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id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/hebrews/11-13.htm" title="Hebrews 11:13">◄</a> Hebrews 11:14 <a href="/hebrews/11-15.htm" title="Hebrews 11:15">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comment </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div 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 />People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/hebrews/11.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/hebrews/11.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/hebrews/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now those who say such things show that they are seeking a country of their own.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/hebrews/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For those saying such things make manifest that they are seeking <i>their</i> own country.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/hebrews/11.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/hebrews/11.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/hebrews/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/hebrews/11.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/hebrews/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/hebrews/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/hebrews/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now those who say such things make it clear that they are looking for a country of their own.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/hebrews/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/hebrews/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/hebrews/11.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For they that say such things make it manifest that they are seeking after a country of their own.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/hebrews/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />When people talk this way, it is clear they are looking for a place to call their own. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/hebrews/11.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For they that say such things make it manifest that they are seeking after a country of their own.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/hebrews/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Those who say such things make it clear that they are looking for their own country.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/hebrews/11.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Those who say such things make it clear that they are looking for a country of their own. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/hebrews/11.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />For people who say such things make it clear that they are looking for a country of their own. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/hebrews/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now those who say such things show that they are seeking a country of their own.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/hebrews/11.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For those who speak in such a way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/hebrews/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/hebrews/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/hebrews/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />for men who acknowledge this make it manifest that they are seeking elsewhere a country of their own.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/hebrews/11.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/hebrews/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />for those saying such things make apparent that they seek a country;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/hebrews/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For those saying such things make manifest that they are seeking <i>their</i> own country.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/hebrews/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> for those saying such things make manifest that they seek a country;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/hebrews/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For they saying such things show clearly that they seek a country.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/hebrews/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For they that say these things, do signify that they seek a country. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/hebrews/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For those who speak in this way are themselves indicating that they seek a homeland.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/hebrews/11.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />for those who speak thus show that they are seeking a homeland.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/hebrews/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/hebrews/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For they who speak so, declare plainly that they seek a country for themselves.<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 />But those who say these things show that they seek their City.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/hebrews/11.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />For those who say such things, declare plainly that they seek a country.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/hebrews/11.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />For those speaking such things declare that they are seeking after a country of their own.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/hebrews/11.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Now they who speak thus, shew evidently that they are in earnest search of their native country.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/hebrews/11.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />for they, that make such a declaration, show plainly that they seek some other country.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/hebrews/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />for men who acknowledge this make it manifest that they are seeking elsewhere a country of their own.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/hebrews/11.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />For those who say such things make it manifest that they are seeking <i>their</i> paternal home.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/hebrews/11.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />Now they that say such things shew plainly that they are seeking <i>their own</i> country:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/hebrews/11-14.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x-IAXXp5zcA?start=2222" 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">13</span>All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. <span class="reftext">14</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">Now</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">those who</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legontes (V-PPA-NMP) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">say</a> <a href="/greek/5108.htm" title="5108: toiauta (DPro-ANP) -- (including the other inflections); from toi and houtos; truly this, i.e. Of this sort (to denote character or individuality).">such things</a> <a href="/greek/1718.htm" title="1718: emphanizousin (V-PIA-3P) -- To make visible (manifest); hence: I report (inform) against; pass: I appear before. From emphanes; to exhibit or disclose.">show</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">that</a> <a href="/greek/1934.htm" title="1934: epizētousin (V-PIA-3P) -- To seek after, desire, search for, make inquiries about. From epi and zeteo; to search for; intensively, to demand, to crave.">they are seeking</a> <a href="/greek/3968.htm" title="3968: patrida (N-AFS) -- Fatherland, one's native place. From parasemos; a father-land, i.e. Native town; heavenly home.">a country of their own.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">15</span>If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.…<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="/philippians/3-20.htm">Philippians 3:20</a></span><br />But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-14.htm">Hebrews 13:14</a></span><br />For here we do not have a permanent city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-11.htm">1 Peter 2:11</a></span><br />Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-2.htm">John 14:2-3</a></span><br />In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? / And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/5-1.htm">2 Corinthians 5:1-2</a></span><br />For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. / For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-1.htm">Colossians 3:1-2</a></span><br />Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. / Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a></span><br />Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/21-2.htm">Revelation 21:2-3</a></span><br />I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. / And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/23-4.htm">Genesis 23:4</a></span><br />“I am a foreigner and an outsider among you. Give me a burial site among you so that I can bury my dead.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/47-9.htm">Genesis 47:9</a></span><br />“My travels have lasted 130 years,” Jacob replied. “My years have been few and hard, and they have not matched the years of the travels of my fathers.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/2-22.htm">Exodus 2:22</a></span><br />And she gave birth to a son, and Moses named him Gershom, saying, “I have become a foreigner in a foreign land.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/29-15.htm">1 Chronicles 29:15</a></span><br />For we are foreigners and strangers in Your presence, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/39-12.htm">Psalm 39:12</a></span><br />Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. For I am a foreigner dwelling with You, a stranger like all my fathers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-19.htm">Psalm 119:19</a></span><br />I am a stranger on the earth; do not hide Your commandments from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/35-8.htm">Isaiah 35:8-10</a></span><br />And there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel it—only those who walk in the Way—and fools will not stray onto it. / No lion will be there, and no vicious beast will go up on it. Such will not be found there, but the redeemed will walk upon it. / So the redeemed of the LORD will return and enter Zion with singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.</p><p class="hdg">they seek.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hebrews/11-16.htm">Hebrews 11:16</a></b></br> But now they desire a better <i>country</i>, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hebrews/13-14.htm">Hebrews 13:14</a></b></br> For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/8-23.htm">Romans 8:23-25</a></b></br> And not only <i>they</i>, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, <i>to wit</i>, the redemption of our body… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_timothy/3-7.htm">Acknowledge</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-3.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/titus/3-11.htm">Clearly</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-9.htm">Country</a> <a href="/hebrews/2-12.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/1-15.htm">Elsewhere</a> <a href="/joel/3-6.htm">Homeland</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-8.htm">Manifest</a> <a href="/2_timothy/1-10.htm">Plainly</a> <a href="/galatians/2-4.htm">Searching</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-6.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/1_timothy/3-8.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-17.htm">Shew</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-2.htm">Show</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-5.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-13.htm">Themselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/hebrews/13-15.htm">Acknowledge</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-27.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/genesis/26-28.htm">Clearly</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-15.htm">Country</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/revelation/12-17.htm">Elsewhere</a> <a href="/genesis/30-25.htm">Homeland</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-20.htm">Manifest</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-20.htm">Plainly</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-11.htm">Searching</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-16.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-14.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/james/2-18.htm">Shew</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-28.htm">Show</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-5.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-35.htm">Themselves</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 /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/hebrews/11.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>Now those who say such things</b><br />This phrase refers to the faithful individuals mentioned earlier in <a href="/hebrews/11.htm">Hebrews 11</a>, often called the "Hall of Faith." These are the patriarchs and matriarchs of the faith, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who lived as sojourners on earth. The Greek word for "say" (λέγουσιν, legousin) implies a continuous action, suggesting that their lives consistently testified to their faith. This testimony was not just in words but in actions, demonstrating a deep conviction and trust in God's promises. Historically, these figures lived in a time when verbal declarations were powerful, often serving as covenants or declarations of intent. Their lives were a testament to their belief in something greater than the temporal world.<p><b>show that they are seeking</b><br />The word "show" (ἐμφανίζουσιν, emphanizousin) means to make visible or manifest. It indicates that their actions and lives made it evident to others that they were in pursuit of something beyond the immediate and visible. The term "seeking" (ἐπιζητοῦσιν, epizētousin) is a strong verb in Greek, suggesting an earnest and diligent search. This is not a passive longing but an active pursuit. In a historical context, this reflects the nomadic lifestyle of the patriarchs, who were constantly moving towards the fulfillment of God's promises, demonstrating their faith through their journey.<p><b>a country of their own</b><br />The phrase "a country of their own" (πατρίδα, patrida) refers to a homeland or a fatherland. In the context of <a href="/hebrews/11.htm">Hebrews 11</a>, this is not merely a physical territory but a spiritual and eternal homeland. The patriarchs were looking beyond the physical land of Canaan to a heavenly country, as later verses in <a href="/hebrews/11.htm">Hebrews 11</a> clarify. This reflects the biblical theme of pilgrimage, where believers are seen as travelers on earth, seeking a heavenly home. Historically, this resonates with the experience of the Israelites, who were often in search of a promised land, a theme that is deeply embedded in the Jewish consciousness and narrative. Theologically, it underscores the Christian belief in heaven as the ultimate destination and home for believers, a place prepared by God for those who have faith in Him.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/hebrews/11.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(14) <span class= "bld">Such things.</span>--"I am a stranger and a sojourner with you" (<a href="/genesis/23-4.htm" title="I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a burial plot with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.">Genesis 23:4</a>). "The days of the years of my pilgrimage. . . . the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage" (<a href="/genesis/47-9.htm" title="And Jacob said to Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained to the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.">Genesis 47:9</a>).<p><span class= "bld">Declare plainly that they seek a country.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">make it plain that they are seeking a home, </span>or fatherland.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/hebrews/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 14-16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For they that say such things declare plainly</span> (or, <span class="accented">make manifest</span> ) <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>that they seek a country</span> (<span class="accented">i.e.</span> a native country, a fatherland, <span class="greek">πατρίδα</span>). <span class="cmt_word">And truly if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now</span> (<span class="accented">i.e.</span> as it is) <span class="cmt_word">they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God</span> (see refs. under ver. 9)<span class="cmt_word">: for he hath prepared for them a city.</span> In consideration of the drift of the whole of this interesting and suggestive passage (vers. 9, 10, 13-17), the question arises whether the patriarchs are represented as actually themselves looking forward to a heavenly inheritance. In their history as given in Genesis, as, indeed, in the Old Testament generally (at any rate, in the earlier books), there <span class="accented">is, as is</span> well known, no distinct recognition of the life to come. The promise to Abraham seems to imply only an innumerable seed, its possession as a great nation of the earthly land of promise, and through it some undefined blessing to all the families of the earth. Nor are the patriarchs represented as looking forward to a fulfillment of the promise beyond the limits of the present world. Even so their history is singularly instructive. They lived in hope of things not seen through faith in the Divine promise. The very fact that they were content to die without themselves attaining, if so <span class="accented">God's</span> purpose might be accomplished to their seed, invests them with a peculiar grandeur of <span class="accented">unselfishness.</span> Their faith was essentially the same principle as that of Christians, even though the final object of Christian hope were hidden from their eyes; while their dwelling in tents as strangers, and the home and city seen afar off, are apt emblems of the present life and the heavenly citizenship of Christians. It may be that this is all that is intended in the Epistle, the history being allegorized, as that of Isaac and Ishmael is in the Epistle to the Galatians. If so, the apparent attribution of a heavenly hope to the patriarchs themselves must be accounted for by a blending of the actual history with its ideal meaning, such as was observed in the chapter about Melchizedek. But it is difficult to understand the expressions used as implying no more than this. Abraham is said to have himself looked for the "<span class="accented">city</span> that hath the foundations," of which God is the Builder - a description which cannot but denote the "<span class="accented">heavenly Jerusalem</span>," of which the city whose foundations were on the holy hills below is regarded elsewhere as but a type and emblem (cf. <a href="/hebrews/12-22.htm">Hebrews 12:22</a>; <a href="/hebrews/13-14.htm">Hebrews 13:14</a>; <a href="/galatians/4-26.htm">Galatians 4:26</a>; <a href="/revelation/21-14.htm">Revelation 21:14</a>; also <span class="accented">infra</span>, <a href="/hebrews/8-2.htm">Hebrews 8:2</a>, where <span class="greek">η}ν ἔπηξεν ὁ Θεὸς</span> is said of the <span class="accented">heavenly</span> tabernacle). <span class="accented">This</span> interpretation is further supported by our finding in Philo similar views of a heavenly counterpart to Jerusalem as the final object of Israel's hope. Again, the country desired by the patriarchs is, in ver. 16, distinctly called a heavenly one. Nor is the view at all untenable that, notwithstanding the silence of the ancient record on the subject, they did look forward to a life after death with God, seeing in the promised earthly inheritance an emblem and earnest of a heavenly one. Well known is Bishop Warburton's argument that a belief in a future state, which was so ancient and universal, and so prominent especially in the religion of Egypt must almost of necessity have been shared in by the race of Abraham, and hence that the silence about it in the Mosaic record must be due, not to its absence from the creed of Israel, but to the peculiar purpose of the Mosaic dispensation. Worthy of attention also are Dean Stanley's words (Lect. 7. on 'Jewish Church') "Not from want of religion, but (if one might use the expression) from excess of religion, was this void left. The future life was not denied or contradicted, but it was overlooked, set aside, overshadowed, by the consciousness of the living, actual presence of God himself." But though such void there is, however to be accounted for, there are still, even in the Pentateuch (as certainly in the Psalms and prophets), occasional glimpses of the hope of immortality. The mystic tree of life in the midst of the garden, the predicted bruising, of the serpent's head, the mystery of Enoch's departure from the world, and notably (as our Lord himself points out) God still calling himself the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob after they had been long ago gathered to their fathers, are intimations, even in the Pentateuch, of a belief in man's immortal hopes. And it may be added, with reference to the history immediately before us, that Jacob's application of the idea of his being a" sojourner " - used by Abraham with reference to the abode in Palestine - to the whole course of his life upon the earth, in itself suggests the meaning attached to such language in the Epistle. Hence no violence is done to the meaning of the history rather it may be that its deeper meaning is brought out, if the patriarchs are regarded as entertaining a hope of a heavenly inheritance to themselves, and seeing beyond the earthly types. But even f we suppose such immortal hopes as having been in them at the most but vague and dim, still their faith in and longing for a fulfillment of the promise in any sense was really a longing and reaching after the eternal realities which the first fulfillment typified. Compare the view taken in <a href="/hebrews/4.htm">Hebrews 4</a>. of the meaning of "<span class="accented">God's</span> rest." Delitzsch thus enunciates this view of the passage before us: "The promise given to the patriarchs was a Divine assurance of a future rest. That rest was connected, in the first instance, with the future possession of an earthly home; but their desire for that home was at the same time a longing and a seeking after Him who had given the promise of it, whoso presence and blessing alone made it for them an object of desire, and whose presence and blessing, however vouchsafed, makes the place of its manifestation to be indeed a heaven. The shell of their longing might thus be of earth; its kernel was heavenly and Divine, and as such God himself vouchsafed to honor and reward <span class="accented">it."</span> From the general mode of life of the patriarchs the review now passes to particular acts of faith, beginning with Abraham's memorable one, the offering of Isaac. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/hebrews/11-14.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">Now</span><br /><span class="grk">γὰρ</span> <span class="translit">(gar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> </span><span class="str2">For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">those who</span><br /><span class="grk">οἱ</span> <span class="translit">(hoi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">say</span><br /><span class="grk">λέγοντες</span> <span class="translit">(legontes)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">such things</span><br /><span class="grk">τοιαῦτα</span> <span class="translit">(toiauta)</span><br /><span class="parse">Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5108.htm">Strong's 5108: </a> </span><span class="str2">(including the other inflections); from toi and houtos; truly this, i.e. Of this sort (to denote character or individuality).</span><br /><br /><span class="word">show</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐμφανίζουσιν</span> <span class="translit">(emphanizousin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1718.htm">Strong's 1718: </a> </span><span class="str2">To make visible (manifest); hence: I report (inform) against; pass: I appear before. From emphanes; to exhibit or disclose.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="grk">ὅτι</span> <span class="translit">(hoti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> </span><span class="str2">Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they are seeking</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐπιζητοῦσιν</span> <span class="translit">(epizētousin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1934.htm">Strong's 1934: </a> </span><span class="str2">To seek after, desire, search for, make inquiries about. From epi and zeteo; to search for; intensively, to demand, to crave.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a country of their own.</span><br /><span class="grk">πατρίδα</span> <span class="translit">(patrida)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3968.htm">Strong's 3968: </a> </span><span class="str2">Fatherland, one's native place. From parasemos; a father-land, i.e. Native town; heavenly home.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/hebrews/11-14.htm">Hebrews 11:14 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/hebrews/11-14.htm">Hebrews 11:14 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/hebrews/11-14.htm">Hebrews 11:14 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/hebrews/11-14.htm">Hebrews 11:14 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/hebrews/11-14.htm">Hebrews 11:14 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/hebrews/11-14.htm">Hebrews 11:14 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/hebrews/11-14.htm">Hebrews 11:14 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/hebrews/11-14.htm">Hebrews 11:14 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/hebrews/11-14.htm">Hebrews 11:14 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/hebrews/11-14.htm">Hebrews 11:14 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/hebrews/11-14.htm">NT Letters: Hebrews 11:14 For those who say such things make (Heb. He. Hb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/hebrews/11-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Hebrews 11:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Hebrews 11:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/hebrews/11-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Hebrews 11:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Hebrews 11:15" /></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>