Hebrews 4:5

KJV

And in this [place] again, If they shall enter into my rest.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} in {G1722} this {G5129} place again {G3825}, If {G1487} they shall enter {G1525} into {G1519} my {G3450} rest {G2663}.

Complete Jewish Bible

And once more, our present text says,

“They will not enter my rest.”

Berean Standard Bible

And again, as He says in the passage above: “They shall never enter My rest.”

American Standard Version

and in this place again, They shall not enter into my rest.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 4:5 continues the author's profound theological argument concerning the nature of God's "rest," reiterating a crucial divine oath from Psalm 95:11. This verse serves as a solemn warning, drawing a direct parallel between the ancient Israelites' failure to enter the physical rest of Canaan due to unbelief and the potential for New Covenant believers to miss the greater, spiritual rest available in Christ. It underscores the conditional nature of entering God's promised repose, contingent upon a responsive faith and obedience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hebrews 4:5 is strategically placed within a sustained argument that began in [Hebrews 3:7](/hebrews/3-7 "Hebrews 3:7 - Warning Against Hardening Hearts") and extends through [Hebrews 4:11](/hebrews/4-11 "Hebrews 4:11 - Exhortation to Enter God's Rest"). The author has already quoted [Psalm 95:7-11](/psalm/95-7-11 "Psalm 95:7-11 - Do Not Harden Your Hearts") in [Hebrews 3:7-11](/hebrews/3-7-11 "Hebrews 3:7-11 - Warning from Psalm 95"). Having established that God's rest was not fully realized in the Promised Land (as seen in [Hebrews 4:1-4](/hebrews/4-1-4 "Hebrews 4:1-4 - The Promise of Rest Remains")), the author re-quotes the critical phrase from [Psalm 95:11](/psalm/95-11 "Psalm 95:11 - The Oath of God") in [Hebrews 4:5](/hebrews/4-5 "Hebrews 4:5 - Reiteration of the Oath"). The repetition, marked by "again," emphasizes the immutability of God's word and the gravity of the warning, setting the stage for the exhortation to "labor to enter that rest" in the subsequent verses.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The original recipients of the Epistle to the Hebrews were likely Jewish Christians, possibly living in Rome or another major urban center, who were experiencing persecution or social pressure to revert to Judaism. For these readers, the concept of "rest" held deep significance, encompassing the Sabbath rest, the physical rest of the Promised Land (Canaan) after the wilderness wanderings, and the eschatological hope of a future age of peace. The story of the wilderness generation's failure to enter Canaan due to their unbelief (as recounted in [Numbers 13-14](/numbers/13-14 "Numbers 13-14 - The Spies and Israel's Rebellion")) was a foundational and well-known cautionary tale within Jewish tradition. The author leverages this shared history to underscore the danger of spiritual apathy and unbelief, presenting a profound reinterpretation of "rest" that transcends geographical or temporal limitations, pointing instead to a spiritual reality found in Christ.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Hebrews. Primarily, it reinforces the **Certainty and Immutability of God's Word**, demonstrating that divine promises and warnings, once declared, remain eternally valid, transcending generations. The conditional "If" highlights the **Conditional Nature of God's Rest**, making it clear that entry into this profound spiritual repose is not automatic but contingent upon a living faith and obedient response to God's invitation, directly contrasting with the unbelief that led to the wilderness generation's exclusion (as seen in [Hebrews 3:19](/hebrews/3-19 "Hebrews 3:19 - They Could Not Enter Because of Unbelief")). Furthermore, the very re-statement of the oath implies the **Enduring Availability of God's Rest**, signaling that despite the failures of the past, a "rest" still remains for the people of God (a theme explicitly developed in [Hebrews 4:9](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9 - A Sabbath Rest Remains")). This rest is ultimately spiritual, found in Christ, and offers a cessation from human striving for righteousness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **If (Greek, _ei'_):** This primary particle introduces a condition, signaling that the outcome is dependent on a preceding action or state. In the context of this verse, and its original source in [Psalm 95:11](/psalm/95-11 "Psalm 95:11 - The Oath of God"), "if" underscores the contingency of entering God's rest upon the people's response to His voice. It highlights the serious consequences of unbelief and disobedience, presenting a stark choice rather than an assured outcome.
* **enter (Greek, _eisérchomai'_):** Derived from "into" and "to come," this verb signifies movement into a place, state, or condition. Here, it denotes the act of gaining access or coming into the promised "rest." The use of "enter" emphasizes the active participation required to appropriate God's provision, contrasting with the passive failure of the wilderness generation who were unable to "enter" due to their hardened hearts.
* **rest (Greek, _katápausis'_):** This noun, meaning "reposing down" or "abode," refers to a state of cessation from labor or a place of tranquility. In Hebrews, it carries rich theological layers, encompassing God's Sabbath rest after creation (as referenced in [Hebrews 4:4](/hebrews/4-4 "Hebrews 4:4 - God Rested on the Seventh Day")), the physical rest of the Promised Land, and ultimately, the spiritual and eschatological rest that remains for believers in Christ. It signifies a state of peace and security found in God's completed work, rather than human striving.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And in this [place] again":** This phrase serves as a crucial literary and theological bridge. The conjunction "And" (G2532, _kaí_) links this verse directly to the preceding discussion, particularly the previous quotation of [Psalm 95:11](/psalm/95-11 "Psalm 95:11 - The Oath of God") in [Hebrews 3:11](/hebrews/3-11 "Hebrews 3:11 - God's Oath to Israel"). The word "again" (G3825, _pálin_) explicitly signals a second, direct reference to the same divine oath. This repetition is not redundant but emphasizes the immutability and gravity of God's pronouncement. It underscores that the warning given to the wilderness generation remains profoundly relevant and applicable to the author's contemporary audience, highlighting the timeless nature of God's covenantal principles.
* **"If they shall enter into my rest":** This is the core of the divine oath from [Psalm 95:11](/psalm/95-11 "Psalm 95:11 - The Oath of God"), quoted here to reinforce the conditional nature of entering God's promised "rest." The "If" (G1487, _ei_) clause, originating from an oath formula, implies a negative consequence: "they shall certainly not enter." "They" refers primarily to the disobedient generation in the wilderness, whose unbelief prevented them from entering the physical rest of Canaan. However, in the context of Hebrews, this "they" implicitly extends to the readers, serving as a powerful cautionary tale. "My rest" (G3450, _moû_ rest G2663, _katápausis_) signifies God's own divinely appointed and provided rest, a state of peace and cessation from striving that is ultimately found in Him. The phrase encapsulates the tragic outcome of unbelief and the enduring availability of God's promise for those who respond in faith.

#### Literary Devices
The author of Hebrews masterfully employs several literary devices in this concise verse. **Quotation** is central, as the verse directly cites [Psalm 95:11](/psalm/95-11 "Psalm 95:11 - The Oath of God"). This technique lends scriptural authority and continuity to the argument, grounding the New Covenant warning in Old Testament precedent. The use of the word "again" immediately signals **Repetition**, not just of the quote but of the divine emphasis on the conditional nature of entering God's rest. This repetition serves to underscore the gravity and timeless relevance of the warning, ensuring the readers grasp its profound implications. Furthermore, the entire argument in Hebrews 3-4, including this verse, relies heavily on **Typology**. The historical experience of the wilderness generation failing to enter the physical rest of Canaan due to unbelief serves as a type, or foreshadowing, of the spiritual rest available in Christ, which believers are urged not to miss. The conditional "If" also functions as a powerful **Rhetorical Warning**, implying a severe consequence for those who, like their ancestors, fail to respond to God's invitation with faith and obedience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 4:5 powerfully articulates a core theological truth: God's promise of rest is enduring, yet its appropriation is conditional. This "rest" is multifaceted, beginning with God's own cessation from creation on the seventh day, establishing the pattern of Sabbath (as seen in [Genesis 2:2](/genesis/2-2 "Genesis 2:2 - God Rested on the Seventh Day")). It then finds a partial fulfillment in the Promised Land, a physical rest from wandering and warfare, which Israel failed to fully enter due to unbelief. The author of Hebrews reveals that these historical manifestations were but shadows of a greater, spiritual, and eschatological rest that remains for the people of God. This ultimate rest is not merely a geographical location or a day of the week, but a profound state of peace, security, and cessation from self-effort, found exclusively in trusting God's finished work. The warning in this verse underscores that while God's invitation is open, a hardened heart of unbelief remains the primary barrier to experiencing this divine repose.

* [Genesis 2:2](/genesis/2-2 "God Rested on the Seventh Day")
* [Psalm 95:7-11](/psalm/95-7-11 "Do Not Harden Your Hearts")
* [Matthew 11:28-29](/matthew/11-28-29 "Jesus' Invitation to Rest")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 4:5 stands as a timeless admonition for every believer, calling us to a vigilant and responsive faith. It compels us to honestly examine the state of our hearts, asking whether we are truly resting in God's provision or if we are still striving in our own strength, driven by anxiety, self-reliance, or a lack of trust. The "rest" God offers is not passive inactivity, but an active cessation from our own works and a confident reliance on His finished work in Christ. This means releasing the burden of earning our salvation, proving our worth, or controlling our circumstances, and instead embracing the peace that comes from surrendering to His sovereign will and sufficient grace. The warning to the ancient Israelites serves as a stark reminder that spiritual blessings are not automatically inherited but require an ongoing, diligent pursuit of faith and obedience. We are called to "labor therefore to enter into that rest" ([Hebrews 4:11](/hebrews/4-11 "Hebrews 4:11 - Diligently Enter That Rest")), which implies a diligent pursuit of spiritual disciplines, a commitment to hearing and obeying God's voice, and a steadfast perseverance in our walk with Christ, lest we, too, fall short through unbelief.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "rest" truly mean to me, and how does my understanding align with the spiritual rest God offers in Christ?**
* **In what areas of my life am I still striving in my own strength, rather than trusting and entering into God's provision and peace?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart of active faith and obedience that diligently seeks to enter and remain in God's rest daily?**

### FAQ
**What is "my rest" in this verse, and how does it relate to the Old Testament?**

Answer: "My rest" in [Hebrews 4:5](/hebrews/4-5 "Hebrews 4:5 - Reiteration of the Oath") refers to God's divinely appointed and provided rest, a concept that evolves throughout biblical history. It begins with God's own rest on the seventh day after creation ([Genesis 2:2](/genesis/2-2 "Genesis 2:2 - God Rested on the Seventh Day")), establishing a pattern of cessation. For Israel, it partially materialized as the physical rest of the Promised Land (Canaan) after their wilderness wanderings, a place of security and peace from their enemies. However, as the author of Hebrews argues, this physical rest was incomplete and temporary, a shadow of a greater, spiritual reality. The "rest" in Hebrews is ultimately a profound spiritual state of peace, security, and cessation from human striving for righteousness, found in God's completed work. It is an eschatological rest that remains available to believers in the New Covenant, transcending geographical boundaries or specific days, and is entered through faith and obedience.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The "rest" spoken of in [Hebrews 4:5](/hebrews/4-5 "Hebrews 4:5 - Reiteration of the Oath"), though rooted in Old Testament types like the Sabbath and the Promised Land, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the true and living embodiment of God's rest, the one who perfectly accomplished the work that allows humanity to cease from its own futile striving for righteousness. Just as God rested after His work of creation, and Israel was meant to rest in the land, so believers are invited to enter into the finished work of Christ on the cross. Jesus Himself extended this profound invitation, saying, "[Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Jesus' Invitation to Rest")" and "[Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls](/matthew/11-29 "Matthew 11:29 - Find Rest for Your Souls")". His atoning sacrifice provides the complete cessation from the labor of sin and the burden of the law, establishing a new covenant where righteousness is imputed by faith, not achieved by works ([Romans 3:21-24](/romans/3-21-24 "Romans 3:21-24 - Righteousness Through Faith")). Thus, the "sabbath rest" that truly remains for the people of God ([Hebrews 4:9](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9 - A Sabbath Rest Remains")) is found in Him; to "enter His rest" is to cease from our own works and trust entirely in Christ's perfect and finished work ([Hebrews 4:10](/hebrews/4-10 "Hebrews 4:10 - Rest from Our Own Works")), experiencing the peace and security of salvation 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

Psalms 95:11

Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.

Hebrews 3:11

So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)

Hebrews 4:3

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.