A commentary on the whole Epistle to the Hebrews. By M. John Calvin. Translated…A commentarie on the vvhole Epistle to the Hebrevves. By M. Iohn Caluin. Translated…

Therefore I sware in my wrath.] Verse 11 This is the punishment of their folly and rage, to wit, to be deprived of their promised rest. Moreover the Lord calls that land his rest, in the which they should have rested. For they had been strangers and pilgrims in the land of Egypt, they wandered through the desert: but the land of Canaan, should have been their perpetual inheritance, according to the promise. And God calls it his rest, in respect of the promise: because we never find a firm and stable rest, till we come where we are gathered by the hand of God. Now the right of the sure possession was grounded upon this that God had said to Abraham, I will give this land to thy seed, Gen. 12.7. In that God sweareth; the heinousness of their sin is so much the more aggravated with the greater vehemency. For it is a sign that the wrath of God is the more inflamed. They shall never enter, this is a kind of oath, in which somewhat must be supplied, as an Imprecation, or some such like thing when men speak: but when God himself speaketh, it is as much as if he should say, let me not be taken to be true of my word, or let me not hence forth be believed if it be not so. Notwithstanding these manners of speaking, wherein somewhat is wanting, admonisheth us to fear, and tremble; ⟨p. 64⟩least we presume lightly to swear, as commonly men are wont upon every trifling occasion, even with horrible execrations.

Therefore I sware in my wrath.] Verse 11 This is the punishment of their folly and rage, to wit, to be depriued of their promised rest. Moreouer the Lord calls that land his rest, in the which they should haue rested. For they had beene straungers and pilgrimes in the land of Egypt, they wandred through the desert: but the land of Canaan, should haue beene their perpetuall inheritance, according to the promise. And God calles it his rest, in respect of the promise: because we neuer finde a firme and stable rest, till we come where we are gathered by the hand of God. Now the right of the sure possession was grounded vpon this that God had said to Abraham, I will giue this land to thy seed, Gen. 12.7. In that God sweareth; the heinousnesse of their sinne is so much the more aggrauated with the greater vehemencie. For it is a signe that the wrath of God is the more inflamed. They shall neuer enter, this is a kind of oath, in which somewhat must be supplied, as an Imprecation, or some such like thing when men speake: but when God himselfe speaketh, it is as much as if he should say, let me not be taken to be true of my word, or let me not hence forth be beleeued if it be not so. Notwithstanding these manners of speaking, wherein somewhat is wanting, admonisheth vs to feare, and tremble;