Hebrews 11:16

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.

Hebrews 11:16 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
16 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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
16 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 Living Translation (NLT)
16 But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
The Message Bible (MSG)
16 But they were after a far better country than that - heaven country. You can see why God is so proud of them, and has a City waiting for them.
American Standard Version (ASV)
16 But now they desire a better [country], that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
16 Instead, these men were longing for a better country--a heavenly country. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God. He has prepared a city for them.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
16 But they now aspire to a better land-a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
16 Instead, they longed for a better country. They wanted one in heaven. So God is pleased when they call him their God. In fact, he has prepared a city for them.

Hebrews 11:16 Meaning and Commentary

Hebrews 11:16

But now they desire a better country
Which is not to be understood of the then present time, in which the apostle wrote; for the patriarchs, of whom he speaks, were not then on earth, nor in any third place between heaven and earth; they were then in heaven; and though there are indeed in heaven desires after perfect happiness, in soul and body; yet this intends the desires of these saints when on earth, and which are common to all believers in the present state of things; who, as the patriarchs desired a better country than Chaldea, or even Canaan itself, so they desire a better country than this world; and such is heaven: it is on high; here are no noxious and pestilential vapours, no mists or fogs beclouding, no storms and tempests, but it is full of light and glory; having the delightful breezes of divine love, and the comfortable gales of the blessed Spirit; here is no heat of persecution, nor coldness, nor chills of affection; here is plenty of most delicious fruits, no hunger nor thirst; and here are riches, which are solid, satisfying, durable, safe and sure: many are the liberties and privileges here enjoyed; here is a freedom from a body subject to diseases and death, from a body of sin and death, from Satan's temptations, from all doubts, fears, and unbelief, and from all sorrows and afflictions; the inhabitants of it are the spirits of just men made perfect, angels, God, Father, Son, and Spirit, and Christ in human nature; upon all which accounts it is abundantly the better country, and as it is explained,

that is, an heavenly;
an inheritance in heaven, an house eternal in the heavens, the kingdom of heaven; and it is no wonder that it should be desired by such who know it, and the nature of it: the word denotes a vehement desire; and it is such, that the saints desire to depart from this world, and go unto it; which shows that they are weaned from this, and have seen something glorious in another. Remarkable is the saying of Anaxagoras F21 who, when one said to him, hast thou no regard to thy country? answered, I have, and that the greatest, pointing with his fingers towards heaven; and, says Philo the Jew F23, the soul of every wise man has heaven for his country, and the earth as a strange place:

wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God;
their covenant God and Father; (See Gill on Hebrews 8:10), even though he is the God of the whole earth;

for he hath prepared for them a city;
in his council and covenant, and by his Son; (See Gill on Hebrews 11:10). This proves that he is not ashamed of the relation he stands in to them, since he has made a provision for them to dwell with him to all eternity.


FOOTNOTES:

F21 Laert. in Vit. Anaxag. p. 92.
F23 De Agricultura, p. 196. Vid. ib. de Confus. Ling. p. 331.

Hebrews 11:16 In-Context

14 People who say such things show that they are looking for 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.
17 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son,
18 even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”

Cross References 4

  • 1. 2 Timothy 4:18
  • 2. Mark 8:38
  • 3. Genesis 26:24; Genesis 28:13; Exodus 3:6,15
  • 4. ver 10; Hebrews 13:14
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.