Hebrews 11:16 Instead, 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.

◄ Hebrews 11:16 ►

New International Version
Instead, 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.

New Living Translation
But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

English Standard Version
But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

Berean Standard Bible
Instead, 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.

Berean Literal Bible
But now they stretch forward to a better one, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.

King James Bible
But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

New King James Version
But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

New American Standard Bible
But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.

NASB 1995
But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.

NASB 1977
But as it is, they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.

Legacy Standard Bible
But now, they aspire to a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He prepared a city for them.

Amplified Bible
But the truth is that they were longing for a better country, that is, a heavenly one. For that reason God is not ashamed [of them or] to be called their God [even to be surnamed their God—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob]; for He has prepared a city for them.

Christian Standard Bible
But they now desire a better place—a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But they now desire a better place—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

American Standard Version
But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city.

Contemporary English Version
But they were looking forward to a better home in heaven. This is why God wasn't ashamed for them to call him their God. He even built a city for them.

English Revised Version
But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Instead, these men were longing for a better country-a heavenly country. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God. He has prepared a city for them.

Good News Translation
Instead, it was a better country they longed for, the heavenly country. And so God is not ashamed for them to call him their God, because he has prepared a city for them.

International Standard Version
Instead, they were longing for a better country, that is, a heavenly one. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, because he has prepared a city for them.

Majority Standard Bible
Instead, 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.

NET Bible
But as it is, they aspire to a better land, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

New Heart English Bible
Instead, they were longing for a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Webster's Bible Translation
But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city.

Weymouth New Testament
but, as it is, we see them eager for a better land, that is to say, a heavenly one. For this reason God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has now prepared a city for them.

World English Bible
But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
but now they long for better, that is, heavenly, for this reason God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for He prepared a city for them.

Berean Literal Bible
But now they stretch forward to a better one, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.

Young's Literal Translation
but now they long for a better, that is, an heavenly, wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for He did prepare for them a city.

Smith's Literal Translation
And now they feel an ardent desire for a better, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them to be called their God: for he prepared for them a city.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
But now they desire a better, that is to say, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But now they hunger for a better place, that is, Heaven. For this reason, God is not ashamed to be called their God. For he has prepared a city for them.

New American Bible
But now they desire a better homeland, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

New Revised Standard Version
But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
But now it is evident, that they desire a better city, that city which is in heaven: therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he has prepared for them a city.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Now it is apparent that they longed for better than that, which is in Heaven; because of this, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a City for them.

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country; wherefore God is not ashamed of them, that he should be called their God: for he has prepared for them a city.

Godbey New Testament
but now they seek a better country, that is, a heavenly. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he has prepared for them a city.

Haweis New Testament
But now their longing desires are after a better country, that is, the heavenly one: wherefore God is not ashamed of them to be called their God: for he hath prepared a city for them.

Mace New Testament
they desired therefore a better, that is, an heavenly country: so that God is very justly stiled their God: for he had appointed a city for them.

Weymouth New Testament
but, as it is, we see them eager for a better land, that is to say, a heavenly one. For this reason God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has now prepared a city for them.

Worrell New Testament
But now they long for a better country, that is, a heavenly one; wherefore, God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for He prepared for them a city.

Worsley New Testament
But they desire a better, that is, an heavenly one; wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He hath prepared for them a city.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Faith of Abraham and Sarah
…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. 17By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac on the altar. He who had received the promises was ready to offer his one and only son,…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Philippians 3:20
But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Revelation 21:2-3
I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. / And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.

Matthew 5:12
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.

John 14:2-3
In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? / And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am.

2 Corinthians 5:1-2
For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. / For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling,

Colossians 3:1-2
Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. / Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

1 Peter 1:4
and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you,

Revelation 21:10-11
And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city of Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, / shining with the glory of God. Its radiance was like a most precious jewel, like a jasper, as clear as crystal.

1 Corinthians 2:9
Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Ephesians 2:19
Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household,

Luke 12:32
Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.

Romans 8:23
Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

2 Timothy 4:18
And the Lord will rescue me from every evil action and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 3:12
The one who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will never again leave it. Upon him I will write the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God (the new Jerusalem that comes down out of heaven from My God), and My new name.

Galatians 4:26
But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.

Treasury of Scripture

But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: why God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he has prepared for them a city.

they desire.

Hebrews 11:14
For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

Hebrews 12:22
But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

God is.

Hebrews 2:11
For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

to be.

Genesis 17:7,8
And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee…

Exodus 3:6,15
Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God…

Isaiah 41:8-10
But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend…

for.

Hebrews 11:10
For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Hebrews 13:14
For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

Matthew 25:34
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Jump to Previous

Ashamed Better City Country Desire Eager Heaven Heavenly Instead Longing Prepare Prepared Ready Reason Seek Shame Wherefore

Jump to Next

Ashamed Better City Country Desire Eager Heaven Heavenly Instead Longing Prepare Prepared Ready Reason Seek Shame Wherefore

Hebrews 11

1. What faith is.
6. Without faith we cannot please God.
7. The examples of faithfulness in the fathers of old time.

Berean Study Bible

Instead
This word marks a contrast with the previous verses, where the patriarchs are described as strangers and exiles on the earth. The Greek word "νυνὶ" (nyni) implies a decisive shift in focus. It suggests a conscious choice to look beyond the temporal and earthly, emphasizing the deliberate nature of faith that seeks something greater than what is immediately visible.

they were longing
The Greek word "ὀρέγομαι" (oregómai) conveys a deep, earnest desire or aspiration. This longing is not a passive wish but an active pursuit, reflecting the intensity of the patriarchs' faith. It speaks to the human heart's innate yearning for something transcendent and eternal, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture as believers are called to set their hearts on things above (Colossians 3:1-2).

for a better country
The phrase "κρείττονος πατρίδος" (kreittonos patridos) indicates a superior homeland. This "better country" is not merely a physical location but a spiritual reality. The patriarchs' faith was rooted in the promise of a divine inheritance, a place of ultimate fulfillment and peace. Historically, this reflects the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land, symbolizing the believer's journey toward eternal life with God.

a heavenly one
The term "ἐπουρανίου" (epouraniou) refers to that which is celestial or divine. This heavenly country contrasts with earthly kingdoms, highlighting the eternal nature of God's promises. It underscores the Christian hope of heaven, a place prepared by God Himself, where believers will dwell in His presence forever (John 14:2-3).

Therefore God is not ashamed
The phrase "οὐκ ἐπαισχύνεται" (ouk epaischynetai) reveals God's approval and acceptance of those who live by faith. In a cultural context where honor and shame were significant, this statement affirms that God proudly identifies with His faithful ones. It reassures believers that their faith is not in vain and that God honors those who earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

to be called their God
This phrase echoes the covenant language found throughout the Old Testament, where God declares Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It signifies a personal and relational God who commits Himself to His people. This divine identification is a profound assurance of God's faithfulness and love, as He claims His people as His own.

for He has prepared a city for them
The Greek word "ἡτοίμασεν" (hetoimasen) means "prepared" or "made ready," indicating intentionality and purpose. The "city" refers to the New Jerusalem, a symbol of God's ultimate plan for His people—a place of eternal communion with Him. This preparation reflects God's sovereign care and the fulfillment of His promises, offering believers a future hope that transcends present circumstances (Revelation 21:2-4).

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(16) They confess themselves but sojourners (Hebrews 11:13), and thus make it plain that they are still seeking their true home (14); and yet, if. they had sought nothing more than an earthly home, there is one already, which was once theirs, and to which they might return (15); hence it is no earthly but a heavenly-country that they desire. This is the general current of thought in these verses, presenting a very close analogy to the argument of Hebrews 3:7 to Hebrews 4:11; here, as there, words which otherwise might appear to have but an earthly reference are seen to have a higher and a spiritual import. In Hebrews 11:8-9 we have before us only the land of inheritance, but in Hebrews 11:10 the heavenly rest; and in Hebrews 11:13 words which as read in Genesis might seem to refer to a wandering life in the land of Canaan are taken as a confession of sojourning upon earth. It is not necessary to suppose that the desires and yearnings of "the fathers" expressed themselves in the definite forms which later revelation has made familiar; in all that is essential the hope existed, whilst the mode of the fulfilment was unknown. Through faith the patriarchs were willing to connect their whole life and that of their children with waiting at God's bidding for the fulfilment of a promise--wandering and sojourning until God's own time should come when He would grant a home in a country of their own. And yet each of these servants of God recognised that relation to God in which lay the foundation of the promise to him to be personal and abiding. If these two thoughts be united, it will be easy to see how each one for himself would be led to regard the state of wandering in which he spent his life as an emblem of a state of earthly waiting for an enduring home; the sojourning in the land was a constant symbol of the sojourning upon earth. Hence (see the passages quoted in Hebrews 11:13) the same language is used from age to age after Canaan is received as an inheritance. (Comp. Hebrews 4:9; and see Exodus 3:15, and Matthew 22:31-32.) . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

Instead,
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

they were longing for
ὀρέγονται (oregontai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 3713: To stretch forth, mid: To hanker after, long for, be eager for, aspire to.

a better [country],
κρείττονος (kreittonos)
Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular - Comparative
Strong's 2909: Stronger, more excellent. Comparative of a derivative of kratos; stronger, i.e. better, i.e. Nobler.

a heavenly [one].
ἐπουρανίου (epouraniou)
Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2032: From epi and ouranos; above the sky.

Therefore
διὸ (dio)
Conjunction
Strong's 1352: Wherefore, on which account, therefore. From dia and hos; through which thing, i.e. Consequently.

God
Θεὸς (Theos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

is not ashamed
ἐπαισχύνεται (epaischynetai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1870: To be ashamed, be ashamed of. From epi and aischunomai; to feel shame for something.

to be called
ἐπικαλεῖσθαι (epikaleisthai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive
Strong's 1941: (a) To call (name) by a supplementary (additional, alternative) name, (b) mid: To call upon, appeal to, address.

their
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

God,
Θεὸς (Theos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

for
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

He has prepared
ἡτοίμασεν (hētoimasen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2090: To make ready, prepare. From hetoimos; to prepare.

a city
πόλιν (polin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4172: A city, the inhabitants of a city. Probably from the same as polemos, or perhaps from polus; a town.

for them.
αὐτοῖς (autois)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

Links

Hebrews 11:16 NIV
Hebrews 11:16 NLT
Hebrews 11:16 ESV
Hebrews 11:16 NASB
Hebrews 11:16 KJV

Hebrews 11:16 BibleApps.com
Hebrews 11:16 Biblia Paralela
Hebrews 11:16 Chinese Bible
Hebrews 11:16 French Bible
Hebrews 11:16 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: Hebrews 11:16 But now they desire a better country (Heb. He. Hb)