11:1 {Now faith is} (estin de pistis). He has just said that "we are of faith" (10:39), not of apostasy. Now he proceeds in a chapter of great eloquence and passion to illustrate his point by a recital of the heroes of faith whose example should spur them to like loyalty now.
{The assurance of things hoped for} (elpizomen“n hupostasis).
{Hupostasis} is a very common word from Aristotle on and comes from huphistˆmi (hupo, under, histˆmi, intransitive), what stands under anything (a building, a contract, a promise). See the philosophical use of it in 1:3, the sense of assurance (une assurance certaine, M‚n‚goz) in 3:14, that steadiness of mind which holds one firm (2Co 9:4). It is common in the papyri in business documents as the basis or guarantee of transactions. "And as this is the essential meaning in Heb 11:1 we venture to suggest the translation 'Faith is the "title-deed" of things hoped for'" (Moulton and Milligan, "Vocabulary", etc.).
{The proving of things not seen} (pragmat“n elegchos ou blepomen“n). The only N.T. example of elegchos (except Textus Receptus in 2Ti 3:16 for elegmon). Old and common word from elegch“ (Mt 18:15) for "proof" and then for "conviction." Both uses occur in the papyri and either makes sense here, perhaps "conviction" suiting better though not in the older Greek.

11:2 {Therein} (en tautˆi). That is, "in faith," feminine demonstrative referring to pistis.
{The elders} (hoi presbuteroi). More nearly like "the fathers," not the technical sense of elders (officers) usual in the N.T., but more like "the tradition of the elders" (Mr 7:3,5; Mt 15:2).
{Had witness borne to them} (emarturˆthˆsan). First aorist passive of marture“ (cf. 7:8), "were testified to."

11:3 {By faith} (pistei). Instrumental case of pistis which he now illustrates in a marvellous way. Each example as far as verse 31 is formally and with rhetorical skill introduced by pistei. After that only a summary is given.
{We understand} (nooumen). Present active indicative of noe“, old verb (from nous, intellect) as in Mt 15:17; Ro 1:20. The author appeals to our knowledge of the world in which these heroes lived as an illustration of faith. Recent books by great scientists like Eddington and Jeans confirm the position here taken that a Supreme Mind is behind and before the universe. Science can only stand still in God's presence and believe like a little child. {The worlds} (tous ai“nas). "The ages" as in 1:2 (cf. Einstein's fourth dimension, time). Accusative case of general reference.
{Have been framed} (katˆrtisthai). Perfect passive infinitive of katartiz“, to mend, to equip, to perfect (Lu 6:40), in indirect discourse after nooumen.
{So that} (eis to). As a rule eis to with the infinitive is final, but sometimes as here it expresses result as in Ro 12:3 (Robertson, "Grammar", p. 1003).
{Hath been made} (gegonenai). Perfect active infinitive of ginomai.
{What is seen} (to blepomenon). Present passive articular participle (accusative case of general reference) of blep“.
{Of things which do appear} (ek phainomen“n). Ablative case with ek (out of) of the present passive participle. The author denies the eternity of matter, a common theory then and now, and places God before the visible universe as many modern scientists now gladly do.

11:4 {A more excellent sacrifice} (pleiona thusian). Literally, "more sacrifice" (comparative of polus, much). For this rather free use of plei“n with the point implied rather than stated see Mt 6:25; Lu 10:31; 12:23; Heb 3:3.
{Than Cain} (para Kain). For this use of para after comparative see 1:4,9. For the incident see Ge 4:4.
{Through which} (di' hˆs). The sacrifice (thusia).
{He had Witness borne to him} (emarturˆthˆ). First aorist passive indicative of marture“ as in verse 2, "he was witnessed to."
{That he was righteous} (einai dikaios). Infinitive in indirect discourse after emarturˆthˆ, personal construction of dikaios (predicate nominative after einai) agreeing with the subject of emarturˆthˆ (cf. Ro 1:22, einai sophoi).
{God bearing witness} (marturountos tou theou). Genitive absolute with present active participle of marture“.
{Through it} (di' autˆs). Through his faith (as shown by his sacrifice). Precisely why Abel's sacrifice was better than that of Cain apart from his faith is not shown.
{Being dead} (apothan“n). Second aorist active participle of apothnˆsk“, "having died."
{Yet speaketh} (eti lalei). Cf. Ge 4:10; Heb 12:24. Speaks still through his faith.

11:5 {Was translated} (metetethˆ). First aorist passive indicative of metatithˆmi, old verb to transpose, to change as in 7:12; Ac 7:16.
{That he should not see death} (tou mˆ idein thanaton). Here again tou with the infinitive usually expresses purpose, but in this case result is the idea as in Mt 21:23; Ro 1:24; 7:3, etc. (Robertson, "Grammar", p. 1002).
{He was not found} (ouch hˆurisketo). Imperfect passive of heurisk“ from Ge 5:24. Was still not found.
{Translated} (metethˆken). First aorist active of same verb as metetethˆ just before.
{Translation} (metathese“s). Substantive from the same verb metatithˆmi, used already in 7:12 for change. See also 12:27. Our very word "metathesis."
{He hath had witness borne him} (memarturˆtai). Perfect passive indicative of marture“, stands on record still, "he has been testified to." {That he had been well-pleasing unto God} (euarestˆkenai t“i the“i). Perfect active infinitive of euareste“, late compound from euarestos (well-pleasing), in N.T. only in Heb 11:5f.; 13:16. With dative case the“i. Quoted here from Ge 5:22,24. The word is common of a servant pleasing his master.

11:6 {Impossible} (adunaton). Strong word as in 6:4,18. See Ro 8:8 for same idea with aresai (aresk“, Ga 1:10).
{Must believe} (pisteusai dei). Moral necessity to have faith (trust, pisteu“). This is true in business also (banks, for instance). {That he is} (hoti estin). The very existence of God is a matter of intelligent faith (Ro 1:19ff.) So that men are left without excuse.
{He is a rewarder} (misthapodotˆs ginetai). Rather, "becomes a rewarder" (present middle indicative of ginomai, not of eimi). Only N.T. example of misthapodotˆs, late and rare double compound (one papyrus example, from misthos (reward) and apodid“mi (to pay back) like misthapodosia (10:35; 11:26).
{Seek after} (ekzˆtousin). That seek out God.

11:7 {Being warned of God} (chrˆmatistheis). First aorist passive participle of chrˆmatiz“, old word for oracular or divine communications as already in 8:5 (cf. Mt 2:12,22, etc.).
{Moved with godly fear} (eulabˆthˆ). First aorist passive indicative of eulabeomai, old verb from eulabˆs (from eu and labein, to take hold well or carefully), to show oneself eulabˆs, to act circumspectly or with reverence, here only in N.T. (save Textus Receptus in Ac 23:10), often in LXX. {An ark} (kib“ton). Ge 6:15; Mt 24:38. Shaped like a box (cf. Heb 9:4).
{Through which} (di' hˆs). Through his faith as shown in building the ark.
{The world} (ton kosmon). Sinful humanity as in verse 38.
{Heir} (klˆronomos). In 2Pe 2:5 Noah is called "a preacher of righteousness" as here "heir of righteousness." He himself believed his message about the flood. Like Enoch he walked with God (Ge 6:9).

11:8 {Not knowing whither he went} (mˆ epistamenos pou erchetai). Usual negative mˆ with a participle (present middle from epistamai, old and common verb to put the mind on). Present middle indicative (erchetai) preserved in the indirect question after the secondary tense exˆlthen (went out) from which epistamenos gets its time. Abraham is a sublime and graphic example of faith. He did not even know where the land was that he was going to receive "as an inheritance" (eis klˆronomian).

11:9 {Became a sojourner} (par“ikˆsen). First aorist active indicative of paroike“, old verb to dwell (oike“) beside (para), common in LXX, in N.T. only here and Lu 24:18. Called paroikon (sojourner) in Ac 7:6.
{In the land of promise} (eis gˆn tˆs epaggelias). Literally, "land of the promise." The promise made by God to him (Ge 12:7; 13:15; 17:8).
{As in a land not his own} (h“s allotrian). For allotrios (belonging to another) see 9:25; 11:34.
{The heirs with him of the same promise} (t“n sunklˆromen“n tˆs epaggelias tˆs autˆs). Late double compound (sun, klˆros, nemomai), found in Philo, inscriptions and papyri, in N.T. only here, Ro 8:17; Eph 3:6; 1Pe 3:7. "Co-heirs" with Abraham.

11:10 {He looked for} (exedecheto). Imperfect middle of ekdechomai (see on ¯10:13) picturesque progressive imperfect, his steady and patient waiting in spite of disappointment.
{The foundations} (tous themelious). Not just "tents" (skˆnais, verse 9). Ahraham set his steady gaze on heaven as his real home, being a mere pilgrim (paroikos) on earth.
{Builder} (technitˆs). Old word from technˆ (craft) or trade (Ac 17:29; 18:3), craftsman, artificer, in N.T. only here and Ac 19:24,38.
{Maker} (dˆmiourgos). Old word from dˆmios (public) and ergon, a worker for the public, artisan, framer, here only in N.T.

11:11 {To conceive seed} (eis katabolˆn spermatos). For deposit of seed. See 4:3 for katabolˆ.
{Past age} (para kairon hˆlikias). Beyond (para with the accusative) the season of age.
{Since she counted him faithful who had promised} (epei piston hˆgˆsato ton epaggeilamenon). Sarah herself (autˆ--Sarra). Even Sarah, old as she was, believed God who had promised. Hence she received power.

11:12 {And that as good as dead} (kai tauta nenekr“menou). Accusative of general reference (tauta), sometimes singular as in 1Co 6:8. The perfect passive participle from nekro“, late verb to make dead, to treat as dead (Ro 4:19), here by hyperbole.
{By the sea shore} (para to cheilos tˆs thalassˆs). "Along the lip of the sea" (from Ge 22:17), cheilos here alone in this sense in the N.T.
{Innumerable} (anarithmˆtos). Old compound verbal adjective (alpha privative and arithme“, to number), here alone in N.T.

11:13 {In faith} (kata pistin). Here a break in the routine pistei (by faith), "according to faith," either for literary variety "or to suggest pistis as the sphere and standard of their characters" (Moffatt).
{These all} (houtoi pantes). Those in verses 9-12 (Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob).
{Not having the promises} (mˆ komisamenoi tas epaggelias). First aorist middle participle of komiz“, to obtain, as in 10:36; 11:39. And yet the author mentions Abraham (6:15) as having obtained the promise. He received the promise of the Messiah, but did not live to see the Messiah come as we have done. It is in this sense that we have "better promises."
{Greeted them} (aspasamenoi). First aorist middle participle of aspazomai, to salute (Mt 5:47). Abraham rejoiced to see Christ's day in the dim distance (Joh 8:56).
{Strangers} (zenoi). Foreigners. "To reside abroad carried with it a certain stigma" (Moffatt). But they "confessed" it (Ge 23:4; 47:9).
{Pilgrims} (parepidˆmoi). Late double compound (para, epi, dˆmos), a sojourner from another land, in N.T. only here and 1Pe 1:1; 2:11.

11:14 {A country of their own} (patrida). Land of the fathers (patˆr), one's native land (Joh 4:44). Cf. our patriotic, patriotism.

11:15 {Had been mindful} (emnˆmoneuon)-- {would have had} (eichon an). Condition of second class (note an in conclusion) with the imperfect (not aorist) in both condition and conclusion. So it means: "If they had continued mindful, they would have kept on having (linear action in both cases in past time).
{Opportunity to return} (kairon anakampsai). Old verb anakampt“ to bend back, to turn back (Mt 2:12), here first aorist active infinitive. Continual hankering would have found a way. Cf. the Israelites in the wilderness yearning after Egypt.

11:16 {They desire} (oregontai). Present middle indicative of oreg“, old word for stretching out after, yearning after as in 1Ti 3:1.
{Their God} (theos aut“n). Predicate nominative with the epexegetic infinitive epikaleisthai (to be called) used with ouk epaischunetai (is not ashamed).

11:17 {Being tried} (peirazomenos). Present passive participle of peiraz“. The test was still going on.
{Offered up} (prosenˆnochen). Perfect active indicative of prospher“, the verb so often used in this Epistle. The act was already consummated so far as Abraham was concerned when it was interrupted and it stands on record about him. See Ge 22:1-18. {He that had gladly received the promises} (ho tas epaggelias anadexamenos). Anadechomai is old verb to welcome, to entertain, in N.T. only here and Ac 28:7. It seemed the death of his hopes.
{Was offering up} (prosepheren). It is the imperfect of an interrupted action like ekaloun in Lu 1:59.

11:18 {To whom it was said} (pros elalˆthˆ). First aorist passive indicative of lale“ (Ge 21:12). God's very words were in the heart of Abraham now about Isaac "his only son" (ton monogenˆ. Cf. Lu 7:12).

11:19 {Accounting} (logisamenos). First aorist middle participle of logizomai. Abraham had God's clear command that contravened God's previous promise. This was his solution of his difficult situation.
{God is able} (dunatai ho theos). God had given him Isaac in his old age. God can raise him from the dead. It was Abraham's duty to obey God.
{In a parable} (en parabolˆi). See already 9:9 for parabolˆ. Because of (hothen, whence) Abraham's superb faith Isaac was spared and so he received him back (ekomisato) as almost from the dead. This is the test that Abraham stood of which James speaks (Jas 2:23).

11:20 {Even concerning things to come} (kai peri mellont“n). As told in Ge 27:28-40 when Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau.

11:21 {Leaning upon the top of his staff} (epi to akron tˆs rabdou autou). From Ge 47:31, but no word for "leaning." The quotation is from the LXX, the Hebrew having "the head of the bed," but the Hebrew word allows either meaning with different vowel points.

11:22 {When his end was nigh} (teleut“n). Present active participle of teleuta“, to finish or close (Mt 2:19), "finishing his life."
{Of the departure} (peri tˆs exodou). Late compound for way out, exit as here, metaphorically of death as here (Lu 9:31; 2Pe 1:15).
{Concerning his bones} (peri t“n oste“n autou). Uncontracted form as in Mt 23:27.

11:23 {Was hid} (ekrubˆ). Second aorist passive indicative of krupt“, to hide, as in Mt 5:14.
{Three months} (trimˆnon). Old adjective used as neuter substantive in accusative case for extent of time, here only in N.T.
{A goodly child} (asteion to paidion). Literally, "the child was goodly" (predicate adjective). Old adjective from astu (city), "of the city" ("citified"), of polished manners, genteel. In N.T. only here and Ac 7:20, about Moses both times. Quoted from Ex 2:2f.
{The king's commandment} (to diatagma tou basile“s). Late compound for injunction from diatass“, only here in the N.T.

11:24 {When he was grown up} (megas genomenos). "Having become great" (from Ex 2:11).
{Refused} (ˆrnesato). First aorist middle indicative of arneomai, to deny, to refuse. He was of age and made his choice not from ignorance.
{Son} (huios). Predicate nominative with legesthai (to be spoken of, present passive infinitive, of leg“).

11:25 {Choosing rather} (mallon helomenos). "Rather having chosen" (second aorist middle of haire“, to take for oneself a position).
{To be entreated with} (sunkakoucheisthai). Present passive infinitive of the double compound sunkakouche“ (from sun, kakos, ech“), to treat ill with (associative instrumental case), only known example save one in the papyri (second century A.D.), though kakouche“ in Heb 11:37; 13:3.
{To enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season} (proskairon echein hamartias apolausin). Literally, "to have temporary pleasure of sin." Apolausis is old word from apolau“, to enjoy, in N.T. only here and 1Ti 6:17. Proskairos (from pros, kairos) is a common "Koin‚" word as the antithesis to ai“nios (eternal) as in Mt 13:21; Mr 4:17; 2Co 4:18 (only N.T. examples). To have been disloyal to God's people would have brought enjoyment to Moses in the Egyptian Court for a short while only.

11:26 {The reproach of Christ} (ton oneidismon tou Christou). See Ps 89:51 for the language where "the Messiah" ("The Anointed One") is what is meant by tou Christou, here rightly applied by the writer to Jesus as the Messiah who had his own shame to bear (12:2; 13:12). There is today as then (Heb 13:13) a special reproach (oneidismos, already, 10:33) in being a follower of Jesus Christ. Moses took this obloquy as "greater riches" (meizona plouton) than "the treasures of Egypt" (t“n Aiguptou thˆsaur“n, ablative case after comparative meizona, for which see Mt 6:19f.). Moses was laying up treasure in heaven.
{For he looked unto the recompense of reward} (apeblepen gar eis tˆn misthapodosian). In perfect active of apoblep“, "for he was looking away (kept on looking away)." For misthapodosia see 10:35.

11:27 {Not fearing} (mˆ phobˆtheis). Negative mˆ with first aorist passive participle of phobe“ here used transitively with the accusative as in Mt 10:26. Moses did flee from Egypt after slaying the Egyptian (Ex 2:15), but the author omits that slaughter and ignores it as the dominant motive in the flight of Moses. Thumon (wrath) is common in the N.T. (Lu 4:28), though here only in Hebrews.
{He endured} (ekarterˆsen). First aorist (constative) active indicative of kartere“, old word from karteros, strong, here only in N.T. Moses had made his choice before slaying the Egyptian. He stuck to its resolutely.
{As seeing him who is invisible} (ton aoraton h“s hor“n). This is the secret of his choice and of his loyalty to God and to God's people. This is the secret of loyalty in any minister today who is the interpreter of God to man (2Co 4:16-18).

11:28 {He kept} (pepoiˆken). Perfect active indicative of poie“, to make, "he has made," emphasizing the permanent nature of the feast.
{The sprinkling of the blood} (tˆn proschusin tou haimatos). Rather, "the pouring of the blood" (proschusis from prosche“, to pour upon), only here in the N.T. (earliest known example). An allusion to the command in Ex 12:7,22 but in the LXX prosche“ is the usual term for the act (Ex 24:6; 29:16; Le 1:5,11; De 16:6).
{That the destroyer of the first-born should not touch them} (hina mˆ ho olothreu“n ta pr“totoka thigˆi aut“n). Negative final clause with hina mˆ and the second aorist active subjunctive of thiggan“, old verb to touch with genitive, in the N.T. only here, 12:20; Col 2:21. The articular participle ho olothreu“n is from Ex 11:23. For pr“totoka see Lu 2:7; Ex 12:29.

11:29 {Which assaying to do} (hˆs pieran labontes). Literally, "of which taking trial" (second aorist active participle of lamban“, to take). The idiom peiran lambanein occurs in De 28:56, in N.T. only here and verse 36, though a classical idiom (Demosthenes, etc.).
{Were swallowed up} (katepothˆsan). First aorist passive indicative of katapin“, to drink down, to swallow down (Mt 23:24).

11:30 {Fell down} (epesan). "Fell," second aorist active indicative of pipt“ with first aorist endings as often in the "Koin‚".
{After they had been compassed} (kukl“thenta). First aorist passive participle of kuklo“, old verb to encircle (from kuklos, circle) as in Ac 14:20. Antecedent action here.

11:31 {Having received the spies with peace} (dexamenˆ tous kataskopous met' eirˆnˆs). First aorist middle participle of dechomai, to welcome (Lu 10:8,10). Kataskopos is an old compound (kataskope“, Ga 2:4), used of scout or spy, in LXX, here only in N.T.

11:32 {And what shall I more say?} (Kai ti eti leg“;). Deliberative present active subjunctive (same form as indicative, leg“). It is both a literary and an oratorical idiom here. He feels helpless to go on in the same style as he has done from Abel to Rahab (11:4-31).
{Will fail me if I tell about} (epileipsei me diˆgoumenon peri). Literally, "will leave me telling about." Present middle participle of diˆgeomai, to lead through, carry a discussion through, and masculine (disposing of Priscilla as possible author) with me. Vivid and picturesque description of the author's embarrassment of riches as he contemplates the long list of the heroes of faith during the long years in Palestine. He mentions six names (Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephtha, David, Samuel) and then summarizes the rest under "the prophets" (t“n prophˆt“n, the for-speakers for God) of whom Samuel was the leader.

11:33 {Through faith} (dia piste“s). Change thus from the routine pistei used so far.
{Subdued kingdoms} (katˆg“nisanto basileias). First aorist middle indicative of katag“nizomai, "Koin‚" verb to struggle against, to overcome, here alone in the N.T. Used by Josephus of David's conquests. The author has here (verses 33,34), "nine terse clauses" (Moffatt) with no connective (asyndeton) with great rhetorical and oratorical force (sledge-hammer style). For "wrought righteousness" (ˆrgasanto dikaiosunˆn, first aorist middle indicative of ergazomai) see Ac 10:35.
{Obtained promises} (epetuchon epaggeli“n). Second aorist active indicative of epitugchan“, old verb (already in 6:15) with genitive. But they did not see the fulfilment of the Messianic promise (11:39f.).
{Stopped the mouths of lions} (ephraxan stomata leont“n). First aorist active indicative of phrass“, old verb to fence in, to block up. See Da 6:18-23.

11:34 {Quenched the power of fire} (esbesan dunamin puros). First aorist active indicative of sbennumi (Mt 12:20). See Da 3:19-28.
{Escaped the edge of the sword} (ephugon stomata machairˆs). Second aorist active indicative of pheug“, old verb to flee. "Mouths (stomata) of the sword" (Lu 21:24). See 1Sa 18:11; 1Ki 19:2.
{Were made strong} (edunam“thˆsan). First aorist passive indicative of dunamo“, late verb from dunamis as in Col 1:11.
{Waxed mighty in war} (egenˆthˆsan ischuroi en polem“i). "Became strong in battle" (Ps 18:34ff.). {Armies of aliens} (parembolas allotri“n). Late compound (para, en, ball“) for encampment (Polybius, Plutarch), barracks (Ac 21:34,37), armies in battle line (Re 20:9 and here as in LXX and Polybius). Apparently a reference to the campaigns of Judas Maccabeus.

11:35 {By a resurrection} (ex anastase“s). Cf. 1Ki 17:17ff.; 2Ki 4:8-37.
{Were tortured} (etumpanisthˆsan). First aorist passive indicative of tumpaniz“, late verb from tumpanon (kettledrum, drumstick), to beat the drum, to beat to death (cf. II Macc. 7 about Eleazar and the Mother and the seven sons), once in LXX (1Sa 21:13).
{Not accepting their deliverance} (ou prosdexamenoi tˆn apolutr“sin). Offered at the price of disloyalty as in II Macc. 6:21-27.
{That they might obtain a better resurrection} (hina kreittonos anastase“s tuch“sin). Purpose clause with hina and the second aorist active subjunctive of tugchan“ to obtain with the genitive case. A "better resurrection" than the temporary ones alluded to in this verse by the women.

11:36 {Of mockings and scourgings} (empaigm“n kai mastig“n). Empaigmos is from empaiz“ (Mt 20:19), late word, in LXX, here alone in N.T. Mastig“n (mastix, a whip, a scourge) is old and common enough (Ac 22:24).

11:37 {They were stoned} (elithasthˆsan). Like Zechariah son of Jehoiada (2Ch 24:20). "A characteristic Jewish punishment" (Vincent). First aorist passive indicative of lithaz“ (Joh 10:31).
{They were sawn asunder} (epristhˆsan). First aorist passive indicative of pri“ or priz“, old verb (prion, a saw). Cruel Jewish punishment (Am 1:3) said to have been inflicted on Isaiah.
{They were tempted} (epeirasthˆsan). First aorist passive indicative of peiraz“. The MSS. vary greatly in the text here and the order of these two items. This mild word seems an anticlimax after epristhˆsan. One of the seven brothers was fried (II Macc. 7:4) and so eprˆsthesan (were burned) from pimpra“ (Ac 28:6) has been suggested.
{With the sword} (en phon“i machairˆs). "In (by) slaughter of the sword" (Ionic form of the genitive machaires as in Ex 17:13; Nu 21:24). The fate of unpopular prophets (1Ki 10:10; Jer 26:23). {They went about} (periˆlthon). Constative aorist active indicative of perierchomai (picturesque compound verb). Here the sufferings of the living.
{In sheep skins} (en mˆl“tais). Late word from mˆlon (sheep), rough garment of prophets as Elijah (1Ki 19:13,19), here only in N.T. In Byzantine Greek a monk's garb.
{In goatskins} (en aigeiois dermasin). Derma, old word from der“, to flay (Mt 21:35), here only in N.T. Aigeios, old adjective (from aix, goat), here only in N.T. {Being destitute} (husteroumenoi). Present passive participle of hustere“, old verb to be left behind, used by Paul of himself (2Co 11:9).
{Afflicted} (thlibomenoi). Present passive participle of thlib“, common verb to oppress.
{Evil entreated} (kakouchoumenoi). Present passive participle of kakouche“, late compound verb from obsolete kakouchos (kakos and ech“), in LXX (1Ki 2:26), in N.T. only here and 13:3. See sunkakoucheisthai in 11:25.

11:38 {Of whom the world was not worthy} (h“n ouk ˆn axios ho kosmos) Graphic picture in a short parenthetical relative clause (h“n, genitive plural with axios), a phrase to stir the blood of the readers.
{Wandering} (plan“menoi). Present middle participle of plana“, like lost sheep, hunted by wolves. {Caves} (spˆlaiois). Old word from speos (cavern) as in Mt 21:13.
{Holes} (opais). Old word, perhaps from ops (root of hora“, to see), opening, in N.T. only here and Jas 3:11. Cf. 1Ki 18:4; II Macc. 5:27; 10:6 (about Judas Maccabeus and others).

11:39 {These all} (houtoi pantes). The whole list in verses 5-38. Cf. verse 13.
{Through their faith} (dia piste“s). Here rather than pistei as so often.
{Received not the promise} (ouk ekomisanto tˆn epaggelian). First aorist middle of komiz“. The Messianic promise they did not live to see (11:13), though they had individual special promises fulfilled as already shown (11:33).

11:40 {God having provided} (tou theou problepsamenou). Genitive absolute with first aorist middle participle of problep“, late compound to foresee, here only in the N.T.
{Some better thing} (kreitton ti). "Something better," "the better promises" of 8:6.
{That apart from us they should not be made perfect} (hina mˆ ch“ris hˆm“n telei“th“sin). Negative purpose clause with hina mˆ and the first aorist passive subjunctive of teleio“. But this glorious and gracious purpose (foresight) of God is not due to any special merit in us. It is simply the fulness of the time in God's dispensation of grace of which we are the beneficiaries. But all the same and all the more ("noblesse oblige"), we should prove worthy of our heritage and of God's goodness to us and be loyal to Christ.