distinguished for faith, who begin betimes, like Samuel, to exercis it. And faith will enable a man to serve God and his generation, in whatever way he may be employed. The interests and powers of kings an kingdoms, are often opposed to God and his people; but God can easil subdue all that set themselves against him. It is a greater honour an happiness to work righteousness than to work miracles. By faith we have comfort of the promises; and by faith we are prepared to wait for the promises, and in due time to receive them. And though we do not hope to have our dead relatives or friends restored to life in this world, ye faith will support under the loss of them, and direct to the hope of better resurrection. Shall we be most amazed at the wickedness of huma nature, that it is capable of such awful cruelties to fellow-creatures or at the excellence of Divine grace, that is able to bear up the faithful under such cruelties, and to carry them safely through all What a difference between God's judgement of a saint, and man' judgment! The world is not worthy of those scorned, persecuted saints whom their persecutors reckon unworthy to live. They are not worthy of their company, example, counsel, or other benefits. For they know no what a saint is, nor the worth of a saint, nor how to use him; the hate, and drive such away, as they do the offer of Christ and his grace. (Heb 11:39)
Greek Textus Receptus
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