This thread is meant to have an serious and in depth discussion about Hebrews 4 and it meaning. I will post 2 versions of Hebrews 4 and then my views on it. My views will be lengthy as to be somewhat complete, but there is still more. All others are invited to give their views, post other versions and share!
Hebrews 4 Revised Standard Version (RSV)
4 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest remains, let us fear lest any of you be judged to have failed to reach it. 2 For good news came to us just as to them; but the message which they heard did not benefit them, because it did not meet with faith in the hearers.[a] 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said,
“As I swore in my wrath,
‘They shall never enter my rest,’”
although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way, “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” 5 And again in this place he said,
“They shall never enter my rest.”
6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 again he sets a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted,
“Today, when you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.”
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not speak later of another day. 9 So then, there remains a sabbath rest for the people of God; 10 for whoever enters God’s rest also ceases from his labors as God did from his.
11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, that no one fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And before him no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:1-11, "Therefore, since a promise of entering His rest remains, let us fear so that none of you should come short of it. For this message was preached to us, as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not benefit them, because they did not share in the faith of those who obeyed-- However, we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: So I vowed in My wrath, They will not enter into My rest, although the works were finished from the foundation of the world, For He spoke in a certain place of the Seventh Day, in this way: And YHWH rested the Seventh Day from all His works. And in this place again: If they will enter into My rest. Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, Again, He designates a certain day, saying in David: ''Today,'' after so long a time, as it has been said: Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts. If Yahshua (ben Nun) had given them rest he would not have spoken afterward of another day. Therefore, there remains the keeping of the Sabbath (word G#4520) to the people of YHWH, For he who has entered into His rest (word G#2663) has also ceased from his own works, as YHWH did from His. Therefore, let us be zealous to enter into that rest (word G#2663), so that no one may fall after the same example of unbelief."
#G4520 – sabbatismos, sabbatismos: a sabbath rest, Original Word: σαββατισμός, οῦ, ὁ, Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine, Transliteration: sabbatismos, Phonetic Spelling: (sab-bat-is-mos'), Short Definition: a Sabbath rest, Definition: a keeping of the Sabbath, a Sabbath rest., Word Origin - from a derivation of sabbaton, Definition - a sabbath rest
#G2663 – katapausis, katapausis: rest, Original Word: κατάπαυσις, εως, ἡ, Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine, Transliteration: katapausis, Phonetic Spelling: (kat-ap'-ow-sis), Short Definition: resting, rest, Definition: (in the Old Testament of the rest attained by the settlement in Canaan), resting, rest, dwelling, habitation., Word Origin - from katapauó, Definition - rest
Contrast words 4520 from Hebrews 4:9 to all the other "NT" mentions of Sabbath:
Hebrews 4:9, "Therefore, there remains the keeping of the Sabbath (word G#4520) to the people of YHWH."
#G4521 – sabbaton, sabbaton: the Sabbath, i.e. the seventh day (of the week), Original Word: σάββατον, ου, τό, Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter, Transliteration: sabbaton, Phonetic Spelling: (sab'-bat-on), Short Definition: the Sabbath, a week, Definition: the Sabbath, a week., Word Origin - of Hebrew origin shabbath, Definition - the Sabbath, i.e. the seventh day (of the week), 68 Occurrences
“keeping of the Sabbath” is word #4520 - sabbatismos: a sabbath rest, Original Word: σαββατισμός, οῦ, ὁ, Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine, Transliteration: sabbatismos, Phonetic Spelling: (sab-bat-is-mos'), Short Definition: a Sabbath rest, Definition: a keeping of the Sabbath, a Sabbath rest
Hebrews 4:12-16,12 For the Word of Elohim is living, and working, and sharper than any two-edged sword, cutting through even to the dividing of being and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart."13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all are naked and laid bare before the eyes of Him with whom is our account."14 Therefore, since we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, יהושע the Son of Elohim, let us hold fast our confession."15 For we do not have a High Priest unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who was tried in all respects as we are, apart from sin."16 Therefore, let us come boldly to the throne of favour, in order to receive compassion, and find favour for timely help."
