Hebrews 4:9

[dedication]

Hebrews three and four talk quite a bit about "rest".
Israel didn't enter the rest because of unbelief and the deceitfulness of sin.

The rest was available, but somehow, even though they entered the promised land, they did not find this "rest".

Also how does the Sabbath relate to this chapter?

. Hebrews 4:4 And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.


There remaineth therefore a rest (Sabbath observance) to the people of God," Hebrews 4:9

I put a line through the word "rest" because it is an incorrect translation, rooted in bias against the Holy Seventh-day Sabbath day of God.

In all the previous verses in Hebrews 3 and 4 when the word "rest" is used, it comes from the word katapausis which means rest.

But the word translated “rest” in Hebrews 4:9 is not katapausis its is sabbatismos.

Sabbatismos  -- 7th day Sabbath observance -- ?

[newbie]

dedication, I like how you put that... 

A Sabbath Rest remaineth for the people of God

[Ed Sutton]

Hebrews4:
4  For he spake in a certain place of the seventh  <1442>day on this wise, And God did rest <2664> (5656) the seventh  <1722> <1442>day from all his works.
5  And in this place again, If they shall enter into my<3450> rest<2663> . ( see Isa ch 58)
6  Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief<543>:
7  Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts<4645> (5725).
8  For if Jesus <2424>(Joshua) had given them rest <2664> (5656), then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
9  There remaineth therefore a rest<4520> to the people of God.
10  For he that is entered into his rest<2663>, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
11 ¶  Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest<2663>, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief<543>.
12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts<1761> and intents<1771> of the heart.
13  Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

( I forgot to put in 4520,2663,2664 )
4520. σαββατισμο/ς sabbatismos sab-bat-is-mos’; from a derivative of 4521; a "sabbatism," i.e. (figuratively) the repose of Christianity (as a type of heaven): —  rest.
2663. κατα/παυσις katapausis kat-ap’-ow-sis; from 2664; reposing down, i.e. (by Hebraism) abode: —  rest.

2664. καταπαυ/ω katapauo kat-ap-ow’-o; from 2596 and 3973; to settle down, i.e. (literally) to colonize, or (figuratively) to (cause to) desist: —  cease, (give) rest(-rain).

Isaiah 66:18  For I know their works and their thoughts

Matthew 9:4  And Jesus knowing their thoughts

Matthew 12:25  And Jesus knew their thoughts

Luke 5:22  But when Jesus perceived their thoughts

Luke 6:8  But he knew their thoughts

Luke 11:17  But he, knowing their thoughts

Psalms 94:11  The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.


Psalms 139:2  Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

Isaiah 29:13  Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

Matthew 15:8  This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

Mark 7:6  He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

Jesus Christ - Matthew 11:28  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Joshua & Moses could not.

Exodus 33:14  And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.

Jesus & the GodHead = the hot yeast raised shew bread baked fresh every Sabbath on the sides of the north table of shewbread.  Hearts obstinate disobedient far away - can no enter into union ( rest ) with God during Sabbath. ='s unbelief.  God's presence ( rest) is not in them due to evil unbelief .

Romans 10:16  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?      Paul ranks disobedience with unbelief.
5k   ........ rest of post

[dedication]

"There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God," Hebrews 4:9 (King James Version).


Few people realize this is an incorrect translation.
The reading here makes it sound like this verse (Hebrews 4:9) uses the same word as the "rest" in previous texts, however, it does NOT use the word "rest".

This is the question --
why is their a different word here?


The previous verses in Hebrews 3 and 4 use the word katapausis which means rest, and thus it is correct for those verses to contain the word "rest".

But the word translated “rest” in Hebrews 4:9 is not katapausis its is sabbatismos.


The Anchor Bible Dictionary states regarding the meaning of sabbatismos:


“The words ‘sabbath rest’ translate the [Greek] noun sabbatismos, a unique word in the NT. This term appears also in Plutarch … for sabbath observance, and in four post-canonical Christian writings … for seventh day ‘sabbath celebration” (p. 855)

While sabbatismos is a noun, the verb form of the word is sabbatizo, which means, "to keep the Sabbath" (A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament).

This definition of sabbatizo is confirmed by its use in the Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Old Testament dating from third century BC. Jews used the Septuagint in synagogues throughout the Roman Empire; Greek-speaking Jewish and Gentile coverts to Christianity used this translation throughout the early New Testament period. This is why the apostle Paul quoted from the Septuagint in his epistle to the Hebrews, which went to all the true churches of God - Jew and Gentile.

When Paul used sabbatismos in Hebrews 4:9, I think he did so deliberately to bring out the true meaning of the Sabbath as connected with sanctification and spiritual rest.   The Greek-speaking believers of that day would have seen the connection.

 Throughout the entire Septuagint, the verb sabbatizo is used only in relation to "Sabbath-keeping." However, they deliberately did not translate sabbatisomos that way in Hebrews 4:9 proabably because of their Sunday keeping bias -

 Consequently, this verse (4:9) should be translated correctly as the original Greek meant, "There remains, therefore, Sabbath-keeping for the people of God" - Jew and Gentile alike.


“Hebrews 4:3-11 affirms that physical ‘sabbath rest’ (sabbatismos ) is the weekly outward manifestation of the inner experience of spiritual rest ( katapausis ) as we have accepted God as our God, and abide in Him. The Sabbath rest is a foretaste of the final rest, yet is is experienced already ‘today’ (4:7).

Thus ‘sabbath rest’ combines in itself creation, sanctifying restoration, salvation-experience, with Christ, and includes the anticipation of total restoration and rest at the coming of Christ.

[dedication]

According to Ezekiel 20, the Sabbath is a sign that we acknowledge and know it is God that saves and sanctifies us. He is our God, and we are His people.

Eze. 20:12   Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them,
that they might know that I [am] the LORD that sanctify them.  20:20   And hallow my sabbaths;
and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I [am] the LORD your God.

 



This is where true spiritual rest lies -- in a life fully committed in trust and obedience to God.

Hebrews skillfully weaves the two concepts of spiritual rest and Sabbath rest into one.  They must be woven together in our lives as well.

Though Israel stayed in their tents on the Sabbath, and though Israel, under Joshua entered what was to be the "land of rest" yet they did not enter into the rest God wanted to give them.

Heb 4:8 For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day.

Under Joshua they entered what was to be the "land of rest" and they also had the day of rest--
 Yet because of their unbelief and hardness of heart they did not enter into the rest God wanted to give them.
They COULD HAVE --

Heb. 3:19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
3:2 the gospel was preached.. unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard.

That rest comes from an abiding relationship with our Creator. He it is that sanctifies and gives spiritual rest

Some may argue that they didn't enter the rest because Jesus is the rest and He had not yet come in Moses and Joshua's day. But that is NOT the reason given -- they did not enter because of their unbelief. The rest was available to them, but they did not enter because of unbelief and because of the deceptiveness of sin.

God gave them the Sabbath, and led them to the land of promise, THEY COULD have found that rest. 
It was available to them.

What didn't they believe?

[Tammy]

What didn't they believe?

Is it Righteousness by Faith?

I appreciate your study.  I've always wanted to understand it.

[newbie]

What didn't they believe?

Is it Righteousness by Faith?

I appreciate your study.  I've always wanted to understand it.

  I think that is a good answer...

They had the letter of the law but missed the Spirit of the Law. 

They had no heart change.... and therefore the TRUTH did not change them, convert them to full trust in God. 

When things got rough and temptations set in, they fell, because they forgot about God and didn't fully trust in Him...  doubting, murmuring, etc.

Are we any different?  If we are not, we will suffer the same result.  But we have the bible and all the examples to learn from.  ...

[dedication]

Yes, thanks for your comments

Christ our Righteousness, Christ is the one who sanctifies.

I've often wondered how the third angel's message with it's beasts and warnings, the Sabbath, and Christ our Righteousness all fit together.

it was on focusing on this chapter that the connections started to come together.

But first, the Sabbath -- of what is it a sign?
Yes, that God is our Creator, but more
Ex. 31;13   Sabbath  "a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that you may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you."
Ezek. 20:12   Moreover also I gave them my Sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them.
Ezek  20:20   And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that you may know that I am the LORD your God.

In a different discussion, there was the challenge, that Hebrews wasn't talking about the Sabbath.   That Israel had the Sabbath and were keeping it quite zealously so why would the author of Hebrews be telling them to come into that "rest"?

But then looking at Ezek 20:15-16 we read a parallel account and find out  that Israel had not kept the Sabbath.
"I lifted up my hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given...because they...polluted my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols."

So even though they dutifully sat in their tents and didn't gather manna on Sabbath, they were still polluting the Sabbaths.

Ellen White talks about presenting the Sabbath message more fully --
Is Hebrews 4 a key to understanding the Sabbath more fully?   Is it a vital part of Christ and His Righteousness that we have missed?

Hebrews emphases the reliability of God's salvation.   Israel forfeited entry into the "rest" because of distrust in their God and Deliverer.  Somehow the true experience of the Sabbath rest never materialized in Israel, it had not yet come to fruitition in the experience of believers.   It still remained to be experienced. 

The main lesson in Hebrews 3 and 4 is that Israel had this rest offered to them but they were unable to enter because of unbelief.     Then we read that "TODAY" if you hear his voice, don't do as they did, do not harden your hearts...

Though this rest involves future promises as well, yet the "TODAY" message is about the  Sabbath.
 The Sabbath represents a complete trusting in God,  it is trusting that He will finish the good work that He has begun in us,  it is trusting in Him in complete faith that He will sanctify us, when we open the door to Him and let Him into our lives, it is trusting that He is our God, and we will follow Him.  The Sabbath is holy time to spend with our Redeemer.

Sunday represents "man's works" man sanctified the day, man asks it be kept holy.

Sabbath represents God's sanctifying work -- He sanctified the Sabbath, and He will sanctify us wholly.  We aren't offering God our works, but looking to Him to work in us and through us.  Resting in the assurance that He is our Savior.

When the beast come with his alternatives, we won't give up the Sabbath for our Sabbath rest means much more to us than just "one in seven" it is a sign that God is our God, the One Who sanctifies us.

We need to find the true rest in Christ which the Sabbath experience was meant to give.