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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/hebrews/11.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/hebrews/11.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/hebrews/11.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/hebrews/11.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/hebrews/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/hebrews/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And indeed if they had been remembering that from where they came out, they would have had opportunity to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/hebrews/11.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And truly, if they had been mindful of that <i>country</i> from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/hebrews/11.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And truly if they had called to mind that <i>country</i> from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/hebrews/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And indeed if they had been thinking of that <i>country</i> which they left, they would have had opportunity to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/hebrews/11.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/hebrews/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And indeed if they had been thinking of that <i>country</i> from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/hebrews/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And indeed if they had been remembering that <i>country</i> from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/hebrews/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And if they had been thinking of that <i>country</i> from which they departed [as their true home], they would have had [a continuing] opportunity to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/hebrews/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If they were thinking about where they came from, they would have had an opportunity to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/hebrews/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If they were thinking about where they came from, they would have had an opportunity to return. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/hebrews/11.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And if indeed they had been mindful of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/hebrews/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If they had been talking about the land where they had once lived, they could have gone back at any time. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/hebrews/11.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And if indeed they had been mindful of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/hebrews/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />If they had been thinking about the country that they had left, they could have found a way to go back.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/hebrews/11.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They did not keep thinking about the country they had left; if they had, they would have had the chance to return. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/hebrews/11.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />If they had been thinking about what they had left behind, they would have had an opportunity to go back. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/hebrews/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/hebrews/11.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />In fact, if they had been thinking of the land that they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/hebrews/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />If indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had enough time to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/hebrews/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came, they might have had opportunity to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/hebrews/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />And if they had cherished the remembrance of the country they had left, they would have found an opportunity to return;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/hebrews/11.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />If indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had enough time to return. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/hebrews/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and if, indeed, they had been mindful of that from which they came forth, they might have had an opportunity to return,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/hebrews/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And indeed if they had been remembering that from where they came out, they would have had opportunity to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/hebrews/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and if, indeed, they had been mindful of that from which they came forth, they might have had an opportunity to return,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/hebrews/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And truly if they remembered that from which they came out, they had time to have returned.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/hebrews/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And truly if they had been mindful of that from whence they came out, they had doubtless time to return. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/hebrews/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And if, indeed, they had been mindful of the very place from which they departed, they certainly would have returned in time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/hebrews/11.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />If they had been thinking of the land from which they had come, they would have had opportunity to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/hebrews/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/hebrews/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And if they had a desire for that very country from which they went out, they had time to return to it again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/hebrews/11.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And if they had been seeking that city which they had left, they had time to return again to it.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/hebrews/11.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />And if indeed they had been mindful of that from which they came, they could have had an opportunity to return.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/hebrews/11.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />If indeed they remember that country from which they came out, they would have had an opportunity to return;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/hebrews/11.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />And if indeed they had fixed their minds on that from whence they had gone forth, they might have had opportunity to go back to it again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/hebrews/11.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />and truly, if that had been in their view, they might have had an opportunity of returning to the place from whence they came.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/hebrews/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />And if they had cherished the remembrance of the country they had left, they would have found an opportunity to return;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/hebrews/11.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />And, if, indeed, they had been mindful of that <i>country</i> from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/hebrews/11.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />and if they had been mindful of that from which they came, they might have had opportunity to have returned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/hebrews/11-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x-IAXXp5zcA?start=2228" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/hebrews/11.htm">The Faith of Abraham and Sarah</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">14</span>Now those who say such things show that they are seeking a country of their own. <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">If</a> <a href="/greek/3303.htm" title="3303: men (Conj) -- A primary particle; properly, indicative of affirmation or concession; usually followed by a contrasted clause with de."></a> <a href="/greek/3421.htm" title="3421: emnēmoneuon (V-IIA-3P) -- From a derivative of mneme; to exercise memory, i.e. Recollect; by implication, to punish; also to rehearse.">they had been thinking of</a> <a href="/greek/1565.htm" title="1565: ekeinēs (DPro-GFS) -- That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed."></a> <a href="/greek/575.htm" title="575: aph’ (Prep) -- From, away from. A primary particle; off, i.e. Away, in various senses."></a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hēs (RelPro-GFS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">the country</a> <a href="/greek/1545.htm" title="1545: exebēsan (V-AIA-3P) -- (a) a way out, escape, (b) result, issue. From a compound of ek and the base of basis; an exit.">they had left,</a> <a href="/greek/302.htm" title="302: an (Prtcl) -- A primary particle, denoting a supposition, wish, possibility or uncertainty."></a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: eichon (V-IIA-3P) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">they would have had</a> <a href="/greek/2540.htm" title="2540: kairon (N-AMS) -- Fitting season, season, opportunity, occasion, time. Of uncertain affinity; an occasion, i.e. Set or proper time.">opportunity</a> <a href="/greek/344.htm" title="344: anakampsai (V-ANA) -- To bend or turn back; I return. From ana and kampto; to turn back.">to return.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">16</span>Instead, they were longing for a better country, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/12-1.htm">Genesis 12:1</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/15-7.htm">Genesis 15:7</a></span><br />The LORD also told him, “I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/24-4.htm">Genesis 24:4-7</a></span><br />but will go to my country and my kindred to take a wife for my son Isaac.” / The servant asked him, “What if the woman is unwilling to follow me to this land? Shall I then take your son back to the land from which you came?” / Abraham replied, “Make sure that you do not take my son back there. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/31-13.htm">Genesis 31:13</a></span><br />I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and made a solemn vow to Me. Now get up, leave this land at once, and return to your native land.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/11-31.htm">Genesis 11:31</a></span><br />And Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai the wife of Abram, and they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans for the land of Canaan. But when they arrived in Haran, they settled there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/13-9.htm">Genesis 13:9</a></span><br />Is not the whole land before you? Now separate yourself from me. If you go to the left, I will go to the right; if you go to the right, I will go to the left.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/24-6.htm">Genesis 24:6</a></span><br />Abraham replied, “Make sure that you do not take my son back there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/28-15.htm">Genesis 28:15</a></span><br />Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/50-24.htm">Genesis 50:24</a></span><br />Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will surely visit you and bring you up from this land to the land He promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/3-8.htm">Exodus 3:8</a></span><br />I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-2.htm">Acts 7:2-4</a></span><br />And Stephen declared: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, / and told him, ‘Leave your country and your kindred and go to the land I will show you.’ / So Abraham left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After his father died, God brought him out of that place and into this land where you are now living.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-39.htm">Acts 7:39</a></span><br />But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-45.htm">Acts 7:45</a></span><br />And our fathers who received it brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations God drove out before them. It remained until the time of David,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/3-13.htm">Philippians 3:13-14</a></span><br />Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, / I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/9-62.htm">Luke 9:62</a></span><br />Then Jesus declared, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from where they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.</p><p class="hdg">mindful.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/11-31.htm">Genesis 11:31</a></b></br> And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/12-10.htm">Genesis 12:10</a></b></br> And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine <i>was</i> grievous in the land.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/24-6.htm">Genesis 24:6-8</a></b></br> And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/31-15.htm">Chances</a> <a href="/ephesians/1-10.htm">Cherished</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-14.htm">Country</a> <a href="/philemon/1-8.htm">Enough</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-8.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-5.htm">Found</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-11.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/hebrews/3-5.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-32.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/hebrews/2-6.htm">Mindful</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-14.htm">Opportunity</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-32.htm">Remembrance</a> <a href="/philippians/2-2.htm">Thinking</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-11.htm">Time</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-1.htm">Turning</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-18.htm">Whence</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/23-10.htm">Chances</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-4.htm">Cherished</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-16.htm">Country</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-38.htm">Enough</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-22.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-17.htm">Found</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-10.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-23.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-22.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-3.htm">Mindful</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-17.htm">Opportunity</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-12.htm">Remembrance</a> <a href="/2_peter/3-1.htm">Thinking</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-25.htm">Time</a> <a href="/james/1-17.htm">Turning</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-19.htm">Whence</a><div class="vheading2">Hebrews 11</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/hebrews/11-1.htm">What faith is.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/hebrews/11-6.htm">Without faith we cannot please God.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/hebrews/11-7.htm">The examples of faithfulness in the fathers of old time.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hebrews/11.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hebrews/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/hebrews/11.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>If they had been thinking of the country they had left,</b><br>This phrase refers to the patriarchs, such as Abraham, who left their homeland in obedience to God's call. The "country they had left" is likely a reference to Ur of the Chaldeans or Haran, places associated with Abraham's early life. In <a href="/genesis/12.htm">Genesis 12:1</a>, God commands Abraham to leave his country and go to a land He would show him. This act of leaving symbolizes a break from the past and a commitment to God's promises. The patriarchs' journey is a physical manifestation of their faith, as they sought a better country, a heavenly one (<a href="/hebrews/11-16.htm">Hebrews 11:16</a>). This reflects the Christian call to leave behind worldly attachments and focus on the eternal promises of God.<p><b>they would have had opportunity to return.</b><br>The opportunity to return suggests that the patriarchs had the option to go back to their former lives and lands if they had desired. This highlights their steadfast faith and commitment to God's promises, despite the challenges and uncertainties they faced. The idea of returning is reminiscent of the Israelites' temptation to return to Egypt during their wilderness journey (<a href="/exodus/16-3.htm">Exodus 16:3</a>), which serves as a warning against longing for past comforts over future promises. The patriarchs' decision not to return underscores their forward-looking faith, anticipating the fulfillment of God's promises. This mirrors the Christian journey of faith, where believers are called to persevere and not turn back to their former ways (<a href="/philippians/3-13.htm">Philippians 3:13-14</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_patriarchs.htm">The Patriarchs</a></b><br>This verse refers to the patriarchs, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who left their homeland in obedience to God's call, seeking a better country—a heavenly one.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_promised_land.htm">The Promised Land</a></b><br>The physical land promised to Abraham and his descendants, symbolizing the greater promise of a heavenly homeland.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/f/faith_journey.htm">Faith Journey</a></b><br>The journey of faith undertaken by the patriarchs, leaving behind their past and pressing forward to what God had promised.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_forward_faith.htm">The Call to Forward Faith</a></b><br>Just as the patriarchs did not look back to their old country, Christians are called to focus on their heavenly citizenship and not be entangled by past worldly ties.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_nostalgia.htm">The Danger of Nostalgia</a></b><br>Longing for the past can hinder spiritual growth. Believers must guard against the temptation to return to old ways that are contrary to God's promises.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_assurance_of_a_better_promise.htm">The Assurance of a Better Promise</a></b><br>The patriarchs' faith was anchored in the promise of a better country. Christians today have the assurance of eternal life and a heavenly home, which should motivate perseverance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_as_pilgrims.htm">Living as Pilgrims</a></b><br>Like the patriarchs, believers are pilgrims on earth, called to live with a mindset focused on eternity, influencing how they prioritize their lives and decisions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a></b><br>True faith involves action—leaving behind the familiar and comfortable to pursue God's promises, trusting in His faithfulness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_hebrews_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Hebrews 11</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_precept_ministries.htm">What is Precept Ministries International?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_a_novena.htm">What defines a novena?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/2_sam_15_7__'40_years'_or_'4_years'.htm">In 2 Samuel 15:7, why do some sources say 'forty years' while others say 'four years,' and which is correct?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_hosea_9_15_show_god's_love.htm">In Hosea 9:15, how do we reconcile an 'all-loving' God with the statement that God hates His people in Gilgal?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/hebrews/11.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) <span class= "bld">They might have had.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">they would have had opportunity to return.</span> All their life long they would have been able to claim again their earlier fatherland, by returning whence they came.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/hebrews/11-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">If</span><br /><span class="grk">εἰ</span> <span class="translit">(ei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> </span><span class="str2">If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they had been thinking of</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐμνημόνευον</span> <span class="translit">(emnēmoneuon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3421.htm">Strong's 3421: </a> </span><span class="str2">From a derivative of mneme; to exercise memory, i.e. Recollect; by implication, to punish; also to rehearse.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[the country]</span><br /><span class="grk">ἧς</span> <span class="translit">(hēs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Relative Pronoun - Genitive Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">they had left,</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐξέβησαν</span> <span class="translit">(exebēsan)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1545.htm">Strong's 1545: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) a way out, escape, (b) result, issue. From a compound of ek and the base of basis; an exit.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they would have had</span><br /><span class="grk">εἶχον</span> <span class="translit">(eichon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> </span><span class="str2">To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">opportunity</span><br /><span class="grk">καιρὸν</span> <span class="translit">(kairon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2540.htm">Strong's 2540: </a> </span><span class="str2">Fitting season, season, opportunity, occasion, time. Of uncertain affinity; an occasion, i.e. Set or proper time.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to return.</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀνακάμψαι</span> <span class="translit">(anakampsai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_344.htm">Strong's 344: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bend or turn back; I return. From ana and kampto; to turn back.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/hebrews/11-15.htm">Hebrews 11:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/hebrews/11-15.htm">Hebrews 11:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/hebrews/11-15.htm">Hebrews 11:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/hebrews/11-15.htm">Hebrews 11:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/hebrews/11-15.htm">Hebrews 11:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/hebrews/11-15.htm">Hebrews 11:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/hebrews/11-15.htm">Hebrews 11:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/hebrews/11-15.htm">Hebrews 11:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/hebrews/11-15.htm">Hebrews 11:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/hebrews/11-15.htm">Hebrews 11:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/hebrews/11-15.htm">NT Letters: Hebrews 11:15 If indeed they had been thinking (Heb. He. Hb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/hebrews/11-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Hebrews 11:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Hebrews 11:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/hebrews/11-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Hebrews 11:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Hebrews 11:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>