σαββατισμός (sabbatismos)
sabbatismos
Sabbath rest
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun sabbatismos appears only once in the New Testament, in Hebrews 4:9, where it denotes a distinct "Sabbath rest" for God’s people. Unlike the regular weekly cessation from labor described elsewhere, this term points to a deeper, enduring state of spiritual repose. It captures the idea of keeping the Sabbath not merely as a day but as a permanent condition of the soul.
Its meaning is rooted in the verb sabbatizō, which means to keep or observe the Sabbath. By using the abstract noun form, the author of Hebrews shifts focus from the ritual act to the resulting reality: a blessed rest from toil and trouble that true worshippers anticipate. This usage aligns with Jewish interpretive traditions that viewed the ultimate Sabbath as a future hope for the faithful.
Translators typically render it simply as "rest," but the specific word choice emphasizes its unique character. It is not just relaxation, but a divinely ordained cessation from human efforts to achieve salvation, mirroring God’s own rest after creation. The term thus highlights the contrast between earthly labor and the eternal peace found in faith.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sabbatismos appears just once in the New Testament, tucked into Hebrews 4:9. It points to a special kind of rest that remains for God’s people. This is not simply a day off from work or a weekend pause. It describes a deep, lasting peace that settles in the soul when we trust in what Christ has done.
For many believers, life feels like endless striving. We try to earn approval, fix our mistakes, or control outcomes. This verse offers a gentle invitation to stop. The rest here mirrors God’s own completion after creation. It is a spiritual repose found not in our efforts, but in His finished work.
You do not need to manufacture this peace. It is already prepared for those who believe. Letting go of the need to prove yourself can bring a quiet relief that changes how you face each day. This rest is a gift, steady and sure, waiting for anyone willing to receive it.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a Sabbath rest1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- σαββατισμὸς1×
Key Verses
-
Hebrews 4:9
There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God.
This verse uniquely uses sabbatismos to define the remaining spiritual repose available to believers, distinguishing it from ordinary weekly rest.