Christian Standard Bible
Hebrews 11:16
16But they now desire a better place — a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
Hebrews 11:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
- New International Version (NIV)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.
- English Standard Version (ESV)But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
- New King James Version (NKJV)But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
Context of Hebrews 11:16
14Now those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15If they were thinking about where they came from, they would have had an opportunity to return. But they now desire a better place — a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. 17By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. He received the promises and yet he was offering his one and only son, 18the one to whom it had been said, Your offspring will be traced through Isaac.
Read all of Hebrews 11Hebrews 11:16 word by word
νῦν δὲ κρείττονος ὀρέγονται, τοῦτ᾽ ἔστιν ἐπουρανίου· διὸ οὐκ ἐπαισχύνεται αὐτοὺς ὁ θεὸς θεὸς ἐπικαλεῖσθαι αὐτῶν· ἡτοίμασεν γὰρ αὐτοῖς πόλιν.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Butδέde · thenG1161
- nowνυνίnuni · nowG3570
- they desireὀρέγωoregomai · to aspireG3713
- a betterκρείττωνkreittōn · strongerG2909
- thatοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
- isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- an heavenlyἐπουράνιοςepouranios · heavenlyG2032
- whereforeδιόdio · thereforeG1352
- Godὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
- isἐπαισχύνομαιepaischunomai · be ashamed ofG1870
- notοὐou · noG3756
- ·αὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- to be calledἐπικαλέωepikaleomai · to call (on)/nameG1941
- forγάρgar · forG1063
- he hath preparedἑτοιμάζωhetoimazō · to make readyG2090
- a cityπόλιςpolis · cityG4172
Cross-references for Hebrews 11:16
- Hebrews 11:14Now those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.
- Hebrews 12:22Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (the heavenly Jerusalem), to myriads of angels, a festive gathering,
- Hebrews 2:11For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters,
- Genesis 17:7I will confirm my covenant that is between me and you and your future offspring throughout their generations. It is a permanent covenant to be your God and the God of your offspring after you.
- Exodus 3:6Then he continued, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at God.
- Isaiah 41:8But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham, my friend —
- Jeremiah 31:1“At that time” — this is the Lord’s declaration — “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people.”
- Matthew 22:31Now concerning the resurrection of the dead, haven’t you read what was spoken to you by God:
- Mark 12:26And as for the dead being raised — haven’t you read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the burning bush, how God said to him: I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob?
- Luke 20:37Moses even indicated in the passage about the burning bush that the dead are raised, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.
- Acts 7:32I am the God of your ancestors — the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob. Moses began to tremble and did not dare to look.
- Hebrews 11:10For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
- Hebrews 13:14For we do not have an enduring city here; instead, we seek the one to come.
- Matthew 25:34Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
- Luke 12:32Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights to give you the kingdom.
- Philippians 3:20Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Commentaries on Hebrews 11:16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16But now they desire a better - They all expected spiritual blessings, and a heavenly inheritance; they sought God as their portion, and in such a way and on such principles that he is not ashamed to be called their God; and he shows his affection for them by preparing for them a city, to wit, heaven, as themselves would seek no city on earth; which is certainly what the apostle has here in view. And from this it is evident that the patriarchs had a proper…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly - That is, at the time referred to when they confessed that they were strangers and sojourners, they showed that they sought a better country than the one which they had left. They lived as if they had no expectation of a permanent residence on earth, and were looking to another world. The argument of the apostle here appears to be based upon what is apparent from the whole history, that they had…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8-19Verses 8-19 We are often called to leave worldly connexions, interests, and comforts. If heirs of Abraham's faith, we shall obey and go forth, though not knowing what may befall us; and we shall be found in the way of duty, looking for the performance of God's promises. The trial of Abraham's faith was, that he simply and fully obeyed the call of God. Sarah received the promise as the promise of God; being convinced of that, she truly judged that he both…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 14-16Abraham's family clearly did not want to return to their homeland. If they did, they could have gone back. Their faith showed they longed for a better place. They hoped in God, who rewarded their faith by preparing a heavenly city for them.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 13-1613-16. Summary of the characteristic excellencies of the patriarchs' faith died in faith--died as believers, waiting for, not actually seeing as yet their good things promised to them. They were true to this principle of faith even unto, and especially in, their dying hour (compare He 11:20). These all--beginning with "Abraham" (He 11:8), to whom the promises were made (Ga 3:16), and who is alluded to in the end of He 11:13 and in He 11:15 [Bengel and…Read the comment
Topics related to Hebrews 11:16
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Hebrews 11
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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