ALL THESE DIED IN FAITH: Kata pistin apethanon (3PAPI) houtoi pantes: (Genesis 25:8; 27:2-4; 48:21; 49:18,28,33; 50:24)

The reference is to the patriarchs only (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). This interpretation is supported by the fact that the promises began with Abraham (cf. Acts 7:17; Ro 4:13; Gal 3:14-18) and were passed on to Isaac (Ge 26:2-5,24) and Jacob (Ge 28:10-15). In addition, only those individuals fit the description in v15 and Enoch did not die. See 6:15. These people of faith didn’t know when they would inherit the promise. They had a life in the land, but did not possess it.

WITHOUT RECEIVING THE PROMISES: me labontes (AAPMPN) tas epaggelias:

Just after the turn of the century, pioneer missionary Henry C. Morrison was returning to New York after forty years in Africa. That same boat also bore home the wildly popular President Theodore Roosevelt. As they entered New York harbor, the President was greeted with a huge fanfare. Morrison felt rather dejected. After all, he had spent four decades in the Lord’s service. But then a small voice came to Morrison, saying, “Henry… you’re not home yet.”

BUT HAVING SEEN THEM AND HAVING WELCOMED THEM FROM A DISTANCE: alla porrothen autas idontes (AAPMPN) kai aspasamenoi (AMPMPN): (27; Genesis 49:10; Numbers 24:17; Job 19:25; John 8:56; 12:41; 1 Peter 1:10-12)   (Romans 4:21; 8:24; 1 John 3:19)

AND HAVING CONFESSED THAT THEY WERE STRANGERS AND EXILES ON THE EARTH: kai homologesantes (AAPMPN) hoti xenoi kai parepidemoi eisin (3PPAI) epi tes ges: (Genesis 23:4; 47:9; 1 Chronicles 29:14,15; Psalms 39:12; 119:19; 1 Peter 1:17; 2:11)

FOR THOSE WHO SAY SUCH THINGS MAKE IT CLEAR: hoi gar toiauta legontes (PAPMPN) emphanizousin (3PPAI):

In a sense they emphasize -- they, emphatically tell the world that this world is NOT their home. Hallelujah. (Think of Jesus > radical Christianity is emphatic! -- not "in your face")

THAT THEY ARE SEEKING A COUNTRY OF THEIR OWN: hoti patrida epizetousin (3PPAI): (16; 13:14; Romans 8:23-25; 2 Corinthians 4:18; 5:1-7; Philippians 1:23)

AND INDEED IF THEY HAD BEEN THINKING OF THAT COUNTRY FROM WHICH THEY WENT OUT: kai ei men ekeines emnemoneuon (3PIAI) aph es exebesan (3PAAI): (Genesis 11:31; 12:10; 24:6-8; 31:18; 32:9-11)

BUT AS IT IS, THEY DESIRE A BETTER COUNTRY THAT IS A HEAVENLY ONE: nun de kreittonos oregontai (3PPMI) tout estin (3SPAI) epouraniou: (14; 12:22 )

What a picture of these OT saints = middle voice of orégomai = stretch themselves out, reaching after their "better" country. A derivative "orexis" describes this consuming desire gone awry in Ro1:27 where men seek after men (even blatantly parking their vehicles in local parks in hopes a "consenting" party will stop by). Turn this desire 180 degrees the other way and you can see how intense the picture is that writer of Hebrews is trying to convey. Lord give me "oregomai" type desire for my better heavenly "hometown" deep within my innermost being.

THEREFORE GOD IS NOT ASHAMED TO BE CALLED THEIR GOD FOR HE HAS PREPARED A CITY FOR THEM: dio ouk epaischunetai (3SPPI) autous o theos theos epikaleisthai (PPN) auton hetoimasen (3SAAI) gar autois polin:  (2:11) (Genesis 17:7,8; Exodus 3:6,15; Isaiah 41:8-10; Jeremiah 31:1; Matthew 22:31,32; Mark 12:26; Luke 20:37; Acts 7:32 ) (10; 13:14; Matthew 25:34; Luke 12:32; Philippians 3:20)