Source Scripture
Read the passage first. Study notes begin after the Scripture.
Hebrews 4:1-11
1Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
2For 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.
3For 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.
4For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
5And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
6Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
7Again, 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.
8For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
9There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
10For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
11Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
Question in context
Hebrews 4 joins the good news, faith, creation rest, the failure to enter through unbelief, and a remaining Sabbath rest. The chapter does not erase the Sabbath; it uses the creation and wilderness witnesses to call believers to faithful entry and obedience.
What the passage itself says
- The warning is built from the wilderness generation whose hearing was not joined with faith.
- The writer reaches back to YAHUAH's rest on the seventh day and explains that Joshua did not exhaust the promised rest.
- The statement that a Sabbath rest remains is followed by an exhortation to labor to enter and avoid the same example of unbelief.
Immediate and confirming witnesses
Read these passages with the source Scripture to follow the immediate and confirming context.
- Immediate explanation: Hebrews 4:1-2,9-11
The chapter joins faith, a remaining Sabbath-rest, and diligence against the example of disobedience. - Lexical usage: Psalm 95:7-11
Hebrews is expounding this psalm's warning that hardened disobedience prevented entry into YAHUAH's rest. - Prophetic purpose: Genesis 2:2-3
The chapter itself grounds YAHUAH's rest in the sanctified seventh day of creation. - Apostolic confirmation: Revelation 14:12-13
The final apostolic witness joins commandment keeping, faith in YAHUSHA, and blessed rest. - Immediate explanation: Hebrews 4:10-11
The immediate explanation joins Sabbath-rest with ceasing from one's works and diligently avoiding disobedience. - Lexical usage: Exodus 20:8-11
The Sabbath command itself is patterned after YAHUAH's creation rest, matching Hebrews' argument. - Prophetic purpose: Isaiah 58:13-14
The prophet describes the Sabbath as YAHUAH's holy day and a delight rather than obsolete bondage. - Apostolic confirmation: Revelation 14:12-13
The apostolic end-time witness joins commandment keeping and faith with blessed rest.
Related Words in Context
Continue with these related Scripture studies.
- Hebrews 4:3: Entering His Rest Does Not Erase His Sabbath
Entering His rest by faith does not cancel the Sabbath rest YAHUAH established. - Hebrews 4:9: A Sabbath Rest Remains
Hebrews says a Sabbath rest remains, so spiritual rest does not erase Sabbath obedience.