inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (Heb. 4:11)

Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)

The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).

For this verse, translators typically select the inclusive form (including the writer and the readers of this letter).

Source: Velma Pickett and Florence Cowan in Notes on Translation January 1962, p. 1ff.

complete verse (Hebrews 4:11)

Following are a number of back-translations of Hebrews 4:11:

  • Uma: “So then, relatives, let us exert effort to get that rest with God, lest there be any among us who retreat from our faith, like the Yahudi people long ago who did not submit to God.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Therefore we (incl.) should really persevere to enter into that resting-place so that none of us (incl.) happens to be like/equal-to the people of old who did not succeed-to-enter because their trust in God was lacking.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Therefore, as for us (incl.) also, we will do our utmost so that we (incl.) also might enter into that place of rest prepared by God. Let’s not be like those people long ago who would not listen to the word of God so that there isn’t even one of us (incl.) who are not made to enter into that place of rest.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “So let’s put-forth our efforts (lit. ability) to enter that resting-place. Let’s be careful so that none of us follows-the-example of our ancestors who were not able-to-enter because of their not obeying what God said.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Therefore let us strive to be included in this rest, so that we will not be like those other Israelita who experienced wasted effort because they did not follow/obey what God said.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “And now let all of us be strengthened to endeavor to enter into God’s resting place. Let it not be that we do like the people did who didn’t believe the word God spoke. For that reason God did not take them into his resting place.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Hebrews 4:11

This verse forms a transition to verses 12-13, which conclude the section. Many translations agree with Revised Standard Version in beginning a new paragraph here because of the exhortation, rather than at verse 12.

Then (literally “therefore”) often begins a new paragraph (compare verses 1, 14). Verse 11 marks a new appeal to the readers. Revised Standard Version‘s “For” in verse 12 links that verse with verse 11. On the other hand, verse 11 concludes the discussion of the rest and contains the last reference to the events of Numbers 14. Then does not refer to time; it expresses a conclusion or result, rendered often as “therefore” or “as a result of all this.”

Do our best: the Greek verb can mean “hurry” as in Traduction œcuménique de la Bible (Moffatt, Phillips “be eager”). However, verse 1 did not suggest the readers’ being “too late” to enter God’s rest. The idea is rather that of enthusiastic effort, so New American Bible has “strive,” Barclay “make every effort,” and Translator’s New Testament “do our utmost.” Verses 12-13 emphasize the element of effort in Christian living.

Let us … do our best is not a request for permission but an exhortation and may often be rendered as “we should do our best” or “we should try very hard.”

Fail is weaker than Revised Standard Version‘s literal “fall.” However, Good News Translation avoids “fall” here, as in3.12, where the meaning is the same, perhaps because in church language it means “lose one’s faith.” In this verse the writer is probably still thinking of those who fell down dead in the desert (3.17).

In a great many languages it is necessary to have some type of complement for the verb fail. So that no one of us will fail must then be rendered as “so that no one of us will fail to rest” or “… fail to receive the promise of being able to rest.”

Good News Translation, unlike Revised Standard Version, completes the comparison by adding as they did. This refers back to Those who first heard the Good News in verse 6. Other common language translations have “the people in the desert” (compare 3.17; Num 14.22). The reference to they may be made in terms of the historical event, for example, “those who lived long ago.”

As they did because of their lack of faith is literally “in the same sort of disobedience.” The Greek word for “sort” means “example,” but if a similar word is used in translation, as in King James Version, Jerusalem Bible, and New English Bible, it should be made clear that a bad example is meant. Here, as in verse 6, translations are about equally divided between the related ideas of disobedience (for example, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, Moffatt, Jerusalem Bible) and unbelief (for example, King James Version, New English Bible). Numbers 14, especially verse 41, why are you disobeying the LORD now? suggests not only general unbelief but also specific acts of disobedience.

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Letter of the Hebrews. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .