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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Hebrews 11:39 These were all commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-39.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/58_Heb_11_39.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Hebrews 11:39 - The Faith of Many" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="These were all commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised." /><script type="application/javascript" 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cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad19.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/hebrews/11-38.htm" title="Hebrews 11:38">◄</a> Hebrews 11:39 <a href="/hebrews/11-40.htm" title="Hebrews 11:40">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/hebrews/11.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/hebrews/11.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/hebrews/11.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/hebrews/11.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/hebrews/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />These were all commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/hebrews/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And these all, having been commended through the faith, did not receive the promise,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/hebrews/11.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/hebrews/11.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/hebrews/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/hebrews/11.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/hebrews/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/hebrews/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/hebrews/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And all of these, though they gained [divine] approval through their faith, did not receive [the fulfillment of] what was promised,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/hebrews/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />All these were approved through their faith, but they did not receive what was promised,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/hebrews/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />All these were approved through their faith, but they did not receive what was promised, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/hebrews/11.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And these all, having had witness borne to them through their faith, received not the promise,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/hebrews/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />All of them pleased God because of their faith! But still they died without being given what had been promised. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/hebrews/11.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And these all, having had witness borne to them through their faith, received not the promise,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/hebrews/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />All these people were known for their faith, but none of them received what God had promised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/hebrews/11.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />What a record all of these have won by their faith! Yet they did not receive what God had promised, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/hebrews/11.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />All these people won approval for their faith but they did not receive what was promised, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/hebrews/11.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />And these all were commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/hebrews/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />These all, having had testimony given to them through their faith, did not receive the promise,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/hebrews/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/hebrews/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />And although by their faith all these people won God's approval, none of them received the fulfilment of His great promise;<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/hebrews/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />These were all commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/hebrews/11.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />These all, having been commended for their faith, didn’t receive the promise, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/hebrews/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and all these, having been testified to through faith, did not receive the promise,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/hebrews/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And these all, having been commended through the faith, did not receive the promise,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/hebrews/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and these all, having been testified to through the faith, did not receive the promise,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/hebrews/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And these all, having been testified of by faith, received not the promise:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/hebrews/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And all these being approved by the testimony of faith, received not the promise; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/hebrews/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And all these, having been proven by the testimony of faith, did not receive the Promise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/hebrews/11.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Yet all these, though approved because of their faith, did not receive what had been promised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/hebrews/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/hebrews/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Thus these all, having obtained a testimonial through the faith, did not receive the promise:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/hebrews/11.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And all of these, concerning whom there is a testimony of their faith, did not receive The Promise.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/hebrews/11.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />And all these, having obtained a good reputation by faith, received not the promise,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/hebrews/11.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />And all these, having received the witness of the spirit through faith, did not obtain the promise:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/hebrews/11.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />And these all though having obtained a testimony by faith, received not the promise:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/hebrews/11.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />Tho' these were all celebrated for their faith, they did not receive the reward that was promised:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/hebrews/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />And although by their faith all these people won God's approval, none of them received the fulfilment of His great promise;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/hebrews/11.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />And these all, having received a good report through faith, obtained not the promise;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/hebrews/11.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />And these all, though they obtained an <i>honorable</i> testimony by faith, <i>yet</i> received not the promise;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/hebrews/11-39.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x-IAXXp5zcA?start=2456" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/hebrews/11.htm">The Faith of Many</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">38</span>The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and hid in caves and holes in the ground. <span class="reftext">39</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: houtoi (DPro-NMP) -- This; he, she, it. ">These</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pantes (Adj-NMP) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">were all</a> <a href="/greek/3140.htm" title="3140: martyrēthentes (V-APP-NMP) -- To witness, bear witness, give evidence, testify, give a good report. From martus; to be a witness, i.e. Testify.">commended</a> <a href="/greek/1223.htm" title="1223: dia (Prep) -- A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.">for</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">their</a> <a href="/greek/4102.htm" title="4102: pisteōs (N-GFS) -- Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness. ">faith,</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/2865.htm" title="2865: ekomisanto (V-AIM-3P) -- From a primary komeo; properly, to provide for, i.e. to carry off.">yet they did not receive</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">what was</a> <a href="/greek/1860.htm" title="1860: epangelian (N-AFS) -- A promise. From epaggello; an announcement.">promised.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">40</span>God had planned something better for us, so that together with us they would be made perfect.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-13.htm">Hebrews 11:13</a></span><br />All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-36.htm">Hebrews 10:36</a></span><br />You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/6-12.htm">Hebrews 6:12</a></span><br />Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-25.htm">Romans 8:25</a></span><br />But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/5-7.htm">James 5:7-8</a></span><br />Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer awaits the precious fruit of the soil—how patient he is for the fall and spring rains. / You, too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-9.htm">1 Peter 1:9-12</a></span><br />now that you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. / Concerning this salvation, the prophets who foretold the grace to come to you searched and investigated carefully, / trying to determine the time and setting to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/5-7.htm">2 Corinthians 5:7</a></span><br />For we walk by faith, not by sight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-14.htm">Galatians 3:14</a></span><br />He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/4-13.htm">Romans 4:13-16</a></span><br />For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. / For if those who live by the law are heirs, faith is useless and the promise is worthless, / because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-17.htm">Matthew 13:17</a></span><br />For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-56.htm">John 8:56</a></span><br />Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see My day. He saw it and was glad.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-11.htm">1 Corinthians 10:11</a></span><br />Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-7.htm">1 Peter 1:7</a></span><br />so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/6-11.htm">Revelation 6:11</a></span><br />Then each of them was given a white robe and told to rest a little while longer until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers, were killed, just as they had been killed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/15-13.htm">Genesis 15:13-16</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. / But I will judge the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will depart with many possessions. / You, however, will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a ripe old age. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:</p><p class="hdg">See on ver.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hebrews/11-2.htm">Hebrews 11:2,13</a></b></br> For by it the elders obtained a good report… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/10-23.htm">Luke 10:23,24</a></b></br> And he turned him unto <i>his</i> disciples, and said privately, Blessed <i>are</i> the eyes which see the things that ye see: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_peter/1-12.htm">1 Peter 1:12</a></b></br> Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hebrews/11-17.htm">Agreement</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-11.htm">Although</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-2.htm">Approval</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-5.htm">Attested</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-2.htm">Borne</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-5.htm">Commended</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-33.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/titus/3-7.htm">Fulfilment</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-33.htm">Gained</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-31.htm">God's</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-38.htm">Good</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-24.htm">Great</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-33.htm">Obtained</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-11.htm">Promise</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-33.htm">Promised</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-36.htm">Receive</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-35.htm">Received</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-2.htm">Report</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-2.htm">Testified</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-5.htm">Testimony</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-13.htm">Witness</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-34.htm">Won</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/hebrews/12-24.htm">Agreement</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-17.htm">Although</a> <a href="/james/1-12.htm">Approval</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-20.htm">Attested</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-17.htm">Borne</a> <a href="/genesis/12-15.htm">Commended</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-2.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-21.htm">Fulfilment</a> <a href="/1_peter/3-1.htm">Gained</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-7.htm">God's</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-10.htm">Good</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-1.htm">Great</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-10.htm">Obtained</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-26.htm">Promise</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-26.htm">Promised</a> <a href="/james/1-7.htm">Receive</a> <a href="/james/2-23.htm">Received</a> <a href="/3_john/1-12.htm">Report</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-11.htm">Testified</a> <a href="/james/5-3.htm">Testimony</a> <a href="/james/5-3.htm">Witness</a> <a href="/1_peter/3-1.htm">Won</a><div class="vheading2">Hebrews 11</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/hebrews/11-1.htm">What faith is.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/hebrews/11-6.htm">Without faith we cannot please God.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/hebrews/11-7.htm">The examples of faithfulness in the fathers of old time.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hebrews/11.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hebrews/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/hebrews/11.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>These were all commended for their faith</b><br>The phrase refers to the individuals listed in the "Hall of Faith" in <a href="/hebrews/11.htm">Hebrews 11</a>, including figures like Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, and others. Each of these individuals demonstrated faith in God despite not seeing the fulfillment of His promises during their lifetimes. Their commendation is rooted in their trust and obedience to God, which is a central theme throughout the Bible. This echoes the idea found in <a href="/genesis/15-6.htm">Genesis 15:6</a>, where Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness. The commendation of faith is a consistent biblical principle, as seen in passages like <a href="/romans/4.htm">Romans 4</a> and <a href="/james/2.htm">James 2</a>, which emphasize faith as the basis for righteousness.<p><b>yet they did not receive what was promised</b><br>This phrase highlights the tension between faith and fulfillment. The promises referred to are the messianic and eschatological promises of God, including the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of God's kingdom. While these Old Testament saints received partial fulfillments, such as the birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah, the ultimate promise of salvation through Jesus Christ was not realized in their lifetimes. This reflects the already-but-not-yet aspect of God's kingdom, where believers live in the tension of promises fulfilled in Christ but not yet fully realized. This concept is further explored in passages like <a href="/1_peter/1-10.htm">1 Peter 1:10-12</a>, which speaks of prophets who searched intently and with the greatest care to understand the salvation that was to come. The fulfillment of these promises is ultimately found in Jesus Christ, who is the "yes" and "amen" to all of God's promises (<a href="/2_corinthians/1-20.htm">2 Corinthians 1:20</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_faithful_of_the_old_testament.htm">The Faithful of the Old Testament</a></b><br>This verse refers to the individuals mentioned throughout <a href="/bsb/hebrews/11.htm">Hebrews 11</a>, often called the "Hall of Faith." These include Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, and others who demonstrated great faith in God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_promised_inheritance.htm">The Promised Inheritance</a></b><br>The promise refers to the ultimate fulfillment of God's covenant, which includes the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of God's kingdom. The faithful of the Old Testament anticipated this promise but did not see its fulfillment in their lifetimes.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_coming_of_christ.htm">The Coming of Christ</a></b><br>The promise ultimately points to the coming of Jesus Christ, who fulfills the Old Testament prophecies and brings salvation to humanity.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_beyond_sight.htm">Faith Beyond Sight</a></b><br>The faithful of the Old Testament trusted in God's promises without seeing their fulfillment. Believers today are called to have a similar faith, trusting in God's promises even when they are not immediately visible.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_fulfillment_in_christ.htm">The Fulfillment in Christ</a></b><br>The promises made to the Old Testament saints find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Understanding this helps believers appreciate the continuity of God's plan throughout history.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/encouragement_in_perseverance.htm">Encouragement in Perseverance</a></b><br>Just as the Old Testament saints persevered in faith, believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in their faith journey, knowing that God's promises are sure.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_with_an_eternal_perspective.htm">Living with an Eternal Perspective</a></b><br>The faithful lived with an eternal perspective, focusing on God's ultimate promises rather than temporary circumstances. Believers are encouraged to adopt this mindset in their daily lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_faith_in_salvation.htm">The Role of Faith in Salvation</a></b><br>Faith is central to the Christian life, as demonstrated by the Old Testament saints. Believers are reminded that faith is not just belief but involves trust and action based on God's promises.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_hebrews_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Hebrews 11</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_allow_faith-testing_events.htm">If God wants us to trust Him, why does He allow events that make people lose faith?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_bible's_view_on_hope.htm">What is the Bible's perspective on hope?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/when_are_prayers_answered.htm">What conditions must be met for prayers to be answered?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_were_old_testament_saints_saved.htm">How were Old Testament saints saved before Jesus?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/hebrews/11.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(39) <span class= "bld">Having obtained a good report.</span>--Now that the history is concluded the word of <a href="/hebrews/11-2.htm" title="For by it the elders obtained a good report.">Hebrews 11:2</a> is resumed. That in such a faith as was described in <a href="/hebrews/11-1.htm" title="Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.">Hebrews 11:1</a> "the elders" received their witness from God, the records themselves have shown; yet "these all, having had witness borne to them through their faith, received not the promise," <span class= "ital">i.e., </span>the promised blessing. There are three passages of the Epistle which must be kept together--<a href="/hebrews/6-15.htm" title="And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.">Hebrews 6:15</a>, "And so, having patiently waited, he (Abraham) obtained the promise;" <a href="/hebrews/10-36.htm" title="For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise.">Hebrews 10:36</a>, "Ye have need of endurance, that having done the will of God ye may receive the promise;" and the present versa. To the saints of the Old Testament the promised blessing was future; they obtained it, but not within the limits of this present life. To us the promised blessing is present, revealed to us in its true nature, obtained for us once for all; for we know that eternal redemption has been won through Christ's entering for us once for all into the heavenly sanctuary (<a href="/hebrews/9-12.htm" title="Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.">Hebrews 9:12</a>), and to us the "perfection" has come, in that through Him we "draw near to God" (<a href="/hebrews/7-11.htm" title="If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?">Hebrews 7:11</a>; <a href="/hebrews/7-19.htm" title="For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw near to God.">Hebrews 7:19</a>). That (1) the full personal appropriation of the gift is for every one of us still future, and (2) the full revelation belongs to another state of being, is true, but not inconsistent with what has been said. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/hebrews/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Vers, 39, 40.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And these all, having obtained a good report</span> (literally, <span class="accented">having been witnessed of</span>, as in ver. 2) <span class="cmt_word">through faith, received not the promise: God having provided</span> (or, <span class="accented">foreseen</span>) <span class="cmt_word">some better thing for</span> (literally, <span class="accented">concerning</span>) <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>us, that they without us should not be made perfect.</span> There is no contradiction between the assertion here made, that none of the saints of old "received the promise (<span class="greek">ἐκομίσαντο τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν</span>) "and its being said of Abraham (<a href="/hebrews/6-15.htm">Hebrews 6:15</a>) that he did "obtain the promise (<span class="greek">ἐπέτυχε τῆς</span> <span class="greek">ἐπαγγελίας</span>)." For though in both passages "the promise," <span class="accented">i.e.</span> the great Messianic promise (not "premises," as in ver. 33, <span class="accented">supra</span>), is spoken of - or at any rate, in the case of Abraham, ultimately referred to - yet the verbs used are different and have different meanings, He "obtained" or attained to it, in the sense of having it confirmed and assured to him and his seed (see note on Hebrews 6:15); but he did not actually get it so as to reduce it to possession and enter into the enjoyment of it. The realization of all that is meant by the word here used is, indeed, even to Christian believers, still future (for cf. <a href="/hebrews/10-36.htm">Hebrews 10:36</a>, <span class="greek">ἵνα κομίσησθε τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν</span>). Nay, it is future also in its fullness, even to the saints at rest; for in the passage just quoted it is plainly intimated that the entire fulfillment will not be till "he that shall come" comes; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> till the second advent. The redeemed whose probation on earth is over are indeed, in one sense, said to be already "perfected" (cf. <a href="/hebrews/10-14.htm">Hebrews 10:14</a>; <a href="/hebrews/12-23.htm">Hebrews 12:23</a>); but still the "perfect consummation and bliss both in body and soul" is nowhere in the New Testament contemplated till "the end." In the mean time, even the saints under the heavenly altar still cry, "Lord, how long?" and the Spirit and the bride say, "Come, Lord Jesus." The full idea, then, of ver. 40 may be that, according to the eternal Divine purpose, the promise of redemption should not be fully realized till the number of the elect shall be accomplished, and all the redeemed of all ages since the world began shall be gathered together through Christ in one, and God shall be all in all. <p> <p> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/hebrews/11-39.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">These</span><br /><span class="grk">οὗτοι</span> <span class="translit">(houtoi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> </span><span class="str2">This; he, she, it. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">{were} all</span><br /><span class="grk">πάντες</span> <span class="translit">(pantes)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> </span><span class="str2">All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">commended</span><br /><span class="grk">μαρτυρηθέντες</span> <span class="translit">(martyrēthentes)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3140.htm">Strong's 3140: </a> </span><span class="str2">To witness, bear witness, give evidence, testify, give a good report. From martus; to be a witness, i.e. Testify.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="grk">διὰ</span> <span class="translit">(dia)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1223.htm">Strong's 1223: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[their]</span><br /><span class="grk">τῆς</span> <span class="translit">(tēs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Genitive Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">faith,</span><br /><span class="grk">πίστεως</span> <span class="translit">(pisteōs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4102.htm">Strong's 4102: </a> </span><span class="str2">Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">[yet] they did not receive</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐκομίσαντο</span> <span class="translit">(ekomisanto)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2865.htm">Strong's 2865: </a> </span><span class="str2">From a primary komeo; properly, to provide for, i.e. to carry off.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">what [was]</span><br /><span class="grk">τὴν</span> <span class="translit">(tēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">promised.</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐπαγγελίαν</span> <span class="translit">(epangelian)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1860.htm">Strong's 1860: </a> </span><span class="str2">A promise. From epaggello; an announcement.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/hebrews/11-39.htm">Hebrews 11:39 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/hebrews/11-39.htm">Hebrews 11:39 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/hebrews/11-39.htm">Hebrews 11:39 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/hebrews/11-39.htm">Hebrews 11:39 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/hebrews/11-39.htm">Hebrews 11:39 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/hebrews/11-39.htm">Hebrews 11:39 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/hebrews/11-39.htm">Hebrews 11:39 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/hebrews/11-39.htm">Hebrews 11:39 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/hebrews/11-39.htm">Hebrews 11:39 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/hebrews/11-39.htm">Hebrews 11:39 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/hebrews/11-39.htm">NT Letters: Hebrews 11:39 These all having had testimony given (Heb. He. Hb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/hebrews/11-38.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Hebrews 11:38"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Hebrews 11:38" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/hebrews/11-40.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Hebrews 11:40"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Hebrews 11:40" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>