Definition: These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Hebrews 11:13. It’s a really important part of understanding faith and belief in the Bible. Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, this verse says that people who truly believed in something – whether it was God, or a promise, or a future event – didn’t just believe , they saw it and accepted it . Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “These all died in faith…” This means that the people who believed were gone . It wasn't about them physically dying; it was about their belief fading away. It suggests a loss of commitment or conviction. “…not having received the promises…” This is key. They weren’t just thinking about the promises – they hadn’t actually gotten them. Promises are things that God made for us, like salvation, a better life, etc. "...but having seen them afar off…" This is where it gets powerful. They were told about these promises (like the promise of salvation) – they knew about them. But they didn’t just read about them; they saw them in their hearts and minds, like a vision or a feeling. “…and were persuaded…” They understood that these promises were real and important. They weren't just guessing; they had a conviction that something significant was happening. "...and embraced…” This means they took on the belief. They joined in with the faith. They supported it. “…and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” This is the final part – a really profound realization. They acknowledged that they weren’t truly of this world anymore. They were foreigners, traveling across the globe, seeking God's favor. It emphasizes that our faith isn’t just about feeling good; it's about actively choosing to believe and follow God. In a nutshell, Hebrews 11:13 is saying that genuine belief leads to a commitment and acceptance of something larger than ourselves – a divine promise. It highlights the importance of active faith, not just passive belief. Think of it like this: You see a beautiful painting. You don't just look at it; you feel moved by it and believe in its beauty and value. That’s faith - embracing something beyond yourself. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these parts further? Give an example of how this verse applies to a specific situation?