Hebrews

Hebrews 11:9–16

⁹By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. ¹⁰For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

¹¹By faith Sarah, even though she was barren and beyond the proper age, was enabled to conceive a child, because she considered Him faithful who had promised. ¹²And so from one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

¹³All 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.

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.

Read all of Hebrews 11

Word by word

Each English word or phrase beside the Greek it translates, in the order of the English. Choose a number to open that word’s study.

Hebrews 11:9

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
By faith	Πίστει	Pistei	Noun - Dative Feminine Singular	G4102 faith, belief, trust
he dwelt	παρῴκησεν	parōkēsen	Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular	G3939 I sojourn
in	εἰς	eis	Preposition	G1519 into, in, among, till, for
the	τῆς	tēs	Article - Genitive Feminine Singular	G3588 the
promised	ἐπαγγελίας	epangelias	Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular	G1860 a promise
land	γῆν	gēn	Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular	G1093 the earth, soil, land
as	ὡς	hōs	Adverb	G5613 as, like as, how, while, so that
in a foreign	ἀλλοτρίαν	allotrian	Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular	G245 belonging to another person, foreign
He lived	κατοικήσας	katoikēsas	Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular	G2730 I dwell in, settle in, inhabit
in	ἐν	en	Preposition	G1722 in, on, among
tents	σκηναῖς	skēnais	Noun - Dative Feminine Plural	G4633 a tent, tabernacle
as did	μετὰ	meta	Preposition	G3326 with, after
Isaac	Ἰσαὰκ	Isaak	Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular	G2464 Isaac
and	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
Jacob	Ἰακὼβ	Iakōb	Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular	G2384 Jacob
who	τῶν	tōn	Article - Genitive Masculine Plural	G3588 the
heirs with him	συνκληρονόμων	synklēronomōn	Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural	G4789 a joint heir, participant
of the	τῆς	tēs	Article - Genitive Feminine Singular	G3588 the
same	αὐτῆς	autēs	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular	G846 he, she, it, they, them, same
promise	ἐπαγγελίας	epangelias	Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular	G1860 a promise

Hebrews 11:10

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
For	γὰρ	gar	Conjunction	G1063 for
he was looking forward to	ἐξεδέχετο	exedecheto	Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular	G1551 I wait for, expect
the	τὴν	tēn	Article - Accusative Feminine Singular	G3588 the
city	πόλιν	polin	Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular	G4172 a city
with	ἔχουσαν	echousan	Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Feminine Singular	G2192 I have, hold, possess
foundations	θεμελίους	themelious	Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural	G2310 belonging to the foundation
whose	ἧς	hēs	Personal / Relative Pronoun - Genitive Feminine Singular	G3739 who, which, what, that
architect	τεχνίτης	technitēs	Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular	G5079 a craftsman, artisan
and	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
builder	δημιουργὸς	dēmiourgos	Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular	G1217 an artisan, builder
God	Θεός	Theos	Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular	G2316 God, a god

Hebrews 11:11

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
By faith	Πίστει	Pistei	Noun - Dative Feminine Singular	G4102 faith, belief, trust
Sarah	Σάρρᾳ	Sarra	Noun - Dative Feminine Singular	G4564 Sarah
even though	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
she	αὐτῇ	autē	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Feminine 3rd Person Singular	G846 he, she, it, they, them, same
was barren	στεῖρα	steira	Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular	G4723 barren
and	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
beyond	παρὰ	para	Preposition	G3844 from, in the presence of
the proper	καιρὸν	kairon	Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular	G2540 fitting season, opportunity, time
age	ἡλικίας	hēlikias	Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular	G2244 age, stature
was enabled	ἔλαβεν	elaben	Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular	G2983 I receive, take
to	εἰς	eis	Preposition	G1519 into, in, among, till, for
conceive	καταβολὴν	katabolēn	Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular	G2602 a foundation, depositing, sowing
a child	σπέρματος	spermatos	Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular	G4690 seed, offspring
because	ἐπεὶ	epei	Conjunction	G1893 after, for, since, otherwise
she considered	ἡγήσατο	hēgēsato	Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular	G2233 I lead, think
Him	τὸν	ton	Article - Accusative Masculine Singular	G3588 the
faithful	πιστὸν	piston	Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular	G4103 trustworthy, faithful, believing
who had promised	ἐπαγγειλάμενον	epangeilamenon	Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Accusative Masculine Singular	G1861 I promise, profess

Hebrews 11:12

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
And	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
so	διὸ	dio	Conjunction	G1352 wherefore
from	ἀφ’	aph’	Preposition	G575 from, away from
one man	ἑνὸς	henos	Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular	G1520 one
and	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
he	ταῦτα	tauta	Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural	G3778 this, he, she, it
as good as dead	νενεκρωμένου	nenekrōmenou	Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Genitive Masculine Singular	G3499 I put to death, render weak
came descendants	ἐγεννήθησαν	egennēthēsan	Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural	G1080 I beget, bring forth, give birth to
as	καθὼς	kathōs	Adverb	G2531 just as, as
numerous	πλήθει	plēthei	Noun - Dative Neuter Singular	G4128 a multitude
as the	τὰ	ta	Article - Nominative Neuter Plural	G3588 the
stars	ἄστρα	astra	Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural	G798 a star
in the	τοῦ	tou	Article - Genitive Masculine Singular	G3588 the
sky	οὐρανοῦ	ouranou	Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular	G3772 the sky, the heaven
and	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
as countless	ἀναρίθμητος	anarithmētos	Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular	G382 uncountable, innumerable
as	ὡς	hōs	Adverb	G5613 as, like as, how, while, so that
the	ἡ	hē	Article - Nominative Feminine Singular	G3588 the
sand	ἄμμος	ammos	Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular	G285 sand
on	παρὰ	para	Preposition	G3844 from, in the presence of
the	τὸ	to	Article - Accusative Neuter Singular	G3588 the
seashore	χεῖλος	cheilos	Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular	G5491 a lip, mouth, shore

Hebrews 11:13

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
All	πάντες	pantes	Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural	G3956 all, the whole, every kind of
these	οὗτοι	houtoi	Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural	G3778 this, he, she, it
died	ἀπέθανον	apethanon	Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural	G599 I am dying, am about to die
in	Κατὰ	Kata	Preposition	G2596 down from, against, according to, throughout, during
faith	πίστιν	pistin	Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular	G4102 faith, belief, trust
without	μὴ	mē	Adverb	G3361 not, lest
having received	λαμβάνω	lambanō	Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Plural	G2983 I receive, take
the things	τὰς	tas	Article - Accusative Feminine Plural	G3588 the
they were promised	ἐπαγγελίας	epangelias	Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural	G1860 a promise
However	ἀλλὰ	alla	Conjunction	G235 but, except
they saw	ἰδόντες	idontes	Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural	G3708 I see, look upon, experience
and	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
welcomed	ἀσπασάμενοι	aspasamenoi	Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Plural	G782 I greet, salute, pay my respects to
them	αὐτὰς	autas	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Plural	G846 he, she, it, they, them, same
from afar	πόρρωθεν	porrōthen	Adverb	G4207 from afar, far off
And	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
they acknowledged	ὁμολογήσαντες	homologēsantes	Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural	G3670 I confess, profess, acknowledge, praise
that	ὅτι	hoti	Conjunction	G3754 that, since, because
they were	εἰσιν	eisin	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural	G1510 I am, exist
strangers	ξένοι	xenoi	Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural	G3581 new, novel, a foreigner
and	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
exiles	παρεπίδημοί	parepidēmoi	Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural	G3927 residing in a strange country, a stranger
on	ἐπὶ	epi	Preposition	G1909 on, to, against, on the basis of, at
the	τῆς	tēs	Article - Genitive Feminine Singular	G3588 the
earth	γῆς	gēs	Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular	G1093 the earth, soil, land

Hebrews 11:14

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Now	γὰρ	gar	Conjunction	G1063 for
those who	οἱ	hoi	Article - Nominative Masculine Plural	G3588 the
say	λέγοντες	legontes	Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural	G3004 I say, speak
such things	τοιαῦτα	toiauta	Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural	G5108 of such a kind, such
show	ἐμφανίζουσιν	emphanizousin	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural	G1718 I make visible, report against, appear before
that	ὅτι	hoti	Conjunction	G3754 that, since, because
they are seeking	ἐπιζητοῦσιν	epizētousin	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural	G1934 I seek after, desire, search for
a country of their own	πατρίδα	patrida	Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular	G3968 fatherland

Hebrews 11:15

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
If	εἰ	ei	Conjunction	G1487 if
they had been thinking of	ἐμνημόνευον	emnēmoneuon	Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural	G3421 I remember, make mention of
they had left	ἐξέβησαν	exebēsan	Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural	G1545 a way out, escape, result
they would have had	εἶχον	eichon	Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural	G2192 I have, hold, possess
opportunity	καιρὸν	kairon	Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular	G2540 fitting season, opportunity, time
to return	ἀνακάμψαι	anakampsai	Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active	G344 I return

Hebrews 11:16

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Instead	δὲ	de	Conjunction	G1161 but, on the other hand, and
they were longing for	ὀρέγονται	oregontai	Verb - Present Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural	G3713 I stretch forth, long for
a better	κρείττονος	kreittonos	Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular - Comparative	G2909 stronger, more excellent
a heavenly	ἐπουρανίου	epouraniou	Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular	G2032 heavenly, celestial
Therefore	διὸ	dio	Conjunction	G1352 wherefore
God	Θεὸς	Theos	Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular	G2316 God, a god
is not ashamed	ἐπαισχύνεται	epaischynetai	Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular	G1870 I am ashamed
to be called	ἐπικαλεῖσθαι	epikaleisthai	Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive	G1941 I call by an additional name, appeal to
their	αὐτῶν	autōn	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural	G846 he, she, it, they, them, same
God	Θεὸς	Theos	Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular	G2316 God, a god
for	γὰρ	gar	Conjunction	G1063 for
He has prepared	ἡτοίμασεν	hētoimasen	Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular	G2090 I make ready, prepare
a city	πόλιν	polin	Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular	G4172 a city
for them	αὐτοῖς	autois	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural	G846 he, she, it, they, them, same