Hebrew 11:32-34

Note: In the list from Bengel reported by Chadwick and  Schaich they have Hebrews 11:32-33 as an ABCDEFGG’F’E’D’C’B’A’. pattern – but checking Bengel’s notes he hints at a more complex pattern. The references to “lions” and “fire” clearly relate to Daniel and his three friends but these  are not mentioned by name. The exploits of the first four characters are specified in reverse order at the end of the passage, but from David to the prophets it looks at though the exploits are in regular order. 

One other remarkable thing thing – not from Bengel – the names are set out in pairs,  but these pairs are in reverse chronological order – Gideon comes before Barak, Samson before Jephthah and David before Samuel.

Hebrews 11: 32 And what shall I more say?
for the time would fail me to tell of

a. Gedeon,
b. and of Barak,
c. and of Samson,
d. and of Jephthae;

e. of David also,
f. and Samuel,

 g. and of the prophets:

33 Who through faith

e’. subdued kingdoms,(2 Sam 8:1)
f’. wrought righteousness, (2  Sam 15:33)

g. obtained promises, 
 stopped the mouths of lions, 
34 Quenched the violence of fire,

 d’. escaped the edge of the sword (Ju 12:3)
c’. out of weakness were made strong, (Ju 16:28-29)
b’. waxed valiant in fight, (Ju 4:14-15)
a’. turned to flight the armies of the aliens. (Ju 7:21)

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