Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Hebrews 11:33

"who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions," — Hebrews 11:33 (ASV)

In the list of vv.33–34, there are three groups of three. We may see them as indicating: (1) the broad results of the believers’ faith: material victory, moral success in government, spiritual reward; (2) forms of personal deliverance: from wild beasts, from physical forces, from human tyranny; (3) the attainment of personal gifts: strength, the exercise of strength, and the triumph of strength. In each case it is possible to see OT examples.

There are those who “conquered kingdoms” (as did Joshua and others) and “administered justice”; the reference seems to be to people like the judges. The next group may be, as in NIV, those who “gained what was promised,” or those who obtained words of promise from God. Either way they were people of faith. In the OT a number of men can be said to have “shut the mouths of lions,” notably Daniel (Daniel 6:17–22). David also was delivered from a lion (1 Samuel 17:34– 37), and Benaiah killed one in a pit on a snowy day (1 Chronicles 11:22; cf. also Samson, Jdg 14:5–6).