We see the example of failure in Israel"s unbelief at Kadesh-barnea, which the writer repeated for emphasis. Much misinterpretation of the warnings in Hebrews has arisen over failure to appreciate that this writer was drawing parallels between the behavior of God"s people in the past (Israel) and the behavior of God"s people in the present (the church). Christians face the same kinds of temptations that the Israelites did, and we should learn from their mistakes (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:1-22). [source][source][source]
"The allusions to Numbers 14are significant because they indicate that unbelief is not a lack of faith or trust. It is the refusal to believe God. It leads inevitably to a turning away from God in a deliberate act of rejection." [1][source]
Context Summary
Hebrews 3:12-19 - "harden Not Your Hearts"
There is a peril lest familiarity with God's words should beget indifference to them. The path may be trodden hard by the sower's feet. That story of the Wilderness wanderings is for all time. Still men disbelieve and disobey; still they doubt that God is able; still they err in their hearts and therefore fail to understand with their heads; still they wander to and fro, with weary souls and restless feet. But if they who failed to believe in words given by Moses were wrapped around by the winding sheets of sand, what will not be the fate of those who refuse the words of Christ!
How wonderful it is that by just trusting we may be partners with our Lord of His rest, life, glory and resources, Hebrews 3:14! But we must listen to the inner voice, soft and low speaking in the Horeb of our hearts, 1 Kings 19:12. Obey it, and you will enter into the rest of God; refuse it, and you will be as certainly excluded from the divine rest as they from Canaan. [source]
Chapter Summary: Hebrews 3
1Christ is more worthy than Moses; 7therefore if we believe not in him, we shall be more worthy punishment than hardhearted Israel
Greek Commentary for Hebrews 3:15
While it is said [εν τωι λεγεσται] Locative case with εν en of the articular present passive infinitive of λεγω legō “in the being said.” Thus the author (cf. same phrase in Psalm 42:4) introduces the repeated quotation from Hebrews 3:7,Hebrews 3:8. Probably it is to be connected with κατασχωμεν kataschōmen though it can be joined with παρακαλειτε parakaleite in Hebrews 3:13 (treating Hebrews 3:14 as a parenthesis). [source]
While it is said [ἐν τῷ λέγεσθαι] The formula by which the writer reverts to the previous citation. Connect with if we hold fast. The exhortation of Hebrews 3:12answered to Psalm 95:1-11; so the condition of fulfillment in Hebrews 3:14is declared to rest on the same Scripture. Only on the ground of what is said in that Psalm does the holding fast come to pass. Rend. therefore, “We are fellows of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end, seeing it is said,” etc. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Hebrews 3:15
Acts 19:9But when some were hardened [ως δε τινες εσκληρυνοντο] Imperfect passive of σκληρυνω sklērunō causative like hiphil in Hebrew, to make hard In lxx and Hippocrates and Galen (in medical writings). In N.T. only here and Romans 9:18 and Romans 9:4 times in Hebrews 3:8,Hebrews 3:13,Hebrews 3:15; Hebrews 4:7,Hebrews 4:8 quoting and referring to Psalm 95:8 about hardening the heart like a gristle. The inevitable reaction against Paul went on even in Ephesus though slowly. [source]
Hebrews 13:9That the heart be established [βεβαιοῦσθαι τὴν καρδίαν] There is an emphasis on heart as well as on grace. These strange teachings all emphasized externalism, in contrast with Christianity, which insisted upon the purification of the heart and conscience. The contrast is strongly stated in Hebrews 9:9,Hebrews 9:14, and the Epistle constantly directs the readers to the heart as the true point of contact with God, and the source of all departures from him. See Hebrews 3:8,Hebrews 3:10,Hebrews 3:12,Hebrews 3:15; Hebrews 4:7,Hebrews 4:12; Hebrews 8:10; especially Hebrews 10:22. Hence, the writer says, “it is good that the solid basis of your assurance before God be in the heart, purged from an evil conscience, so that you can draw near to God with a firmly-established confidence, with a true heart, in full assurance of faith”: Hebrews 10:22; comp. 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 2 Timothy 2:22. [source]
Hebrews 3:16Who [Τινες] Clearly interrogative, not indefinite (some). Did provoke First aorist active indicative of παραπικρινω parapikrinō apparently coined by the lxx like παραπικρασμος parapikrasmos (Hebrews 3:15) to which it points, exasperating the anger of God. Nay, did not all “A favourite device of the diatribe style” (Moffatt), answering one rhetorical question with another (Luke 17:8) as in Hebrews 3:17,Hebrews 3:18, There was a faithful minority mentioned by Paul (1 Corinthians 10:7.). [source]
Hebrews 4:7He again defineth a certain day [παλιν τινα οριζει ημεραν] Present active indicative of οριζω horizō old verb to set a limit Attributing the Psalm to David or in the Psalter at any rate. Hath been before said Perfect passive indicative referring to the quotation in Hebrews 3:7,Hebrews 3:15. After so long a time The time between Joshua and David. [source]
What do the individual words in Hebrews 3:15 mean?
As-it is saidTodayifthevoiceof Himyou should hearnothardentheheartsof youasintherebellion
Greek Commentary for Hebrews 3:15
Locative case with εν en of the articular present passive infinitive of λεγω legō “in the being said.” Thus the author (cf. same phrase in Psalm 42:4) introduces the repeated quotation from Hebrews 3:7, Hebrews 3:8. Probably it is to be connected with κατασχωμεν kataschōmen though it can be joined with παρακαλειτε parakaleite in Hebrews 3:13 (treating Hebrews 3:14 as a parenthesis). [source]
The formula by which the writer reverts to the previous citation. Connect with if we hold fast. The exhortation of Hebrews 3:12answered to Psalm 95:1-11; so the condition of fulfillment in Hebrews 3:14is declared to rest on the same Scripture. Only on the ground of what is said in that Psalm does the holding fast come to pass. Rend. therefore, “We are fellows of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end, seeing it is said,” etc. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Hebrews 3:15
Imperfect passive of σκληρυνω sklērunō causative like hiphil in Hebrew, to make hard In lxx and Hippocrates and Galen (in medical writings). In N.T. only here and Romans 9:18 and Romans 9:4 times in Hebrews 3:8, Hebrews 3:13, Hebrews 3:15; Hebrews 4:7, Hebrews 4:8 quoting and referring to Psalm 95:8 about hardening the heart like a gristle. The inevitable reaction against Paul went on even in Ephesus though slowly. [source]
Lit., be not embittered. Used only here by Paul. Elsewhere only in Revelation. The compounds παραπικραίνω toexasperate, and παραπικρασμός provocationoccur only in Hebrews 3:16; Hebrews 3:8, Hebrews 3:15. Compare Ephesians 4:31. [source]
Rend. as it hath been before said; referring to the citations, Hebrews 3:7, Hebrews 3:8, Hebrews 3:15. [source]
Only here and Hebrews 3:15. In lxx only Psalm 94:8. The verb παραπικραίνειν toprovoke, only in Hebrews 3:16. Often in lxx. The simple verb πικραίνειν tomake bitter, Colossians 3:19; Revelation 8:11; Revelation 10:9, Revelation 10:10. From πικρός bitterpungent: hence to stir up to bitterness, to irritate. Comp. lxx Ezekiel 2:4. [source]
There is an emphasis on heart as well as on grace. These strange teachings all emphasized externalism, in contrast with Christianity, which insisted upon the purification of the heart and conscience. The contrast is strongly stated in Hebrews 9:9, Hebrews 9:14, and the Epistle constantly directs the readers to the heart as the true point of contact with God, and the source of all departures from him. See Hebrews 3:8, Hebrews 3:10, Hebrews 3:12, Hebrews 3:15; Hebrews 4:7, Hebrews 4:12; Hebrews 8:10; especially Hebrews 10:22. Hence, the writer says, “it is good that the solid basis of your assurance before God be in the heart, purged from an evil conscience, so that you can draw near to God with a firmly-established confidence, with a true heart, in full assurance of faith”: Hebrews 10:22; comp. 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 2 Timothy 2:22. [source]
Clearly interrogative, not indefinite (some). Did provoke First aorist active indicative of παραπικρινω parapikrinō apparently coined by the lxx like παραπικρασμος parapikrasmos (Hebrews 3:15) to which it points, exasperating the anger of God. Nay, did not all “A favourite device of the diatribe style” (Moffatt), answering one rhetorical question with another (Luke 17:8) as in Hebrews 3:17, Hebrews 3:18, There was a faithful minority mentioned by Paul (1 Corinthians 10:7.). [source]
Present active indicative of οριζω horizō old verb to set a limit Attributing the Psalm to David or in the Psalter at any rate. Hath been before said Perfect passive indicative referring to the quotation in Hebrews 3:7, Hebrews 3:15. After so long a time The time between Joshua and David. [source]