Hebrews 4 KJV
A Sabbath Rest for God's People
Hebrews Chapter 4: A Sabbath Rest for God's People
Hebrews 4:8 deliberately employs the Greek name 'Iesous' for both Joshua and Jesus, creating an explicit typological contrast in which the former failed to secure lasting rest for Israel while the latter succeeds.
1et us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.cf.
2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.cf.
3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.cf.
4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.cf.
5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.cf.
6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:cf.
7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.cf.
8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.cf.
9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.cf.
10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.cf.
11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.cf.
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.cf.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.cf.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.cf.
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Did You Know?
Hebrews 4:8 deliberately employs the Greek name 'Iesous' for both Joshua and Jesus, creating an explicit typological contrast in which the former failed to secure lasting rest for Israel while the latter succeeds.
The hapax legomenon 'sabbatismos' in verse 9 is not merely synonymous with 'katapausis' but specifically denotes an ongoing Sabbath observance that remains for God's people, linking creation rest, Canaan, and eschatological fulfillment.
The chapter's argument hinges on the observation that Psalm 95 was spoken by David centuries after Joshua, proving that Canaan entry did not exhaust the divine promise of rest and thereby opening it for a present-day audience.
Verse 13's assertion that all things are 'naked and opened' before God's eyes employs imagery drawn from temple sacrifice and ancient wrestling, portraying the word as both dissecting and exposing in the context of entering rest.
The transition in verses 14-16 from wilderness warning to high-priestly intercession presents Christ's passage through the heavens as the means by which the forfeited rest of Numbers 13-14 becomes accessible, merging priestly and Sabbath themes.
Commentary & Study Notes Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (1871) ยท Public Domain Let us... fear โ not with slavish terror, but godly "fear and trembling" (Php 2:12). Since so many have fallen, we have cause to fear (Heb 3:17-19). being left us โ still remainingโฆ
Classic verse-by-verse commentary on Hebrews 4 from Jamieson, Fausset & Brown (1871). Covers: The promise of God's rest is fully realized through Christ: let us strive to obtain it by him, our sympathizing high priest.
- 1
- Let us... fear โ not with slavish terror, but godly "fear and trembling" (Php 2:12). Since so many have fallen, we have cause to fear (Heb 3:17-19). being left us โ still remaining to us after the others have, by neglect, lost it. his rest โ God's heavenly rest, of which Canaan is the type. "To-day" still continues, during which there is the danger of failing to reach the rest. "To-day," rightly used, terminates in the rest which, when once obtained, is never lost (Re 3:12). A foretaste of the rest Is given in the inward rest which the believer's soul has in Christ. should seem to come short of it โ Greek, "to have come short of it"; should be found, when the great trial of all shall take place [ALFORD], to have fallen short of attaining the promise. The word "seem" is a mitigating mode of expression, though not lessening the reality. BENGEL and OWEN take it, Lest there should be any semblance or appearance of falling short.
- 2
- gospel preached... unto them โ in type: the earthly Canaan, wherein they failed to realize perfect rest, suggesting to them that they should look beyond to the heavenly land of rest, to which faith is the avenue, and from which unbelief excludes, as it did from the earthly Canaan. the word preached โ literally, "the word of hearing": the word heard by them. not being mixed with faith in them that heard โ So the Syriac and the Old Latin Versions, older than any of our manuscripts, and LUCIFER, read, "As the world did not unite with the hearers in faith." The word heard being the food which, as the bread of life, must pass into flesh and blood through man's appropriating it to himself in faith. Hearing alone is of as little value as undigested food in a bad stomach [THOLUCK]. The whole of oldest extant manuscript authority supports a different reading, "unmingled as they were (Greek accusative case agreeing with 'them') in faith with its hearers," that is, with its believing, obedient hearers, as Caleb and Joshua. So "hear" is used for "obey" in the context, Heb 4:7, "To-day, if ye will hear His voice." The disobedient, instead of being blended in "the same body," separated themselves as Korah: a tacit reproof to like separatists from the Christian assembling together (Heb 10:25; Jude 19).
Read all 16 notes on Hebrews 4 โ