Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
Harden {G4645} not {G3361} your {G5216} hearts {G2588}, as {G5613} in {G1722} the provocation {G3894}, in {G2596} the day {G2250} of temptation {G3986} in {G1722} the wilderness {G2048}:
don’t harden your hearts, as you did in the Bitter Quarrel
on that day in the Wilderness when you put God to the test.
do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness,
Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, Like as in the day of the trial in the wilderness,
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Proverbs 28:14
¶ Happy [is] the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. -
Exodus 17:7
And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not? -
Zechariah 7:11
But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. -
Zechariah 7:12
Yea, they made their hearts [as] an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts. -
Jeremiah 7:26
Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers. -
Daniel 5:20
But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: -
Ezekiel 3:7
But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel [are] impudent and hardhearted.
Hebrews 3:8 serves as a solemn warning, drawing directly from the history of ancient Israel. The verse admonishes believers not to repeat the mistakes of their ancestors by hardening their hearts against God's voice.
Context
This verse is part of a larger passage in Hebrews (3:7-19) where the author extensively quotes Psalm 95:7-11. The primary historical reference is to the Israelites' forty years of wandering in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. During this period, despite witnessing God's miraculous power and provision, they repeatedly rebelled, complained, and tested God's patience, particularly at places like Massah and Meribah (Exodus 17:7, Numbers 20:13). This generation's consistent unbelief and disobedience ultimately led to their exclusion from entering the Promised Land, serving as a powerful cautionary tale for the readers of Hebrews.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Greek word for "harden" is skleruno, which means to make stiff, unyielding, or stubborn. It describes a deliberate resistance to God's truth and grace. "Provocation" (Greek: parapikrasmos) denotes a bitter rebellion or exasperation, highlighting the Israelites' contentious attitude towards God. "Temptation" (Greek: peirasmos) refers to a testing or trial, in this case, the Israelites testing God's faithfulness rather than being tested by Him.
Practical Application
For believers today, Hebrews 3:8 is a timeless reminder to maintain a soft, responsive heart to the Holy Spirit's promptings and God's Word. We are called to learn from the mistakes of the past and to actively cultivate a spirit of faith and obedience. Just as the Israelites faced a literal "wilderness," believers often encounter spiritual "wilderness" periods of trial and testing. During these times, it is crucial not to succumb to doubt or stubbornness but to strive to enter God's rest through steadfast faith.