AT Robertson
Word Pictures in the New Testament
A sabbath rest (σαββατισμος — sabbatismos). Late word from σαββατιζω — sabbatizō (Exodus 16:30) to keep the Sabbath, apparently coined by the author (a doubtful passage in Plutarch). [R3] Here it is parallel with καταπαυσις — katapausis (cf. Revelation 14:13 [R1]).
For the people of God (τωι λαωι του τεου — tōi laōi tou theou). Dative case of blessed personal interest to the true Israel (Galatians 6:16). [R2]
Comments
[R1] <<Here it σαββατισμος is parallel with καταπαυσις (cf. Revelation 14:13)>>
The Noun <καταπαυσις> in Hebrews in several places, may perhaps <parallel> the Verb ἀναπαήσονται in Revelation; but not by the farthest stretch can the Verb ἀναπαήσονται in Revelation 14:13 <parallel> the Noun σαββατισμός in Hebrews 4:9! It will be seen this sort of arbitrariness characterises all Sunday protagonists, regardless their responsible and relevant manner of exegesis and interpretation of Scripture in other respects. When it comes to the Sabbath, good Christian scholars, even the best, like the bad, all, show feet of steel and clay.
[R2] <<A sabbath rest (σαββατισμος) … For the people of God (τωι λαωι του τεου). Dative case of blessed personal interest to the true Israel (Galatians 6:16).>>
σαββατισμός in Hebrews 4:9 presents an instance of
<<sabbath rest … for the people of God … the true Israel>>;
<<sabbath rest … of blessed personal interest>>;
<<sabbath rest … “to this rule, peace be on them and mercy upon the Israel of God … for in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything nor uncircumcision but a new creature.” Galatians 6:16 [and 15].>>
Thank you, dear Lord, for A.T. Robertson.
[R3] <<a doubtful passage in Plutarch>>
Sabbatismos in Plutarch (45-120AD)
de Superstitione, c. 3, ὦ βάρβαροι ἐξευρόντες, ἕλληνες κακὰ τῇ δεισιδαιμονίᾳ, πηλώσεις, καταβορβορώσεις, σαββατισμούς, ῥίψεις ἐπὶ πρόσωπον, αισχρὰς προκαθέσεις, ἀλλοκότους προσκυνήσεις.
ὦ βάρβαροι ἐξευρόντες, ἕλληνες κακὰ τῇ δεισιδαιμονίᾳ,
O barbaric divining Greeks corrupt in your superstition,
πηλώσεις, καταβορβορώσεις, σαββατισμούς,
sculpturing, pottery, sabbath-keeping,
ῥίψεις ἐπὶ πρόσωπον, αισχρὰς προκαθέσεις,
conspicuous tattooing, shameful behaviour / foul language in public,
ἀλλοκότους προσκυνήσεις.
monstrous idolatry
The use of σαββατισμος doubtless is legitimate and not at all <doubtful> vis a vis in context ‘de Superstitione’. The religious practices Plutarch lists, were adopted by the Greeks from the religions of the Greek world. For Plutarch, Greeks took “Sabbath-keeping”-‘σαββατισμος’ from the Jews and Christians, which made the Greeks no different than these ‘barbaric’ neighbours of theirs at the time. And Plutarch must have realised that the “Sabbath-keeping” which he deplored and denounced as a new ‘barbaric invention’ amongst the Greeks, was in fact the Seventh Day Sabbath which they for centuries have seen observed by the Jews because of their Holy Scriptures. Plutarch meant the same “Sabbath’s-keeping”-‘σαββατισμος’ which the author of Hebrews referred to as “the Seventh Day God from all his works, rested on”, and which “for the People of God remained valid a ‘σαββατισμος’-Sabbath Day to be rested on”.