The term "enterest" is an archaic form of the word "enter," which appears in older English translations of the Bible. While the Berean Standard Bible does not use this specific term, understanding its context and usage in Scripture can provide insight into biblical themes of entering into God's presence, promises, and rest.

Biblical Context and Usage

1. Entering God's Presence: The concept of entering into God's presence is a significant theme throughout the Bible. In the Old Testament, the Tabernacle and later the Temple served as the physical places where God's presence dwelled among His people. The high priest would enter the Holy of Holies once a year on the Day of Atonement to make atonement for the sins of Israel (Leviticus 16). This act symbolized entering into the presence of a holy God.

2. Entering the Promised Land: The Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land is a central narrative in the Old Testament. The land of Canaan was promised to Abraham and his descendants as a place of rest and blessing (Genesis 12:7). The act of entering the Promised Land under Joshua's leadership (Joshua 1:2-6) represents the fulfillment of God's promises and serves as a typology of entering into God's rest and blessings.

3. Entering God's Rest: The theme of entering God's rest is further developed in the New Testament, particularly in the book of Hebrews. Hebrews 4:1-11 discusses the rest that remains for the people of God, drawing a parallel between the Israelites' rest in Canaan and the spiritual rest available through faith in Christ. Hebrews 4:9-10 states, "So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His."

4. Entering the Kingdom of God: Jesus frequently spoke about entering the Kingdom of God. In the Gospels, entering the Kingdom is associated with repentance, faith, and obedience. In John 3:5 , Jesus tells Nicodemus, "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit." This highlights the necessity of spiritual rebirth for entry into God's eternal kingdom.

5. Entering through the Narrow Gate: Jesus also taught about the narrow gate as the way to life. In Matthew 7:13-14 , He says, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it." This teaching emphasizes the importance of choosing the path of righteousness and faithfulness to God.

Theological Implications

The concept of "entering" in the Bible carries deep theological significance. It often involves a transition from one state to another, such as from sin to salvation, from wandering to rest, or from separation to communion with God. It underscores the necessity of faith, obedience, and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life. The act of entering is not merely physical but deeply spiritual, reflecting a heart aligned with God's will and purposes.

Psalm XXXIV.
... thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret,
shall reward thee openly." [711] When therefore thou enterest into thy ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xxxiv.htm

Psalm XCVI.
... with the house, but hath chosen to build a wall, and that a whited one, and not
solid, what availeth it that it hath a door?" If thou enterest, thou art found ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xcvi.htm

Demonstration viii. --Of the Resurrection of the Dead.
... recognised. And when thou enterest a tomb in which a hundred dead men are
buried, thou findest not there an handful of dust. And ...
/.../aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration viii of the resurrection of.htm

A Prayer for a Sick Man, when He is Told that He is not a Man for ...
... I know, O Lord, that if thou enterest into judgment, no flesh can be justified in
thy sight; and I, O Lord, of all others should appear most impure and unjust ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/a prayer for a sick.htm

Things to be Meditated on as Thou Goest to the Church.
... 3. As thou enterest into the church, say""How fearful is this place! This is
none other but the house of God; this is the gate of heaven. ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/things to be meditated on.htm

The Fire of Love or Melody of Love, as Translated by Richard Misyn ...
... Keep, therefore, His commandments, and when thou enterest thy prayers or contemplation,
all worldly things altogether forsake; forget the care of all outward ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/the fire of love or.htm

Of a Good Government in External Things, and of Having Recourse to ...
... thou stand not in outward appearances, nor judgest things which are seen and heard
by the fleshly sense, but straightway in every cause enterest with Moses ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xxxviii of a good.htm

Whitsuntide the Spirit of Wisdom, Love, and Joy.
... Give me wisdom, in Thy light. Let me please my God aright. Thou art holy, enterest
in. Where pure hearts Thy coming wait,. But Thou fleest shame and sin,. ...
/.../whitsuntide the spirit of wisdom.htm

Concerning the Death of a Son of Jeroboam. How Jeroboam was Beaten ...
... But do thou, O woman, make haste back to thy husband, and tell him this message;
but thou shalt then find thy son dead, for as thou enterest the city he shall ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 concerning the death.htm

A Kindness Received Should be Returned with a Freer Hand. ...
... In both these ways a return is due from thee, when thou enterest upon the use of
thy father's possession, that thou mayest not be left to lie as an unfruitful ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xxxi a kindness received.htm

Enterest (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Enterest (3 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 11:10 For
the land, whither thou enterest in to possess it, is not ...
/e/enterest.htm - 7k

Entereth (40 Occurrences)

/e/entereth.htm - 18k

Entered (291 Occurrences)

/e/entered.htm - 35k

Caught (110 Occurrences)
... caught, and into his hand thou art given, and thine eyes see the eyes of the king
of Babylon, and his mouth with thy mouth speaketh, and Babylon thou enterest. ...
/c/caught.htm - 35k

Handed (101 Occurrences)
... caught, and into his hand thou art given, and thine eyes see the eyes of the king
of Babylon, and his mouth with thy mouth speaketh, and Babylon thou enterest. ...
/h/handed.htm - 36k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus