Rest in the Bible has quite a number of meanings. It can refer to physically ceasing to engage in labor.
Or it can refer to an internal spiritual state. Or it can refer to an external environment of peace where there is no war or strife.
Different Hebrew and Greek words may or may not be used to convey these ideas.
Let’s explore them.
What does rest mean in the Bible?
The biblical definition of rest is quite broad. It can refer to the obvious spiritual rest. But Scripture also talks about physical rest as well as rest that has to do with mental or emotional rest.
Let’s look at the word rest in both the Old and New Testament.
Hebrew word for rest in the Bible
There are a number of Hebrew words which have been translated into the English word rest.
The meaning of the various Hebrew words for rest will vary according to the context in which it is used.
Just like the word rest in English can describe many different situations, the same idea applies to the idea of rest in Scripture.
Rest in Hebrew
The first time the word rest appears in the Bible is in Genesis 2:2. The Hebrew word for rest used in this verse is nuah.
And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested [nuah] on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. ( Genesis 2:2, ESV)
In this context nuah means to stop doing something or to bring an activity to an end.
Essentially, to pause from labor. The use of nuah in Genesis 2:2 describes what Sabbath is all about.
But we will get to that shortly.
Nuah can apply to other situations too. It can refer to an object ending up in a specific location. For example, after the flood, this word described how the ark can to a stop:
and in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark came to rest [nuah] on the mountains of Ararat. Genesis 8:4 ESV
In a similar context, nuah describes the actions of the Holy Spirit towards the promised Messiah:
And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest [nuah] upon him… (Isaiah 11:2a ESV)
Nuah can also carry the idea of safety, security, and peace as a result of the absence of war or strife.
But when you go over the Jordan and live in the land that the Lord your God is giving you to inherit, and when he gives you rest [nuah] from all your enemies around, so that you live in safety… (Deuteronomy 2:10, ESV)
In this verse, nuah means to settle down or to be quiet.
Rest in Hebrew
Another Hebrew word for rest is sabat. It is very much related to the Hebrew word Sabbat.
Sabat is a verb (also spelled shavat). It means to stop all activity. Sabat is sometimes seen in the same context as Sabbat, a noun (also spelled Shabbat).
So it can carry the idea of ceasing activity in order to engage in the act of resting.
After their release from Egypt, God commanded the Israelites to rest (sabat) on the Sabbath (Sabbat).
See! The Lord has given you the Sabbath [Sabbat]; therefore on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Remain each of you in his place; let no one go out of his place on the seventh day.” So the people rested [sabat] on the seventh day. (Exodus 16:19 – 30 ESV)
Therefore the people of Israel shall keep the Sabbath [Sabbat], observing the Sabbath [Sabbat] throughout their generations, as a covenant forever. It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested [sabat] and was refreshed.’” (Exodus 31:16-17 ESV)
The verb sabat not only refers to God and humans ceasing and/or resting. It applies to other things as well.
Sabat can mean to put an end to something or to cause something to stop.
For example, Isaiah proclaims in God’s behalf:
I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will put an end [sabat] to the pomp of the arrogant, and lay low the pompous pride of the ruthless. (Isaiah 13:11 ESV)
Sabat can also refer to land that has been given a break from tilling and planting.
“Then the land shall enjoy its Sabbaths [Sabbat] as long as it lies desolate, while you are in your enemies’ land; then the land shall rest [sabat], and enjoy its Sabbaths [Sabbat]. (Leviticus 26:34 ESV)
Greek word for rest in the bible
In the New Testament, there are two popular words for rest. Both are related. Let’s explore them.
Rest in Greek
The first (and most popular) Greek word for rest is anapaou. It has a variety of meanings.
It can mean to get relief by stopping from physical labor.
So, after a long day of working on the mission field, Jesus called his disciples away from the crowd and invited them to physically rest.
And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest [anapaou] a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. (Mark 6:31 ESV)
Anapaou also carries the idea of sleeping in order to get rest.
When Jesus was about to go to the cross, he took a few of the disciples with him to Gethsemane to pray with him.
But, they could not stay awake. Twice he told them to stay awake and pray.
And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest [anapaou]? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. (Mark 14:41 ESV)
Anapaou not only refers to physical rest but also to spiritual as well.
What is the spiritual meaning of rest in the Bible?
One of the most common Bible passages for spiritual rest is this one:
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest [anapaou]. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest [anapaou] for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29 ESV)
In this sense, anapaou is referring to an internal state of mental or emotional calm and tranquility.
Notice Jesus specifically says in Matthew 11:29 that anapaou is for the soul. He was not talking about physical rest here but spiritual rest.
You could be moving about physically and engaging in labor but still have anapaou.
This is one type of spiritual rest that is discussed in the New Testament.
The other one is explained in another popular Scripture about rest in Hebrews. It is not the Greek word anapaou that is used.
Let’s look at it.
Rest in Greek
The second Greek word for rest is katapaou. This word is used mostly in Hebrews chapters 3 and 4 except for one other verse in Acts.
Katapaou means to put an end to something. I know this sounds strange so let me explain further.
We often refuse to come into alignment with God’s word. So what does God do sometimes?
God has to forcefully put a stop to our sinfulness and foolishness.
God has to do this so that he can grant us the spiritual rest he has in store for us.
This is the idea of katapaou. Katapaou means to cause an activity to stop. It carries the idea of giving or granting rest.
Rest in Hebrews is specifically referring to God’s work in helping us to move away from sin and disobedience and move towards a peaceful life in Jesus.
And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest [katapaou], but to those who were disobedient? Hebrews 3:18 ESV
Those who refuse to come into alignment with God’s will and word, reject God’s desire to stop rebellion and sin in their lives.
They automatically also refuse God’s gift of rest through Jesus Christ. This gift is for those who believe and there is no greater demonstration of our belief like our obedience.
For we who have believed enter that rest [katapaou],… (Hebrews 4:3a ESV)
Those who believe and are obedient receive from God an inner state of peace, calm, quietness and ease that words cannot explain.
Final words on rest in the Bible
The meaning of rest in Scripture is as colorful as our modern usage of the word.
Although this post did not cover all possible variations of the word, I hope this brief word study helped to increase your understanding.
I pray that no matter what, God’s gift of rest will become yours, both physically and spiritually.
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