Hebrews 11:14

Hebrews 11:14

For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

a. NLT: Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own.

b. NIV: People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.

c. YLT: For those saying such things make manifest that they seek a country;

d. Amplified Bible: “Now those people who talk as they did show plainly that they are in search of a fatherland—their own country.”

e. Peshita Eastern Text: For they who speak so, declare plainly that they seek a country for themselves.

1. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

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. they [Strong: 3588 ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

c. that say [Strong: 3004 lego leg'-o a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas 2036 and 5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while 4483 is properly to break silence merely, and 2980 means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.]

d. such things [Strong: 5108 toioutos toy-oo'-tos (including the other inflections); from 5104 and 3778; truly this, i.e. of this sort (to denote character or individuality):--like, such (an one).]

e. declare plainly [Strong: 1718 emphanizo em-fan-id'-zo from 1717; to exhibit (in person) or disclose (by words):--appear, declare (plainly), inform, (will) manifest, shew, signify.]

  

g. that [Strong: 3754 hoti hot'-ee neuter of 3748 as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.]

h. they seek [Strong: 1934 epizeteo ep-eed-zay-teh'-o from 1909 and 2212; to search (inquire) for; intensively, to demand, to crave:--desire, enquire, seek (after, for).]

i. a country [Strong: 3968 patris pat-rece' from 3902; a father-land, i.e. native town; (figuratively) heavenly home:--(own) country.]

  

1). This throws light on what the promises were. I heard a preacher say once that the patriarchs were not given the promise of heaven, but I believe these scriptures and others dispel that assumption. These saints openly declared that they were looking for a fatherland, and that country was not on earth. The saints who are mentioned are Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham and Sarah.

a). Hebrews 11:14-16 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

11:15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

11:16 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.