Hebrews 11:15

Verse

If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.

American Standard Version (1901)

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

Bible in Basic English

And truly if they had kept in mind the country from which they went out, they would have had chances of turning back.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And truly if they had been mindful of that from whence they came out, they had doubtless time to return.

Free Bible Version

For if they cared about the country they'd left behind, they could have returned.

Geneva Bible 1599

And if they had bene mindfull of that countrey, from whence they came out, they had leasure to haue returned.

King James (Authorized) Version

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

Translation for Translators

If they had been thinking about that place being the place from which they had come, they would have taken the opportunity to return there.

Unlocked Literal Bible

If they had been thinking of the country from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return.

Noah Webster Bible

And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came, they might have had opportunity to return.

World English Bible

If indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had enough time to return.

Young's Literal Translation

and if, indeed, they had been mindful of that from which they came forth, they might have had an opportunity to return,

Context

The Faith of Abraham and Sarah

¹⁴Now those who say such things show that they are seeking a country of their own.¹⁵If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.¹⁶Instead, 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.

Summary

Hebrews 11:15 speaks of the faith of the patriarchs who lived as foreigners and strangers on earth, looking forward to a heavenly homeland. This verse highlights their unwavering belief in God's promises, even though they did not see the fulfillment during their lifetime. It underscores the importance of faith in the Christian journey, reminding believers that this world is not our final destination. By focusing on the eternal promises of God, we are encouraged to live with a heavenly perspective, knowing that our true home is with Him.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

If they had been mindful of that country - They considered their right to the promises of God as dependent on their utter renunciation of Chaldea; and it was this that induced Abraham to cause his steward Eliezer to swear that he would not carry his son Isaac to Chaldea; see Gen 24:5-8. There idolatry reigned; and God had called them to be the patriarchs and progenitors of a people among whom the knowledge of the true God, and the worship required by him, should be established and preserved.

John Gill Bible Commentary

But now they desire a better country,.... Which is not to be understood of the then present time, in which the apostle wrote; for the patriarchs, of whom he speaks, were not then on earth, nor in any third place between heaven and earth; they were then in heaven; and though there are indeed in heaven desires after perfect happiness, in soul and body; yet this intends the desires of these saints when on earth, and which are common to all believers in the present state of things; who, as the patriarchs desired a better country than Chaldea, or even Canaan itself, so they desire a better country than this world; and such is heaven: it is on high; here are no noxious and pestilential vapours, no mists or fogs beclouding, no storms and tempests, but it is full of light and glory; having the delightful breezes of divine love, and the comfortable gales of the blessed Spirit; here is no heat of persecution, nor coldness, nor chills of affection; here is plenty of most delicious fruits, no hunger nor thirst; and here are riches, which are solid, satisfying, durable, safe and sure: many are the liberties and privileges here enjoyed; here is a freedom from a body subject to diseases and death, from a body of sin and death, from Satan's temptations, from all doubts, fears, and unbelief, and from all sorrows and afflictions; the inhabitants of it are the spirits of just men made perfect, angels, God, Father, Son, and Spirit, and Christ in human nature; upon all which accounts it is abundantly the better country, and as it is explained, that is, an heavenly; an inheritance in heaven, an house eternal in the heavens, the kingdom of heaven; and it is no wonder that it should be desired by such who know it, and the nature of it: the word denotes a vehement desire; and it is such, that the saints desire to depart from this world, and go unto it; which shows that they are weaned from this, and have seen something glorious in another. Remarkable is the saying of Anaxagoras (u) who, when one said to him, hast thou no regard to thy country? answered, I have, and that the greatest, pointing with his fingers towards heaven; and, says Philo the Jew (w), the soul of every wise man has heaven for his country, and the earth as a strange place: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; their covenant God and Father; See Gill on Heb 8:10, even though he is the God of the whole earth; for he hath prepared for them a city; in his council and covenant, and by his Son; See Gill on Heb 11:10. This proves that he is not ashamed of the relation he stands in to them, since he has made a provision for them to dwell with him to all eternity. (u) Laert. in Vit. Anaxag. p. 92. (w) De Agricultura, p. 196. Vid. ib. de Confus. Ling. p. 331.

Hebrews 11:15

The Faith of Abraham and Sarah

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.

American Standard Version (1901)

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

Bible in Basic English

And truly if they had kept in mind the country from which they went out, they would have had chances of turning back.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And truly if they had been mindful of that from whence they came out, they had doubtless time to return.

Free Bible Version

For if they cared about the country they'd left behind, they could have returned.

Geneva Bible 1599

And if they had bene mindfull of that countrey, from whence they came out, they had leasure to haue returned.

King James (Authorized) Version

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

Translation for Translators

If they had been thinking about that place being the place from which they had come, they would have taken the opportunity to return there.

Unlocked Literal Bible

If they had been thinking of the country from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return.

Noah Webster Bible

And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came, they might have had opportunity to return.

World English Bible

If indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had enough time to return.

Young's Literal Translation

and if, indeed, they had been mindful of that from which they came forth, they might have had an opportunity to return,

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Hebrews 11:15

Verse

Context

The Faith of Abraham and Sarah

Summary

Commentary

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Hebrews 11:15

The Faith of Abraham and Sarah

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary