Hebrews 3:18

KJV

And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} to whom {G5101} sware he {G3660} that they should {G1525} not {G3361} enter {G1525} into {G1519} his {G846} rest {G2663}, but {G1508} to them that believed not {G544}?

Complete Jewish Bible

And to whom was it that he swore that they would not enter his rest? Those who were disobedient.

Berean Standard Bible

And to whom did He swear that they would never enter His rest? Was it not to those who disobeyed?

American Standard Version

And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that were disobedient?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 3:18 poses a rhetorical question that powerfully underscores the severe consequences of unbelief, drawing a direct parallel between the wilderness generation of Israel and the spiritual dangers facing believers. It highlights God's unwavering oath against those who rebelled and refused to trust Him, thereby forfeiting entry into His promised rest, serving as a solemn warning against spiritual apathy and disobedience for all who hear the gospel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the author's extended exhortation in [Hebrews chapters 3 and 4](/hebrews/3 "Hebrews 3-4 - The Warning Against Unbelief"), which uses the historical failure of the wilderness generation of Israel as a cautionary example. The immediate preceding verses (Hebrews 3:7-11) quote [Psalm 95:7-11](/psalm/95-7-11 "Psalm 95:7-11 - Do Not Harden Your Hearts"), emphasizing the danger of hardening one's heart against God's voice. The author's primary aim is to warn his readers, likely Jewish Christians facing persecution or temptation to revert to Judaism, against falling away from faith in Christ due to unbelief, just as their ancestors failed to enter the promised land. The rhetorical question of [Hebrews 3:18](/hebrews/3-18 "Hebrews 3:18 - The Oath Against Unbelief") anticipates the answer, setting the stage for the subsequent discussion about the nature of God's "rest" and the urgency of entering it through faith, as elaborated in [Hebrews 4:1-11](/hebrews/4-1-11 "Hebrews 4:1-11 - Striving to Enter God's Rest").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the forty-year wilderness wandering of the Israelites after their miraculous deliverance from Egyptian bondage, as recorded in [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - Israel's Rebellion and God's Judgment"). Despite witnessing God's power through the Exodus and receiving His law at Sinai, the majority of the adult generation (excluding Joshua and Caleb) displayed persistent murmuring, rebellion, and a profound lack of faith when faced with the challenge of entering Canaan. Their refusal to trust God's promise to deliver the land into their hands, exemplified by their fear of the giants (Numbers 13:31-33), led God to swear an oath that they would not enter His rest. This historical event served as a foundational narrative for Jewish identity and a powerful reminder of the consequences of disobedience to God's covenant. The author of Hebrews leverages this well-known history to impress upon his audience the critical importance of faith and perseverance in their new covenant relationship with God through Christ.
* **Key Themes:** The verse contributes significantly to several major themes throughout Hebrews. Central is the theme of **Unbelief and Disobedience**, explicitly identifying "them that believed not" as the cause for exclusion from God's rest. This is not merely intellectual doubt but a defiant refusal to trust and obey, leading to rebellion, as seen in [Numbers 14:11](/numbers/14-11 "Numbers 14:11 - How Long Will This People Despise Me?"). Another key theme is **God's Oath and Judgment**, where God's sworn declaration ("sware he") underscores the certainty and immutability of His judgment against persistent disobedience. His promises are sure, but so are His warnings. The concept of **"Rest"** is also paramount; for the Israelites, it was the land of Canaan, but for the New Testament believer, it expands to a spiritual reality—a cessation from striving and a confident trust in God's completed work, ultimately culminating in eternal rest with God, as further expounded in [Hebrews 4:9](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9 - The Sabbath Rest for the People of God"). Finally, the passage emphasizes the **Danger of Hardening Hearts**, a constant refrain in [Hebrews 3](/hebrews/3 "Hebrews 3 - Jesus Greater Than Moses"), which is intrinsically linked to unbelief and leads to a failure to experience God's promised blessings.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sware (Greek, _omnýō'_):** This verb signifies the act of taking or declaring an oath. In this context, it refers to God's solemn, binding declaration, particularly His oath recorded in [Psalm 95:11](/psalm/95-11 "Psalm 95:11 - God's Oath Against Unbelief"), which was a divine pronouncement with irreversible consequences. It highlights the absolute certainty and immutability of God's judgment.
* **rest (Greek, _katápausis'_):** Derived from a word meaning "reposing down," this term denotes a state of cessation from labor, trouble, or wandering, signifying security, peace, and ultimate fulfillment. For the Israelites, it was the Promised Land, Canaan. For the New Testament believer, as developed in [Hebrews 4](/hebrews/4 "Hebrews 4 - The Promise of Rest"), it encompasses both a present spiritual peace found in Christ and a future, eternal Sabbath rest with God.
* **believed not (Greek, _apeithéō'_):** This verb means "to disbelieve wilfully and perversely," "to be disobedient," or "to obey not." It's not merely a lack of intellectual assent, but an active, defiant refusal to be persuaded, to trust, and to comply with God's word and will. This term strongly links unbelief with disobedience, indicating that a true lack of faith manifests as a rebellious refusal to obey.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And to whom sware he":** This opening phrase, introduced by the conjunction "And" (G1161, _dé_), immediately connects the verse to the preceding discussion about God's oath. The rhetorical question "to whom sware he" (G5101, _tís_) directly points back to the divine oath mentioned in [Hebrews 3:11](/hebrews/3-11 "Hebrews 3:11 - God's Wrath Against Disobedience") and [Psalm 95:11](/psalm/95-11 "Psalm 95:11 - God's Oath Against Unbelief"). The author uses this question to prompt the reader to recall the historical context of God's judgment against the disobedient Israelites, setting up the answer that follows.
* **"that they should not enter into his rest":** This clause reveals the content of God's oath and the consequence for those against whom it was sworn. The phrase "should not enter" (G1525, _eisérchomai_ with G3361, _mḗ_) emphasizes the absolute prohibition and exclusion from God's promised "rest" (G2663, _katápausis_). This "rest" refers to the Promised Land for the wilderness generation, symbolizing the security, peace, and fulfillment God intended for His people. The inability to enter signifies a forfeiture of divine blessing due to their actions.
* **"but to them that believed not?":** This concluding phrase provides the explicit answer to the rhetorical question, identifying the specific group against whom God's oath was directed. The adversative "but" (G1508, _ei mḗ_) sharply contrasts this group with any other possibility. "Them that believed not" (G544, _apeithéō_) is the crucial identification, highlighting that their exclusion was not arbitrary but a direct result of their profound and persistent unbelief, which manifested as disobedience and rebellion against God's commands and promises.

#### Literary Devices
The author of Hebrews masterfully employs several literary devices in [Hebrews 3:18](/hebrews/3-18 "Hebrews 3:18 - The Oath Against Unbelief"). Primarily, the verse is structured as a **Rhetorical Question**, "And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?" This device is not meant to elicit an unknown answer, but rather to powerfully affirm a known truth, drawing the reader into the argument and emphasizing the self-evident nature of the consequence of unbelief. It serves to highlight the direct causal link between unbelief and exclusion from God's rest. Furthermore, there is clear **Parallelism** at play, implicitly contrasting the faithful (who enter rest) with the unfaithful (who do not). The phrase "his rest" functions as a **Symbolism** or **Metonymy**, representing not only the literal land of Canaan but also the deeper spiritual peace, security, and ultimate salvation that God offers. The use of the historical narrative of the Exodus generation serves as a powerful **Type** or **Analogy**, drawing a direct comparison between their failure and the potential failure of the contemporary audience, thereby functioning as a solemn **Warning**.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 3:18 profoundly connects the historical failure of Israel in the wilderness to the ongoing spiritual journey of believers. It underscores a fundamental theological truth: God's promises of rest and blessing are inextricably linked to faith and obedience. The "rest" offered by God is not merely a physical destination but a spiritual state of peace, security, and communion with Him, which is forfeited by persistent unbelief and disobedience. This verse reveals God's righteous character—He is faithful to His promises, but also just in His judgments. It highlights that true faith is not passive intellectual assent but an active, trusting reliance on God that naturally expresses itself in obedience. The warning serves to impress upon believers the seriousness of their walk and the continuous need for vigilance against the hardening of hearts, which can lead to spiritual apostasy and a failure to enter into the full experience of God's grace and ultimate rest.

* [Numbers 14:28-30](/numbers/14-28-30 "God's Oath Against the Unbelieving Generation")
* [Psalm 95:10-11](/Psalm/95-10-11 "God's Provocation and Oath")
* [Hebrews 4:1](/Hebrews/4-1 "The Promise of Entering His Rest")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 3:18 serves as a potent and timeless reminder that spiritual complacency and a hardened heart are perilous. Just as the Israelites, despite witnessing God's mighty acts, failed to enter His promised rest due to their unbelief and disobedience, so too can believers today fall short of God's full blessings if they neglect to cultivate an active, trusting faith. This verse calls us to a diligent examination of our hearts, urging us to respond to God's voice with immediate and unwavering trust. It teaches us that genuine faith is not merely a one-time decision but a continuous posture of reliance on God that manifests in obedience. We are to guard against the subtle creep of apathy, doubt, and rebellion, understanding that our spiritual journey requires persistent engagement with God's word and a steadfast commitment to His will. The "rest" God offers is profound—a cessation from the striving of self-effort and a confident dwelling in His finished work through Christ. We are called to "strive to enter that rest" ([Hebrews 4:11](/hebrews/4-11 "Hebrews 4:11 - Strive to Enter That Rest")), not through our own works, but through a faith that actively embraces and obeys the One who provides it.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be exhibiting a form of "unbelief" that manifests as disobedience or a lack of trust in God's promises?**
* **How does the historical example of the Israelites challenge my own assumptions about spiritual security and the necessity of ongoing faith?**
* **What does "entering God's rest" mean to me personally, and how can I more fully experience that rest in my daily life?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my heart remains soft and responsive to God's voice, rather than becoming hardened through the deceitfulness of sin?**

### FAQ

**What is the "rest" mentioned in Hebrews 3:18?**

Answer: The "rest" (Greek, _katápausis_) in [Hebrews 3:18](/hebrews/3-18 "Hebrews 3:18 - The Oath Against Unbelief") has a multi-layered meaning. Historically, for the generation of Israelites in the wilderness, it referred to the physical Promised Land of Canaan, a place of peace and security after their long journey. Theologically, the author of Hebrews expands this concept to a deeper spiritual reality. It signifies a cessation from striving, a confident trust in God's completed work, and a state of spiritual peace and security found in Him. Ultimately, it culminates in the eternal Sabbath rest that awaits the people of God in His presence, as described in [Hebrews 4:9-11](/hebrews/4-9-11 "Hebrews 4:9-11 - The Sabbath Rest and Striving to Enter It"). It's a rest from the burden of sin and self-effort, found only through faith in Christ.

**How does "believed not" relate to "disobedience" in this context?**

Answer: The Greek word translated "believed not" is _apeithéō_ (G544), which carries a stronger connotation than mere intellectual disbelief. It implies a willful refusal to be persuaded, a defiant resistance, and an active disobedience. In the context of [Hebrews 3:18](/hebrews/3-18 "Hebrews 3:18 - The Oath Against Unbelief"), the Israelites' "unbelief" was not just a lack of mental assent but a deep-seated rebellion against God's commands and promises. Their refusal to trust God's power to conquer the land, despite His clear instructions and past miraculous interventions, led them to disobey His command to enter. Therefore, the author of Hebrews intentionally links unbelief and disobedience as two sides of the same coin: true faith always leads to obedience, and persistent disobedience reveals a core unbelief in God's word and will. This connection is vital for understanding the warning throughout [Hebrews 3-4](/hebrews/3 "Hebrews 3 - Jesus Greater Than Moses").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 3:18, while a stern warning rooted in Old Testament history, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. The "rest" that the wilderness generation failed to enter foreshadows the ultimate rest provided by Christ. He is the true Joshua who leads His people into a spiritual rest far greater than any earthly land. The issue of "unbelief" is resolved in Christ, for He is the object of our saving faith. Where Israel failed to trust God and obey His voice, Jesus perfectly trusted and obeyed His Father, even to the point of death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Obedience to Death")). He invites all who are weary and burdened to come to Him and find rest for their souls ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me and I Will Give You Rest")). The "rest" now offered is not a geographical location but a spiritual reality found in union with Christ, a cessation from the futile striving for righteousness through works, and a confident dwelling in His finished work ([Hebrews 4:10](/hebrews/4-10 "Hebrews 4:10 - God's Rest and Our Rest")). Thus, the warning of [Hebrews 3:18](/hebrews/3-18 "Hebrews 3:18 - The Oath Against Unbelief") serves to drive us to Christ, who alone provides the ultimate and enduring rest for those who believe in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 1:34

And the LORD heard the voice of your words, and was wroth, and sware, saying,

Deuteronomy 1:35

Surely there shall not one of these men of this evil generation see that good land, which I sware to give unto your fathers,

Hebrews 4:6

Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

Numbers 14:30

Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, [concerning] which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.

Psalms 106:24

Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word:

Psalms 106:26

Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness:

Deuteronomy 1:26

Notwithstanding ye would not go up, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God: