Better city

Hebrews 11:16 is arranged chiastically:

A. Now a better they seek, that is, a heavenly

B. therefore not ashamed of them (Gr. ouk epaischunetai autous )

C. God (Gr. ho theos )

C’. God (Gr. theos )

B’. to be called of them ( epikaleisthai auton )

A’. For He prepared for them a city.

“Not ashamed” and “to be called” are linked not only structurally but aurally by the assonance of the two verbs. Plus, the structure helps fill in the gap in the first clause. “Heavenly” modifies no stated noun. From verse 14, we expect it to be a heavenly “country” ( patris ), and that lingers through verses 15-16. But the chiasm links “heavenly” not to a country but a city ( polis ), a city prepared by God, the bridal city that descends from heaven.