In Hebrews, from chapter 3, verse 7 through chapter 4, verse 10, the concept of rest is frequently discussed, primarily using the Greek word *katapausis*, which means 'to cease' or 'to end.' This term differs from *anapausis*, which conveys 'to rest,' 'repose,' or 'to take comfort.' Both words share the root *pauo*, meaning 'to cease' or 'to stop,' from which the English word 'pause' is derived. The distinction lies in their prefixes: *kata* meaning 'down,' and *ana* meaning 'up.' Thus, *katapausis* implies a stopping or ceasing, often with a neutral or negative connotation, as opposed to the more positive sense of rest in *anapausis*. Paul's use of *katapausis* emphasizes the act of stopping rather than resting as commonly understood. This highlights that entering God's rest involves ceasing from our own works and aligning with His, a theme central to the spiritual journey toward His ultimate rest.

The Greek word *katapauo* (G2664), often translated as "rest," carries a deeper nuance of cessation or stopping, distinct from mere relaxation. In the context of Hebrews 3:7 to 4:10, the related term *katapausis* is predominantly used to signify a stoppage or end to activity, reflecting the Hebrew *shab'bat*, which means to cease or desist, as seen in Genesis 2:2. This choice by the apostle Paul emphasizes stopping over resting, contrasting with *anapausis*, which implies a positive, uplifting rest. *Katapausis*, with its prefix *kata-* meaning "down," suggests a neutral or negative cessation, a halting of activity without inherent benefit, unlike the refreshing connotation of *anapausis*. In Hebrews 4:9, however, the term shifts to *sabbatismos*, a Grecianized form of *shab'bat*, reinforcing the idea of cessation and linking the weekly Sabbath with the future rest of God. This future rest, identified as the thousand-year reign of Christ, is characterized as a time of stopping certain activities, akin to the Sabbath, and implies the beginning of godly endeavors. Thus, *katapauo* and its variants underscore that God's rest involves ceasing from worldly or rebellious works to engage in divine purposes, shaping the understanding of the millennial period as a transformative cessation rather than mere inactivity.

The Greek word *katapauo* (G2664), often translated as rest, carries a specific nuance of cessation or stopping, as highlighted in Hebrews 4. In this context, *katapauo* refers to a down-cessation, a negative or neutral tone of stopping an activity, distinct from the positive rest implied by *anapausis* (G372), which suggests an up-cessation or comforting repose. Throughout Hebrews 3 and 4, the author uses *katapausis*, derived from *katapauo*, to emphasize ceasing from works, particularly in relation to God's rest. This cessation is exemplified by God stopping His creative efforts on the seventh day, not due to fatigue, but as a deliberate act of desisting from physical labor to set an example for humanity. The Israelites failed to enter this rest because they did not cease from their own works of sin and disobedience, thus missing the promised stillness and peace. The future rest, still to be fully realized, involves a complete cessation of human carnal works, aligning with the ultimate goal of God's Kingdom where unrighteousness will have stopped entirely. This stopping, or *katapausis*, paves the way for true rest, enabling humanity to enter into a state of peace and righteousness under God's reign.