Consider Christ Jesus
Hebrews 3:1–6FocusFaithfulness over God's house
Connection to the wholeJesus is compared with Moses and described as Son over His house, with the readers' participation stated together with holding fast.
interpretation Hebrews 3:8
KJVHarden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
Read it in context
Do not harden the heart
Start reading at Hebrews 3:7 (Hebrews 3:7 to Hebrews 3:19).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The quotation and exposition of the wilderness rebellion call the addressed brethren to exhort one another and beware an unbelieving heart.
- 3:7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,
- 3:8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
- 3:9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.
- 3:10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.
- 3:11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)
- 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
- 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
- 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
- 3:15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
- 3:16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.
- 3:17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?
- 3:18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
- 3:19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
Who
- Who wrote the book? The author is unknown. Paul is a longstanding attribution, while Barnabas and Apollos are among other historical proposals; none can be established with certainty. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Hebrews, Epistle to the, authorship and addressees. book background
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Hebrews 1:1–4:16): The writer addresses a Christian community, warning its members to hold firmly to what they have heard and using Israel's wilderness generation as an example. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? A community of Christians who had endured suffering and needed perseverance. They are traditionally identified as Jewish Christians, but their precise location and ethnic composition are uncertain. Biblical references: Hebrews 3:1; Hebrews 5:12; Hebrews 10:32; Hebrews 13:22. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Hebrews, Epistle to the, authorship and addressees. book background
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Do not harden the heart. Read Hebrews 3:7 through Hebrews 3:19 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The quotation and exposition of the wilderness rebellion call the addressed brethren to exhort one another and beware an unbelieving heart. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The writing refers to the readers' earlier suffering and continuing need for endurance. It does not supply a calendar date or identify its author. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The exact destination and place of composition are not explicitly settled. The reference to those of Italy is a greeting and does not by itself establish where the writer is located. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Do not harden the heart (Hebrews 3:7 to Hebrews 3:19). Start reading at Hebrews 3:7. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Jesus' priesthood, sacrifice, and help for the tempted govern the exposition. The repeated warnings and calls to hold fast belong to that same argument and should not be explained away. See Hebrews 2:17, Hebrews 4:14, Hebrews 10:10, Hebrews 10:38. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Hold fast, encourage one another, and obey the word heard. Read assurance and access through Christ alongside the warnings against neglect, unbelief, and drawing back. interpretation
Cited: Hebrews 3:7, Hebrews 3:19, Hebrews 2:17, Hebrews 4:14, Hebrews 10:10, Hebrews 10:38
Who wrote it, and how we know
Uncertain; Pauline authorship is held by many
Not known
What Scripture saysThe letter does not name its author.
Early traditionAncient opinion was divided. Some in the East accepted Pauline authorship; Origen concluded that only God knows who wrote it. Tertullian suggested Barnabas.
What is debatedThe author is genuinely unknown. The polished Greek and the manner of citing Scripture differ from Paul's letters. Claiming certainty here overstates the evidence.
Related passages
- Harden Heb 3:12-13 Exod 8:15 1 Sam 6:6 2 Kgs 17:14 2 Chr 30:8 2 Chr 36:13 Neh 9:16 Job 9:4
- as Num 14:11,22-23 Deut 9:22-24 Ps 78:56
- of Exod 17:7 Deut 6:16 Ps 78:18 Ps 106:14 1 Cor 10:9
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Hebrews 3
The text does not name its author. It addresses hearers already acquainted with the faith and with suffering, urging them to hold fast. Its exposition of Christ's priesthood and sacrifice must be read with its repeated warnings against neglect, unbelief, and drawing back.
Hebrews 2:1 Hebrews 3:1 Hebrews 10:32 Hebrews 10:39
FocusThe wilderness as a warning
Connection to the wholeThe quotation and exposition of the wilderness rebellion call the addressed brethren to exhort one another and beware an unbelieving heart.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Hebrews
The text does not name its author. It addresses hearers already acquainted with the faith and with suffering, urging them to hold fast. Its exposition of Christ's priesthood and sacrifice must be read with its repeated warnings against neglect, unbelief, and drawing back.
Hebrews 2:1 Hebrews 3:1 Hebrews 10:32 Hebrews 10:39
God has spoken in the Son
Hebrews 1:1–2:18FocusRevelation, salvation, and shared humanity
Connection to the wholeThe opening establishes the Son's greatness, warns against neglecting salvation, and explains His participation in flesh and blood and help for the tempted.
interpretation FocusChrist, the wilderness warning, and faith
Connection to the wholeComparison with Moses leads to the wilderness example and the continuing appeal to hear God rather than harden the heart.
interpretation The great high priest
Hebrews 4:14–7:28FocusAccess, maturity, and an enduring priesthood
Connection to the wholeChrist's priesthood is developed through exhortation, warning, and the scriptural figure of Melchisedec.
interpretation Covenant and sacrifice
Hebrews 8:1–10:18FocusA sufficient offering
Connection to the wholeThe discussion of sanctuary and offerings explains Christ's priestly work and the significance of His once-for-all sacrifice.
interpretation Hold fast and endure
Hebrews 10:19–12:29FocusFaith, discipline, and the unshaken kingdom
Connection to the wholeThe doctrinal argument leads to sustained exhortation, examples of faith, and warnings that preserve the readers' responsibility to continue.
interpretation Faithfulness in the community
Hebrews 13:1–25FocusLove, worship, and obedience
Connection to the wholePractical instructions and final requests apply the preceding exhortation to the readers' conduct together and their continuing confession.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.