Hebrews 11:14
12 And so from one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
13 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.
Now those who say such things show that they are seeking a country of their own.
15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.
16 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.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Now those who say such things show that they are seeking a country of their own.
- KJV
- For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
- WEB
- For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.
- ASV
- For they that say such things make it manifest that they are seeking after a country of their own.
- DARBY
- For they who say such things shew clearly that they seek [their] country.
- BLB
- For those saying such things make manifest that they are seeking out a homeland.
- ÅB
- For de som sier slikt, gir derved til kjenne at de søker et fedreland;
- OTB
- For de som uttrykker slike ting gjør det klart at de søker et hjemland.
- B1930
- For de som sier slikt, gir derved til kjenne at de søker et fedreland;
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
2 Corinthians 4:18–5:7
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Read in contextRomans 8:23–25
Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
Read in contextHebrews 13:14
For here we do not have a permanent city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.
Read in contextHebrews 11:16
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.
Read in contextPhilippians 1:23
I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed.
Read in context