Hebrews 3:16 - Printer Friendly

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

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

NASB: For who provoked Him when they had heard? Indeed, did not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses?

CSB: For who heard and rebelled? Wasn’t it all who came out of Egypt under Moses?

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?

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

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

Verses 16 through 18 use a series of rhetorical questions—sentences which are framed as questions, but are really meant as definite statements. These are used to prove the author's main point, which is that believers who fail to trust in God risk losing their spiritual blessings. Just as Israel suffered forty years of wandering when they were faithless, so too can a Christian suffer instead of obtaining the "Promised Land" of God's inheritance. This is not a matter of salvation, but of fellowship, and yet it is still deadly serious.

This verse also shows that the Bible's authors understood the use of generalities. The words say "all" in reference to those who left Egypt. However, a major aspect of the story was the faithfulness of Joshua and Caleb, and the fact that the younger members of Israel would live to enter Canaan. The point, however, fits the rhetoric. This is similar to how we might say, "nobody shops at that store anymore" when business is extremely poor. The point is not literalism, but effect, and would have been well understood by the Jewish readers of this letter.

This verse also gives one of the four major types of spiritual failure which can invite divine discipline. The first, given here, is rebellion. This is from the Greek word parepikranan, and it most literally means to "provoke." These are those moments when we respond to God in a way which even other human beings would consider obnoxious or immature. Complaining, selfishness, carelessness, and so forth are all forms of rebellion.

Hebrews 3:15–19 ties several of the previous sections together. Using four primary forms of spiritual error, the author shows why Israel was disciplined by God. This discipline meant a loss of the Promised Land—not a parallel to salvation, but to spiritual rewards. Rebellion, sin, defiance, and faithlessness were all present in the nation of Israel, and that generation was denied their potential victory. Christians are warned, in this chapter, to avoid these mistakes so they don't forfeit their own spiritual inheritance.

Hebrews chapter 3 uses a reference to Israel's wandering in the desert from the story of the Exodus. In this incident, the nation of Israel came to the border of the Promised Land and then lost confidence in God. Rather than trusting Him, most of the people gave up hope. As a result, only a tiny remnant of the nation was allowed to enter into Canaan. This chapter explains that Jesus Christ is superior to Moses and all of Moses' accomplishments. Christians, therefore, need to encourage each other to fully trust in God, in order to see fulfillment of His promises.

In chapters 1 and 2, the author of Hebrews showed that Jesus was not an angel. In fact, Jesus' role as Messiah required Him to be fully human. Starting in chapter 3, the author will explain how Jesus is also superior to various Old Testament characters such as Moses. This will help to set the stage for later references to Christ's superiority. Part of the warning in this chapter extends into chapter 4. Namely, that Christians who doubt God's promises risk missing out on the victories He has in store for us.

The book of Hebrews is meant to challenge, encourage, and empower Christian believers. According to this letter, Jesus Christ is superior to all other prophets and all other claims to truth. Since God has given us Christ, we ought to listen to what He says and not move backwards. The consequences of ignoring God are dire. Hebrews is important for drawing on many portions of the Old Testament in making a case that Christ is the ultimate and perfect expression of God's plan for mankind. This book presents some tough ideas about the Christian faith, a fact the author makes specific note of.