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Book of Hebrews - Chapter 3 - Verse 18

3:18
And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?

Meaning

This verse from the book of Hebrews is a reminder of the consequences of unbelief. The author is referring to the Israelites who were led out of Egypt by Moses, but because of their lack of faith, they were not allowed to enter the promised land of rest. In this context, "rest" refers to the land of Canaan, which symbolizes the ultimate rest that God offers to his people. By using this historical example, the author of Hebrews is warning believers not to follow in the footsteps of those who doubted God's promises and missed out on his rest. The verse serves as a cautionary tale, encouraging readers to trust in God and believe in his promises in order to enter into his rest and receive the blessings he has in store for them.

Theological Overview

One theological interpretation of the verse "And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?" can be seen as a reflection of God's judgment upon unbelievers. In this passage, the author of Hebrews is referencing the Israelites who were disobedient and did not trust in God's promises, thus leading to their exclusion from entering into the promised land. The concept of "rest" in this context can symbolize both a physical place of rest that the Israelites were denied access to, as well as a spiritual rest that comes from trusting in God. The emphasis on belief and faith is crucial in understanding the message of this verse, highlighting the importance of trust in God's promises for experiencing His rest. Through a word study of "believed not", we can uncover the significance of disbelief as the reason for the Israelites' exclusion from God's rest, underscoring the consequences of lacking faith in God's word.

American Standard Version

And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that were disobedient?
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