Hebrews 11:13
These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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These faithful ancestors didn't just believe God's promises; they "greeted" them from afar, meaning they welcomed them with the joy and anticipation of a reunion with a loved one. Their confession of being "strangers and exiles" wasn't just a statement of fact, but a declaration that their true home lay beyond this earthly realm.
These verses recap the lives of faith-filled individuals like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They are presented as examples of people who lived with unwavering trust in God's promises, even though they personally did not see those promises fully realized during their earthly lives. Their faith was so profound that they viewed themselves as temporary residents on earth, constantly looking forward to a greater, heavenly dwelling.
These heroes of faith lived and died without seeing the full picture. How could they be so sure? Discover the power of a faith that greets what it cannot yet hold.
Hebrews 11:13 reveals a profound aspect of faith: it's not about possessing the promises, but about embracing them with conviction even when they remain distant.
A Faith That Sees
Notice the words 'having seen them and greeted them from afar.' This wasn't passive waiting; it was an active, joyful anticipation. They didn't just believe in the promises; they saw them with the eyes of their spirit and greeted them as if they were already present. This perspective allowed them to live fully in the present while their hearts were set on the future.
The 'Not Yet' Power
It’s easy to think faith only works when we get what we're asking for. But this verse challenges that. These individuals faced their deaths without the full realization of God's promises – the land, the descendants, the Messiah's reign. Yet, their faith wasn't diminished; it was defined by their trust in God's ultimate faithfulness, even in the 'not yet.'
The heroes of faith acknowledged their temporary status on earth. What does it mean to live as an exile in a land you technically call home?
The confession that they were 'strangers and exiles on the earth' is a cornerstone of their faith, as highlighted in Hebrews 11:13.
A Defining Identity
This wasn't just a passing thought; it was a confessed reality that shaped their lives. By acknowledging their 'stranger' status, they weren't denying their presence in the land of Canaan, but they were asserting that their true citizenship and ultimate home lay elsewhere.
The Earthly vs. Heavenly Contrast
This perspective directly contrasts with the mindset of those who are fully invested in this world. For the patriarchs, the land of Canaan was a temporary dwelling, a stepping stone. Their ultimate hope was in a 'better country' – a heavenly one. This dual focus is what allowed them to endure trials and remain faithful even without seeing the full fruition of earthly promises.
Understand the original words
parepidēmos · Greek Noun
A person who dwells in a foreign land temporarily, lacking full citizenship or permanent roots in that society. Spiritually, it describes the believer's status as a citizen of heaven living on earth.
xenos · Greek Noun
One who is banished or living away from their true home. In a biblical context, it conveys the sense of longing for the heavenly city rather than being settled in the current world system.
This verse highlights the faith of the patriarchs not as a belief in present possession, but as a confident, hopeful orientation towards God's future promises, even in the face of hardship and a life lived as temporary residents on the earth.
~2091 BC
God calls Abram from Ur
God calls Abram, who would later be named Abraham, to leave his homeland of Ur and travel to a land God would show him. This event marks the beginning of God's covenant promises to him.
~2066 BC
Abraham is promised a son
God makes a significant promise to Abraham that he will have a son and that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars. Abraham believes God, and it is credited to him as righteousness.
~1878 BC
Isaac's birth and early life
Isaac, the promised son, is born to Abraham and Sarah. Later, Abraham is tested by God and commanded to sacrifice Isaac, but at the last moment, God provides a ram as a substitute, reinforcing the promise.
~1836 BC
Jacob's deception and flight
Jacob, Isaac's son, deceives his father and brother to steal the birthright and blessing. He flees his home, experiencing God's presence and promises anew in a dream at Bethel.
This verse directly echoes the confession of Abraham, showing how the patriarchs explicitly identified themselves as 'strangers and sojourners' in the land God promised them.
John 8:56Jesus tells Abraham that he 'rejoiced that he would see' His day, aligning with the idea in Hebrews that the patriarchs saw and greeted the promised blessings from afar.
Psalm 39:12This Psalm reflects the same sentiment of earthly transience, praying, 'Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; to my silence, give no heed! I am a sojourner with you, a guest, like all my fathers,' mirroring the Hebrews passage.
1 Peter 2:11Peter directly applies the concept of being 'aliens and exiles' to believers, showing how the patriarchs' faith perspective on being strangers on earth continues in the New Testament church.
Hebrews 12:22-24This passage describes the heavenly city and the 'spirits of the righteous made perfect,' which is the ultimate destination these faithful figures saw and longed for from afar.
ellicottHebrews 11:13: "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."
(13) These all died in faith. —We must not change the order of the original. Seven verses up to this point have begun with the emphatic words “by faith.” There is a change here, but not in the emphasis of this thought. We should not expect to read “ By faith these died;” what is…
meyerHebrews 11:13: "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."
Hebrews 11:13 . Κατὰ πίστιν ] is ordinarily (by Bleek, too, in the larger commentary) conjoined exclusively with ἀπέθανον . According to this, the dying conformably to faith, in distinction from the faith already manifested during life, would become the main idea of the verse, a…
These faithful ancestors didn't just believe God's promises; they "greeted" them from afar, meaning they welcomed them with the joy and anticipation of a reunion with a loved one. Their confession of being "strangers and exiles" wasn't just a statement of fact, but a declaration that their true home lay beyond this earthly realm.
These verses recap the lives of faith-filled individuals like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They are presented as examples of people who lived with unwavering trust in God's promises, even though they personally did not see those promises fully realized during their earthly lives. Their faith was so profound that they viewed themselves as temporary residents on earth, constantly looking forward to a greater, heavenly dwelling.
These verses recap the lives of faith-filled individuals like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They are presented as examples of people who lived with unwavering trust in God's promises, even though they personally did not see those promises fully realized during their earthly lives. Their faith was so profound that they viewed themselves as temporary residents on earth, constantly looking forward to a greater, heavenly dwelling.
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~1805 BC— this verse
Jacob's confession of pilgrimage
When meeting Pharaoh, Jacob describes his life as a pilgrimage, stating the days of his years have been few and full of hardship, highlighting his status as a sojourner rather than a permanent resident in Egypt.
~1796 BC
Joseph's death
Joseph, Jacob's son, dies in Egypt after living there for many years. He had previously made his brothers swear an oath to carry his bones out of Egypt when they eventually left.
~1446 BC
The Exodus from Egypt
Moses leads the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. While they receive the land promised to the patriarchs, this event occurs centuries after the deaths of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
"These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth." — These faithful ancestors didn't just believe God's promises; they "greeted" them from afar, meaning they welcomed them with the joy and anticipation of a reunion with a loved one. Their confession of…
