Devine Scripture

Hebrews 4:9

What does Hebrews 4:9 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 4:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 4:9 means

Therefore a sabbath rest remains for the people of God. This is more than weekly cessation; it is the believer’s share in God’s own rest. The term evokes celebration, completion, and fellowship with God’s finished work. It is already tasted by faith and will be fully enjoyed in the age to come. The promise has not expired; it stands reserved for those who belong to Him. In a weary world and a restless religion of self-effort, God offers His restorative rest—rooted in His accomplishment, not ours. This rest reorients life around God’s sufficiency rather than our striving.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

There remaineth therefore a sabbath rest for the people of God.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

There remaineth therefore a sabbath rest for the people of God.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

So that there is still a Sabbath-keeping for the people of God.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

there doth remain, then, a sabbatic rest to the people of God,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

There remaineth therefore a day of rest for the people of God.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

There remains then a sabbatism to the people ofGod.

Context

On the heels of verse 8’s argument about Joshua, verse 9 sounds the positive conclusion: there remains a sabbath rest. The chapter now turns from proving the rest’s continuance to describing participation in it (v. 10) and to urging diligence lest any miss it (v. 11). This section will then transition to the searching power of God’s word (v. 12–13), which exposes the heart’s fitness to enter, and finally to the gracious provision of a great high priest (v. 14–16).

v.8For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterward of another day.

v.9This passage

v.10For he that is entered into his rest hath himself also rested from his works, as God did from his.

Cross references

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

  • Hebrews 11:25

    choosing rather to share ill treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

  • Matthew 1:21

    And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins.

  • Hebrews 4:1

    Let 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.

  • 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.

  • Titus 2:14

    who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works.

  • Revelation 21:4

    and he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more: the first things are passed away.

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