SEV Biblia, Chapter 11:38
de los cuales el mundo no era digno; errantes por los desiertos, por los montes, por las cuevas y por las cavernas de la tierra.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Hebrew 11:38
Verse 38. Of whom the world was not worthy] Yet they were obliged to wander by day in deserts and mountains, driven from the society of men, and often obliged to hide by night in dens and caves of the earth, to conceal themselves from the brutal rage of men. Perhaps he refers here principally to the case of Elijah, and the hundred prophets hidden in caves by Obadiah, and fed with bread and water. See 1 Kings xviii. 4. David was often obliged thus to hide himself from Saul; 1 Sam. xxiv. 3, &c.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 38. Of whom the world was not worthy , etc..] These words are inserted in a parenthesis, to remove or prevent such objections as these; that they were restless and unquiet persons, that made disturbance in the world, and so unfit to live in it; and that they were deservedly punished for crimes they were guilty of; and to show the great worth and inestimable value of the people of God, which exceeds that of the whole world; and to intimate the removal of them out of the world, or from dwelling among the men of it, is by way of punishment to it: they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth ; as Elijah did; ( 1 Kings 18:4 19:9,10), and many in the times of the Maccabees; And they kept the eight days with gladness, as in the feast of the tabernacles, remembering that not long afore they had held the feast of the tabernacles, when as they wandered in the mountains and dens like beasts. (2 Maccabees 10:6) Ver. 39. And these all having obtained a good report through faith , etc..] This may either be limited to the sufferers in the preceding verses, who were martyred, or suffered martyrdom for the faith, as the words may be rendered; and who are called martyrs or witnesses, in ( Hebrews 12:1) and so the Ethiopic version renders the clause, and all these were witnesses concerning the faith: or it may be extended to all the instances of faith throughout the chapter; and so the apostle reasserts what he had said, ( Hebrews 11:2), having proved it by a variety of examples; (see Gill on Hebrews 11:2). received not the promise ; not that they did not receive the promise of the land of Canaan, for so did Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, etc.. nor that they did not receive the promise of deliverance and victory, for so did Joshua, the Judges, and others; or that they did not receive the promise of eternal life, for that they all did; but the promise of the Messiah, that is, the Messiah promised: for they had the promise, but not the thing; who is called the Promise, emphatically, because he is the first and grand promise; and because in him all the promises centre, and are yea, and amen: him the Old Testament saints received not; they, greatly desired to see him in the flesh; they saw him by faith; they believed in him, and rejoiced in the expectation of his coming; but he was not exhibited to them incarnate. Now since these saints so strongly believed, and so cheerfully suffered before Christ came; the apostle's argument is, that much more should the saints now, since Christ is come, and the promises received, go on believing in him, and readily suffering for his sake; (see Hebrews 12:1-4).
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
και 2532 CONJ ουτοι 3778 D-NPM παντες 3956 A-NPM μαρτυρηθεντες 3140 5685 V-APP-NPM δια 1223 PREP της 3588 T-GSF πιστεως 4102 N-GSF ουκ 3756 PRT-N εκομισαντο 2865 5668 V-AMI-3P την 3588 T-ASF επαγγελιαν 1860 N-ASF
