What does “these all died in faith” mean (Hebrews 11:13)?

Hebrews 11:13 reads, “These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth” (ESV). Who is the “all” in this verse? What does it mean that they died “in faith”?

In the lead-up to Hebrews 11:13, the writer mentions Abel (verse 4), Enoch (verse 5), Noah (verse 7), and Abraham and Sarah (verses 8–12). The “all” in Hebrews 11:13 refers to these individuals. While Enoch “was taken up so that he should not see death” (Hebrews 11:5, ESV), he pleased God by living a life of faith and is included with those who “died in faith” (Hebrews 11:13).

Dying in faith means passing away while trusting in God’s promises. Importantly, the people mentioned did not see the promises fulfilled, but they believed in things they did not yet see. They did not die in despair but in hopeful expectation that God’s promises would come to pass. They were confident of God’s faithfulness, even if His promises were not fulfilled during their lifetimes.

The Hebrew writer continues, “Not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13, ESV). The faith of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah was future-oriented. These righteous people glimpsed God’s promises and embraced them as sure and trustworthy. As strangers and exiles in this world, they understood their true inheritance was not earthly.

What promises did God make to them? For Abraham and Sarah, it was a promise of land, descendants, and a universal blessing (Genesis 12:1–3). The fulfillment of this promise began when Isaac was born, but its fullness extended far beyond Abraham and Sarah’s time.

God’s promises pointed to something greater: “As it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God” (Hebrews 11:16, ESV). They weren’t waiting to receive a land inheritance or see a long family line; they desired God and a city “whose designer and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10, ESV). Their faith was not disappointed because their eyes were fixed on something eternal.

The theme of persistent faith runs throughout Scripture and finds its greatest emphasis in Hebrews 11. That chapter lists saints who all looked forward to Christ’s coming, which fulfilled God’s redemptive plan. Abraham was one, about whom Jesus said, “Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad” (John 8:56, ESV). Abraham trusted in God, who accomplishes the seemingly impossible. The apostle Paul writes, “No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised” (Romans 4:20–21). Abraham hoped in the coming Messiah and, like the other saints, “died in faith” (Hebrews 11:13, ESV).

Hebrews 11:13 encourages us to live with an eternal perspective. We must trust that God is working all things “together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28, ESV), even if His promises are not fulfilled in our lifetimes. Then, when it comes our time to leave this world, we, too, will “die in faith” (Hebrews 11:13, ESV).