Hebrews 11:34Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

"They quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword." See how they were in mortal danger: the three youths in the furnace, and Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in various temptations, yet they did not despair. Such is faith. When circumstances oppose us, then we must believe that nothing is opposing us, but that everything is fitting. "They escaped the edge of the sword." I think he also said this about the three youths. "They were strengthened from weakness, became strong in war, and put foreign armies to flight." Here he means the circumstances of the return from Babylonian captivity. "From weakness" means from captivity. When the circumstances of the Jews were desperate, and when they differed in nothing from dead bones, then their return from captivity took place.

"They quenched the power of fire." The three youths did this (Dan 3:10-22). He did not say they quenched fire, but the power of fire, which is stronger. For although it surrounded them, it had no power to burn them. "They escaped the edge of the sword." This also refers to the three youths, or more properly, to Elijah, who escaped the sword of Jezebel (3 Kgs 19), and David himself, who escaped the sword of Saul. "They were strengthened from weakness." Those who returned from the Babylonian captivity were like this, for they differed in nothing from the bones of the dead, as it is said in Ezekiel (Ezek 37:11-14). The sick Hezekiah also received an addition to his life (4 Kgs 20:1-11).

Others quenched the power of fire, like the three Hebrew youths in the Chaldean furnace (Dan 3:22-24). They escaped the edge of the sword, as David, for example, was saved more than once from Saul's sword (1 Sam 18, 19 and elsewhere), and Elijah from Jezebel and Ahab. They were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, and put foreign armies to flight. Thus Gideon, with three hundred of his chosen men, approached the great enemy host, threw them into confusion, and put them to flight (Judg 7:7-25).

"They quenched the power of fire" refers to Hananiah and his companions (Dan 3:23). "They escaped the edge of the sword" refers to those whom the Chaldeans, with the wise men of Babylon, tried to destroy (Dan 3:1). It also refers to Uriah (Jer 26:23), Elijah (1 Kgs 19:3), and the prophets. "They were made strong out of weakness" refers to King Hezekiah (2 Kgs 20:1; Is 38:1) and Elisha. "They became mighty in war" refers to Abraham, Lot, Moses, and Joshua. "They put foreign armies to flight" refers to Samson, Barak, David, and the others mentioned above.

But this courage alone is not remarkable. We also know the glorious courage of those who showed greatness of soul through faith: "They stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness" (Heb 11:33-34). They did not attain the common victory with the help of legions. By the valor of the spirit alone they gained an exceptional triumph over unbelievers. How invincible was Daniel, who did not fear the lions roaring beside him! The beasts roared, while he ate. St. Ambrose repeats these words; see off. 2:11.

"They quenched the power of fire" refers to Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael. "They escaped the edge of the sword" refers to those who were victorious in wars. "They were made strong out of weakness" refers to those who returned with Zerubbabel, were freed from captivity, and defeated the neighbors who rose up against them. "They became mighty in wars" refers both to those already listed and to the sons of Mattathias: Judas, Jonathan, and Simon. "They put foreign armies to flight." The Apostle expressed the same thing in different words.

"They quenched the power of fire." Thus, for example, the three youths in Babylon did. "They escaped the edge of the sword." Thus Elijah did, when he withdrew from the plots of Jezebel, or the same three youths. For many later devised plots against them, yet did not overcome them. "They were strengthened from weakness." Thus Hezekiah was (4 Kgs 20:1), or those who returned from Babylonian captivity. In slavery and hardship they had become so weak that they resembled the dead. But by God's good pleasure they grew strong again, so that they were able to wage war. Therefore he then adds: "They became strong in wars," when the nations dwelling around Palestine fought against them and hindered them from settling in their fatherland (Neh 4:17).

The three youths quenched the fire in the furnace (Dan 3:92), heated sevenfold, by turning it into dew. David escaped the sword of Saul, Elijah that of Jezebel, Micaiah that of Ahab, and Elisha that of Joram. Job was delivered from his infirmity and healed of cruel wounds, as Hezekiah also was delivered from mortal illness. Moses, Joshua, David, and the Maccabee repeatedly proved their strength and courage in battles, putting enemy armies to flight.

"They quenched the power of fire." This is said of Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael. "They escaped the edge of the sword." This may refer both to David and to Elijah. "They were made strong out of weakness." Such were Job, Hezekiah, and Tobit. "They became mighty in wars" refers to the judges, David, Judith, and the Maccabees.

"They quenched the power of fire" refers to Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael. "They escaped the edge of the sword" refers to those who were victorious in wars (Heb 11:34). "They were made strong out of weakness" refers to those who returned with Zerubbabel, were freed from captivity, and defeated the neighbors who rose up against them. "They became mighty in wars" refers both to those already listed and to the sons of Mattathias: Judas, Jonathan, and Simon.

After the possession of the promised land, many persons appeared among the chosen people who proved their faith either by performing great deeds, victories and miracles, or by enduring severe sufferings. The Apostle lists these men of faith not in chronological order, but with regard to their different significance in the history of the chosen people. Thus he mentions Gideon before Barak, probably because Gideon was called to service by the Angel of the Lord, while Barak was called by the prophetess Deborah. Likewise he names Samson, who had already been appointed to Naziriteship before birth, before Jephthah, who was placed in the high position of judge in mature age.