Verse 13
13. These all died in faith They not only lived faithful lives, but in (not by) faith they died. The fact that they saw not the fulfilled promises shook not their final faith. From their dying beds they looked forward to the heavenly country. To the all, here, some commentators note Enoch as an “exception,” who did not die. Others say, all who really died, died in faith. Perhaps the all, however, refers only to Abraham’s descendants, of whom alone 12-16 seems to speak. Received (the fulfilment of) the promises.
Seen them afar off As a ship’s company descry a distant lighthouse: or as Moses, from the summit of Nebo, surveyed the distant hills and plains, and cities and rivers, of the land to which he was heir, but must never in life possess.
Embraced Or, saluted them. So Xenophon’s army of the ten thousand, when they arrived at the Euxine, which was to terminate their wilderness wandering, shouted the first giving the word to all the rest ”Thalatta! thalatta!” the sea, the sea.
Pilgrims on the earth Having a land in heaven, of which this promised land was type and earnest.
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