Hebrews 11:10

Hebrews 11:10

For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

a. NLT: Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.

b. NIV: For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

c. YLT: For he was looking for the city having the foundations, whose artificer and constructor is God.

d. Amplified Bible Classic: For he was [waiting expectantly and confidently] looking forward to the city which has fixed and firm foundations, whose Architect and Builder is God.

e. Worrell Translation: For he was waiting for the city which has the foundation, whose architect and builder is God.

    

f. Wuest Translation: For he was constantly waiting for and expecting the city having the foundations, the architect and builder of which is God.

g. Peshitta Eastern Text: For he looked for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

1. “For he looked for a city which hath foundations…”

a. For [Strong: 1063 gar gar a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.]

b. he looked for [Strong: 1551 ekdechomai ek-dekh'-om-ahee from 1537 and 1209; to accept from some source, i.e. (by implication) to await:--expect, look (tarry) for, wait (for).] [Zodhiates: to watch for, expect, to receive from any quarter.]

c. a city [Strong: 4172 polis pol'-is probably from the same as 4171, or perhaps from 4183; a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size):--city.]

d. which hath [Strong: 2192 echo ekh'-o, including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; (used in certain tenses only) a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition):--be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.]

e. foundations [Strong: 2310 themelios them-el'-ee-os from a derivative of 5087; something put down, i.e. a substruction (of a building, etc.), (literally or figuratively):--foundation.]

2. “…whose builder and maker is God.”

a. whose [Strong: 3739 hos hos, including feminine he hay, and neuter ho ho probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article 3588); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc.]

b. builder [Strong: 5079 technites tekh-nee'-tace from 5078; an artisan; figuratively, a founder (Creator):--builder, craftsman.]

c. and [Strong: 2532 kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

d. maker [Strong: 1217 demiourgos day-me-oor-gos' from 1218 and 2041; a worker for the people, i.e. mechanic (spoken of the Creator):--maker.]

e. is God [Strong: 2316 theos theh'-os of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]

1). Faith come by hearing God’s word. At some time in Abraham’s life after he left Ur, he received a word, or perhaps a vision of New Jerusalem. The promise of the land was not totally fulfilled when Israel possessed the land. Even after Israel had been in the promised land for some time, David wrote in Psalm 39:12 “…for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.” When will the promise be totally fulfilled? There are a couple New Testament passages that shed light on it.

a). Romans 4:13-18 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

4:14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

4:15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

4:16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace;  to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

4:17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were:

4:18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might be the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

b). Galatians 3:16-19 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

3:17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

3:18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

2). With the above two passages in mind, look at the wording of Hebrews 11:8, the verse that began this study. “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he SHOULD AFTER RECEIVE for an inheritance…”

a).After what? After the law…after the Messiah…after the dispensation of the Gospel…after the 2nd Coming…after the Millennial Reign…after the Great White Throne Judgment, to…to…to what? To Revelation 21.

b). Revelation 21:1-3 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a a bride adorned for her husband.

21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

3). When God told Abimelech that Abraham was a prophet, we can appreciate it. Not only did God give Abraham a look at Messiah’s day (John 8:56), he also let him see beyond to the fulfillment of the promise given to him, New Jerusalem on the earth.

a). Hebrews 11:8-10 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.