1Therefore let us fear, lest while a promise of entering into His rest remains, anyone of you should seem to have fallen short. [4:2] For indeed we have been evangelized just as they also were; but the message of hearing did not profit them, not having been united with faith in those who heard. [4:3] For we who have believed enter into the rest, even as He has said: "So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter into My rest'" — and yet the works had been finished from the foundation of the world, having come into being. [4:4] For He has spoken somewhere concerning the seventh day in this way: "And God rested on the seventh day from all His works." [4:5] And in this passage again: "They shall not enter into My rest." [4:6] Since therefore it remains for some to enter into it, and those formerly evangelized did not enter in because of disobedience, [4:7] He again appoints a certain day — "Today" — saying in David after so long a time, just as it has been said before: "Today, if you shall hear His voice, do not harden your hearts." [4:8] For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not thereafter have been speaking about another day. [4:9] So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. [4:10] For the one having entered into His rest has also himself rested from his works, as God from His own works. [4:11] Therefore let us be diligent to enter into that rest, so that no one may fall by the same example of disobedience.
HEB 4:1-11
The Sabbath Rest
In the world it was spoken into
In the first century, the concept of 'rest' carried deep theological and cultural significance. For Jewish listeners, it evoked the Sabbath, a sacred cessation from labor rooted in creation (Genesis 2:2) and the Exodus narrative (Deuteronomy 5:12-15). The Sabbath was not merely a day of inactivity but a symbol of God’s covenantal promise and a foretaste of eschatological fulfillment. The author contrasts this with the failure of the wilderness generation to enter the promised land due to their lack of faith (Psalm 95:11). Greco-Roman audiences, familiar with Stoic and Epicurean ideals of tranquility , might have understood 'rest' as a state of peace or freedom from turmoil. The warning against falling short reflects a common rhetorical device in Hellenistic moral exhortation, urging vigilance. The unique term 'Sabbath rest' bridges Jewish and Hellenistic thought, pointing to a divine rest that transcends earthly labor and anticipates a future, ultimate cessation.
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How other translations render this
HEB 4:1
- KJV
- Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
- BSB
- Therefore, 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.
- Koinōnos
- Therefore let us fear, lest while a promise of entering into His rest remains, anyone of you should seem to have fallen short.
HEB 4:2
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- For 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.
- Koinōnos
- For indeed we have been evangelized just as they also were; but the message of hearing did not profit them, not having been united with faith in those who heard.
HEB 4:3
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- Now we who have believed enter that rest. As for the others, it is just as God has said: “So I swore on oath in My anger, ‘They shall never enter My rest.’” And yet His works have been finished since the foundation of the world.
- Koinōnos
- For we who have believed enter into the rest, even as He has said: "So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter into My rest'" — and yet the works had been finished from the foundation of the world, having come into being.
HEB 4:4
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- For somewhere He has spoken about the seventh day in this manner: “And on the seventh day God rested from all His works.”
- Koinōnos
- For He has spoken somewhere concerning the seventh day in this way: "And God rested on the seventh day from all His works.
HEB 4:5
- KJV
- And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
- BSB
- And again, as He says in the passage above: “They shall never enter My rest.”
- Koinōnos
- And in this passage again: "They shall not enter into My rest.
HEB 4:6
- KJV
- Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
- BSB
- Since, 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,
- Koinōnos
- Since therefore it remains for some to enter into it, and those formerly evangelized did not enter in because of disobedience,
HEB 4:7
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- God 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.”
- Koinōnos
- He again appoints a certain day — "Today" — saying in David after so long a time, just as it has been said before: "Today, if you shall hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.
HEB 4:8
- KJV
- For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
- BSB
- For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day.
- Koinōnos
- For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not thereafter have been speaking about another day.
HEB 4:9
- KJV
- There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
- BSB
- There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God.
- Koinōnos
- So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.
HEB 4:10
- KJV
- For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
- BSB
- For whoever enters Godʼs rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His.
- Koinōnos
- For the one having entered into His rest has also himself rested from his works, as God from His own works.
HEB 4:11
- KJV
- Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
- BSB
- Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same pattern of disobedience.
- Koinōnos
- Therefore let us be diligent to enter into that rest, so that no one may fall by the same example of disobedience.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
HEB 4:1
- We may fear:The word translated 'we may fear' implies a reverential awe or respect, not necessarily a cowering terror, but a healthy caution in the face of something powerful.
- rest:The term 'rest' here suggests a cessation from labor or activity, often with the implication of finding a settled place or a permanent dwelling.
HEB 4:2
- united with:The word translated 'united with' literally means to mix or blend together, like ingredients in a recipe, suggesting a deep and thorough integration.
HEB 4:9
- a Sabbath rest:The phrase 'a Sabbath rest' refers specifically to the observance of the Sabbath, implying a special kind of rest that involves ceasing from work and entering into God's rest.