Charles Ellicott Commentary Hebrews 11:32

"And what shall I more say? for the time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah; of David and Samuel and the prophets:" — Hebrews 11:32 (ASV)

The sacred writer has lingered over the life and deeds of the greatest of the patriarchs and of Moses, the legislator of the nation. Two examples only—differing in kind from those that have preceded, and particularly suggestive and important—have been taken from the history of the people after the death of Moses.

Enough has now been said to guide all who are willing to search the Scriptures for themselves. With a brief mention of names that would call to the minds of his readers achievements almost as wonderful as those on which he has been dwelling, the sacred writer passes from the elders who received witness from God by their faith and, in Hebrews 11:33-38, speaks in general terms, yet all the more distinctly, of the triumphs that faith has won.

The time would fail me.—The slight changes of text required by our best evidence give increased vividness: For the time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah. To the exploits of Barak (Judges 4:5), Gideon (Judges 6-8), Samson (Judges 13-16), and Jephthah (Judges 11:12), there is a clear reference in the words of later verses (Hebrews 11:33–34). There seems to be no design in this arrangement of the names. In the following clause also, of David and Samuel and the prophets, there is a similar departure from the order of time.