Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
Quenched the violence of fire— (Daniel 3:27). Not merely "quenched the fire," but "quenched the power (so the Greek) of the fire." Daniel 3:19-30 and Daniel 6:12-23 record the last miracles of the Old Testament. So the martyrs of the Reformation, though not escaping the fire, were delivered from its having power really or lastingly to hurt them.
escaped . . . sword—So Jephthah (Judges 12:3); and so David escaped Saul's sword (I Samuel 18:11; I Samuel 19:10, I Samuel 19:12); Elijah (I Kings 19:1, etc.; II Kings 6:14).
out of weakness . . . made strong—Samson (Judges 16:28; Judges 15:19). Hezekiah (Isa. 37:1-38:22). MILTON says of the martyrs, "They shook the powers of darkness with the irresistible power of weakness."
valiant in fight—Barak (Judges 4:14-15). And the Maccabees, the sons of Matthias, Judas, Jonathan, and Simon, who delivered the Jews from their cruel oppressor, Antiochus of Syria.
armies—literally, "camps" referring to Judges 7:21. But the reference may be to the Maccabees having put to flight the Syrians and other foes.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Hebrews 11:34:
Daniel 3:27
Zechariah 4:6
Luke 14:28-33
2 Corinthians 12:10
Hebrews 11:37
DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.
