Devine Scripture

Hebrews 4:2

What does Hebrews 4:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 4:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 4:2 means

The same kind of “good tidings” came to us and to Israel of old, but the message did not profit them because they did not unite hearing with faith. Sound enters ears easily; trust and obedience do not. The point is not the weakness of God’s word but the hardness of the human heart when it refuses to rely on what God says. The author draws a sharp contrast between mere exposure to truth and a believing reception that yields participation in God’s rest. The remedy is clear: let the promise shape our response, mixing what we hear with faith that clings to God and walks accordingly.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For indeed we have had good tidings preached unto us, even as also they: but the word of hearing did not profit them, because it was not united by faith with them that heard.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For 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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For indeed we have had good tidings preached unto us, even as also they: but the word of hearing did not profit them, because it was not united by faith with them that heard.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And, truly, the good news came to us, even as it did to them; but the hearing of the word did them no good, because they were not united in faith with the true hearers.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for we also are having good news proclaimed, even as they, but the word heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For unto us also it hath been declared in like manner as unto them. But the word of hearing did not profit them, not being mixed with faith of those things they heard.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For indeed we have had glad tidings presented to us, even as they also; but the word of the report did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard.

Context

Following the call to holy caution in verse 1, verse 2 explains the mechanism of failure: hearing without faith. This looks back to the wilderness generation, but is pressed upon present readers who have likewise received “good tidings.” The chapter’s argument now pivots to show that true believers actually enter God’s rest (verse 3), while persistent unbelief excludes. The contrast sets up a sustained exposition of what God’s rest is and how it remains available “today.”

v.1Let us fear therefore, lest haply, a promise being left of entering into his rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it.

v.2This passage

v.3For we who have believed do enter into that rest; even as he hath said, As I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:13

    And for this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when ye received from us the word of the message, even the word of God, ye accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also worketh in you that believe.

  • Galatians 3:8

    And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all the nations be blessed.

  • Acts 13:46

    And Paul and Barnabas spake out boldly, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you. Seeing ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

  • Hebrews 4:6

    Seeing therefore it remaineth that some should enter thereinto, and they to whom the good tidings were before preached failed to enter in because of disobedience,

  • 1 Peter 1:12

    To whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto you, did they minister these things, which now have been announced unto you through them that preached the gospel unto you by the Holy Spirit sent forth from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.

  • Hebrews 11:6

    and without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him.

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