Hebrews 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.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The author addresses readers examining the patriarchs of Hebrews 11, contrasting their earthly wanderings with their ultimate hope. This statement follows the observation that the faithful would have returned to their former lands if they had considered them their final destination.

The words — The Greek verb ὀρέγονται (oregontai) literally means "they stretch forward to," describing an active, directional desire. It modifies κρεῖττονος (kreittonos), "a better [one]," specifying the object of this longing as a heavenly country.

The thread — This expectation of a permanent, divine city appears in Hebrews 11:10, where God is named the architect and builder. The theme recurs in Hebrews 13:14, which contrasts the present temporary city with the one to come, and in Philippians 3:20, which identifies heavenly citizenship as the believer's true location.

Why it lands — The text states that God prepared a city for the faithful and is therefore unashamed to be called their God. A reader must determine whether to anchor their identity in temporary earthly systems or in the prepared heavenly reality.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Hebrews 13:14 For here we do not have a permanent city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.
Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Hebrews 11:10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
Matthew 25:34 Then 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.
John 14:2 In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?
Hebrews 2:11 For both the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.
Hebrews 12:22 Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels
Genesis 17:7 I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.
Exodus 3:6 Then He said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
2 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord will rescue me from every evil action and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.