Hebrews 11 15

Hebrews 11:15 kjv

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

Hebrews 11:15 nkjv

And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return.

Hebrews 11:15 niv

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

Hebrews 11:15 esv

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

Hebrews 11:15 nlt

If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back.

Hebrews 11 verses

Hebrews 11 15 Meaning

Hebrews 11:15 reveals a deeper layer of faith demonstrated by the Old Testament patriarchs. It explains that if their primary focus had been their former homeland—whether Ur of the Chaldeans for Abraham, or any place of their past earthly security and comfort—they could have easily gone back. However, they deliberately chose not to dwell on, or yearn for, that former life, illustrating that their desire and expectation were fixed on something superior and eternal. This conscious rejection of their past, despite having the means and opportunity to return, underscores the unwavering nature of their commitment to God’s promise of a heavenly city.

Hebrews 11 15 Context

Hebrews chapter 11, often called the "Hall of Faith," celebrates the enduring faith of various Old Testament figures. The overarching purpose of the book of Hebrews is to encourage first-century Jewish Christians who were being tempted to revert to Judaism and its earthly systems, away from their newfound faith in Jesus Christ. The author aims to demonstrate the superiority of Christ over everything in the Old Covenant, including the law, priests, and sacrifices.

Verses 13-16 specifically focus on Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Jacob. They are depicted as "strangers and pilgrims on the earth," explicitly seeking "a homeland" (v. 14). Hebrews 11:15 functions as a powerful testament to their sincere longing for a heavenly country, rather than an earthly one. It emphasizes that their pilgrim status was not out of necessity, but a conscious choice, reflecting a deep spiritual aspiration. This verse, therefore, directly addresses the implied temptation of the original audience to return to the familiar, settled customs of their ancestral traditions (represented by the "country from which they went out"), urging them instead to persist in faith towards the unseen, better promises of God. Their patriarchs' choices serve as an example and a call to persevere.

Hebrews 11 15 Word analysis

• And truly: (Greek: καὶ μὲν - kai men) A strong emphatic particle, highlighting the certainty and consequence of what follows. It emphasizes the genuine truth of their decision and condition.
• if they had been mindful: (Greek: ἀναμιμνῃσκομένων - anamimnēskomenōn) This is a present participle, implying continuous or active recalling. It suggests that if their mind was consistently turning back or actively dwelling on their former land with longing. It is more than just remembering; it implies a specific focus or a deliberate dwelling on a memory.
• of that country: (Greek: πατρίδος - patridos) Refers to their "fatherland" or "homeland." For Abraham, this was Ur of the Chaldeans (Gen 11:28, 31). More broadly, it symbolizes any place of former security, comfort, or the old way of life that they had departed from.
• from which they went out: (Greek: ἐξῆλθον - exēlthon) Implies a definitive act of departure. This refers to their active choice to leave their past, ancestral origins, and settled existence under God's calling.
• they would have had opportunity: (Greek: καιρόν - kairon) Not just a general "time" (chronos), but a specific "opportune time" or "fitting season." This indicates that favorable conditions, paths, or means were available to them if they had chosen to turn back. There was no divine or human obstacle preventing their return.
• to return: (Greek: ἀνακάμψαι - anakampsai) Means "to turn back," "go back," or "return." It implies reversing their course of life, abandoning their journey of faith, and settling back into their old existence.

Words-group analysis

• "if they had been mindful of that country... they would have had opportunity to return": This phrase highlights the powerful contrast between earthly opportunities and heavenly desire. It shows the patriarchs' profound faith was not passive or circumstantial, but an active, continuous denial of present comforts or past ease in favor of an unseen, future hope. Their lack of desire to return wasn't due to a lack of option, but a conscious, faith-driven choice. It indicates an active disinterest in their former state, proving their loyalty to God's promise.

Hebrews 11 15 Bonus section

The concept of not looking back is a significant motif throughout Scripture, often serving as a test of allegiance and spiritual progression. The patriarchs' deliberate choice to forgo returning to their "country" highlights the principle that genuine faith necessitates an unwavering forward gaze towards God's promises, leaving behind any desire for what was forsaken. This resolve underscores that a relationship with God requires a complete turning away from former paths, emphasizing transformation and progressive sanctification over nostalgia for ungodly or even merely temporal past comforts. Their active lack of longing demonstrated that their treasure and heart were indeed fixed on God's future, unseen, and spiritual provision (Col 3:1-2), validating the truth of Heb 11:1—that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11 15 Commentary

Hebrews 11:15 succinctly captures the active nature of the patriarchs' faith: it wasn't just about believing God for the future, but about rejecting the allure of the past. The author clarifies that Abraham and others were not forced into a nomadic life; they consciously chose to remain "strangers and pilgrims" because their hearts longed for a better country—a heavenly one. Had they cherished memories of their comfortable past or the familiar traditions they left behind, the path to return was open. Their refusal to seize this "opportunity to return" reveals the depth of their commitment to God's unseen promises and their understanding that true fulfillment lay beyond any earthly homeland. This served as a potent example for the initial readers of Hebrews, who were tempted to retreat to the familiar yet inadequate Old Covenant system, urging them to steadfastly pursue Christ and His heavenly promises instead.

For practical application:

• Consider what "country" or "past" might still tempt us to turn back from our walk with Christ (e.g., old habits, relationships, worldly aspirations).
• Reflect on opportunities to "return" that are still present in our lives, yet we must deny in pursuit of Christ.
• Embrace the pilgrim mindset, actively desiring the "better country" above earthly comforts.