New International VersionAs has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.”
New Living TranslationRemember what it says: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.”
English Standard VersionAs it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
Berean Standard BibleAs it has been said: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion.”
Berean Literal BibleAs it is said: "Today if you should hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion."
King James BibleWhile it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
New King James Versionwhile it is said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
New American Standard Biblewhile it is said, “TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS, AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME.”
NASB 1995while it is said, “TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS, AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME.”
NASB 1977while it is said, “TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS, AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME.”
Legacy Standard Biblewhile it is said, “TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS, AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME.”
Amplified Biblewhile it is said, “TODAY [while there is still opportunity] IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEART, AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME [in the rebellion in the desert at Meribah].”
Christian Standard BibleAs it is said: Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.
Holman Christian Standard BibleAs it is said: Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.
American Standard Versionwhile it is said, To-day if ye shall hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
Contemporary English VersionThe Scriptures say, "If you hear his voice today, don't be stubborn like those who rebelled."
English Revised Versionwhile it is said, Today if ye shall hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationScripture says, "If you hear God speak today, don't be stubborn. Don't be stubborn like those who rebelled."
Good News TranslationThis is what the scripture says: "If you hear God's voice today, do not be stubborn, as your ancestors were when they rebelled against God."
International Standard VersionAs it is said, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as they did when they provoked me."
NET BibleAs it says, "Oh, that today you would listen as he speaks! Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion."
New Heart English Biblewhile it is said, "Today if you will hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion."
Webster's Bible TranslationWhile it is said, To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
Weymouth New Testamentseeing that the warning still comes to us, "To-day, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as your forefathers did in the time of the provocation." Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAs it has been said: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion.”
World English Biblewhile it is said, “Today if you will hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts, as in the rebellion.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionas it is said, “Today, if you may hear His voice, you may not harden your hearts, as in the provocation.”
Berean Literal BibleAs it is said: "Today if you should hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion."
Young's Literal Translation in its being said, 'To-day, if His voice ye may hear, ye may not harden your hearts, as in the provocation,'
Smith's Literal TranslationIn that it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, ye should not harden your hearts, as in the exasperation. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWhile it is said, To day if you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in that provocation.
Catholic Public Domain VersionFor it has been said: “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts, in the same manner as in the former provocation.”
New American Biblefor it is said: “Oh, that today you would hear his voice: ‘Harden not your hearts as at the rebellion.’ ”
New Revised Standard VersionAs it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAs it is said, Today, if you hear even the echoes of his voice, do not harden your hearts to anger him.
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishJust as it was said, “Today, if you will hear his voice, do not harden your hearts to anger him.” NT Translations Anderson New Testamentwhile it is said, Today, if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the bitter provocation.
Godbey New TestamentIn that it is said, This day if you hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation:
Haweis New Testamentwhile it is said, To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts as in the provocation.
Mace New Testamentwhich is imply'd by, "to-day since ye hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as at Meriba."
Weymouth New Testamentseeing that the warning still comes to us, "To-day, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as your forefathers did in the time of the provocation."
Worrell New Testamentwhile it is said, "To-day, if ye hear His voice, harden not your hearts as in the provocation."
Worsley New Testament"To-day if ye will hear his voice,
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Peril of Unbelief… 14We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly to the end the assurance we had at first. 15Asit has been said:“Today,ifyou hearHisvoice,do nothardenyourhearts,as you didintherebellion.”16For who were the ones who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt?…
Cross References Psalm 95:7-8For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, the sheep under His care. Today, if you hear His voice, / do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, in the day at Massah in the wilderness,
Hebrews 4:7God again designated a certain day as “Today,” when a long time later He spoke through David as was just stated: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”
2 Corinthians 6:2For He says: “In the time of favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the time of favor; now is the day of salvation!
Hebrews 3:7-8Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear His voice, / do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness,
Matthew 13:15For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’
Romans 2:5But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.
Isaiah 55:6-7Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. / Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.
Ezekiel 33:11Say to them: ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’
Acts 7:51You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did.
Jeremiah 7:23-24but this is what I commanded them: Obey Me, and I will be your God, and you will be My people. You must walk in all the ways I have commanded you, so that it may go well with you. / Yet they did not listen or incline their ear, but they followed the stubborn inclinations of their own evil hearts. They went backward and not forward.
Zechariah 7:12They made their hearts like flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD of Hosts had sent by His Spirit through the earlier prophets. Therefore great anger came from the LORD of Hosts.
Proverbs 28:14Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
Romans 11:8as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.”
Deuteronomy 30:19-20I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live, / and that you may love the LORD your God, obey Him, and hold fast to Him. For He is your life, and He will prolong your life in the land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”
Isaiah 65:2All day long I have held out My hands to an obstinate people who walk in the wrong path, who follow their own imaginations,
Treasury of Scripture While it is said, To day if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. To day. Hebrews 3:7,8 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, … Hebrews 10:38,29 Now the just shall live by faith: but ifany man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him… Jump to Previous AngryEarsForefathersHardHardenHearHeartHeartsProvocationProvokedRebellionTimeTodayTo-DayVoiceWarningJump to Next AngryEarsForefathersHardHardenHearHeartHeartsProvocationProvokedRebellionTimeTodayTo-DayVoiceWarningHebrews 3 1.Christ is more worthy than Moses;7.therefore if we believe not in him, we shall be more worthy punishment than hardhearted Israel.As it has been said:This phrase introduces a quotation from the Old Testament, specifically from Psalm 95:7-8. The author of Hebrews frequently uses Old Testament references to connect the teachings of the New Covenant with the history and experiences of Israel. This establishes continuity and authority, reminding readers of the divine inspiration and timeless relevance of Scripture. “Today, if you hear His voice:
The word "Today" emphasizes the immediacy and urgency of responding to God's call. It suggests that the opportunity to respond to God is always present and should not be postponed. The concept of hearing God's voice implies an active listening and obedience to His will. This echoes the Shema inDeuteronomy 6:4-5, where Israel is called to hear and obey the Lord. It also connects to Jesus' teachings in the Gospels, where He often says, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear" (e.g.,Matthew 11:15). do not harden your hearts,
Hardening of the heart is a recurring theme in Scripture, often associated with resistance to God's will and a refusal to trust Him. In the context of Hebrews, it serves as a warning against unbelief and disobedience. The heart, in biblical terms, is the center of one's being, encompassing mind, will, and emotions. A hardened heart is closed off to God's influence and guidance, as seen in Pharaoh's resistance in Exodus. as you did in the rebellion.”
This refers to the Israelites' rebellion in the wilderness, particularly at Meribah and Massah, as recounted inExodus 17:1-7 andNumbers 20:1-13. The rebellion was characterized by doubt, complaint, and a lack of faith in God's provision and promises. This historical event serves as a cautionary tale for the readers of Hebrews, illustrating the consequences of unbelief and disobedience. It underscores the importance of faithfulness and trust in God's promises, drawing a parallel to the Christian journey and the need to persevere in faith. Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe original recipients of the warning, who hardened their hearts during their wilderness journey after the Exodus from Egypt. 2. MosesThe leader of the Israelites during the Exodus, who witnessed their rebellion and interceded on their behalf. 3. The WildernessThe setting of the Israelites' rebellion, where they wandered for 40 years due to their unbelief and disobedience. 4. The Rebellion (Meribah)Refers to specific events where the Israelites tested God, such as at Meribah, where they quarreled and doubted God's provision. 5. The Author of HebrewsTraditionally attributed to Paul or another early Christian leader, who uses this historical example to warn and encourage believers. Teaching Points The Urgency of TodayThe word "Today" emphasizes the immediacy of responding to God's voice. Believers are encouraged to act in the present, not delaying obedience. Hearing God's VoiceThis involves being attentive to God's Word and the Holy Spirit's prompting. It requires a heart open to conviction and guidance. The Danger of a Hardened HeartA hardened heart is resistant to God's voice and leads to disobedience. Believers must guard against becoming callous or indifferent to spiritual truths. Learning from the PastThe Israelites' rebellion serves as a cautionary tale. Christians are called to learn from their mistakes and remain faithful. Encouragement in CommunityThe context of Hebrews 3 encourages mutual exhortation among believers to prevent the hardening of hearts. Community support is vital for spiritual growth. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Hebrews 3:15?
2.How can we avoid hardening our hearts as warned in Hebrews 3:15?
3.What does "Today, if you hear His voice" mean for daily obedience?
4.How does Hebrews 3:15 connect with Israel's rebellion in the wilderness?
5.In what ways can we encourage others to remain faithful, as Hebrews 3:15 suggests?
6.How can we discern God's voice in our lives according to Hebrews 3:15?
7.What does "Today, if you hear His voice" imply about God's communication with us now?
8.How does Hebrews 3:15 relate to the concept of free will in Christianity?
9.Why is the hardening of hearts a recurring theme in the Bible?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Hebrews 3?
11.What does the Bible say about rebellious children?
12.Why does God cause people's hearts to harden?
13.Is today the day of salvation?
14.What does the Bible say about deathbed conversions?What Does Hebrews 3:15 Mean As it has been said- The writer of Hebrews repeatsPsalm 95:7-8, underscoring that God’s warning is not new but consistently affirmed.Hebrews 3:7 already cited the same words, andHebrews 4:7 will echo them again, showing that the Spirit keeps bringing His message forward. - By introducing the quote with “as it has been said,” the passage testifies to the enduring, unchanging authority of Scripture. What God declared centuries earlier still speaks “living and active” today (Hebrews 4:12). -2 Corinthians 6:2 reminds us, “Behold, now is the favorable time,” reinforcing that God’s word is timeless in its relevance.
Today- “Today” stresses urgency. God’s offer of grace is immediate; procrastination is spiritually dangerous.Joshua 24:15 says, “Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve,” andIsaiah 55:6 urges, “Seek the LORD while He may be found.” - Every sunrise renews this divine invitation, yet we are not promised an unlimited number of tomorrows (James 4:14). - The Spirit’s voice never schedules repentance for later; He calls for it now.
if you hear His voice- Hearing involves more than auditory reception; it is the attentive, faith-filled response described inRomans 10:17: “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” - Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice; I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27). Genuine discipleship is shown in responsive obedience, not mere awareness. -Revelation 3:20 portrays the risen Lord knocking and speaking; hearts must open, not ignore.
do not harden your hearts- Hardening is a deliberate, repeated refusal to believe and obey. Like clay in the sun, the same light that softens wax can harden clay; the outcome depends on the heart’s condition. -Proverbs 28:14 warns, “Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.” - God graciously promises, “I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26), but He calls us to yield, not resist. - The Holy Spirit’s conviction can be silenced through persistent unbelief, leading to a calloused conscience (1 Timothy 4:2).
as you did in the rebellion- The “rebellion” recalls Israel at Meribah and Massa (Exodus 17;Numbers 14). Despite witnessing miracles, the people grumbled, doubted, and refused to enter the Promised Land.Numbers 14:22-23 records God’s verdict: that generation would not see the land because of unbelief. -Psalm 78:40-41 laments, “How often they rebelled in the wilderness and grieved Him in the desert!” Their story stands as a cautionary tale. - Paul echoes the warning for the church: “These things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did” (1 Corinthians 10:6-12). If saved people neglect faith and obedience, they forfeit blessings and invite discipline.
summaryHebrews 3:15 urges an immediate, faith-filled response to God’s living word. Every “today” is a fresh opportunity to listen, believe, and obey. Hardening the heart—like Israel in the wilderness—leads to loss and judgment, while soft, responsive hearts enter into God’s rest and enjoy His promises. Listen now, trust now, obey now. (15) If ye will hear.--Rather, as before ( Hebrews 3:7), if ye shall hear. The true connection of this verse is not easily decided. By many it is held that the words should be joined with what follows, and commence a new paragraph; but this does not seem probable. Either Hebrews 3:14 is parenthetical, so that this verse emphasises the reference to "today" in Hebrews 3:13; or the thought of the writer is that we must "hold fast the beginning of our confidence" in the presence of this divine warning--whilst day by day these words are addressed to us anew. Verse 15. - While it is said, Today, etc. Commentators have found unnecessary difficulty in determining the connection of ἐν τῷλέγεσθαι. Many, taking the words as the beginning of a new sentence, have been at pains to discover the apodosis to them. Cbrysostom, Grotius, Rosenmuller, and others find it in φοβηθῶμεν οϋν, Hebrews 4:1; notwithstanding the οϋν, which seems evidently to introduce a new sentence, and the long parenthesis which, on this supposition, intervenes. Others find it in μὴ σκληρύνητε ("harden not your hearts"), in the middle of the citation of ver. 16, as if the writer of the Epistle adopted these words as his own. Delitzsch finds it in ver. 16, taken as an interrogation ( τίνες, not τινὲς: see below); thus: "When it is said, Today... harden not your hearts as in the provocation,... who did provoke? Nay, did not all?" The γὰρ after τίνες he accounts for by its idiomatic use found in such passages as Acts 8:31; Acts 19:35, conveying the sense of the English, " Why, who did provoke?" But this use of γὰρ, obvious in the texts adduced as parallel, would be forced here; the structure of the sentence does not easily lend itself to it. Still, this is the view taken by Tholuck, Bleek, De Wette, Lunemann, and others, as well as Delitzsch. But, notwithstanding such weighty support, difficulties are surely best avoided by taking ἐν τῷ λέγεσθαι, not as commencing a new sentence, but in connection with ver. 14 preceding, as it seems most natural to take it in the absence of any connecting particle to mark a new proposition. In this case the translation of the A.V. gives a fully satisfactory sense: "If we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end, while it is still being said, To-day," etc.; i.e. (as in ver. 13) "so long as it is called Today." Ebrard, Alford, and others, taking the same view of the connection of the words, prefer the translation, "In that it is said." But the other seems more in accordance with the thought pervading the passage.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek Asἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.it has been said:λέγεσθαι(legesthai)Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive
Strong's 3004:(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.“Today,Σήμερον(Sēmeron)Adverb
Strong's 4594:Today, now. Neuter of a presumed compound of the article ho and hemera; on the day; generally, now.ifἐὰν(ean)Conjunction
Strong's 1437:If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.you hearἀκούσητε(akousēte)Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 191:To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.Hisαὐτοῦ(autou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.voice,φωνῆς(phōnēs)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 5456:Probably akin to phaino through the idea of disclosure; a tone; by implication, an address, saying or language.{do} notΜὴ(Mē)Adverb
Strong's 3361:Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.hardenσκληρύνητε(sklērynēte)Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4645:To harden, make hard, make stubborn. From skleros; to indurate, i.e. render stubborn.yourὑμῶν(hymōn)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.hearts,καρδίας(kardias)Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2588:Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle.as [you did]ὡς(hōs)Adverb
Strong's 5613:Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.inἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.theτῷ(tō)Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.rebellion.”παραπικρασμῷ(parapikrasmō)Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3894:A provocation, irritation, rebellion. From parapikraino; irritation.
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NT Letters: Hebrews 3:15 While it is said Today if you (Heb. He. Hb) |
