King James Version

What Does Hebrews 11:37 Mean?

Hebrews 11:37 in the King James Version says “They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword : they wandered about in sheepskins an...” — study this verse from Hebrews chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword : they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins ; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;”

Hebrews 11:37 · KJV

Context

35

Women received their dead raised to life again : and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

36

And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

37

They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword : they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins ; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

38

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

39

And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; This verse intensifies the catalog of suffering. 'Stoned' references martyrdoms like Zechariah son of Jehoiada, stoned by royal command for rebuking idolatry (2 Chronicles 24:20-22)—Jesus references this martyr (Matthew 23:35). Stephen became first Christian martyr by stoning (Acts 7:58-60). 'Sawn asunder' likely references tradition that Isaiah was killed this way during Manasseh's persecution, recorded in extra-biblical sources familiar to first-century Jews.

'Were tempted' (epeirasthēsan, ἐπειράσθησαν) could mean 'tested' or specifically tempted to renounce faith under torture. 'Slain with the sword' describes violent death like Urijah the prophet murdered by Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 26:20-23). These martyrdoms demonstrate the world's ultimate hostility to faithful witnesses—when mockery and imprisonment fail to silence truth, the world resorts to killing God's messengers.

'Wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented' describes prophets like Elijah who fled persecution, living as fugitives in wilderness. The rough garments indicate poverty and contrast with false prophets who profited from their office. These faithful witnesses endured homelessness, poverty, and constant hardship for proclaiming God's word. Their suffering wasn't punishment for sin but consequence of righteousness in an unrighteous world.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Prophetic martyrdom features throughout Israel's history. During Jezebel's reign, she killed YHWH's prophets while Obadiah hid 100 in caves (1 Kings 18:4, 13). Elijah fled to wilderness, living in caves and fed by ravens (1 Kings 17:2-6; 19:9). The intertestamental period saw intense persecution, including Antiochus Epiphanes' campaign against Torah-observant Jews (167-160 BC). Jewish tradition recorded many martyrdoms not detailed in canonical Scripture but known through oral tradition and writings like 2 Maccabees. These accounts formed collective memory of suffering for faith, preparing readers to understand their own persecution as continuation of historical pattern rather than aberration.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this catalog of suffering challenge any expectation that faithfulness guarantees earthly comfort and safety?
  2. What does the world's violent hostility to God's faithful witnesses teach about the nature of spiritual warfare?
  3. In what ways should remembering martyrs' sacrifices strengthen your own willingness to suffer smaller discomforts for faith?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 16 words
ἐλιθάσθησαν1 of 16

“They were stoned”

G3034

to lapidate

ἐπρίσθησαν2 of 16

“they were sawn asunder”

G4249

to saw in two

ἐπειράσθησαν,3 of 16

“were tempted”

G3985

to test (objectively), i.e., endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline

ἐν4 of 16

“and”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

φόνῳ5 of 16

“the sword”

G5408

murder

μαχαίρας6 of 16
G3162

a knife, i.e., dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment

ἀπέθανον7 of 16

“were slain”

G599

to die off (literally or figuratively)

περιῆλθον8 of 16

“they wandered about”

G4022

to come all around, i.e., stroll, vacillate, veer

ἐν9 of 16

“and”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

μηλωταῖς10 of 16

“sheepskins”

G3374

a sheep-skin

ἐν11 of 16

“and”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

αἰγείοις12 of 16

“goatskins”

G122

belonging to a goat

δέρμασιν13 of 16
G1192

a hide

ὑστερούμενοι14 of 16

“being destitute”

G5302

to be later, i.e., (by implication) to be inferior; generally, to fall short (be deficient)

θλιβόμενοι15 of 16

“afflicted”

G2346

to crowd (literally or figuratively)

κακουχούμενοι16 of 16

“tormented”

G2558

to maltreat

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Hebrews. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Hebrews 11:37 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Hebrews 11:37 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 24:21Jeremiah 26:231 Kings 19:101 Kings 21:13-152 Kings 1:8Acts 7:52

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