Devine Scripture

Hebrews 3:19

What does Hebrews 3:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 3:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 3:19 means

The conclusion is stark: they were unable to enter because of unbelief. The root problem was not merely outward behavior but a refusal to trust God. Unbelief blocks access to God’s promised rest. This wraps the whole section into a single diagnosis and warns the readers that the same danger threatens them if they do not persevere in faith. The chapter has shown Christ’s surpassing glory, quoted the Spirit’s urgent “Today,” and traced Israel’s tragic example. The takeaway is clear: keep a believing heart. Faith opens and sustains the way into God’s rest.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And we see that they were not able to enter in because of unbelief.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And we see that they were not able to enter in because of unbelief.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

So we see that they were not able to go in because they had no belief.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and we see that they were not able to enter in because of unbelief.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And we see that they could not enter in, because of unbelief.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And we see that they could not enter in on account of unbelief;)

Context

This final verse closes the argument by naming the core issue—unbelief—and thereby transitions to chapter 4’s invitation to enter God’s rest through faith. It ties together the Christ–Moses comparison and the wilderness warning: greater revelation in Christ demands persevering faith. By ending with a summary rather than a new exhortation, the author leaves the reader with a distilled lesson that invites self-examination and hope. The next chapter will expand on the promise of rest that still stands “today,” urging readers to mix hearing with faith, so they may enter what the wilderness generation missed.

v.18And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that were disobedient?

v.19This passage

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 3:18

    He that believeth on him is not judged: he that believeth not hath been judged already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God.

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:12

    that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

  • 1 John 5:10

    He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in him: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he hath not believed in the witness that God hath borne concerning his Son.

  • Jude 1:5

    Now I desire to put you in remembrance, though ye know all things once for all, that the Lord, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.

  • John 3:36

    He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.

  • Mark 16:16

    He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.

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