Hebrews 4
Berean Standard Bible · Compare translations · AD 60 – AD 69 · The early church · Tap a verse to copy, share or highlight ·
16 verses · 415 words · ~2 min read · ~3 min listen
The Sabbath Rest
1Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be deemed to have fallen short of it. 2For we also received the good news just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, since they did not share the faith of those who comprehended it.
3Now we who have believed enter that rest. As for the others, it is just as God has said:
And yet His works have been finished since the foundation of the world. 4For somewhere He has spoken about the seventh day in this manner: “And on the seventh day God rested from all His works.” 5And again, as He says in the passage above: “They shall never enter My rest.”
6Since, then, it remains for some to enter His rest, and since those who formerly heard the good news did not enter because of their disobedience, 7God again designated a certain day as “Today,” when a long time later He spoke through David as was just stated: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”
8For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10For whoever enters Godʼs rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His. 11Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same pattern of disobedience.
The Living Word
12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from Godʼs sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin. 16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Footnotes (4)
- a v2 Literally not having been united in the faith of those who heard
- b v3 Psalms 95:11; also in verse 5
- c v4 Genesis 2:2
- d v7 Psalms 95:7–8
Study notes on this chapter · 3
The high priest and our great high priest
Israel's high priest was taken from among the people, offered sacrifices and went into God's presence on their behalf. Hebrews says Jesus is a great high priest who passed through the heavens, who can sympathize with weakness, and who lives always to intercede.
When: Exodus and Leviticus (Sinai era); Hebrews, before AD 70 (most likely).
Editorial note by BibleWay. Interpretations vary; dates are approximate scholarly estimates.
Joshua, who led them into the land
Joshua (Hebrew Yehoshua, the same name as Jesus) led Israel across the Jordan into the promised land. Hebrews notes that if Joshua had given them rest, God would not speak of another day, so a greater rest remains. The link of names is noticed by many readers, and some English translations render Hebrews 4:8 with 'Jesus' for Joshua.
When: Joshua, c. 1406 BC (traditional date); Hebrews, before AD 70 (most likely).
Editorial note by BibleWay. Interpretations vary; dates are approximate scholarly estimates.
Today, if you hear his voice, enter the rest
Psalm 95 warns the people not to harden their hearts as in the wilderness. Hebrews reads the warning as still open: Joshua did not give Israel the final rest, since David later speaks of 'today', so a Sabbath rest still remains for God's people, rooted in God resting on the seventh day.
When: Wilderness rebellion (c. 1446 BC or later); Psalm 95; Hebrews, before AD 70 (most likely).
Ways people read this (3)
- The rest is final salvation and life with God in the age to come.
- The rest is entered now through faith and fulfilled fully later.
- Some traditions draw from this a continuing Sabbath observance; others see the Sabbath as fulfilled in Christ.
Editorial note by BibleWay. Interpretations vary; dates are approximate scholarly estimates.