Hebrews 11 10

Hebrews 11:10 kjv

For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Hebrews 11:10 nkjv

for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Hebrews 11:10 niv

For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

Hebrews 11:10 esv

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

Hebrews 11:10 nlt

Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.

Hebrews 11 verses

Hebrews 11 10 meaning

Hebrews 11:10 explains the depth of Abraham's faith by stating that he lived as a sojourner, dwelling in tents, because his true aspiration and steadfast hope were set upon a far greater reality: an enduring, perfect, and heavenly city. This city, unlike any temporary earthly structure, possesses immutable foundations, signifying its absolute permanence and stability. Its ultimate superiority is guaranteed by the fact that its designer (architect) and constructor (builder) is God Himself, making it a divine and eternal dwelling beyond human comprehension or capacity.

Hebrews 11 10 Context

Hebrews chapter 11, often called the "Hall of Faith," details a succession of Old Testament figures who exemplify living by faith, anticipating promises not fully realized in their earthly lives. Abraham stands as a pivotal example, illustrating deep faith by leaving his homeland and dwelling in tents, even though God had promised him a land and offspring. The immediate verses (11:8-9) highlight his obedience and his status as a temporary resident (sojourner) in the promised land, alongside Isaac and Jacob. Verse 11:10 explains why Abraham was content to live in such a transient manner—because his gaze was fixed on a future, permanent city. This vision elevates faith beyond immediate gratification or physical possession, emphasizing hope in divine, eternal realities. Historically, this perspective challenged Jewish believers who were tempted to regress to the Old Covenant's physical and nationalistic promises, encouraging them instead to embrace the superior spiritual and heavenly inheritance found in Christ. It provides an answer to the dilemma of experiencing delay or non-fulfillment of earthly promises, reorienting the believer's ultimate hope.

Hebrews 11 10 Word analysis

• For (γὰρ, gar): A conjunction that explains the preceding statement. It tells why Abraham, having been called by God, lived in tents in the promised land (v. 9). His dwelling was temporary because his hope was for something eternal.
• he (αὐτὸν, auton): Refers directly to Abraham. This particular use emphasizes his active role in "looking forward."
• was looking forward (ἐξεδέχετο, exedécheto): An imperfect middle indicative verb, suggesting continuous and active expectation. It denotes a deliberate, personal turning of one's mind and anticipation toward something or someone. This was not a fleeting thought but a sustained posture of hopeful waiting and yearning.
• to the city (τὴν πόλιν, tēn polin): The definite article "the" (τὴν) emphasizes that this was not just any city, but a specific, singular, and uniquely distinguished city in Abraham's vision. It points to a distinct entity of ultimate significance.
• that has (ἔχουσαν, echousan): Participle, indicating an inherent characteristic of the city – possessing.
• foundations (τοὺς θεμελίους, tous themelious): Plural form emphasizes multiple, strong, and enduring bases. In contrast to temporary tents, and even most human cities built on fallible, earthly ground, this city is built upon rock-solid, permanent underpinnings that cannot be shaken or decay. It signifies ultimate stability and permanence.
• whose (ἧς, hēs): A relative pronoun referring back to "the city," indicating possession.
• architect (τεχνίτης, technitēs): A skilled craftsman, designer, or master builder. This term implies intelligent design, careful planning, and artistic execution, emphasizing God's perfect conception and blueprint.
• and (καὶ, kai): A simple conjunction connecting the two roles, highlighting both aspects of God's work.
• builder (δημιουργὸς, dēmiourgos): Literally a "worker for the people," a public builder or creator. This term points to the actual execution, bringing the design into physical reality, emphasizing God's power in construction and His provision of a dwelling for His people. It stresses His active role as the maker.
• is God (ὁ θεός, ho theos): The absolute and definite statement identifying the supreme divine being as the sole architect and builder. This attribute confers divine perfection, unshakeable stability, and eternal duration upon the city, surpassing anything made by human hands or effort.

Words-group analysis

• "was looking forward to the city that has foundations": This phrase captures Abraham's visionary faith. It wasn't merely a vague hope, but an active, persistent anticipation of an actual, established dwelling place. The "foundations" imply an eternal quality, distinguishing it from any earthly settlement he might have seen or inhabited, highlighting his deep spiritual foresight and longing for an ultimate, stable reality.
• "whose architect and builder is God": This powerful declaration defines the absolute nature and perfection of the city. Attributing both the design ("architect") and construction ("builder") directly to God signifies that this city is divine in origin, conception, and execution. It means it is utterly perfect, secure, and eternal, completely independent of human fallibility or limitations, serving as a powerful counterpoint to any human endeavor.

Hebrews 11 10 Bonus section

• The concept of a "city with foundations" serves as a direct contrast to the fleeting and often besieged cities of human history. Even the great cities of Abraham's day, like Ur, were eventually reduced to ruins, but the city Abraham looked forward to is utterly indestructible because its foundation is divine.
• This verse emphasizes God's active involvement in the eschatological hope of believers. He is not merely promising a place, but actively designing and building it. This implies a specific, purposeful creation intended for His people, confirming the personal nature of our eternal home.
• Abraham’s journey, beginning from Ur of the Chaldeans to the promised land, symbolically prefigures the spiritual pilgrimage of every believer, called to leave behind earthly comforts and worldly ties, journeying towards a spiritual, heavenly home whose ultimate reality and perfection are secured by God Himself. His example provides an anchor of faith for those enduring hardships or an uncertain future.

Hebrews 11 10 Commentary

Hebrews 11:10 is a pivotal verse in the Hall of Faith, illuminating the profound spiritual dimension of Abraham's obedience and pilgrimage. It unveils the inner motive for his tent-dwelling existence: not a lack of opportunity for permanence, but a superior, divine expectation. His gaze extended beyond the visible, promised land, recognizing its temporary nature as a type or shadow of a greater, unshakeable reality. The "city that has foundations" represents the ultimate heavenly dwelling, the New Jerusalem, a place of ultimate security, beauty, and perfection. The double title for God – "architect" (the planner and designer) and "builder" (the one who brings it into being) – underscores His absolute sovereignty and perfect craftsmanship in creating this eternal home. This verse reassures believers that their temporary struggles, and their identification as sojourners in this world, are rooted in a sure hope. Their ultimate home is not of human making but is divinely prepared, guaranteeing its permanence and the fulfillment of God's promises. For modern believers, it's a call to reorient our focus from the transient earthly comforts to the eternal heavenly realities, knowing our final resting place is securely in God's hands.