Devine Scripture

Hebrews 11:14

What does Hebrews 11:14 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 11:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 11:14 means

Those who confess themselves strangers and pilgrims reveal that they are seeking a homeland. Their words are not resignation but direction; they point to the heart’s true country, a place defined by God’s presence and promise. Faith speaks in ways that align with its aim, and here speech discloses longing for a home not yet possessed. This exposes the spiritual orientation of the faithful: they do not cling to the present order as ultimate but look beyond it to the fulfillment God has prepared.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For they that say such things make it manifest that they are seeking after a country of their own.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For they that say such things make it manifest that they are seeking after a country of their own.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For those who say such things make it clear that they are searching for a country for themselves.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for those saying such things make manifest that they seek a country;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For they that say these things do signify that they seek a country.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For they who say such things shew clearly that they seek [their] country.

Context

Building on the confession of verse 13, the author draws an inference: the patriarchs’ self-description signals a quest for a true homeland. This prepares for the contrast in verse 15 (they could have returned but didn’t) and the climax in verse 16 (they desired a heavenly country). The flow shows purposeful, not accidental, pilgrimage—an intentional seeking that pleases God and clarifies why they endured.

v.13These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

v.14This passage

v.15And if indeed they had been mindful of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:18

    while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

  • Romans 8:23

    And not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for our adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

  • Hebrews 13:14

    For we have not here an abiding city, but we seek after the city which is to come.

  • Philippians 1:23

    But I am in a strait betwixt the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ; for it is very far better:

  • Hebrews 11:16

    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.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Hebrews 11

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Hebrews 11.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Hebrews 11:14.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary