Who is Hebrews 11:34 talking about?
Hebrews 11:34 describes God's choicest believers, not wicked people or backsliders. Though they lived in the Old Testament economy, they belonged to the same God. They quenched the violence of fire, escaped the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became valiant in fight, and turned to flight the armies of the unbelievers.
Les explains that Hebrews 11:34 is not speaking of wicked people or backsliders but of God's choicest believers. Even though they were in the Old Testament economy, that does not change the fact that it is the same God. He notes they quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, waxed valiant in fight, and turned to flight the armies of the aliens, meaning the unbelievers. Les then contrasts this with verse 35, where women received their dead raised to life, while others were tortured and did not accept deliverance, possibly because they could have escaped by renouncing their faith but refused.
Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
More Questions
Why does the Old Testament setting of Hebrews 11 not matter?
The fact that the believers in Hebrews 11 lived under the Old Testament economy does not make much difference, because it is the same God.
Who is Hebrews 11:34 talking about — wicked people or God's best believers?
Hebrews 11:34 is not describing wicked people or backsliders but God's choicest believers, so the verse's hardships apply to the most faithful saints.