And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

HEBREWS 11:32KJV
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Hebrews 11:32 (KJV)

What does Hebrews 11:32 mean?

Hebrews 11:32 says that the writer does not have enough time to tell about the faith of several well-known figures from Israel’s history—Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets. The verse highlights that there are many more examples of faith than those already mentioned.

The author of Hebrews, writing to Jewish Christians, is wrapping up a long list of Old Testament people who lived by faith. By naming these leaders and prophets, the writer shows that trusting God was a pattern throughout Israel’s history, not just in a few famous stories. The verse signals that the examples are too many to count, emphasizing the richness of faith in the past.

The Greek behind Hebrews 11:32

  • χρόνος (chronos, transliterated as "time"): This word points to the idea that there is not enough time to tell every story, stressing the abundance of faith-filled lives.
  • ἐπιλείψει (epileipsei, transliterated as "fail"): This verb means "to leave out" or "to run short," suggesting that even a long discussion would not be enough to cover all the examples.
  • προφήται (prophētai, transliterated as "prophets"): This word refers to the prophets as a group, showing that the list includes not just leaders and judges but also those who spoke God’s messages.

Why Hebrews 11:32 matters

  • Hebrews 11:32 clears up the idea that only a few people in Israel’s history had strong faith; instead, it points to a whole line of faithful people.
  • The verse connects the stories of judges, kings, and prophets, showing that faith was not limited to one type of person or one era.
  • This verse helps the reader see that the examples of faith in Hebrews 11 are just a small sample, encouraging a broader view of what it means to trust God.

Where else these words appear

“Samuel” Greek G4545 · used in 3 verses

  • Acts 3:24 Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.
  • Acts 13:20 And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.

“tell” Greek G1334 · used in 8 verses

  • Mark 5:16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.
  • Luke 8:39 Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.
  • Acts 8:33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

“time” Greek G5550 · used in 53 verses

  • Matthew 2:7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
  • Acts 1:21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
  • 1 Corinthians 7:39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

“David” Greek G1138 · used in 54 verses

  • Matthew 1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
  • Mark 10:48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
  • Acts 1:16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.