Defining the City with Foundations in Scripture

What is a city with foundations?

The phrase 'city with foundations' in Hebrews 11:10 symbolizes God’s eternal, unshakable kingdom, which He is preparing for those who trust Him.

In Hebrews 11:10, the author writes, 'For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God,' emphasizing Abraham’s faith in a divine, heavenly destination beyond earthly cities. This 'city' represents God’s promised, perfect dwelling for His people, contrasting with the transient human societies of the present age. It is first explicitly linked to Abraham’s hope, reflecting the biblical theme of God’s sovereignty in fulfilling His covenantal promises.

This concept underscores the biblical vision of a future where God’s presence fully dwells with humanity, a reality echoed in Revelation 21’s depiction of the New Jerusalem. It invites believers to fix their hope on this eternal reality rather than temporal, human achievements.

Hebrews 11:10 and the Heavenly City

Hebrews 11:10 reveals Abraham’s faith in a divine, eternal city that transcends human constructs, rooted in God’s covenantal promises.

The author writes, 'For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God,' emphasizing that Abraham’s hope was not in earthly cities like Canaan but in a heavenly reality. This 'city' is often interpreted as the eternal Jerusalem, a symbol of God’s dwelling with His people, as seen in Revelation 21. Unlike temporary human societies, this city is unshakable, reflecting God’s sovereignty and the permanence of His kingdom. Abraham’s faith in this vision underscores the biblical theme that true fulfillment lies in God’s redemptive plans, not in material or political achievements.

By linking Abraham’s hope to the 'city with foundations,' Hebrews connects salvation history to the ultimate realization of God’s presence among humanity. The city represents the culmination of God’s covenantal promises, where believers are eternally united with Him. This concept invites readers to orient their lives toward the eternal, trusting that God is actively building a kingdom that will surpass all human expectations.

Foundations as Divine Order

The foundations of God’s heavenly city symbolize the unchanging stability of His covenant and the moral structure of His eternal kingdom.

Scripture often links foundational imagery to divine justice and permanence. Psalm 89:36 declares, 'My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of my mouth,' illustrating how God’s promises form an unshakable foundation. In this way, 'foundations' represent the structural integrity of God’s rule, rooted in His faithfulness and righteousness.

These foundations show that God's character is fair and unchanging. Unlike human institutions, which crumble under the weight of sin, the city’s foundations are laid by God (Hebrews 11:10) and reflect His perfect law (Psalm 111:7). They embody the certainty of His judgments and the enduring nature of His covenantal love, ensuring His kingdom remains uncorrupted by temporal decay.

This divine order contrasts sharply with earthly cities, which are subject to human frailty and rebellion. By anchoring the heavenly city in unbreakable foundations, Scripture affirms that God’s kingdom will ultimately prevail, fulfilling His promises with unwavering precision. The imagery invites believers to trust in His sovereign design, even amid present instability. As Revelation 21:16 later affirms, the New Jerusalem’s perfect measurements and unyielding structure reflect the same divine order, bridging the gap between covenantal hope and eschatological fulfillment.

City with Foundations vs. Earthly Cities

The contrast between human cities and the heavenly city reveals the tension between temporal human ambition and God’s eternal purposes.

In Genesis 11, humanity’s attempt to build a city and tower at Babel (Gen 11:1-9) ends in divine disruption, symbolizing the futility of human pride and self-reliance. In stark contrast, Revelation 21:10-27 describes the New Jerusalem, a city 'descending from God out of heaven,' whose foundations are perfect and unshakable, reflecting divine craftsmanship and covenantal faithfulness.

Babel’s impermanence - its scattering and confusion - highlights the instability of human projects rooted in self-exaltation. The New Jerusalem, however, is built by God (Rev 21:2), with streets of gold, walls of jasper, and gates shaped like pearls, embodying His holiness and eternal order. While Babel’s builders sought to 'make a name for ourselves' (Gen 11:4), the heavenly city’s foundations are rooted in God’s promises (Heb 11:10), symbolizing His unchanging character and redemptive plan. This contrast underscores that human cities, no matter how grand, are transient and flawed, whereas God’s city is the ultimate fulfillment of His covenantal love.

This theological contrast teaches believers to orient their hope beyond temporal achievements toward the eternal city. Babel’s failure showed that humanity cannot build a lasting legacy. The perfection of the New Jerusalem proves that only God can create a kingdom free from sin and decay.

Why the City with Foundations Matters Today

The eternal city modeled by God’s design calls believers to anchor their hope in His unchanging promises rather than fleeting human achievements.

In a world obsessed with material success and political power, the heavenly city reminds us that true security lies not in transient systems but in God’s covenantal faithfulness (Hebrews 11:10). Abraham’s example challenges modern believers to prioritize spiritual inheritance over earthly comfort, trusting that God is actively building a kingdom beyond human comprehension. This vision reframes success as alignment with divine purposes, not cultural metrics of wealth or influence.

Fixing our gaze on this eternal reality reshapes daily priorities, urging us to invest in relationships, justice, and worship that reflect God’s kingdom values. As Revelation 21:10-27 depicts the New Jerusalem as the ultimate fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan, believers are invited to live as citizens of this unshakable city, even amid present uncertainties.

Going Deeper

To deepen your understanding of the 'city with foundations,' explore its connections to Scripture's broader vision of God's kingdom.

Consider how Hebrews 11:10 roots Abraham’s hope in a divine city designed by God, while Revelation 21:10-27 expands this imagery into the New Jerusalem, a symbol of God’s eternal dwelling with His people. Reflect also on how Abraham’s faith (Hebrews 11:8-12) models trust in God’s covenantal promises, which ultimately find fulfillment in the unshakable nature of His kingdom (Hebrews 12:22-24).