Hebrews 3:7

KJV

¶ Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore {G1352}(as {G2531} the Holy {G40} Ghost {G4151} saith {G3004}, To day {G4594} if {G1437} ye will hear {G191} his {G846} voice {G5456},

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore, as the Ruach HaKodesh says,

“Today, if you hear God’s voice,

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear His voice,

American Standard Version

Wherefore, even as the Holy Spirit saith, To-day if ye shall hear his voice,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 3:7 introduces a profound warning against unbelief and disobedience, drawing on the historical example of Israel's wilderness wandering. The author, having established Christ's supremacy, pivots to a direct quotation from Psalm 95, emphasizing that the Holy Spirit's ancient call to hear God's voice remains an urgent, present-day imperative for believers, underscoring the critical need for immediate and responsive faith.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse marks a significant transition in the Epistle to the Hebrews, moving from a theological exposition of Christ's superiority over angels and Moses (as seen in [Hebrews 1](/hebrews/1 "Hebrews 1 - Christ's Superiority Over Angels") and [Hebrews 3:1-6](/hebrews/3-1-6 "Hebrews 3:1-16 - Christ Greater Than Moses")) to a pastoral warning and exhortation. The "Wherefore" (G1352, _dió_) directly connects this warning to the preceding arguments, implying that because Christ is superior and faithful, believers must respond with greater diligence. The author immediately quotes from [Psalm 95:7-11](/psalm/95-7-11 "Psalm 95:7-11 - Do Not Harden Your Hearts"), initiating an extended discussion (through [Hebrews 4:11](/hebrews/4-11 "Hebrews 4:11 - Strive to Enter God's Rest")) about the dangers of unbelief and the promise of God's rest, using Israel's failure in the wilderness as a cautionary tale for the contemporary audience.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Epistle to the Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were likely facing persecution, social ostracization, or the temptation to revert to Judaism. The author's constant emphasis on Christ's superiority over Old Covenant institutions (angels, Moses, the Levitical priesthood, sacrifices) aimed to bolster their faith and prevent apostasy. The reference to Israel's wilderness generation would have resonated deeply with this audience, as it was a foundational narrative of their national identity and a potent reminder of the consequences of disobedience to God's covenant. The concept of "rest" (God's promised land and, ultimately, spiritual rest) was central to Jewish eschatological hopes, making the warning about failing to enter that rest particularly poignant.

* **Key Themes:** Hebrews 3:7 introduces several pivotal themes that permeate the subsequent chapters. Firstly, the **Divine Authority of Scripture** is powerfully asserted by attributing the words of Psalm 95 directly to "the Holy Ghost." This emphasizes that Old Testament scripture is not merely human history but the living, authoritative voice of God for all generations. Secondly, the phrase "**To day**" (G4594, _sḗmeron_) highlights the **Urgency of Response** to God's call. It underscores that opportunities for faith and obedience are time-sensitive and must be seized immediately, contrasting with the procrastination and rebellion of the wilderness generation who missed their opportunity to enter God's rest, as detailed in [Hebrews 4:7](/hebrews/4-7 "Hebrews 4:7 - Today, If You Hear His Voice"). Thirdly, the concept of "**hearing his voice**" (G191, _akoúō_; G5456, _phōnḗ_) signifies more than mere auditory perception; it implies a **Responsive and Obedient Faith**. True hearing involves a receptive heart that acts upon God's word, a theme central to the New Covenant understanding of faith, as exemplified by Christ's teaching on [His sheep hearing His voice and following Him](/john/10-27 "John 10:27 - My Sheep Hear My Voice").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Holy Ghost (Greek, _hágios pneûma'_):** (G40, G4151) This phrase refers to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. _Hágios_ signifies "sacred," "pure," or "consecrated," while _pneûma_ denotes "breath," "spirit," or "divine spirit." Attributing the words of Psalm 95 to the "Holy Ghost" underscores the divine inspiration and timeless authority of Scripture. It means that the ancient words are not merely historical records but a living message spoken by God Himself, through His Spirit, to the present generation. This emphasizes the profound spiritual weight and contemporary relevance of the warning that follows.
* **To day (Greek, _sḗmeron'_):** (G4594) This adverb means "on this day" or "at present; now." Its inclusion is crucial, injecting a powerful sense of immediacy and urgency into the divine summons. It stands in stark contrast to procrastination and implies that the opportunity to respond to God's voice is current and finite. The repeated emphasis on "To day" throughout Hebrews 3 and 4 highlights that God's call demands an immediate, decisive, and present-day response, warning against the spiritual hardening that comes from delaying obedience.
* **hear (Greek, _akoúō'_):** (G191) This primary verb means "to hear" in various senses, extending beyond mere auditory perception to include "to give audience to," "to understand," and "to obey." In this context, "to hear" God's voice implies a receptive heart, an understanding of His message, and a willingness to respond with obedient action. It is an active, volitional act of submission to divine authority, contrasting sharply with the "hardening of hearts" that characterized the disobedient generation in the wilderness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith,"**: This opening clause serves as a connective tissue, linking the preceding theological arguments about Christ's supremacy to the subsequent warning. The parenthetical "as the Holy Ghost saith" is a direct and authoritative declaration of the divine inspiration of the Scripture being quoted (Psalm 95:7-11). It elevates the subsequent words from mere human counsel to the very utterance of God Himself through the Holy Spirit, lending immense weight and urgency to the message. It establishes the foundational premise that what follows is a direct communication from the divine.
* **"To day if ye will hear his voice,"**: This clause presents the core imperative and conditional challenge. "To day" emphasizes the critical, present moment for decision and response, highlighting that the opportunity to obey is immediate and may not last. The conditional "if ye will hear" indicates that while God's voice is continually speaking, the responsibility for reception and obedience lies with the listener. "Hearing His voice" implies not just auditory perception, but a receptive heart, understanding, and a willingness to respond with obedient action. This sets the stage for the warning against hardening one's heart, which is the antithesis of truly hearing God.

#### Literary Devices
The author of Hebrews masterfully employs several literary devices in this verse. **Allusion** is paramount, as the verse directly alludes to and quotes from [Psalm 95:7-11](/psalm/95-7-11 "Psalm 95:7-11 - A Call to Worship and Warning"), immediately linking the contemporary audience's spiritual state to the historical experience of ancient Israel. This creates a powerful **typological** connection, presenting Israel's wilderness wandering as a cautionary type for the New Covenant community. **Personification** is evident in the phrase "as the Holy Ghost saith," attributing direct speech and agency to the Holy Spirit, thereby emphasizing the divine origin and living nature of the scriptural warning. The use of "To day" functions as an **imperative** or **exhortation**, urging immediate action and highlighting the temporal urgency of spiritual responsiveness. This creates a sense of **dramatic tension**, as the outcome of their "hearing" will determine their spiritual destiny, mirroring the fate of the wilderness generation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 3:7 powerfully underscores the ongoing nature of God's communication with humanity and the critical importance of a responsive heart. It reminds us that God's Word, inspired by the Holy Spirit, is not a static historical document but a living, active voice that speaks to every generation. The emphasis on "To day" reveals a profound theological truth: God's grace and call to faith are always present, but the opportunity to respond is time-bound. A failure to "hear" – to genuinely receive and obey – leads to a hardening of the heart, a spiritual insensitivity that ultimately prevents one from entering into God's promised rest. This highlights the synergistic relationship between divine initiative and human responsibility in salvation and sanctification.

* [Psalm 95:7-11](/psalm/95-7-11 "Psalm 95:7-11 - The Original Warning") - The direct source of the quotation, emphasizing the historical precedent of Israel's rebellion and God's subsequent judgment.
* [Matthew 13:15](/matthew/13-15 "Matthew 13:15 - Hardened Hearts and Dull Ears") - Jesus's lament over those who have "closed their eyes and ears" lest they "hear with their ears and understand with their hearts," reflecting the spiritual danger of a hardened heart.
* [James 1:22](/james/1-22 "James 1:22 - Be Doers of the Word") - A New Testament exhortation to be "doers of the word, and not hearers only," reinforcing that true hearing involves obedience and action.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 3:7 serves as a perpetual, urgent summons for every believer to cultivate a posture of immediate and humble attentiveness to God's voice. In a world filled with distractions and competing voices, the call to "hear his voice today" is more relevant than ever. It challenges us to examine the condition of our hearts: Are we truly receptive to the Holy Spirit's promptings through Scripture, prayer, and godly counsel, or are we allowing spiritual apathy, procrastination, or the cares of this world to harden our hearts? The historical example of Israel's failure is not merely a historical anecdote but a solemn warning that spiritual opportunities are perishable. Our present-day response to God's ongoing revelation determines our spiritual trajectory and our ability to fully experience the "rest" He offers. This verse compels us to live in a state of continuous, active, and immediate obedience, ensuring that our faith remains vibrant and responsive to the living God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways do I hear God's voice "today" through His Word, the Holy Spirit, or other means?**
* **Are there areas in my life where I have been procrastinating or resisting God's clear promptings, effectively "hardening my heart"?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a more immediate and obedient response to God's voice in my daily life?**

### FAQ

**Why does the author of Hebrews quote from Psalm 95 in this context?**

Answer: The author quotes [Psalm 95:7-11](/psalm/95-7-11 "Psalm 95:7-11 - A Warning Against Hardening Hearts") to draw a powerful parallel between the ancient Israelites and the contemporary Christian audience. The Israelites, despite witnessing God's mighty acts, hardened their hearts in the wilderness and failed to enter His promised rest. This historical event serves as a solemn warning (a "type") for the Jewish Christians of the author's day, who were tempted to abandon their faith in Christ and revert to Judaism, thereby risking a similar spiritual failure to enter God's ultimate "rest." The Psalm's enduring message underscores that God's call for faith and obedience is timeless and carries eternal consequences.

**What does "To day if ye will hear his voice" signify?**

Answer: The phrase "To day" (Greek: _sḗmeron_) emphasizes the critical urgency and immediacy of God's call. It means that the opportunity to respond to God's voice is present and active *now*, and it should not be postponed. God is speaking in the present moment, and a delay in hearing and obeying can lead to a hardening of the heart, as it did for the Israelites in the wilderness. This "today" is a window of grace and opportunity that, if missed, can result in spiritual consequences, preventing one from experiencing the fullness of God's promised rest, as further elaborated in [Hebrews 4:7](/hebrews/4-7 "Hebrews 4:7 - The Urgency of Today").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 3:7, by quoting Psalm 95 and attributing it to the Holy Spirit, points to Christ as the ultimate embodiment and enabler of truly hearing God's voice "today." While God spoke in various ways in the past, He has now spoken definitively and supremely through [His Son, Jesus Christ](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son"). Jesus is the living Word of God, and to hear His voice is to hear God Himself. The failure of the wilderness generation was their unbelief in God's provision and promise; Christ, however, is the faithful Son who perfectly obeyed, and through His atoning work, He opens the way for us to enter God's rest. It is through the New Covenant, inaugurated by Christ's blood, that the Holy Spirit is given, enabling us to have soft hearts, truly "hear His voice," and respond in faith and obedience, unlike the hardened hearts of old. Thus, the "today" of salvation is fully realized in Christ, who invites all to come to Him and find [rest for their souls](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me and Find Rest"). He is the High Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses, urging us to draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may hear and receive mercy and grace in our time of need ([Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14-16 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Drawing Near to the Throne of Grace")).

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

Psalms 95:7

¶ For he [is] our God; and we [are] the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,

Psalms 95:11

Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.

Hebrews 3:15

While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

Isaiah 55:3

Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, [even] the sure mercies of David.

Revelation 3:20

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Hebrews 4:7

Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

John 10:27

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: