Heb 4:8-11 | TNotes | STEP | 4:8 Joshua is the same name as Jesus (Greek Iēsous, Hebrew Yehoshua‘ ). It is normally translated Joshua in the Old Testament and Jesus in the New Testament (see also study note on Exod 17:9). The author is making a word play on Jesus’ and Joshua’s shared name. Joshua did lead God’s people into the Promised Land (Josh 3–4 ), but God had more in mind when he promised his people rest . God’s ultimate rest is provided by Jesus (Heb 3:13-14 ; 4:3 , 9-11 , 14-16 ).

4:8 ^a Joshua is the same name as Jesus (Greek Iēsous, Hebrew Yehoshua‘). It is normally translated Joshua in the Old Testament and Jesus in the New Testament (see also study note on Exod 17:9). The author is making a word play on Jesus’ and Joshua’s shared name. Joshua did lead God’s people into the Promised Land (Josh 3–4 ^b), but God had more in mind when he promised his people rest. God’s ultimate rest is provided by Jesus (Heb 3:13-14 ^c; 4:3 ^d, 9-11 ^e, 14-16 ^f).
4:9 ^g a special rest: Jesus’ sacrifice functioned as a Day of Atonement sacrifice (5:1-3 ^h; 9:13-22 ⁱ; see Lev 23:26-28 ^j, 32 ^k). Through Christ’s sacrifice, God’s promised rest for his people is available.
4:10 ^l have rested from their labors: See Exod 20:8-11 ^m.

• just as God did: Gen 2:2 ⁿ.
4:11 ^o let us do our best to enter: Failure to respond to the Good News with active obedience to God’s voice (4:1-2 ^p) will have an outcome analogous to the outcome for the wilderness wanderers: we will fall.

• us ... we ... we: Obedience is not simply a personal matter; God’s people have a communal responsibility for obedience and should support each other in that endeavor (cp. 3:13 ^q; 10:25 ^r; 12:15 ^s).