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Hebrews 4

BSB·16 verses ·New Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Thereforeοὖνoun — therefore, then, so, thusG3767 — Full Word Study →, while the promise of enteringεἰσελθεῖνeiselthein — to enter, go in, come intoG1525 — Full Word Study → Hisαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → restκατάπαυσινkatapausin — Rest, cessation from labor, divine restG2663 — Full Word Study → still standsκαταλειπομένηςkataleipomenēs — To leave behind, forsake, or abandonG2641 — Full Word Study →, let us be carefulΦοβηθῶμενPhobēthōmen — to fear, be afraid; to reverence, respectG5399 — Full Word Study → that noneμή‿mē — Not; negation; lestG3361 — Full Word Study → ofἐξex — out from, out of, from withinG1537 — Full Word Study → youὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → be deemedδοκῇdokē — to seem, appear, or think; to suppose or judgeG1380 — Full Word Study → to have fallen short of it. 2Forγάρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → weἐσμενesmen — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → alsoκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → received the good newsεὐηγγελισμένοιeuēngelismenoi — To proclaim or announce good news; to preach the gospelG2097 — Full Word Study → just asκαθάπερkathaper — just as, even as, in the same way asG2509 — Full Word Study → they did; butἀλλ’all’ — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study → theho — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → messageλόγοςlogos — word, statement, message, divine utteranceG3056 — Full Word Study → they heardἀκοῆςakoēs — The act of hearing; what is heard; fame or reportG189 — Full Word Study → was of no valueὠφέλησενōphelēsen — to help, benefit, or profitG5623 — Full Word Study → to themἐκείνουςekeinous — that one, that person, the otherG1565 — Full Word Study →, since they did not shareσυγκεκερασμένους*synkekerasmenous — to mix together, blend, uniteG4786 — Full Word Study → theτῇtē — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → faithπίστειpistei — Trust, belief, confidence in GodG4102 — Full Word Study → of those whoτοῖςtois — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → comprehended it. 3Nowγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → we who have believedπιστεύσαντεςpisteusantes — to believe, trust, have faith inG4100 — Full Word Study → enterΕἰσερχόμεθαEiserchometha — to enter, go in, come intoG1525 — Full Word Study → that restκατάπαυσινkatapausin — Rest, cessation from labor, divine restG2663 — Full Word Study →. As for the others, it is just as God has said: “SoὩςHōs — as, like, when, in the manner thatG5613 — Full Word Study → I swore on oathὤμοσαōmosa — to swear an oath; to vow solemnlyG3660 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → Myμουmou — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → angerὀργῇorgē — Divine or human anger; wrathG3709 — Full Word Study →, ‘They shall never enterεἰσελεύσονταιeiseleusontai — to enter, go in, come intoG1525 — Full Word Study → Myμουmou — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → restκατάπαυσίνkatapausin — Rest, cessation from labor, divine restG2663 — Full Word Study →.’” And yetΚαίτοιKaitoi — and yet, although, even thoughG2543 — Full Word Study → His worksἔργωνergōn — Work, deed, or action; labor or taskG2041 — Full Word Study → have been finishedγενηθέντωνgenēthentōn — to become, come into being, happenG1096 — Full Word Study → sinceἀπὸapo — from, away from, out ofG575 — Full Word Study → the foundation of the world. 4Forγάρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → somewhereπουpou — somewhere, in some placeG4225 — Full Word Study → He has spokenεἴρηκενeirēken — to say, speak, or declareG2046 — Full Word Study → aboutπερὶperi — about, concerning, around, on behalf ofG4012 — Full Word Study → theτῆςtēs — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → seventh day in this mannerοὕτωςhoutōs — in this manner; thus; soG3779 — Full Word Study →: “AndΚαὶKai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → onἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → theτῇtē — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → seventhἑβδόμῃhebdomē — seventh in order or sequenceG1442 — Full Word Study → dayἡμέρᾳhēmera — A 24-hour period; time; eraG2250 — Full Word Study → GodΘεὸςTheos — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → restedκατέπαυσενkatepausen — to cause to cease, to rest from laborG2664 — Full Word Study → fromἀπὸapo — from, away from, out ofG575 — Full Word Study → allπάντωνpantōn — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → Hisαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → worksἔργωνergōn — Work, deed, or action; labor or taskG2041 — Full Word Study →.” 5Andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → againπάλινpalin — again; once more; in returnG3825 — Full Word Study →, as He says in the passage above: “They shall never enterεἰσελεύσονταιeiseleusontai — to enter, go in, come intoG1525 — Full Word Study → Myμουmou — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → restκατάπαυσίνkatapausin — Rest, cessation from labor, divine restG2663 — Full Word Study →.” 6SinceἘπεὶEpei — since, because, inasmuch asG1893 — Full Word Study →, thenοὖνoun — therefore, then, so, thusG3767 — Full Word Study →, it remains for someτινὰςtinas — a certain one; some; anyone; an indefinite pronounG5100 — Full Word Study → to enterεἰσελθεῖνeiselthein — to enter, go in, come intoG1525 — Full Word Study → His rest, and since those whoοἱhoi — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → formerlyπρότερονproteron — previously, before, at firstG4386 — Full Word Study → heard the good newsεὐαγγελισθέντεςeuangelisthentes — To proclaim or announce good news; to preach the gospelG2097 — Full Word Study → did not enterεἰσῆλθονeisēlthon — to enter, go in, come intoG1525 — Full Word Study → because ofδι’di’ — through; by means of; because ofG1223 — Full Word Study → their disobedience, 7God again designated a certainτινὰtina — a certain one; some; anyone; an indefinite pronounG5100 — Full Word Study → day as “TodayΣήμερονSēmeron — Today; this present dayG4594 — Full Word Study →,” when a longτοσοῦτονtosouton — So great, so much, such a quantityG5118 — Full Word Study → timeχρόνονchronon — A period of time; duration or seasonG5550 — Full Word Study → laterμετὰmeta — with, after, among, followingG3326 — Full Word Study → He spokeλέγωνlegōn — to say, speak, or tellG3004 — Full Word Study → throughἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → DavidΔαυὶδDauid — BelovedG1138 — Full Word Study → asκαθὼςkathōs — just as; in the manner that; according toG2531 — Full Word Study → was just statedπροείρηταιproeirētai — to announce beforehand, foretell, predict in advanceG4302 — Full Word Study →: “TodayΣήμερονSēmeron — Today; this present dayG4594 — Full Word Study →, ifἐὰνean — conditional particle; if, whether, in case thatG1437 — Full Word Study → you hearἀκούσητεakousēte — to hear, listen, or understand by earG191 — Full Word Study → Hisαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → voiceφωνῆςphōnēs — voice, sound, or audible utteranceG5456 — Full Word Study →, do not hardenσκληρύνητεsklērynēte — to harden, make stubborn or resistantG4645 — Full Word Study → yourὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → heartsκαρδίαςkardias — heart; center of emotion, will, and moral characterG2588 — Full Word Study →.” 8Forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → ifΕἰEi — if; conditional conjunction introducing hypothetical or contingent circumstancesG1487 — Full Word Study → JoshuaἸησοῦςIēsous — The Lord SavesG2424 — Full Word Study → had given them restκατέπαυσενkatepausen — to cause to cease, to rest from laborG2664 — Full Word Study →, God would not have spoken laterμετὰmeta — with, after, among, followingG3326 — Full Word Study → aboutπερὶperi — about, concerning, around, on behalf ofG4012 — Full Word Study → anotherἄλληςallēs — another, other, different oneG243 — Full Word Study → dayἡμέραςhēmeras — A 24-hour period; time; eraG2250 — Full Word Study →. 9There remainsἀπολείπεταιapoleipetai — to leave behind, abandon, or remainG620 — Full Word Study →, thenἄραara — therefore, consequently, thenG686 — Full Word Study →, a Sabbath restσαββατισμὸςsabbatismos — Sabbath rest, cessation from laborG4520 — Full Word Study → for theτῷtō — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → peopleλαῷlaō — a people; a nation; the common peopleG2992 — Full Word Study → of GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study →. 10Forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → whoeverho — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → entersεἰσελθὼνeiselthōn — to enter, go in, come intoG1525 — Full Word Study → God’s restκατάπαυσινkatapausin — Rest, cessation from labor, divine restG2663 — Full Word Study → alsoκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → restsκατέπαυσενkatepausen — to cause to cease, to rest from laborG2664 — Full Word Study → fromἀπὸapo — from, away from, out ofG575 — Full Word Study → hisαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → own workἔργωνergōn — Work, deed, or action; labor or taskG2041 — Full Word Study →, just asὥσπερhōsper — just as, even as, in the same way asG5618 — Full Word Study → God did fromἀπὸapo — from, away from, out ofG575 — Full Word Study → His. 11Let us, therefore, make every effortΣπουδάσωμενSpoudasōmen — to be diligent, to make effort, to be eagerG4704 — Full Word Study → to enterεἰσελθεῖνeiselthein — to enter, go in, come intoG1525 — Full Word Study → thatἐκείνηνekeinēn — that one, that person, the otherG1565 — Full Word Study → restκατάπαυσινkatapausin — Rest, cessation from labor, divine restG2663 — Full Word Study →, so thatἵναhina — in order that; so that; to the intent thatG2443 — Full Word Study → noμὴmē — Not; negation; lestG3361 — Full Word Study → oneτιςtis — a certain one; some; anyone; an indefinite pronounG5100 — Full Word Study → will fallπέσῃpesē — to fall, collapse, or fall downG4098 — Full Word Study → by following theτῷtō — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → sameαὐτῷautō — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → patternὑποδείγματιhypodeigmati — example, pattern, or model to followG5262 — Full Word Study → of disobedienceἀπειθείαςapeitheias — Disobedience; refusal to obey or believeG543 — Full Word Study →. 12Forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → theho — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → wordλόγοςlogos — word, statement, message, divine utteranceG3056 — Full Word Study → of GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → is living andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → activeἐνεργὴςenergēs — Effective, powerful, working, activeG1756 — Full Word Study →. Sharperτομώτεροςtomōteros — sharper, more keen or acuteG5114 — Full Word Study → thanὑπὲρhyper — on behalf of, for the sake of, above, beyondG5228 — Full Word Study → anyπᾶσανpasan — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → double-edgedδίστομονdistomon — double-edged or two-edgedG1366 — Full Word Study → swordμάχαιρανmachairan — A sword or blade weaponG3162 — Full Word Study →, it piercesδιϊκνούμενοςdiiknoumenos — to pierce through, penetrate deeplyG1338 — Full Word Study → evenκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → toἄχριachri — Until, up to, as far asG891 — Full Word Study → dividingμερισμοῦmerismou — Division, separation, or distribution of giftsG3311 — Full Word Study → soulψυχῆςpsychēs — The immaterial self; life force; personG5590 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → spiritπνεύματοςpneumatos — Spirit; breath; immaterial nature or beingG4151 — Full Word Study →, jointsἁρμῶνharmōn — joint; articulation; place of connectionG719 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → marrowμυελῶνmyelōn — bone marrow; innermost substanceG3452 — Full Word Study →. It judgesκριτικὸςkritikos — able to discern or judge; discerningG2924 — Full Word Study → the thoughts andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → intentionsἐννοιῶνennoiōn — Thought, intention, purpose, or designG1771 — Full Word Study → of the heart. 13Nothingοὐκouk — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → in all creationκτίσιςktisis — creation, created thing, creatureG2937 — Full Word Study → isἔστινestin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → hiddenἀφανὴςaphanēs — hidden, not manifest, concealedG852 — Full Word Study → from God’s sight; everythingπάνταpanta — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → is uncovered andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → exposedτετραχηλισμέναtetrachēlismena — to lay bare, expose, or uncoverG5136 — Full Word Study → before theτοῖςtois — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → eyesὀφθαλμοῖςophthalmois — Eye; sight; vision; spiritual perceptionG3788 — Full Word Study → of Himαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → toπρὸςpros — toward, to, with, in relation toG4314 — Full Word Study → whomὃνhon — who, which, thatG3739 — Full Word Study → we must give accountλόγοςlogos — word, statement, message, divine utteranceG3056 — Full Word Study →. 14Thereforeοὖνoun — therefore, then, so, thusG3767 — Full Word Study →, since we haveἜχοντεςEchontes — To have, hold, or possessG2192 — Full Word Study → a greatμέγανmegan — Great in size, power, or intensityG3173 — Full Word Study → high priestἀρχιερέαarchierea — High priest; chief priestG749 — Full Word Study → who has passed throughδιεληλυθόταdielēlythota — to pass through, traverse, journey acrossG1330 — Full Word Study → theτοὺςtous — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → heavensοὐρανούςouranous — Heaven; the sky; God's dwelling placeG3772 — Full Word Study →, JesusἸησοῦνIēsoun — The Lord SavesG2424 — Full Word Study → theτὸνton — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → SonΥἱὸνHuion — Son; male child or descendantG5207 — Full Word Study → of GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study →, let us hold firmly toκρατῶμενkratōmen — To grasp, seize, or hold firmlyG2902 — Full Word Study → whatτῆςtēs — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → we professὁμολογίαςhomologias — Verbal confession or declaration of faithG3671 — Full Word Study →. 15Forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → we do not haveἔχομενechomen — To have, hold, or possessG2192 — Full Word Study → a high priestἀρχιερέαarchierea — High priest; chief priestG749 — Full Word Study → who is unableδυνάμενονdynamenon — To be able; to have power or capacityG1410 — Full Word Study → to sympathizeσυμπαθῆσαιsympathēsai — to sympathize with; share in feelingG4834 — Full Word Study → withταῖςtais — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → ourἡμῶνhēmōn — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → weaknessesἀσθενείαιςastheneiais — Physical weakness, infirmity, or sicknessG769 — Full Word Study →, but we have one who was temptedπεπειρασμένονpepeirasmenon — to test, tempt, or tryG3985 — Full Word Study → inκατὰkata — according to, down along, againstG2596 — Full Word Study → every wayπάνταpanta — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → thatκαθ’kath’ — according to, down along, againstG2596 — Full Word Study → we are, yet was without sinἁμαρτίαςhamartias — transgression, violation of God's law; wrongdoingG266 — Full Word Study →. 16Let us then approachπροσερχώμεθαproserchōmetha — to approach, draw near, come toG4334 — Full Word Study → theτῷtō — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → throneθρόνῳthronō — A seat of authority; a royal throneG2362 — Full Word Study → of graceχάριτοςcharitos — God's unmerited favor and kindnessG5485 — Full Word Study → withμετὰmeta — with, after, among, followingG3326 — Full Word Study → confidenceπαρρησίαςparrēsias — Bold confidence in speech and actionG3954 — Full Word Study →, so thatἵναhina — in order that; so that; to the intent thatG2443 — Full Word Study → we may receiveλάβωμενlabōmen — to take, receive, or obtainG2983 — Full Word Study → mercyἔλεοςeleos — Compassion, mercy, or tender compassionG1656 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → findεὕρωμενheurōmen — to find, discover, or obtainG2147 — Full Word Study → graceχάρινcharin — God's unmerited favor and kindnessG5485 — Full Word Study → toεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → help us in our time of need.
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Chapter Commentary — Hebrews 4
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Hebrews 4 continues the author's meditation on God's rest, begun in chapter 3, and applies it directly to the Christian life. The passage warns believers against the spiritual danger of unbelief while simultaneously encouraging them to enter into the rest that God offers through faith in Christ. A major theme emerges: just as the Israelites in the wilderness failed to enter God's physical rest due to hardened hearts and unbelief, so too must Christians guard against similar spiritual complacency. The chapter culminates in a powerful reminder that Jesus is our great High Priest, sympathetic to our struggles and the source of grace we desperately need.

Verses 1–5: The Promise of Rest and the Danger of Unbelief

The chapter opens with a solemn exhortation: "Let us therefore fear, lest...any of you should seem to come short of it" (v. 1). This is not fear in the sense of terror, but a reverent caution—a healthy spiritual awareness that falling short of God's promise is genuinely possible. The author reminds us that the gospel was preached to both the Old Testament Israelites and to us (v. 2). However, the difference was critical: they heard but did not believe, and therefore the word "did not profit them." The author establishes that faith is the essential ingredient that connects us to God's promises.

Verses 3–5 deepen this by quoting God's oath: those who believe do enter into rest. The reference to God's rest on the seventh day (v. 4) and the repeated phrase "if they shall enter into my rest" (v. 5) point to a reality that transcends the old covenant. God's rest is not merely a day or a land—it is a spiritual condition available to believers in every generation.

Application: We must ask ourselves honestly: are we hearing God's Word and mixing it with genuine faith, or are we merely attending to it passively? Real benefit comes only when the message penetrates our hearts and moves us to trust Christ.

Verses 6–11: The Rest That Remains

Here the author clarifies the logic: if some must enter God's rest, and the original generation failed to enter because of unbelief (v. 6), then the promise remains open. Even after Joshua led Israel into Canaan, David (centuries later) still spoke of "today" as a day to hear God's voice and receive His rest (vv. 7–8). This shows that God's true rest is not a geographical location but a spiritual reality available to all who believe.

Verse 9 announces the crucial truth: "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God." This rest is entered through ceasing from our own works, just as God ceased from His works (v. 10). This does not mean laziness; rather, it means trusting God's finished work in Christ rather than striving in self-effort or self-righteousness. Verse 11 urges believers to "labour therefore to enter into that rest"—a paradox that calls us to earnest faith, not idle passivity, while we flee the example of the Israelites' unbelief.

Application: Where are you trying to earn God's favor by your own effort? The Gospel calls you to cease striving and rest in Christ's completed work.

Verses 12–16: God's Word and Our Great High Priest

The passage then pivots to the power of God's Word (v. 12). It is "quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword," able to penetrate to the deepest level of our being—soul and spirit, joints and marrow—and to discern our hidden thoughts and intentions. Nothing escapes God's sight (v. 13). This is both humbling and reassuring: we cannot hide from God, yet we need not face Him alone.

The final verses (14–16) provide the comforting resolution. Jesus, our High Priest in the heavens, is not distant or unsympathetic. He was tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin (v. 15). Therefore, we can "come boldly unto the throne of grace" to obtain mercy and find grace in our time of need (v. 16).

Application: You serve a High Priest who understands your struggles. Bring your whole self—doubts, fears, and weaknesses—before His throne with confidence.

Application for Today

Hebrews 4 calls contemporary believers to examine the state of our faith. Are we mixing God's Word with genuine trust, or merely going through the motions? The chapter invites us into a rest that the world cannot offer—not the absence of labor, but the peace of trusting in Christ's finished work. As we face the probing light of God's Word, we need not despair; instead, we run boldly to Jesus, our compassionate High Priest, who offers us the grace we need.

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