Hebrews 3:10
New International Version
That is why I was angry with that generation; I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.’

New Living Translation
So I was angry with them, and I said, ‘Their hearts always turn away from me. They refuse to do what I tell them.’

English Standard Version
Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’

Berean Standard Bible
Therefore I was angry with that generation, and I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known My ways.’

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore I was angry with that generation, and I said, 'Always they go astray in their heart; and they have not known My ways;'

King James Bible
Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.

New King James Version
Therefore I was angry with that generation, And said, ‘They always go astray in their heart, And they have not known My ways.’

New American Standard Bible
“THEREFORE I WAS ANGRY WITH THIS GENERATION, AND SAID, ‘THEY ALWAYS GO ASTRAY IN THEIR HEART, AND THEY DID NOT KNOW MY WAYS’;

NASB 1995
“THEREFORE I WAS ANGRY WITH THIS GENERATION, AND SAID, ‘THEY ALWAYS GO ASTRAY IN THEIR HEART, AND THEY DID NOT KNOW MY WAYS’

NASB 1977
“THEREFORE I WAS ANGRY WITH THIS GENERATION, AND SAID, ‘THEY ALWAYS GO ASTRAY IN THEIR HEART; AND THEY DID NOT KNOW MY WAYS’;

Legacy Standard Bible
THEREFORE I WAS ANGRY WITH THIS GENERATION, AND SAID, ‘THEY ALWAYS GO ASTRAY IN THEIR HEART, AND THEY DID NOT KNOW MY WAYS’;

Amplified Bible
“THEREFORE I WAS ANGERED WITH THIS GENERATION, AND I SAID, ‘THEY ALWAYS GO ASTRAY IN THEIR HEART, AND THEY DID NOT KNOW MY WAYS [nor become progressively better and more intimately acquainted with them]’;

Christian Standard Bible
for forty years. Therefore I was provoked to anger with that generation and said, “They always go astray in their hearts, and they have not known my ways.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
for 40 years. Therefore I was provoked with that generation and said, “They always go astray in their hearts, and they have not known My ways.”

American Standard Version
Wherefore I was displeased with this generation, And said, They do always err in their heart: But they did not know my ways;

Contemporary English Version
"Then God got tired of them and said, 'You people never show good sense, and you don't understand what I want you to do.'

English Revised Version
Wherefore I was displeased with this generation, And said, They do alway err in their heart: But they did not know my ways;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
although they had seen what I had done for 40 years. That is why I was angry with those people. So I said, 'Their hearts continue to stray, and they have not learned my ways.'

Good News Translation
And so I was angry with those people and said, 'They are always disloyal and refuse to obey my commands.'

International Standard Version
for 40 years. That is why I was indignant with that generation and said, 'They are always going astray in their hearts, and they have not known my ways.'

Majority Standard Bible
Therefore I was angry with that generation, and I said, ?Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known My ways.?

NET Bible
"Therefore, I became provoked at that generation and said, 'Their hearts are always wandering and they have not known my ways.'

New Heart English Bible
Therefore I was displeased with this generation, and said, 'They always err in their heart, but they did not know my ways;'

Webster's Bible Translation
Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do always err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.

Weymouth New Testament
Therefore I was greatly grieved with that generation, and I said, 'They are ever going astray in heart, and have not learnt to know My paths.'

World English Bible
Therefore I was displeased with that generation, and said, ‘They always err in their heart, but they didn’t know my ways.’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for this reason I was grieved with that generation and said, They always go astray in [their] heart, and these have not known My ways;

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore I was angry with that generation, and I said, 'Always they go astray in their heart; and they have not known My ways;'

Young's Literal Translation
wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, Always do they go astray in heart, and these have not known My ways;

Smith's Literal Translation
Wherefore I was offended with that generation and I said, They always wander in heart; and they knew not my ways.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Forty years: for which cause I was offended with this generation, and I said: They always err in heart. And they have not known my ways,

Catholic Public Domain Version
For this reason, I was enraged against this generation, and I said: They always wander astray in heart. For they have not known my ways.

New American Bible
for forty years. Because of this I was provoked with that generation and I said, “They have always been of erring heart, and they do not know my ways.”

New Revised Standard Version
for forty years. Therefore I was angry with that generation, and I said, ‘They always go astray in their hearts, and they have not known my ways.’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Therefore I was not pleased with that generation, and said, These are a people whose hearts have been misled and they have not known my ways.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Because of this, I was weary with that generation, and I said, 'That is a people which deceives their heart, and they have not known my ways.'
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Wherefore, I was angry with that generation, and said, They do always err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:

Godbey New Testament
Therefore I was provoked with this generation, and I said, They do always err in their heart: and they have not known my way,

Haweis New Testament
Wherefore I was provoked against that generation, and said, They are always deluded in heart, and they have not known my ways:

Mace New Testament
wherefore I was displeased with that generation, and said, they do alway err in their hearts; and they have not known my ways.

Weymouth New Testament
Therefore I was greatly grieved with that generation, and I said, 'They are ever going astray in heart, and have not learnt to know My paths.'

Worrell New Testament
Wherefore, I was displeased with that generation, and said, 'They do always err in their heart, and they did not know My ways;

Worsley New Testament
wherefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, They are always erring in their heart, and they have not known my ways:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Do Not Harden Your Hearts
9where your fathers tested and tried Me, and for forty years saw My works. 10Therefore I was angry with that generation, and I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known My ways.’ 11So I swore on oath in My anger, ‘They shall never enter My rest.’ ”…

Cross References
Psalm 95:10
For forty years I was angry with that generation, and I said, “They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they have not known My ways.”

Numbers 14:11
And the LORD said to Moses, “How long will this people treat Me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in Me, despite all the signs I have performed among them?

Numbers 14:22-23
not one of the men who have seen My glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness—yet have tested Me and disobeyed Me these ten times— / not one will ever see the land that I swore to give their fathers. None of those who have treated Me with contempt will see it.

Deuteronomy 1:34-35
When the LORD heard your words, He grew angry and swore an oath, saying, / “Not one of the men of this evil generation shall see the good land I swore to give your fathers,

Acts 7:39-42
But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. / They said to Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go before us! As for this Moses who led us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him.’ / At that time they made a calf and offered a sacrifice to the idol, rejoicing in the works of their hands. ...

1 Corinthians 10:5-11
Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the wilderness. / These things took place as examples to keep us from craving evil things as they did. / Do not be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” ...

Psalm 78:40-41
How often they disobeyed Him in the wilderness and grieved Him in the desert! / Again and again they tested God and provoked the Holy One of Israel.

Exodus 17:7
He named the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled, and because they tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?”

Deuteronomy 9:7
Remember this, and never forget how you provoked the LORD your God in the wilderness. From the day you left the land of Egypt until you reached this place, you have been rebelling against the LORD.

Psalm 106:24-26
They despised the pleasant land; they did not believe His promise. / They grumbled in their tents and did not listen to the voice of the LORD. / So He raised His hand and swore to cast them down in the wilderness,

Isaiah 63:10
But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So He turned and became their enemy, and He Himself fought against them.

Ezekiel 20:13
Yet the house of Israel rebelled against Me in the wilderness. They did not follow My statutes and they rejected My ordinances—though the man who does these things will live by them—and they utterly profaned My Sabbaths. Then I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and put an end to them in the wilderness.

Matthew 23:37
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!

Mark 3:5
Jesus looked around at them with anger and sorrow at their hardness of heart. Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and it was restored.

Romans 1:21
For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.


Treasury of Scripture

Why I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do always err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.

I was.

Genesis 6:6
And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

Judges 10:16
And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.

Psalm 78:40
How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!

err.

Hebrews 3:12
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

Psalm 78:8
And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

Isaiah 28:7
But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.

they have.

Psalm 67:2
That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.

Psalm 95:10
Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:

Psalm 147:20
He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.

Jump to Previous
Alway Always Angry Astray Displeased Err Error Generation Greatly Grieved Heart Hearts Learnt Paths Provoked They Times Ways Wherefore
Jump to Next
Alway Always Angry Astray Displeased Err Error Generation Greatly Grieved Heart Hearts Learnt Paths Provoked They Times Ways Wherefore
Hebrews 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.














Therefore I was angry with that generation
This phrase refers to God's response to the Israelites during their 40 years in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt. The "generation" mentioned is the one that witnessed God's miracles yet repeatedly disobeyed Him. This anger is rooted in their lack of faith and trust, as seen in events like the rebellion at Kadesh Barnea (Numbers 14). God's anger is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, often linked to His holiness and justice. This serves as a warning to believers about the consequences of unbelief and disobedience.

and I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray
The heart, in biblical terms, represents the center of one's being, including mind, will, and emotions. The Israelites' hearts "going astray" indicates a persistent pattern of rebellion and idolatry, as seen in their worship of the golden calf (Exodus 32). This phrase highlights the spiritual condition of the people, emphasizing the importance of a steadfast heart in following God. The concept of a wandering heart is echoed in Proverbs 4:23, which advises guarding one's heart diligently.

and they have not known My ways.’
Knowing God's ways involves understanding His character, commands, and purposes. The Israelites' failure to know God's ways is evident in their repeated disobedience and lack of faith, despite witnessing His power and provision. This ignorance is not due to a lack of revelation but a refusal to embrace and live by God's truth. The phrase underscores the importance of spiritual discernment and obedience, as seen in Psalm 103:7, where Moses is commended for knowing God's ways. This serves as a call for believers to seek a deeper relationship with God through His Word and Spirit.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Israelites in the Wilderness
This verse refers to the generation of Israelites who wandered in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt. They repeatedly disobeyed God and failed to trust in His promises.

2. God
The speaker in this verse, expressing His anger and disappointment with the Israelites for their lack of faith and understanding of His ways.

3. The Wilderness
The physical and spiritual setting where the Israelites' faith was tested, and where they often failed to trust and obey God.

4. Moses
The leader of the Israelites during the Exodus, who interceded for the people despite their rebellion.

5. The Promised Land
The destination that the Israelites were journeying towards, which many of that generation did not enter due to their unbelief.
Teaching Points
The Danger of a Straying Heart
Just as the Israelites' hearts went astray, believers today must guard their hearts against unbelief and disobedience. Regular self-examination and repentance are crucial.

Knowing God's Ways
It is vital for Christians to seek a deep understanding of God's character and commands through diligent study of Scripture and prayer.

The Consequences of Unbelief
The Israelites' failure to trust God serves as a warning. Faith and obedience are essential to experiencing God's promises and blessings.

The Importance of Faithful Leadership
Moses' role as an intercessor highlights the need for godly leaders who guide and pray for their communities, even in times of rebellion.

Striving for God's Rest
Believers are encouraged to persevere in faith, looking forward to the ultimate rest in God's presence, which requires active trust and obedience.(10) I was grieved with that generation.--Rather, I was angry with this generation. The Hebrew is very strong: "I loathed a (whole) generation." The first word, "Wherefore," is not found in the Psalm, but is added to make the connection more distinct.

And they have not known my ways.--Better, yet they took not knowledge of My ways. Although throughout the forty years He had shown to them their disobedience and His displeasure, yet the warning and discipline were fruitless. They gained no knowledge of His ways. It is very important to observe this explicit reference to the close, as well as the beginning of the forty years. (See Hebrews 3:8.)



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Therefore
διὸ (dio)
Conjunction
Strong's 1352: Wherefore, on which account, therefore. From dia and hos; through which thing, i.e. Consequently.

I was angry
προσώχθισα (prosōchthisa)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 4360: To be displeased or offended with. From pros and a form of ochtheo; to feel indignant at.

with
τῇ (tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

that
ταύτῃ (tautē)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

generation,
γενεᾷ (genea)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1074: From genos; a generation; by implication, an age.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

I said,
εἶπον (eipon)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

‘Their
αὐτοὶ (autoi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
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.

hearts
καρδίᾳ (kardia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2588: Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle.

always
Ἀεὶ (Aei)
Adverb
Strong's 104: From an obsolete primary noun; 'ever, 'by qualification regularly; by implication, earnestly.

go astray,
πλανῶνται (planōntai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4105: To lead astray, deceive, cause to wander. From plane; to roam.

and
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

they have not known
ἔγνωσαν (egnōsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1097: A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications.

My
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

ways.’
ὁδούς (hodous)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3598: A way, road, journey, path. Apparently a primary word; a road; by implication, a progress; figuratively, a mode or means.


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NT Letters: Hebrews 3:10 Therefore I was displeased with that generation (Heb. He. Hb)
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