Hebrews 11:10 Meaning Explained

Hebrews 11:10

For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

English Standard Version (ESV)

Abraham wasn't just looking for a plot of land; his faith grasped a far grander, eternal reality. The phrase "the city that has foundations" highlights its permanence, a direct contrast to the temporary tents he lived in, pointing beyond any earthly dwelling to God's own unshakeable dwelling place.

What Hebrews 11:10 means

The author of Hebrews is highlighting Abraham's faith by contrasting his nomadic lifestyle in tents with his anticipation of a permanent city. This verse explains that Abraham wasn't just looking for an earthly homeland; his faith was fixed on an eternal city, designed and built by God himself. This perspective on a heavenly dwelling is what gave him the strength to live as a stranger and pilgrim in the promised land.

Beyond Tents to a Heavenly City

Abraham lived as a nomad, his home a tent. But his gaze was fixed on something far more permanent. What was this 'city' he longed for, and why did it give him such peace?

The text contrasts Abraham's tent-dwelling life with his anticipation of a 'city that has foundations.' This isn't just about a physical place; it's about a complete reality of God's presence and provision.

A Future Hope

While Abraham lived in Canaan, his true home wasn't the land itself, but the ultimate dwelling place God promised. This heavenly city represents the eternal dwelling with God, a place of permanence and security.

The Antidote to Transience

Tents are temporary, easily packed up and moved. They symbolize earthly life's impermanence. The city with foundations, however, speaks of an unshakeable reality, a divine dwelling that will never be moved or destroyed. It points to the future fulfillment of God's promises, a reality grasped by faith.

More Than Just a Place

This city is also described as a community – the perfected community of God. It's where God's people will dwell with Him forever, a testament to His enduring faithfulness and the ultimate reward for those who trust Him.

God: The Ultimate Architect and Builder

Who designed and built the city Abraham longed for? The answer reveals everything about its stability and worth.

The verse emphasizes that the city Abraham looked for was not a human construction but was designed and built by God Himself.

Divine Origin

The terms 'designer' and 'builder' (or 'maker') point to God's unique role. He isn't just the overseer; He is the originator and the one who brings this eternal dwelling into existence. This assures us of its perfection and eternal nature.

Unmatched Quality

Because God is the architect, this city surpasses anything humanity could ever create. Human cities rise and fall, are subject to decay and destruction. But a city built by the infinite God possesses absolute stability, beauty, and permanence.

Understand the original words

Original language

cityπόλις

polis · Greek Noun

A place of stable, permanent divine governance and security. It often symbolizes the eternal reality of God's kingdom and the heavenly home awaiting the faithful, as opposed to the temporary nature of earthly dwellings.

Historical context

Written: Likely in the early 60s AD, during Paul's first Roman imprisonment.
Author: Traditionally understood as the Apostle Paul, though debated by some scholars.
Location: Written from Rome, likely to Jewish Christians in Jerusalem or Judea.
Genre: Epistle (letter); characterized by its theological depth and argumentative structure.

Historical background

Abraham's faith wasn't just about an earthly land; he looked beyond temporary tents to an eternal city designed and built by God, demonstrating a profound trust in future, heavenly realities.

c. 2066 BC
Abram Called from Ur
God calls Abram (later Abraham) from his homeland in Ur of the Chaldeans to go to a land God will show him. This marks the beginning of his journey of faith.
c. 2066-1991 BC— this verse
Abram Sojourns in Canaan
Abram enters the land of Canaan but lives as a sojourner, pitching tents and moving around, rather than settling into a permanent dwelling. This period highlights his reliance on God's promise over immediate possession.
c. 1991 BC
Promise of a Son
God reaffirms His promise to Abram, promising him a numerous offspring and that the land will be their inheritance. Abraham's faith is tested by the long wait for this son.
c. 1897 BC
Birth of Isaac
Isaac, the son of promise, is born to Abraham and Sarah when they are very old, an event that testifies to God's faithfulness and power.

Key themes

01Eternal city sought
02God as sovereign builder
03Faith in unseen future
04Pioneer of pilgrimage

Cross-references

Revelation 21:10

This passage describes the New Jerusalem, the heavenly city with foundations, directly echoing the city Abraham looked forward to in Hebrews 11:10.

Galatians 4:26

Paul speaks of the 'Jerusalem above' as our mother, paralleling the idea of a heavenly city that is our true home, which Abraham's faith anticipated.

Psalm 87:1

This psalm refers to 'his holy mountain,' the city of God, highlighting the divine origin and permanence of the city Abraham sought, in contrast to earthly dwellings.

Genesis 12:1-3

This is the foundational promise God gave to Abraham, calling him to leave his land and promising blessings that pointed beyond the immediate to an enduring inheritance designed by God.

Hebrews 12:22

This verse explicitly mentions approaching the 'heavenly Jerusalem,' reinforcing the New Testament understanding that Abraham's faith was directed towards this eternal, God-designed city.

Scholarly commentary

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

(10) A city which hath foundations. —Rather, the city which hath the foundations. The general thought is that which we find expressed in Hebrews 11:14-16 . There, the strangers and pilgrims are seeking for a country of their own; here, the dweller in tents is waiting for the city that hath the foundations. All these verses clearly teach that the promise as apprehended by the patriarchs was not boun…
ellicott

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

For he looked for a city which hath foundations (ἐξεδέχετο γὰρ τὴν τοὺς θεμελίους ἔξουσαν πόλιν)The sense is impaired in A.V. by the omission of the articles, the city, the foundations. Passing over the immediate subject of God's promise to Abraham - his inheritance of the land in which he sojourns - the writer fastens the patriarch's faith upon the heavenly fulfillment of the promise - th…
vincent

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What Hebrews 11:10 means

Historical context

Written: Likely in the early 60s AD, during Paul's first Roman imprisonment.
Author: Traditionally understood as the Apostle Paul, though debated by some scholars.
Location: Written from Rome, likely to Jewish Christians in Jerusalem or Judea.
Genre: Epistle (letter); characterized by its theological depth and argumentative structure.

Historical background

Abraham's faith wasn't just about an earthly land; he looked beyond temporary tents to an eternal city designed and built by God, demonstrating a profound trust in future, heavenly realities.

c. 2066 BC

Abram Called from Ur

God calls Abram (later Abraham) from his homeland in Ur of the Chaldeans to go to a land God will show him. This marks the beginning of his journey of faith.

c. 2066-1991 BC— this verse

Abram Sojourns in Canaan

Abram enters the land of Canaan but lives as a sojourner, pitching tents and moving around, rather than settling into a permanent dwelling. This period highlights his reliance on God's promise over immediate possession.

c. 1991 BC

Promise of a Son

God reaffirms His promise to Abram, promising him a numerous offspring and that the land will be their inheritance. Abraham's faith is tested by the long wait for this son.

c. 1897 BC

Birth of Isaac

Isaac, the son of promise, is born to Abraham and Sarah when they are very old, an event that testifies to God's faithfulness and power.