t having received the
promises but beholding them afar off and saluting them and confessing
that they are pilgrims and strangers on the earth.

11:14. For they that say these things do signify that they seek a
country.

11:15. And truly, if they had been mindful of that from whence they came
out, they had doubtless, time to return.

11:16. 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.

11:17. By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered Isaac: and he that
had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

11:18. (To whom it was said: In Isaac shalt thy seed be called:)

11:19. Accounting that God is able to raise up even from the dead.
Whereupon also he received him for a parable.

For a parable... That is, as a figure of Christ, slain and coming to
life again.

11:20. By faith also of things to come Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau.

11:21. By faith Jacob, dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph and
adored the top of his rod.

Adored the top of his rod... The apostle here follows the ancient Greek
Bible of the seventy interpreters, (which translates in this manner,
Gen. 47. 31.,) and alleges this fact of Jacob, in paying a relative
honour and veneration to the top of the rod or sceptre of Joseph, as to
a figure of Christ's sceptre and kingdom, as an instance and argument of
his faith. But some translators, who are no friends to this relative
honour, have corrupted the text, by translating it, he worshipped,
leaning upon the top of his staff; as if this circumstance of leaning
upon his staff were any argument of Jacob's faith, or worthy the being
thus particularly taken notice of by the Holy Ghost.

11:22. By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the going out
of the children of Israel and gave commandment concerning his bones.

11:23. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his
parents: because they saw he was a comely babe, and they feared not the
king's edict.

11:24. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, denied himself to be the
son of Pharao's daughter:

11:25. Rather choosing to be afflicted with the people of God than to
have the pleasure of sin for a time:

11:26. Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasure
of the Egyptians. For he looked unto the reward.

11:27. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the fierceness of the kin