What is the Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11)?

from the old testament

• The figures from the Hall of Faith are found in the Old Testament. References to pertinent portions of their accounts from the Old Testament are included in the list in the New Testament section below.

from the new testament

• In Hebrews 11, the author proves his point by listing notable figures throughout the Old Testament who acted out their faith. Each figure is introduced with the phrase "by faith," followed by the person's name and their faith-filled obedient actions.
• The list in Hebrews 11 with cross references to the Old Testament is as follows: BY FAITH …
• "Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain" (Hebrews 11:4; cf. Genesis 4:4–7);
• "Enoch [having pleased God] was taken up so that he should not see death" (Hebrews 11:5; cf. Genesis 5:21–24);
• Noah "in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household" (Hebrews 11:7; cf. Genesis 6:13–22);
• Abraham "went out, not knowing where he was going… to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents" (Hebrews 11:8–9; cf. Genesis 12:1–4) and
• Abraham "offered up Isaac… [because] he considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead" (Hebrews 11:17–19; cf. Genesis 22:1–14);
• Sarah "received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised" (Hebrews 11:11; cf. Genesis 21:1–3);
• "Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau" (Hebrews 11:20; cf. Genesis 27:26–40);
• Jacob "blessed each of the sons of Joseph" (Hebrews 11:21; cf. Genesis 48:4–22);
• Joseph "made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones" (Hebrews 11:22; cf. Genesis 50:24–25);
• Moses "was hidden for three months by his parents" (Hebrews 11:23; cf. Exodus 2:2), "refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God" (Hebrews 11:24–25; cf. Exodus 2:11–12), "left Egypt… [and] kept the Passover" (Hebrews 11:27–28; cf. Exodus 12:21–28, 50–51);
• The Israelites "crossed the Red Sea as on dry land" (Hebrews 11:29; cf. Exodus 14:22);
• "the walls of Jericho fell down" (Hebrews 11:30; cf. Joshua 6:20);
• Rahab gave "friendly welcome to the spies" (Hebrews 11:31, cf. Joshua 2:1–24).
• Hebrews 11:32 makes reference to Gideon (Judges 6—8), Barak (Judges 4—5), Samson (Judges 13—16), Jephthah (Judges 11—12), King David (1 Samuel—1 Kings), the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel), and “the prophets.”

implications for today

The examples provided in Hebrews 11, and from our own experiences, give us encouragement for our own faith. But these examples also demonstrate that exercising faith and obedience does not guarantee a smooth or happy life here on earth, and in fact it sometimes produces quite the opposite (2 Timothy 3:12). At the same time, all who have been "born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead … by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Peter 1:3, 5). God "has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we can confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?'" (Hebrews 13:5–6). We need "not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6–7; cf. 1 Peter 5:7).

Everyone today is invited to place their faith in God, trust in Jesus' saving work, and live in obedience to God's will, trusting that He is faithful to His promises and that He will never leave us or forsake us (Romans 8; Ephesians 2:1–10). We have ample testimony of God's faithfulness to His people and numerous examples of those who have gone before us to be able to live faithfully for Him. While the listed figures of the Old Testament are examples of faith to be followed, Jesus is our ultimate example and source of faithful obedience. Paul explained to the church in Philippi that Jesus "humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" (Philippians 2:8). This should be of tremendous encouragement to all who follow Christ. As we follow Christ’s example of humility and obedience, we can trust that God’s unchanging faithfulness will guide us through every challenge. The journey may be difficult, but we are never alone—His promises are sure, and His presence is with us every step of the way.