Devine Scripture

Hebrews 4:5

What does Hebrews 4:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 4:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 4:5 means

The repeated line, “They shall not enter into my rest,” underscores the sobering reality that God’s rest, though real and gracious, is not automatically enjoyed. The barrier is not that the rest is small or remote, but that unbelief hardens and excludes. The echo serves a pastoral purpose: it shakes complacency and reminds readers that to resist God’s voice is to forfeit privilege. Holding this warning next to the creation pattern prevents any casual assumption that mere proximity to God’s people guarantees participation. God’s rest is His own gift, and entrance is by trusting response, not by lineage, routine, or outward association.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And in the same place he says again, They will not come into my rest.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and in this <FI>place<Fi> again, `If they shall enter into My rest--;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And in this place again: If they shall enter into my rest.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and in this again, If they shall enter into my rest.

Context

Placed after the creation reference (v. 4), this restated warning keeps the reader from romanticizing the concept of rest. The chapter balances promise and peril. With the gravity established, verse 6 draws an inference: since some failed to enter, the promise still implies that others must enter. Verse 7 will then show that God Himself designates a continuing opportunity—“To-day”—through David, long after the wilderness era.

v.4For he hath said somewhere of the seventh day on this wise, And God rested on the seventh day from all his works;

v.5This passage

v.6Seeing 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,

Cross references

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

  • Psalms 95:11

    Wherefore I sware in my wrath, That they should not enter into my rest.

  • Hebrews 3:11

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

  • Hebrews 4:3

    For 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.

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