They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
Stoned - as Zechariah, son of Jehoiada (2 Chronicles 24:20-22; Matthew 23:35).
Sawn asunder - as Isaiah was said to have been by Manasseh; but see 'Introduction to Isaiah.'
Tempted - by their foes, in the midst of tortures, to renounce their faith: the most bitter aggravation. Or, by those of their own household, as Job was (Estius); or by the fiery darts of Satan, as Jesus in his last trials (Glassius). Probably it included all three; in every possible way, by friends, foes, human and Satanic agents, by caresses and afflictions, words and deeds, to forsake God, but in vain, through the power of faith.
Sword, х en (G1722) fonoo (G5408) machairees (G3162) apethanon (G599)] - 'they died in the murder of the sword.' In Hebrews 11:34, the contrary: "they escaped the edge of the sword." Both are marvelous effects of faith. It accomplishes great things, and suffers great things, without counting it suffering (Chrysostom). Urijah was so slain by Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 26:23); and the prophets in Israel.
In sheep-skins - as Elijah (1 Kings 19:10; 1 Kings 19:13, Septuagint): white, as the "goat-skins" were black (cf. Zechariah 13:4).
Tormented, х kakouchoumenoi (G2558)] - 'in evil state.'