It is sometimes argued that Hebrews 11 justifies Barak, Samson, and Jephthah as men of faith despite their apparent negative depictions in Judges. In Judges Barak, Samson, and Jephthah were not men of faith. Reconciling the narrative accounts of Barak, Samson, and Jephthah with Hebrews 11 remains a difficulty for biblical scholars.
This paper will build on the work of scholars like Michael Cosby “The Rhetorical Composition of Hebrews 11,” Alan Bulley “Death and Rhetoric in the Hebrews ‘Hymn to Faith,’ and more recently Bryan Dyer “All of these Died in Faith,” examining the rhetorical style and function of Hebrews 11.
I will explore references to Barak, Samson, and Jephthah in Scripture and in the non-canonical tradition. I will also examine the function and rhetorical use of exempla in ancient literature. Finally, this presentation will explore how the use of exempla in Hebrews 11 applies to the listing of Barak, Samson, and Jephthah in Hebrews 11.
The unique contribution of this study will be the observations of the rhetoric of Hebrews 11 applied to the specific listing of Barak, Samson, and Jephthah. It will be argued that a careful consideration of the rhetorical style and function of Hebrews 11 demonstrates that Barak, Samson, and Jephthah are not listed in Hebrews 11 because of their outstanding individual faith.