4:10a–b

For: The word For introduces an explanation of 4:9. The verse explains why the author used the word “Sabbath rest” to describe the rest that God’s people will enter. In some languages it is not necessary to introduce 4:10 with a connector. Connect the explanation to 4:9 in a natural way in your language.

whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His: The phrase God’s rest refers to the rest that God offers to his people. The author compares that rest to God’s rest on the Sabbath after he created the world. There are two main ways to interpret the phrase rests from his own work here:

(1) It means that God’s people should not try to earn God’s approval by doing certain actions that they themselves decide to do.

(2) It means that God’s people will not work after they “enter God’s rest” by dying and going to heaven.

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). English versions are ambiguous, but the theme of Hebrews supports interpretation (1). The author did not want his hearers to try to earn God’s approval by their own sacrifices or other work. He indicated that they must trust in Jesus, their great high priest. He made the perfect sacrifice to reconcile them with God.

Some other ways to translate this are:

whoever enjoys resting with God has ceased doing things ⌊to gain God’s favor⌋ just as God ceased doing his work ⌊of creating everything⌋.
-or-
anyone who rests with God stops doing special actions/work ⌊to earn his approval⌋. ⌊He rests from doing that,⌋ as God rested from his work ⌊of creation⌋.

whoever enters God’s rest: The phrase enters God’s rest is also used in 4:1a, 4:3a, 4:5b, and 4:6a. You should translate it in the same way here. See the note on 4:1a for more information.

just as God did from His: The clause just as God did from His means “as God stopped his ⌊work⌋ ” (after he created the world). See the note on 4:4b for an explanation of the similar phrase “rested from all his works.” You should translate the phrase here in a similar way.

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