Hebrews 11:13

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

These {G3778} all {G3956} died {G599} in {G2596} faith {G4102}, not {G3361} having received {G2983} the promises {G1860}, but {G235} having seen {G1492} them {G846} afar off {G4207}, and {G2532} were persuaded of {G3982} them, and {G2532} embraced {G782} them, and {G2532} confessed {G3670} that {G3754} they were {G1526} strangers {G3581} and {G2532} pilgrims {G3927} on {G1909} the earth {G1093}.

Complete Jewish Bible

All these people kept on trusting until they died, without receiving what had been promised. They had only seen it and welcomed it from a distance, while acknowledging that they were aliens and temporary residents on the earth.

Berean Standard Bible

All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

American Standard Version

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 11:13 encapsulates the profound faith of Old Testament saints who, though they died without seeing the full realization of God's promises, maintained an unwavering conviction in what was yet to come. They spiritually discerned and embraced these distant assurances, living as temporary residents on earth, their true allegiance and hope fixed on an eternal, heavenly dwelling. This verse serves as a powerful testament to their endurance and a model for believers navigating the tension between present realities and future divine fulfillment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hebrews 11 is famously known as the "Hall of Faith," a chapter dedicated to illustrating the nature of faith defined in [Hebrews 11:1](/hebrews/11-1 "Hebrews 11:1 - The Definition of Faith") as "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Verse 13 functions as a summary statement for many of the examples previously cited, particularly the patriarchs and matriarchs like Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Jacob, whose stories of faith in the unseen are detailed in [Hebrews 11:8-12](/hebrews/11-8-12 "Hebrews 11:8-12 - The Faith of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Jacob"). It highlights a common thread among them: their journey was marked by a profound trust in God's future provision, even when the immediate circumstances did not reflect the promises. This verse also anticipates the subsequent examples, emphasizing the enduring nature of faith across generations, culminating in the "better things" that God had provided for New Testament believers, as mentioned in [Hebrews 11:40](/hebrews/11-40 "Hebrews 11:40 - God's Better Plan").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were likely facing persecution or discouragement, tempting them to abandon their newfound faith in Christ and revert to the perceived security of Judaism. The author's strategy is to demonstrate the superiority of Christ and the New Covenant by drawing extensively from Old Testament figures and practices. By showcasing the unwavering faith of their revered ancestors—who persevered despite not receiving the ultimate fulfillment of promises—the author encourages his audience to likewise endure. The concept of "strangers and pilgrims" resonated deeply in the ancient world, where many people were displaced or lived as resident aliens without full citizenship rights. This imagery would have been particularly poignant for a Jewish audience, who often experienced exile and dispersion, but also understood their spiritual heritage as a journey towards a promised land. It underscores a fundamental theological truth: the people of God are not fully at home in this fallen world, but are journeying towards an eternal city.

* **Key Themes:** Hebrews 11:13 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the chapter and the book. Primarily, it underscores the theme of **Faith in the Unseen**, demonstrating that true faith is not contingent on immediate gratification but trusts in God's character and His future faithfulness. The patriarchs "saw them afar off," emphasizing a spiritual foresight that transcended physical limitations, echoing the definition of faith in [Hebrews 11:1](/hebrews/11-1 "Hebrews 11:1 - The Definition of Faith"). Secondly, the verse highlights **Perseverance and Endurance**, as these individuals "died in faith," signifying that their conviction remained steadfast until their last breath, despite enduring hardships and delays. This theme is crucial for the original audience and for believers today, encouraging steadfastness in the face of trials, as seen in [Hebrews 12:1-3](/hebrews/12-1-3 "Hebrews 12:1-3 - Running the Race with Perseverance"). Finally, the declaration of being "strangers and pilgrims" introduces the theme of **Heavenly Citizenship and Eternal Hope**. It reveals their understanding of their earthly existence as temporary and their ultimate belonging in a heavenly, eternal dwelling, a "better country" that they longed for, as described in [Hebrews 11:14-16](/hebrews/11-14-16 "Hebrews 11:14-16 - The Desire for a Heavenly Homeland"). This spiritual orientation detached them from the transient allure of the world and anchored their hope in God's eternal kingdom.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **seen (Greek, _eídō'_):** From G1492, this verb means to see, literally or figuratively, and by implication, to know. In this context, it refers not to physical sight but to a spiritual perception or understanding. The patriarchs "saw" the promises with the eyes of faith, apprehending their reality and certainty even though they were still future and unseen to the physical eye. It implies a deep, intuitive knowledge and conviction.
* **persuaded of (Greek, _peíthō'_):** From G3982, this primary verb means to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy, to pacify or conciliate; reflexively or passively, to assent (to evidence or authority), to rely (by inward certainty). Here, it signifies a deep, internal conviction and assurance regarding the promises. They were not merely aware of the promises, but fully convinced of their truthfulness and God's faithfulness to fulfill them, leading to an unwavering trust.
* **embraced (Greek, _aspázomai'_):** From G782, this verb means to enfold in the arms, by implication, to salute or welcome. In this verse, it conveys a warm, personal, and active reception of the promises. It suggests that they not only believed the promises intellectually but also welcomed them into their lives with affection and commitment, holding onto them as precious and foundational to their existence. This goes beyond mere mental assent to a heartfelt, active appropriation.
* **pilgrims (Greek, _parepídēmos'_):** From G3927, this word describes an alien alongside, i.e., a resident foreigner or sojourner. It emphasizes a temporary stay, like a transient or an exile passing through. When coupled with "strangers" (G3581, _xénos_), it paints a vivid picture of individuals who understood their transient status on earth, acknowledging that their ultimate home and citizenship lay elsewhere, not in the physical land they inhabited. This mindset shaped their priorities and actions, detaching them from worldly attachments.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"These all died in faith,"**: This opening clause serves as a powerful summary for the Old Testament heroes mentioned in the preceding verses. It emphasizes that their faith was not a fleeting emotion or a temporary conviction, but an enduring characteristic that defined their entire lives, persisting even unto death. It implies a life lived consistently in reliance upon God, culminating in a faithful end.
* **"not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off,"**: This highlights the paradoxical nature of their faith. The "promises" (G1860, _epangelía_) refer primarily to the ultimate spiritual blessings of the New Covenant and the heavenly country, which were not fully manifested in their earthly lifetimes. Despite this lack of immediate, tangible fulfillment, they possessed a spiritual foresight that allowed them to "see" these future realities from a distance. This "seeing" was an act of profound spiritual perception, not physical sight, underscoring the definition of faith as belief in the unseen.
* **"and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them],"**: This phrase describes the active and deeply personal nature of their faith. They were not merely intellectually aware of the promises but were deeply "persuaded" (G3982, _peíthō_) or convinced of their truth and certainty. Furthermore, they "embraced" (G782, _aspázomai_) these promises, suggesting a warm, welcoming, and affectionate reception, holding them close as vital truths that shaped their lives and provided hope. This indicates a wholehearted commitment and active appropriation of God's word.
* **"and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."**: This final clause reveals the profound impact of their faith on their identity and worldview. Their conviction in the distant promises led them to acknowledge their transient status on "the earth" (G1093, _gē_). They saw themselves as "strangers" (G3581, _xénos_, foreign residents) and "pilgrims" (G3927, _parepídēmos_, temporary sojourners), indicating that their true home and citizenship were not of this world. This confession was not a lament but a declaration of their heavenly orientation, prioritizing eternal realities over temporal comforts and allegiances.

#### Literary Devices
The author of Hebrews employs several literary devices to convey the profound message of faith in [Hebrews 11:13](/hebrews/11-13 "Hebrews 11:13 - The Faith of the Patriarchs"). **Metaphor** is central to the verse, particularly in the description of the saints as "strangers and pilgrims on the earth." This vivid imagery serves as a powerful metaphor for the transient nature of human life and the believer's spiritual detachment from worldly allegiances, emphasizing that their true citizenship lies elsewhere. The phrase "saw them afar off" also functions as a **metaphor** for spiritual discernment, illustrating faith as a kind of prophetic vision that perceives future realities. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism** and **Anaphora** through the repeated use of "and" ("and were persuaded... and embraced... and confessed..."), which creates a rhythmic flow and emphasizes the sequence of their faithful actions and declarations. Furthermore, the verse employs **Contrast** by juxtaposing "not having received the promises" with "having seen them afar off," highlighting the tension between present reality and future hope, a core theme of the chapter. Finally, the collective "These all" is a form of **Synecdoche**, where a part (the collective experience) represents the whole (the individual faithful mentioned earlier in the chapter), summarizing their shared journey of faith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 11:13 profoundly connects to the broader biblical narrative of God's redemptive plan and the nature of His covenant faithfulness. It underscores that salvation has always been by grace through faith, even for Old Testament saints who lived before Christ's incarnation. Their faith was not in a fully revealed Messiah but in God's character and His promises, which they believed would ultimately be fulfilled. This verse highlights the progressive revelation of God's plan, where earlier generations glimpsed the future "afar off," laying the groundwork for the "better things" that would come in Christ. It establishes a continuity of faith across dispensations, emphasizing that the same God who promised to Abraham is faithful to His people today. The "pilgrim" motif resonates throughout Scripture, reminding believers that their true home is not of this world, fostering an eternal perspective that shapes their values, priorities, and endurance in the present age.

* [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "Genesis 12:1-3 - The Call of Abraham"): Abraham's initial call to leave his homeland is an early example of living by faith in an unseen promise, foreshadowing the pilgrim identity.
* [1 Peter 2:11](/1_peter/2-11 "1 Peter 2:11 - Living as Sojourners"): Peter directly echoes the "strangers and pilgrims" theme, exhorting believers to live holy lives in light of their temporary status on earth.
* [Philippians 3:20](/philippians/3-20 "Philippians 3:20 - Our Heavenly Citizenship"): Paul affirms that believers' citizenship is in heaven, reinforcing the idea that our ultimate allegiance and belonging are not to this world.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 11:13 offers a timeless and deeply practical challenge for contemporary believers. It calls us to cultivate a faith that looks beyond immediate gratification and present circumstances, anchoring our hope in the unseen, yet certain, promises of God. In a world obsessed with instant results and tangible possessions, the example of these ancient saints reminds us that true spiritual maturity involves patiently enduring, even dying, with an unwavering conviction in what God has declared, regardless of whether we see its complete fulfillment in our lifetime. This "pilgrim mentality" encourages a healthy detachment from the fleeting allure of worldly comforts and anxieties, reorienting our priorities towards eternal realities. It prompts us to live with a conscious awareness that this earth is not our ultimate home, fostering a longing for the heavenly city and motivating us to invest in what truly lasts. Our confession as "strangers and pilgrims" should be a visible testimony to a world that desperately needs to see lives lived with an eternal perspective, demonstrating where our true allegiance and hope lie.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "promises" of God are you currently waiting to see fulfilled, and how does the example of these saints encourage your perseverance?**
* **In what practical ways can you cultivate a "stranger and pilgrim" mentality in your daily life, detaching from worldly anxieties and attachments?**
* **How does your confession of faith, both verbally and through your lifestyle, reflect your identity as a temporary resident on earth with an eternal hope?**
* **What does it mean for you to "embrace" God's promises, moving beyond intellectual assent to a heartfelt, active commitment?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean for the saints to have "not received the promises" yet "seen them afar off"?**

Answer: This phrase highlights the distinction between the partial, temporal fulfillment of some promises (like land or descendants) and the ultimate, spiritual, and eternal fulfillment of others. The patriarchs received some aspects of God's promises (e.g., Abraham had Isaac, Jacob had many descendants), but they did not live to see the full realization of the "better country" (heavenly city) or the coming of the Messiah, which are the ultimate promises in view. They "saw them afar off" through spiritual foresight and faith, understanding that God's plan extended beyond their earthly lives. Their faith allowed them to apprehend the reality and certainty of these future blessings, even though they were not yet physically manifested. This concept is crucial for understanding the nature of faith as belief in the unseen, as articulated in [Hebrews 11:1](/hebrews/11-1 "Hebrews 11:1 - The Definition of Faith").

**How does the identity of "strangers and pilgrims" apply to Christians today?**

Answer: For Christians, the identity of "strangers and pilgrims" (or sojourners and exiles, as in [1 Peter 2:11](/1_peter/2-11 "1 Peter 2:11 - Living as Sojourners")) means that our ultimate citizenship and allegiance are not to any earthly nation or system, but to God's heavenly kingdom. This world is not our permanent home; we are merely passing through. This perspective should shape our values, priorities, and conduct. It encourages us to live with a sense of detachment from worldly materialism, fleeting pleasures, and political ideologies that oppose God's kingdom. Instead, it compels us to seek "the city that is to come" ([Hebrews 13:14](/hebrews/13-14 "Hebrews 13:14 - Seeking the City to Come")) and to live in a way that reflects our heavenly citizenship ([Philippians 3:20](/philippians/3-20 "Philippians 3:20 - Our Heavenly Citizenship")), impacting the world for Christ while not being conformed to it.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 11:13 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "promises" that the Old Testament saints saw "afar off" were not merely abstract concepts but were ultimately embodied in the person and work of the Messiah. The "better country" they longed for is fully realized in the new creation ushered in by Christ's redemptive work. They died in faith, believing in a future salvation, but we live in the "last days" where God "has spoken to us by His Son" ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God's Final Word in His Son")). The ultimate promise of God, the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), has arrived. Our pilgrimage is now one *in Christ*, as we are "united with Him in a death like His" and "will certainly also be united with Him in a resurrection like His" ([Romans 6:5](/romans/6-5 "Romans 6:5 - United with Christ in Death and Resurrection")). The "heavenly country" they sought is now accessible through Christ, who has "opened for us a new and living way" ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19-20 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - The New and Living Way")). Jesus Himself is the "author and perfecter of our faith" ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of Faith")), the one who brings all God's promises to their "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). Thus, the faith of the patriarchs, though commendable, pointed forward to the One who would fully deliver on every divine assurance, making our heavenly home a present reality in spirit and a future certainty in glory.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 39:12

Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I [am] a stranger with thee, [and] a sojourner, as all my fathers [were].

Genesis 23:4

I [am] a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a buryingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.

Hebrews 11:27

By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

John 8:56

Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw [it], and was glad.

Romans 8:24

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

Ephesians 2:19

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

Hebrews 11:39

And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: