(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

HEBREWS 11:38KJV
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Hebrews 11:38 (KJV)

What does Hebrews 11:38 mean?

Hebrews 11:38 describes people of great faith who suffered so much that the world did not deserve them; they wandered through deserts, mountains, and hid in caves and dens to survive. The verse highlights how these faithful people endured hardship and rejection because of their commitment to God.

The writer of Hebrews is encouraging readers by pointing to examples of faithful people from Israel’s history who were mistreated and forced to live in harsh conditions. This verse is part of a larger section that honors those who trusted God even when it meant losing comfort, safety, or acceptance in society.

The Greek behind Hebrews 11:38

  • κόσμος (kosmos, "world"): This word often means the whole human order or society, not just the physical earth. Here, it emphasizes that society as a whole was not worthy of these faithful people.
  • ἄξιος (axios, "worthy"): This word carries the sense of deserving or having value. The verse is saying that the value of these faithful people far exceeded what the world could appreciate or reward.
  • πλανᾶσθαι (planasthai, "wandered"): This verb suggests being driven about or forced to move without a home, pointing to the unsettled, difficult lives these people endured because of their faith.

Why Hebrews 11:38 matters

  • Hebrews 11:38 clears up the idea that faith always leads to earthly success or comfort; it shows that some of the most faithful people suffered and were rejected.
  • The verse emphasizes the contrast between how God values faithful people and how the world often treats them, highlighting their true worth.
  • This verse ties into the broader message of Hebrews 11, which is to encourage believers to remain faithful even when life is hard, using real examples from history.

Where else these words appear

“caves” Greek G3692 · used in 2 verses

  • James 3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

“deserts” Greek G2047 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 15:33 And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?
  • Mark 8:4 And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?
  • 2 Corinthians 11:26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

“dens” Greek G4693 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 21:13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
  • Mark 11:17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.
  • John 11:38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.

“wandered” Greek G4105 · used in 37 verses

  • Matthew 18:12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
  • John 7:12 And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.
  • 2 Peter 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;