Hebrews 11:38 and the Faith of Desert Dwellers
Hebrews 11:38 describes the harsh conditions endured by faithful individuals, stating, "of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts, mountains, caves, and the holes of the earth" (Hebrews 11:38). This verse concludes a lengthy catalog of Old Testament figures who demonstrated faith, often in the face of severe persecution and hardship [1, 7].
The broader context of Hebrews 11 is a celebration of faith, defined in its opening as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). The chapter then proceeds to illustrate this definition through numerous examples, starting with Abel, Enoch, and Noah, and continuing through Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses [7]. The author emphasizes that these individuals, through their faith, "gained approval" from God [7]. The chapter then moves to a more general description of those who lived by faith, including judges, prophets, and others who "conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight" (Hebrews 11:33-34).
However, the passage then shifts to describe those whose faith led them to suffer rather than triumph in worldly terms. These individuals "were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated" (Hebrews 11:35-37). It is in this immediate context that verse 38 appears, highlighting their extreme deprivation and isolation [1].
The term "deserts" (Greek: erēmia) in this verse refers to vast, often barren and uninhabited places [2]. Biblically, deserts are depicted as lonesome, uncultivated, desolate, dry, and trackless regions, frequently infested with wild beasts, serpents, and robbers, making travel dangerous [2]. The Hebrew word midbar, often translated as "desert" or "wilderness," can also refer to "pasture-ground" or an open tract for pasturage, as seen in the wilderness where the Israelites' flocks grazed during their wanderings [3]. The "wilderness of the wanderings" between Egypt and Palestine is a significant example of such a desert [3].
The phrase "of whom the world was not worthy" serves as a powerful commentary on the value of these faithful sufferers. Despite their outward appearance of destitution and their forced exile, the author asserts that their moral and spiritual worth far exceeded that of the world that rejected them [9]. The world, in expelling them, deprived itself of a source of blessing, much like Joseph brought blessing to Potiphar or Jacob to Laban [9]. Their hope was placed in God rather than in worldly comforts [12].
Commentators suggest that the individuals referenced in Hebrews 11:38 include figures like Elijah, who often hid in caves, and the hundred prophets whom Obadiah concealed and fed [8, 9]. David also frequently hid from Saul in similar places [8]. Palestine, with its hilly terrain, naturally contains many fissures and caves that provided shelter for the persecuted [9]. The suffering described in this chapter, including wandering in deserts and hiding in caves, reflects the experiences of many Old Testament figures, particularly the "Jews" or "Israelites" who were descended from Abraham and chosen by God [4].
The faith exemplified by these individuals was not merely a general piety but a specific trust in God's promises [6]. Charles Hodge notes that Abraham's faith, for instance, was in a promise, and he "staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief" [6]. This faith, according to Hodge, is a reception of truth based on divine testimony, authenticated by signs and wonders [10]. The suffering endured by these faithful individuals underscores the idea that faith often involves hardship and a rejection of worldly comforts, with the ultimate reward being a better, heavenly country [11]. The journey through the desert, both literal and metaphorical, was a testament to their unwavering trust in God's provision and guidance, even when faced with extreme adversity [5].
Sources
- Hebrews “(of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts, mountains, caves, and the holes of the earth. -- Hebrews 11:38”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Deserts — Vast barren plains -- Ex 5:3; Joh 6:13. Uninhabited places -- Mt 14:15; Mr 6:31. Described as Uninhabited and lonesome. -- Jer 2:6. Uncultivated. -- Nu 20:5; Jer 2:2. Desolate. -- Eze 6:14. Dry and without water. -- Ex 17:1; De 8:15. Trackless. -- Isa 43:19. Great and terrible. -- De 1:19. Waste and howling. -- De 32:10. Infested with wild beasts -- Isa 13:21; Mr 1:13. Infested with serpents -- De 8:15. Infested with robbers -- Jer 3:2; La 4:19. Danger of travelling in -- Ex 14:3; 2Co 11:26. Guides required in -- Nu 10:31; De 32:10. Phenomena of, alluded to”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Desert — (1.) Heb. midbar, "pasture-ground;" an open tract for pasturage; a common (Joel 2:22). The "backside of the desert" (Ex. 3:1) is the west of the desert, the region behind a man, as the east is the region in front. The same Hebrew word is rendered "wildernes," and is used of the country lying between Egypt and Palestine (Gen. 21:14, 21; Ex. 4:27; 19:2; Josh. 1:4), the wilderness of the wanderings. It was a grazing tract, where the flocks and herds of the Israelites found pasturage during the whole of their journey to the Promised Land. The same Hebrew word is”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Jews, The — Descended from Abraham -- Isa 51:2; Joh 8:39. Divided into twelve tribes -- Ge 35:22; 49:28. Called Hebrews. -- Ge 14:13; 40:15; 2Co 11:22. Israelites. -- Ex 9:7; Jos 3:17. Seed of Abraham. -- Ps 105:6; Isa 41:8. Seed of Jacob. -- Jer 33:26. Seed of Israel. -- 1Ch 16:13. Children of Jacob. -- 1Ch 16:13. Children of Israel. -- Ge 50:25; Isa 27:12. Jeshurun. -- De 32:15. Chosen and loved by God -- De 7:6,7. Circumcised in token of their covenant relation -- Ge 17:10,11; Ac 7:8. Separated from all other nations -- Ex 33:16; Le 20:24; 1Ki 8:53. Described as A”
- Numbers (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Numbers 11 (introduction): MANNA LOATHED. (Num. 11:1-35) When the people complained it displeased the Lord, &c.--Unaccustomed to the fatigues of travel and wandering into the depths of a desert, less mountainous but far more gloomy and desolate than that of Sinai, without any near prospect of the rich country that had been promised, they fell into a state of vehement discontent, which was vented at these irksome and fruitless journeyings. The displeasure of God was manifested against the ungrateful complainers by fire sent in an extraordinary manner. It is worthy ”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 74: argues from the case of Abraham, who, according to the express declaration of the Scriptures, was justified by faith; and he quotes from the old prophets the great principle, true then as now, that the “just shall live by faith.” (2.) In the second place, he proves that the faith intended was faith in a promise and not merely general piety or confidence toward God. Abraham, he says, “staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that what He had promised He wa”
- Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 11 (introduction): A definition of faith, Heb 11:1, Heb 11:2. What are its immediate objects, Heb 11:3. What are its effects, instanced in Abel, Heb 11:4. In Enoch, Heb 11:5, Heb 11:6. In Noah, Heb 11:7. In Abraham, Heb 11:8-10. In Sara, Heb 11:11. In their righteous posterity, Heb 11:12-16 In Abraham's offering of his son Isaac, Heb 11:17-19. In Isaac, Heb 11:20. In Jacob, Heb 11:21. In Joseph, Heb 11:22. In Moses, Heb 11:23-28. In the Israelites in the wilderness, Heb 11:29. In the fall of Jericho, Heb 11:30. In Rahab, Heb 11:31. In several of the judges, and in David,”
- Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 11:38: Of whom the world was not worthy - Yet they were obliged to wander by day in deserts and mountains, driven from the society of men, and often obliged to hide by night in dens and caves of the earth, to conceal themselves from the brutal rage of men. Perhaps he refers here principally to the case of Elijah, and the hundred prophets hidden in caves by Obadiah, and fed with bread and water. See Kg1 18:4. David was often obliged thus to hide himself from Saul; Sa1 24:3, etc.”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 11:38: Of whom the world was not worthy--So far from their being unworthy of living in the world, as their exile in deserts, &c., might seem to imply, "the world was not worthy of them." The world, in shutting them out, shut out from itself a source of blessing; such as Joseph proved to Potiphar (Gen 39:5), and Jacob to Laban (Gen 30:27). In condemning them, the world condemned itself. caves--literally, "chinks." Palestine, from its hilly character, abounds in fissures and caves, affording shelter to the persecuted, as the fifty hid by Obadiah (Kg1 18:4, ”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 10: in which the divine testimony is given. Paul says that God bears “witness both with signs and wonders” ( Hebrews ii. 4 ). And, secondly, that the proximate end of these manifestations of supernatural foresight and power was to authenticate the divine mission of the messengers of God. This being established, the people were called upon to receive their message and to believe on the authority of God, by whom they were sent. The third proof, that the Scriptures teach that faith is a reception of truth on the ground of testimony, is found in ”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 76: in a state of sin and condemnation; that from that state no man can be delivered except though the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Saviour of men. It is, therefore, taught that the knowledge of this Redeemer was communicated to our race from the beginning, and in express terms in the promise made to Abraham; that the condition of salvation was then, as it is now, faith in Christ; that the blessings secured for believers were enjoyed before the advent of the Son of God in the flesh, as well as since. The heaven of believers”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 11:38: 11:38 too good for this world: Their hope was in God more than in the pleasures and comforts of this world.”