Lexical Summary katapausis: Rest Original Word: κατάπαυσις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance rest. From katapauo; reposing down, i.e. (by Hebraism) abode -- rest. see GREEK katapauo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom katapauó Definition rest NASB Translation repose (1), rest (8). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2663: κατάπαυσιςκατάπαυσις, καταπαύσεώς, ἡ (καταπαύω, which see); 1. actively, a putting to rest: τῶν πνευμάτων, a calming of the winds Theophrastus, de ventis 18; τυράννων, removal from office Herodotus 5, 38. 2. In the Greek Scriptures (the Sept. several times for מְנוּחָה) intransitive, a resting, rest: ἡμέρα τῆς καταπαύσεώς, the day of rest, the sabbath, 2 Macc. 15:1; τόπος τῆς καταπαύσεώς μου, where I may rest, Acts 7:49. Metaphorically, ἡ κατάπαυσις τοῦ Θεοῦ, the heavenly blessedness in which God dwells, and of which he has promised to make persevering believers in Christ partakers after the toils and trials of life on earth are ended: Hebrews 3:11, 18; Hebrews 4:1, 3, 5, 10f (after Psalm 94:11 Strong’s Greek 2663 (κατάπαυσις) signifies the divine “rest” that God both enjoys and offers to His people. Scripture presents this rest as a multi-layered reality: historical (entrance into Canaan), spiritual (faith-union with Christ), and eschatological (final consummation in the New Creation). The nine New Testament occurrences—Acts 7:49; Hebrews 3:11, 3:18; 4:1, 4:3 (twice), 4:5, 4:10, 4:11—anchor the term within the unfolding plan of redemption. Old Testament Background Genesis 2:2-3 records the archetypal rest of God on the seventh day. Later, Deuteronomy 12:9-10 links “rest” with Israel’s settlement in the Promised Land, while Psalm 95:11 warns that unbelief bars entrance to that rest. Isaiah 66:1 expands the idea beyond geography: “Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me? says the Lord. Or where will My place of repose be?” (quoted in Acts 7:49). Usage in Acts 7:49 Stephen cites Isaiah to show that God’s true resting place is not a man-made temple but His sovereign reign over heaven and earth. The verse exposes the futility of ritualistic religion divorced from obedient faith, foreshadowing the broader New Covenant rest fulfilled in Christ. Usage in Hebrews 3–4 1. Warning and Promise (Hebrews 3:7-19) Israel’s wilderness generation forfeited rest through hardened hearts. The writer connects Psalm 95 to the contemporary congregation: “So I swore on oath in My anger, ‘They shall never enter My rest.’” (Hebrews 3:11). Though the conquest under Joshua provided a type, “His works were finished from the foundation of the world,” and “we who have believed enter that rest” (Hebrews 4:3). The promise remains open through faith. God’s seventh-day rest becomes the pattern for faith-rest. “For whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His.” (Hebrews 4:10). Paradoxically, believers must “make every effort to enter that rest,” showing that persevering faith, not human merit, secures participation. Theological Themes • Rest and Creation: God’s rest celebrates completed, perfect work; believers share in that completion through Christ. Christ and the Rest of God Jesus embodies and mediates the promised rest: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28). His finished work (John 19:30) creates a new Sabbath reality (Colossians 2:16-17). Resurrection enthronement validates His authority to grant rest (Hebrews 1:3). Application for Ministry and Discipleship • Gospel Proclamation: Preach faith in Christ as the only entrance into God’s rest. Eschatological Outlook Revelation 14:13 echoes Hebrews: “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on…they will rest from their labors.” Final rest culminates in the new heavens and new earth where God dwells with His people (Revelation 21:3-4). The present gift of rest guarantees the future inheritance. Related Concepts katapauó (2664): the verb “to cause to rest,” emphasizing God’s initiating action. Sabbatismos (4520): “Sabbath rest,” found in Hebrews 4:9, highlighting the festive joy of God’s rest. Anapausis (372): general “refreshment,” complementary but distinct from the covenantal nuance of κατάπαυσις. Summary Strong’s Greek 2663 offers a rich biblical portrait of God’s rest—rooted in His completed creation, prefigured in Israel’s history, fulfilled in Christ, and consummated in eternity. Scripture calls every generation to respond in faith, lest the promise be missed and the divine oath of exclusion executed. Yet for those who believe, “there remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God” (Hebrews 4:9). Englishman's Concordance Acts 7:49 N-GFSGRK: τόπος τῆς καταπαύσεώς μου NAS: WHAT PLACE IS THERE FOR MY REPOSE? KJV: [is] the place of my rest? INT: [the] place of the rest of me Hebrews 3:11 N-AFS Hebrews 3:18 N-AFS Hebrews 4:1 N-AFS Hebrews 4:3 N-AFS Hebrews 4:3 N-AFS Hebrews 4:5 N-AFS Hebrews 4:10 N-AFS Hebrews 4:11 N-AFS Strong's Greek 2663 |
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