Yehudim in Moshiach 4:1-11

1 Therefore, let us walk in yir’at Shomayim, for fear that, while the havtachah (promise) of entering the menuchah of Hashem is still open, anyone of you should seem to have fallen short of it.

2 For indeed we have had Besuras HaGeulah preached to us, just as they did also; but the Dvar Hashem preached did not make that generation benefit, because hearing did not form an agudah with emunah [faith].

3 For we ma’aminim [in Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach] enter into that menuchah, just as Hashem has said, "ASHER NISHBA’TI V’API IM YEVO’UN EL MENUCHATI" ("As I vowed in My fury, they shall never enter into My rest" TEHILLIM 95:11), although the ma’asim (works) of Hashem were finished from the hivvased tevel (foundation of the world).

4 For concerning Shabbos, the Yom HaShevi’i, Hashem has said somewhere, "VAYISHBOT Elohim BAYOM HASHEVI’I MIKOL MELAKHTO" ("And He rested on the seventh day from all His work." [BERESHIS 2:2]

5 And again in this mekor (passage, citation), "IM YEVO’UN EL MENUCHATI" ("Never shall they enter into My rest" TEHILLIM 95:11).

6 Therefore, als (since) it remains for some to enter it, and the ones, who formerly had the Besuras HaGeulah preached to them, did not enter, because they were koferim (unbelievers),

7 So then again Hashem sets a certain day, "HAYOM" ("Today," TEHILLIM 95:7) in one of the Tehillim of Dovid [HaMelech], much later, in that quoted above, "HAYOM IM BEKOLO TISHMAU AL TAKSHU LEVAVCHEM" ("Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart"?TEHILLIM 95:7).

8 For if Yehoshua [ben Nun] had brought them to a place of menuchah (rest), Hashem would not have spoken of another "Yom" after that [TEHILLIM 95:7].

9 Therefore, there remains a Shabbos menuchah for the Am Hashem.

10 For whoever has entered into the menuchah of Hashem has also rested from [depending on the zchus (merit) of] his ma’asim, just as Hashem rested from his.

11 Therefore, let us have zerizut (diligence) to enter into that menuchah, for fear that anyone fall through following be’ikvot (in the footsteps) of their same lack of mishma’at (obedience) [cf 3:17-18; 4:6].

Yehudim in Moshiach 4:1-11 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO HEBREWS 4

From the punishment inflicted on the unbelieving Hebrews, who died in the wilderness, and entered not into the land of rest made mention of in the preceding chapter, the apostle proceeds to caution the present Hebrews of his time, and who professed faith in Christ, lest seeing there was a rest, and a promise of entering into it, they should seem to come short of it, Heb 4:1, and the rather, since they that fell in the wilderness had the Gospel preached to them as well as they; and the reason why it did not profit was, because it was not received by faith, Heb 4:2 as also seeing it is by faith that believers now enter into rest, Heb 4:3 which rest is not the rest of the seventh day, on which God rested; nor, the rest of the land of Canaan, which Joshua led the Israelites into; for if he had entered them into the rest the apostle means, David, so many hundred years after him, would not have made mention of another rest, Heb 4:4-8 wherefore it follows that there is another rest for the people of God, which he that enters into ceases from his own works, as God did from his, Heb 4:9,10 and this is the rest that everyone that professes faith in Christ, should be solicitous and diligent to enter into, lest he should fall short of it through unbelief; as the unbelieving Israelites did of their rest, Heb 4:11 and the arguments engaging to such a concern are taken from the properties and perfections of Christ, the essential Word of God; particularly from his omnipotence and his omniscience, Heb 4:12,13. And seeing he is by nature the Son of God, and by office a great high priest that is entered into heaven for his people, the encouragement is great to hold fast the profession of faith in him they have made, Heb 4:14 and the rather since he is a sympathizing high priest, as he must needs be, since he has been tempted, afflicted, and has suffered every way as his people, and is in all respects like them, excepting that he has no sin, Heb 4:15 and this consideration should engage believers to come to the throne of grace with all boldness, and in expectation of having grace and mercy bestowed on them for the supply of their daily wants, Heb 4:16.