Hebrews 3:16

KJV

For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} some {G5100}, when they had heard {G191}, did provoke {G3893}: howbeit {G235} not {G3756} all {G3956} that came {G1831} out of {G1537} Egypt {G125} by {G1223} Moses {G3475}.

Complete Jewish Bible

who were the people who, after they heard, quarreled so bitterly? All those whom Moshe brought out of Egypt.

Berean Standard Bible

For who were the ones who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt?

American Standard Version

For who, when they heard, did provoke? nay, did not all they that came out of Egypt by Moses?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 3:16 serves as a crucial clarification within the author's extended warning against unbelief, identifying the specific group among the Israelites who provoked God during their wilderness journey. It directly answers the implied question from the preceding verses (Hebrews 3:7-11) by stating that "some" who heard God's voice rebelled, yet importantly, "not all" who exited Egypt with Moses were guilty of this provocation. This verse underscores the tragic consequences of a hardened heart and disobedience, while simultaneously highlighting the principle of individual accountability within a corporate body.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within a sustained warning passage in [Hebrews 3](/hebrews/3 "Hebrews 3 - Christ Greater Than Moses"), which begins in [Hebrews 3:7](/hebrews/3-7 "Hebrews 3:7 - Do Not Harden Your Hearts") and extends through [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - The Word of God is Living and Active"). The author quotes [Psalm 95:7-11](/psalms/95-7-11 "Psalm 95:7-11 - Do Not Harden Your Hearts") as a foundational Old Testament example of Israel's rebellion in the wilderness. [Hebrews 3:12-15](/hebrews/3-12-15 "Hebrews 3:12-15 - Exhortation to Persevere") then applies this historical lesson directly to the readers, urging them to avoid the same "evil heart of unbelief." Verse 16 specifically clarifies *who* provoked God, setting the stage for the conclusion in [Hebrews 3:17-19](/hebrews/3-17-19 "Hebrews 3:17-19 - Consequences of Unbelief") that it was those who sinned and did not believe who failed to enter God's rest.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Hebrews 3:16 is the forty-year wilderness wandering of the Israelites following their miraculous [Exodus from Egypt](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover"). Under the leadership of [Moses](/exodus/3-10 "Exodus 3:10 - Moses' Call"), they witnessed God's mighty acts, including the parting of the Red Sea and daily manna. Despite these divine provisions and covenant promises, the generation that left Egypt frequently grumbled, rebelled, and tested God's patience, culminating in the significant rebellion at [Kadesh Barnea](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - Rebellion at Kadesh Barnea") where they refused to enter the Promised Land. This act of corporate unbelief led to God's decree that all those twenty years and older, except for Caleb and Joshua, would die in the wilderness, unable to enter the promised "rest" (Numbers 14:26-35).
* **Key Themes:** The central theme is the **danger of unbelief and disobedience**, particularly in the face of divine revelation and provision. The author uses the historical example of Israel's failure to enter the promised land as a powerful **warning** to his contemporary audience, who were likely Jewish Christians contemplating apostasy. The verse also introduces the theme of **corporate yet individual accountability**, clarifying that while a generation faced judgment, not every single individual was equally culpable for the provocation. This nuance emphasizes that personal faith and obedience are paramount, even within a community. Ultimately, the passage highlights the importance of **perseverance in faith** to enter God's ultimate spiritual rest, foreshadowed by the physical rest of the Promised Land, as discussed in [Hebrews 4:1-11](/hebrews/4-1-11 "Hebrews 4:1-11 - The Promise of Rest Remains").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **some (Greek, _tìs'_):** This indefinite pronoun (G5100) means "some or any person or object." Its use here is crucial for the author's argument, as it introduces a distinction within the larger group of Israelites who came out of Egypt. It indicates that the provocation was not universal among the entire generation but was attributed to a specific, albeit large, subset. This nuance prevents a blanket condemnation and highlights individual responsibility.
* **heard (Greek, _akoúō'_):** This primary verb (G191) means "to hear" in various senses, including to give audience, come to the ears, or understand. In this context, it refers to hearing God's voice, His commands, and His promises, particularly through Moses and the Law. The provocation was not due to ignorance, but a willful rejection of what they had clearly heard and understood.
* **provoke (Greek, _parapikraínō'_):** Derived from _pará_ (alongside) and _pikraínō_ (to embitter), this verb (G3893) literally means "to embitter alongside" or, figuratively, "to exasperate." It signifies a deliberate and repeated act of causing intense displeasure, bitterness, or anger. The Israelites' "provoking" of God was not a single incident but a pattern of grumbling, complaining, and outright rebellion that deeply offended His holiness and patience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For some, when they had heard,"**: This clause begins to specify the group responsible for the provocation. The conjunction "For" (G1063, _gár_) indicates that this verse provides the reason or explanation for the previous statement about hardening hearts (Hebrews 3:7-11). The phrase "when they had heard" emphasizes that the rebellion was not due to a lack of divine communication or revelation, but rather a willful rejection of what was clearly spoken and demonstrated by God.
* **"did provoke:"**: This is the central action of the clause, directly naming the consequence of their hearing without faith. The act of "provoking" God speaks to their persistent testing of His patience, their murmuring against His provision, and their direct disobedience to His commands, particularly their refusal to trust Him to conquer the Promised Land.
* **"howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses."**: This crucial qualifying statement immediately follows the accusation of provocation. The word "howbeit" (G235, _allá_) introduces a strong contrast or exception. It clarifies that while "some" provoked God, it was not the *entirety* of the generation that left Egypt under Moses' leadership. This distinction is vital for understanding the nature of God's judgment and highlights that even within a rebellious corporate body, individual faith and obedience were possible and rewarded (e.g., Caleb and Joshua). The phrase "by Moses" (G1223, _diá_ Moses G3475) emphasizes Moses' role as the divinely appointed leader through whom God delivered His people and communicated His will.

#### Literary Devices
The author employs several powerful literary devices in this verse. **Allusion** is central, as the verse directly alludes to the historical events of the Israelite wilderness wandering, particularly the rebellion described in [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - Rebellion at Kadesh Barnea") and the warning found in [Psalm 95](/psalms/95 "Psalm 95 - Come, Let Us Sing to the Lord"). This historical **exemplum** serves as a cautionary tale for the contemporary readers. There is also a clear use of **Distinction** or **Qualification**, as the author carefully distinguishes between "some" who provoked and "not all" who came out of Egypt. This nuance is critical for the theological argument, emphasizing individual responsibility within a corporate context. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Rhetorical Clarification**, answering an unstated but implied question from the preceding verses about the identity of those who provoked God, thereby strengthening the logical flow of the argument.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 3:16 powerfully reinforces the biblical truth that hearing God's word is insufficient without a response of faith and obedience. The tragic failure of the wilderness generation serves as an enduring object lesson that divine privilege (being delivered from Egypt, receiving the Law) does not guarantee salvation or entry into God's rest if met with unbelief. This verse highlights God's righteous judgment against persistent rebellion and underscores the serious consequences of hardening one's heart against His voice. It also introduces the crucial nuance that God's judgment, while corporate in its scope for that generation, was ultimately based on individual choices of faith or unbelief. The "rest" they failed to enter foreshadows the ultimate spiritual rest believers are called to enter through Christ.

* [Psalm 95:7-11](/psalms/95-7-11 "Psalm 95:7-11 - Do Not Harden Your Hearts")
* [Numbers 14:26-35](/numbers/14-26-35 "Numbers 14:26-35 - God's Judgment on the Rebellious Generation")
* [1 Corinthians 10:5-11](/1_corinthians/10-5-11 "1 Corinthians 10:5-11 - Warnings from Israel's History")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 3:16 calls us to a profound self-examination. Just as the Israelites heard God's voice and saw His mighty works, we too have received abundant revelation through Scripture and the person of Jesus Christ. The critical question posed by this verse is not merely *what* we have heard, but *how* we have responded. Have we, like "some" of that generation, allowed an "evil heart of unbelief" to take root, leading to a pattern of provocation through doubt, disobedience, or spiritual apathy? Or are we diligently striving to enter God's rest through active faith and perseverance? This verse serves as a sober reminder that spiritual privilege does not equate to spiritual security without ongoing, active trust in God. It urges us to heed warnings, to encourage one another daily, and to hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, lest we fall short of the promised rest.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be "provoking" God through unbelief or disobedience, even subtly?**
* **How am I actively responding to God's voice and His Word today, ensuring I am not merely hearing but also obeying?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a heart of active faith and perseverance, especially when faced with challenges or doubts?**
* **How can I better participate in the communal exhortation mentioned in Hebrews, helping others to avoid a hardened heart?**

### FAQ

**Was everyone who came out of Egypt guilty of provoking God?**

Answer: No, Hebrews 3:16 explicitly states, "howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses." While the entire generation faced corporate consequences for the pervasive unbelief, the text makes a crucial distinction. Individuals like Caleb and Joshua, who maintained their faith and obedience, were exceptions to the judgment and were permitted to enter the Promised Land (see [Numbers 14:30](/numbers/14-30 "Numbers 14:30 - Caleb and Joshua Enter the Land")). This highlights that God's judgment, while impacting a whole generation, was ultimately based on individual responses of faith or unbelief.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 3:16, by recounting Israel's failure to enter God's rest due to unbelief under Moses' leadership, powerfully sets the stage for the superior rest offered in Christ. Moses, though a faithful servant, could only lead the people to the border of the physical promised land; he could not bring them into the ultimate rest (see [Hebrews 3:5](/hebrews/3-5 "Hebrews 3:5 - Moses as a Servant")). Jesus, however, is presented as the Son over God's house, the one who truly leads His people into a spiritual and eternal rest, a rest from the futility of works and the burden of sin (see [Hebrews 4:1-11](/hebrews/4-1-11 "Hebrews 4:1-11 - The Promise of Rest Remains")). The provocation of the wilderness generation stemmed from their distrust of God's provision and promises; in contrast, Christ embodies the ultimate provision and the fulfillment of all God's promises. He is the true "Lamb of God" whose sacrifice provides the way for us to enter God's rest, not by our works or perfect obedience, but by faith in His finished work (see [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") and [Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10-14 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's Sacrifice Perfects Believers")). Thus, the warning in Hebrews 3:16 is not merely a historical anecdote but an urgent call to embrace the superior rest found only in Christ, the one greater than Moses, who invites all who are weary and burdened to find rest in Him (see [Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Jesus Offers Rest")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 14:2

And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!

Numbers 14:30

Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, [concerning] which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.

Deuteronomy 1:38

[But] Joshua the son of Nun, which standeth before thee, he shall go in thither: encourage him: for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.

Numbers 14:38

But Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, [which were] of the men that went to search the land, lived [still].

Numbers 14:24

But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.

Psalms 78:17

And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness.

Numbers 14:4

And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.