Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Hebrews 11:10

"for he looked for the city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God." — Hebrews 11:10 (ASV)

The reason for Abraham’s patient acceptance of his lot was his forward look in faith to “the city with foundations.” To people in the first century, the city was the highest form of civilized society. Nothing served so well as the pattern for the ideal community. Since it is difficult to see God as the literal “architect and builder” of the earthly Jerusalem, the ultimate reference here is to “the heavenly Jerusalem” (cf. v.16; 12:22; 13:14; Revelation 3:12; Revelation 21:10; et al.). The “foundations” are not anything literal (cf. Revelation 21:19–20); the expression probably means that the city is well based—i.e., a city with permanent foundations. It is eternal, more lasting than earth’s ephemeral edifices.

The city owes everything to God, who is its “architect [GK 5493] and builder [GK 1321].” The first of these words means a craftsman or designer. As applied to a city, it may point to what we would call a “city planner.” The second word points to one who does the actual work. God built the city as well as designed it; it owes nothing to any inferior being. The thought of this verse shows clearly that more than Canaan was in Abraham’s mind when he went out in faith. God is not the “architect and builder” of Canaan any more than he is of any other land.