Hebrews 3 10

Hebrews 3:10 kjv

Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.

Hebrews 3:10 nkjv

Therefore I was angry with that generation, And said, 'They always go astray in their heart, And they have not known My ways.'

Hebrews 3:10 niv

That is why I was angry with that generation; I said, 'Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.'

Hebrews 3:10 esv

Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, 'They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.'

Hebrews 3:10 nlt

So I was angry with them, and I said,
'Their hearts always turn away from me.
They refuse to do what I tell them.'

Hebrews 3 verses

Hebrews 3 10 Meaning

Hebrews 3:10 declares God's profound displeasure and pronouncement regarding the wilderness generation of Israel. It states that God was utterly provoked by their persistent spiritual wandering and rebellion, which originated in the very core of their being—their heart. Consequently, He testified that they had not come to truly know or understand His character, His will, and the righteous paths He set before them, despite having experienced His mighty works. This verse functions as a solemn warning to the original readers, and believers across time, against the peril of unfaithfulness and unbelief.

Hebrews 3 10 Context

Hebrews chapter 3 opens by exalting Jesus as superior to Moses, the foundational figure of the Old Covenant. While Moses was faithful in God's house as a servant, Christ is faithful as a Son over His own house. The core argument then shifts to a stark warning, which begins in verse 7 by directly quoting Psalm 95:7-11. Hebrews 3:10 is a central part of this quoted warning. The author uses the historical example of Israel's wilderness generation, who, despite God's mighty acts of deliverance and provision, persistently hardened their hearts and failed to enter the promised land of rest due to unbelief and disobedience. For the original audience, who were Jewish Christians possibly wavering under persecution or the allure of reverting to familiar Jewish practices, this context highlights the profound danger of unbelief. The passage underscores that spiritual privilege does not guarantee salvation, and a heart condition marked by stubbornness can prevent entry into God's ultimate rest, exemplified by the earthly promise land.

Hebrews 3 10 Word analysis

• Therefore (διο): A logical connector, indicating a conclusion drawn from what has been said (Jesus' superiority, Moses' role). It sets the stage for a warning, based on past divine judgment.
• I was provoked (προσώχθισα): From prosochthizo, meaning "I was displeased with," "I was disgusted with," "I detested." This is a strong word indicating profound divine displeasure, deep offense, and settled abhorrence. It conveys God's holy indignation against stubborn sin.
• with that generation (τῃ γενεᾳ ταυτῃ): Specifically refers to the adult Israelites who left Egypt and wandered for forty years, dying in the wilderness without entering the Promised Land. This generation serves as a concrete, historical example and a warning.
• and said (και ειπα): Indicates a solemn divine pronouncement, a fixed and unchangeable declaration from God's own mouth, originating from His righteous character.
• ‘They always go astray (ἀεὶ πλανῶνται):
  • Always (ἀεί): Denotes persistence and habituality. It's not an isolated incident but a continuous, characteristic state.
  • Go astray (πλαvῶvται): From planao, meaning "to wander," "to stray," "to be deceived," "to err." It implies a consistent departure from the right path, a continuous state of wandering, often leading to being led astray or self-deception. This spiritual wandering indicates a failure to follow God's commands and direction.
• in their heart (τῃ καρδιᾳ): The core issue was not merely outward behavior but a fundamental defect within their inner being—their mind, will, and affections. The "heart" is the seat of thoughts, desires, understanding, and decision-making. Their rebellion stemmed from an internal disposition.
• they have not known (οὐκ ἔγνωσαν):
  • Not (οὐκ): A strong negative, implying absolute failure.
  • Known (ἔγνωσαν): From ginōskō, referring to experiential, intimate, and relational knowledge, not merely intellectual awareness. They "knew about" God through His acts, but they did not "know" Him intimately, truly understand His nature, or walk in His ways obediently.
• My ways (τὰς ὁδούς μου): Refers to God's character, His divine principles, His redemptive plan, His commands, and the manner in which He acts. The Israelites failed to grasp God's righteous expectations and the purpose of His guidance.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said": This phrase highlights God's judicial stance against the rebellious Israelites. His "provocation" is a holy and righteous indignation arising from their repeated unfaithfulness, establishing the gravity of their sin. The declaration underscores the certainty of divine judgment based on observed behavior and heart-condition.
• "They always go astray in their heart": This emphasizes the consistent and deeply rooted nature of their spiritual wandering. The problem was not superficial or occasional but a fundamental inclination originating from the core of their being. Their internal disposition consistently led them away from God's truth and path, making them prone to spiritual error and disobedience.
• "they have not known My ways": This final phrase identifies the crucial spiritual deficit that underpinned their straying. Their lack of true, experiential knowledge of God's character and His ordained paths led to a failure in living out faithful obedience. Despite God revealing Himself through powerful acts and laws, their heart condition prevented genuine understanding and adherence to His will, leading to consistent spiritual error and eventually, divine judgment.

Hebrews 3 10 Bonus section

• Septuagint (LXX) Authority: The author of Hebrews primarily quotes from the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament. This indicates its acceptance and authority within the early Christian community, particularly among Greek-speaking Jews. The choice of the LXX translation of Psalm 95:10 carries the nuances and interpretations present in that version, which aligned with the author's theological argument.
• The Problem of "Knowing": The contrast between knowing about God and truly knowing His ways is critical. The Israelites witnessed plagues, the Red Sea parting, manna, and the pillar of fire—they knew God's power. Yet, they failed to know His moral character, His desire for faithfulness, and His long-term plan for them, leading to disobedience. This underscores that spiritual knowledge is more than intellectual assent; it requires submission and experience.
• Warning, Not Despair: While the tone is one of severe warning, it's presented not to induce despair but to call to repentance and perseverance. The ultimate goal is to motivate believers to maintain faith and avoid the fatal errors of the past generation, ensuring their entry into God's rest, which is greater than the physical land. The "Today" in the surrounding verses emphasizes that the opportunity to respond to God's voice is current and urgent.

Hebrews 3 10 Commentary

Hebrews 3:10 powerfully articulates God's just and enduring displeasure with a generation marked by persistent spiritual errancy. The wilderness Israelites, despite witnessing extraordinary divine power and provision, cultivated a heart of unbelief and stubborn rebellion. Their "going astray" was not an accidental deviation but a continuous, deliberate rejection of God's leading, rooted deeply in their innermost being. This deep-seated spiritual malaise resulted in their failure to genuinely "know" God's ways—to experientially understand His character, obey His commands, or trust His wise designs. This profound ignorance, stemming from an unrepentant heart, inevitably led to their exclusion from God's physical rest (the Promised Land) and serves as a dire warning: superficial observance without genuine faith and obedient knowledge of God's ways will not bring entry into God's eternal rest. The writer of Hebrews uses this historical account to impress upon his audience, and all believers, the crucial importance of a steadfast, obedient heart that continually listens to God's voice and adheres to His divine path.