Devine Scripture

Hebrews 3:15

What does Hebrews 3:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 3:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 3:15 means

The text repeats the Psalm’s urgent word: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the provocation.” Repetition is pastoral wisdom. The heart needs to be reminded that responsiveness to God is a present duty. The example of the wilderness remains a live warning, not a closed chapter. By restating the refrain, the writer keeps the appeal immediate and personal. The problem is not lack of information, but the danger of a dulled heart. God speaks; therefore, respond now. Delay, neglect, and excuse-making are the doorway to hardness.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

while it is said, To-day if ye shall hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

while it is said, To-day if ye shall hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

As it is said, Today if you will let his voice come to your ears, be not hard of heart, as when you made him angry.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

in its being said, `To-day, if His voice ye may hear, ye may not harden your hearts, as in the provocation,'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

While it is said: To day, if you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in that provocation.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

in that it is said, To-day if ye will hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as in the provocation;

Context

This verse functions as a hinge between the application (12–14) and the historical examination (16–18). By repeating the Psalm’s call, it keeps the urgency fresh while the author moves to a set of rhetorical questions that diagnose the wilderness failure. The structure is cyclical: exhortation, Scripture, application, Scripture again. The aim is to surround the readers with reasons and reminders so they will not drift. Next, verses 16–18 identify who provoked, who fell, and who was barred from rest, leading to the concluding lesson in verse 19.

v.14for we are become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end:

v.15This passage

v.16For who, when they heard, did provoke? nay, did not all they that came out of Egypt by Moses?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Psalms 95:7

    For he is our God, And we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To-day, oh that ye would hear his voice!

  • Hebrews 10:38

    But my righteous one shall live by faith: And if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him.

  • Hebrews 10:29

    of how much sorer punishment, think ye, shall he be judged worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

  • Hebrews 3:7

    Wherefore, even as the Holy Spirit saith, To-day if ye shall hear his voice,

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