A.T. Robertson Commentary Hebrews 11:15

"And if indeed they had been mindful of that [country] from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return." — Hebrews 11:15 (ASV)

Had been mindful (εμνημονευον)--

would have had (ειχον αν). Condition of second class (note αν in conclusion) with the imperfect (not aorist) in both condition and conclusion. So it means: "If they had continued mindful, they would have kept on having (linear action in both cases in past time).

Opportunity to return (καιρον ανακαμψα). Old verb ανακαμπτω to bend back, to turn back (Matthew 2:12), here first aorist active infinitive. Continual hankering would have found a way. Cf. the Israelites in the wilderness yearning after Egypt.