Hebrews 4

King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context

About this chapter

AI-assisted, sourced

A promise of entering God's rest still stands, but the word did not profit the wilderness generation, "not being mixed with faith," while "we which have believed do enter into rest." "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God," so "Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest," for "the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword." Since "we have a great high priest... Jesus the Son of God," who "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin," we may "come boldly unto the throne of grace." Hebrews 4:1 Hebrews 4:2 Hebrews 4:3 Hebrews 4:9 Hebrews 4:11 Hebrews 4:12 Hebrews 4:14 Hebrews 4:15 Hebrews 4:16

Who, where, when, and the key verses

Who

"The people of God," the wilderness generation, and "Jesus the Son of God," the great high priest. Hebrews 4:2 Hebrews 4:9 Hebrews 4:14 Hebrews overview

Where

The letter does not say where it was written or sent. "They of Italy salute you" may mean the writer was in Italy or was writing to it. Hebrews overview

When

Traditionally dated before AD 70, since the letter speaks of the tabernacle service as still going on and never mentions the temple's fall. Most scholars date it about AD 60-90 and say the writer is unknown. Hebrews overview

How it fits

Chapter 3 ended "they could not enter in because of unbelief." This chapter ends with Jesus as high priest, and chapter 5 explains what a high priest is: "every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God." Hebrews 3:19 Hebrews 4:14 Hebrews 5:1

Key verses

Verse 9
"There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God." Psalm 95:11 spoke of those who "should not enter into my rest." Hebrews 4:9 Hebrews 4:3 Psalms 95:11
Verse 12
"The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword... and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
Verse 15
"We have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Hebrews 4:15 Hebrews 4:16

Takeaway

Believe God and enter His rest, and come boldly to the throne of grace, where Jesus understands your weakness. Hebrews 4:3 Hebrews 4:15 Hebrews 4:16

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-11-01.

A rest for the people of God

¹Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. ²For 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. ³For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. ⁴For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. ⁵And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. ⁶Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: ⁷Again, 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. ⁸For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. ⁹There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. ¹⁰For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. ¹¹Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

The word of God

¹²For 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 and intents of the heart. ¹³Neither 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.

Our great high priest

¹⁴Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. ¹⁵For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.