What does Hebrews 3:15 mean?

While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. Hebrews 3:15

Explanation

The verse Hebrews 3:15 from the King James Version of the Bible says, “While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.” This verse is a warning and an exhortation to the readers to listen to God’s voice and respond obediently. The “today” refers to the present moment, implying urgency and immediate opportunity. “Hearing His voice” suggests being receptive to God’s word and guidance. “Harden not your hearts” is an admonition against being stubborn or rebellious. The term “provocation” refers to an event in Israel’s history when the people tested God’s patience and provoked His anger through disbelief and disobedience.

Historical Context

This verse is part of the Epistle to the Hebrews, a New Testament book whose author is unknown but often attributed to Paul the Apostle or one of his contemporaries. The historical context of Hebrews is the early Christian community, likely composed of Jewish converts, who are being reminded of the importance of faith and obedience to God. The “provocation” mentioned in the verse refers to an incident recorded in the Old Testament (specifically in the Book of Exodus and Psalm 95) when the Israelites in the desert tested God by doubting His promises, thus provoking divine displeasure.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse presents several themes:

• The immediacy of God’s revelation (“Today if ye will hear”): This emphasizes that God’s communication through the Holy Spirit is an ongoing and present reality.
• The call to obedience: To “hear His voice” is not simply to listen, but to heed and obey God’s commandments and teachings.
• The danger of hard-heartedness: The use of the term “harden not your hearts” warns against a spiritual state where one becomes insensitive or resistant to God’s guidance, which can lead to spiritual decay.
• Remembrance of past failure: By mentioning “as in the provocation,” the author draws a parallel to the historical failure of the Israelites to instill caution in the readers against repeating similar errors.

Practical Applications

Practical applications of Hebrews 3:15 involve:

• Staying open to spiritual guidance: Individuals are encouraged to remain receptive to God’s word and to foster a relationship with Him through prayer, worship, and study of the scriptures.
• Cultivating a responsive heart: Believers are urged to cultivate humility and repentance, avoiding the pitfalls of pride and stubbornness that can lead to disobedience.
• Learning from the past: By reflecting on the mistakes made by the ancient Israelites, Christians can strive to remain faithful and trust in God’s promises, especially during challenging times.
• Taking immediate action: The word “today” suggests that responding to God should not be delayed; faithful actions are encouraged in the present.

Cross-References

• Psalm 95:7-8: “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, Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness.”
• 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.”
• Exodus 17:2, 7: “Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink…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?”

Language Study

Key phrase analysis from the original Greek language of Hebrews 3:15:

• “To day” (σήμερον – sēmeron): Refers to the current day or the immediate present.
• “Hear his voice” (ἀκούσετε τῆς φωνῆς – akousete tēs phōnēs): To listen or attend to His voice, where “voice” can signify God’s words or commandments.
• “Harden not” (μὴ σκληρύνητε – mē sklērynēte): Do not make hard or stubborn, often metaphorically for becoming resistant to influence or persuasion.
• “Hearts” (τὰς καρδίας – tas kardias): The center of physical and spiritual life, including the faculties of thought and emotion; the inner self.
• “Provocation” (παραπικρασμῷ – parapikrasmō): Bitterness or irritation, specifically referencing the Israelites’ testing of God.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The call for immediate response to divine messages and the avoidance of hard-heartedness are not exclusive to Judeo-Christian traditions. In many ancient myths and religions, there is an emphasis on heeding the words of the gods and maintaining a softness of heart, which often represents openness to divine will. For example, in the traditions of ancient Egypt, the heart was believed to be weighed in the afterlife against a feather to determine a soul’s purity and obedience to the gods.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern psychology might interpret the exhortation to “harden not your hearts” as aligning with concepts of cognitive flexibility and openness to new experiences. These traits can promote better mental health and resilience in the face of life’s challenges. However, in a more direct scientific intersection, there is little to correlate since the verse deals primarily with spiritual and ethical exhortation.

commentaries

• Matthew Henry’s Commentary suggests that the “voice” spoken of is the voice of the gospel, which calls for immediate attention and reformation. He emphasizes the risk that comes with delaying such a response.
• The Pulpit Commentary observes that the appeal is to all under the gospel dispensation, the “TODAY” being always present until the “long suffering of our Lord” comes to an end.
• John Gill’s Exposition of the Whole Bible interprets “harden not your hearts” as a form of unbelief, departing from the living God, and an admonition to not be like the forefathers who murmured and rebelled.

Each of these commentaries approaches the verse with a view of its urgency and the serious consequences of ignoring or rebelling against God’s immediate call for obedience and faith.