Hebrews 3 16

Hebrews 3:16 kjv

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

Hebrews 3:16 nkjv

For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses?

Hebrews 3:16 niv

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

Hebrews 3:16 esv

For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses?

Hebrews 3:16 nlt

And who was it who rebelled against God, even though they heard his voice? Wasn't it the people Moses led out of Egypt?

Hebrews 3 verses

Hebrews 3 16 Meaning

Hebrews 3:16 serves as a rhetorical question, directing the reader's attention to the specific identity of those who provoked God in the wilderness. It pinpoints the generation of Israelites who, despite witnessing divine miracles and hearing God's direct commands through Moses, rebelled against Him. This rebellion, born of unbelief and disobedience, resulted in their failure to enter God's promised "rest" in the land of Canaan, serving as a solemn warning against similar hardening of hearts among God's people.

Hebrews 3 16 Context

Hebrews chapter 3 opens by exalting Jesus as superior to Moses, the foundational figure of the Old Covenant. The author transitions to a warning based on Psalm 95:7-11, recounting the Israelites' failure to enter God's rest due to unbelief in the wilderness. Verse 16 specifically targets "who" initiated this rebellion, a rhetorical setup for the subsequent verses (17-19) that directly state it was "those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness" and "those who did not believe." The historical context for the original Jewish Christian audience would be a deep familiarity with the Exodus narrative and the subsequent forty years in the wilderness. The chapter emphasizes the urgency of responding "today" to God's voice, warning against hardening one's heart, which was Israel's downfall. This serves as a strong polemic against spiritual complacency and a reminder that mere outward association with God's people is not enough; a living, active faith expressed through obedience is required to enter His promised "rest," a theme further developed in chapter 4.

Hebrews 3 16 Word analysis

• For: (Greek: gar - γὰρ) Connects this verse to the preceding context (Heb 3:7-15). It introduces an explanation or further illustration of the warning already given, drawing a direct link to the historical example of Israel's rebellion.
• who: (Greek: tines - τίνες) A rhetorical interrogative, inviting the reader to reflect on the identity of the rebellious group. It implies a known group but prompts deeper consideration of their specific failure.
• when they had heard: (Greek: akousantes - ἀκούσαντες) A participle meaning "having heard." This emphasizes their privileged position. They were not ignorant; they received God's direct revelation (voice, commands, laws). This implies accountability; knowledge of God's word increases responsibility.
• did rebel: (Greek: parepikranan - παρεπίκραναν) Literally "they bitterly provoked" or "embittered." It signifies more than simple disobedience; it means to grievously offend, exasperate, or cause intense bitterness, directed specifically at God. This strong verb underscores the severe nature of their offense against a benevolent God. It reflects the provocation described in Ps 95 and Num 14.
• Indeed: (Greek: alla - ἀλλὰ) Functions here not as an adversative "but" but as an emphatic "indeed," or "rather." It strongly affirms the identity of the group, leading into the decisive answer given in the subsequent verses. It stresses the certainty of who was involved.
• all: (Greek: pantes - πάντες) Highlights the near-unanimity of the rebellion within that generation. While a few exceptions (Joshua, Caleb) existed, the collective failure of the generation was undeniable and pervasive.
• who came out of Egypt: (Greek: exelthontes ex Aigyptou - ἐξελθόντες ἐξ Αἰγύπτου) Specifically identifies the generation delivered from Egyptian bondage through God's mighty hand. This group witnessed incredible signs and wonders, God's protection, and His daily provision, yet they rebelled. It emphasizes the profound ingratitude and faithlessness despite direct experience of God's power and faithfulness.
• by Moses: (Greek: dia Mouseōs - διὰ Μωυσέως) Identifies the divinely appointed leader through whom God manifested His will and performed His mighty works of deliverance. This detail highlights the profound irony of their rebellion against both God and His chosen representative. Their defiance of Moses was also defiance of God Himself.

Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis:

• For who, when they had heard: This phrase establishes the crucial element of accountability. The rebellion was not due to ignorance but despite revelation. Hearing God's voice implies a personal encounter and understanding of His will.
• did rebel: This single verb encapsulates the heart of the problem – an active, bitter provocation against the very God who delivered them. It's not passive failure but willful opposition.
• Indeed, all who came out of Egypt by Moses: This collective identification emphasizes the widespread nature of the apostasy. It points directly to the beneficiaries of God's greatest saving act in their history who then betrayed His trust. This rhetorical framing sets up the severity of their judgment.

Hebrews 3 16 Bonus section

The rhetorical question format of Hebrews 3:16 serves to engage the reader actively, compelling them to consider the consequences of spiritual negligence. It's part of the broader argument in Hebrews that the New Covenant (through Christ) demands an even greater, not lesser, commitment than the Old. If such dire consequences befell those who heard Moses, how much more serious is the rejection of Christ? The passage highlights the interplay between "hearing," "believing," and "obeying," underscoring that genuine faith manifests in persevering obedience. The phrase "did rebel" encapsulates the heart's disposition of persistent ingratitude and defiance despite experiencing God's profound grace and power. The wilderness generation's fate is a vivid, negative type for the church, reminding us that salvation is not a one-time event without ongoing spiritual discipline and vigilance against unbelief.

Hebrews 3 16 Commentary

Hebrews 3:16 serves as a climactic rhetorical question in the warning passage drawn from Psalm 95. The author of Hebrews challenges his readers, essentially asking: "Who were the ones who heard God's saving message, experienced His deliverance, and yet stubbornly provoked Him?" The answer, implied strongly here and made explicit in the following verses (Heb 3:17-19), is "all" of the wilderness generation, save for Joshua and Caleb. This tragic historical example underlines a critical spiritual truth: mere deliverance or initial profession of faith is insufficient. The danger is not from external enemies but from an internal "evil, unbelieving heart" (Heb 3:12) that hardens itself against God's ongoing voice and purposes. The rebellion described was born of unbelief concerning God's power and promise to provide and bring them into the promised land. Their actions of complaining, testing God, and turning back to Egypt were symptomatic of this deep-seated lack of trust. The verse is a severe warning against complacency, urging contemporary believers to respond immediately and obediently to God's "today" call, ensuring they do not repeat the fatal mistake of their ancestors and miss out on God's true rest—salvation's full experience in Christ.