3:1 heavenly calling God intends to bring many sons to glory (2:10). The direction is heavenward, where Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father (1:3; 7:26).

apostle The Greek term used here, apostolos, refers to someone who has been sent.

high priest Jesus makes atonement for sin (2:17–18).

our confession Refers to a declaration or profession of belief in Jesus.

3:2 one who appointed him God appointed Jesus as high priest. Jesus was faithful (2:5–18) in service to God.

Moses Described as a faithful servant of God’s household (Num 12:7).

3:3 worthy of greater glory Jesus is held in higher esteem because He is the divine Son. It seems that the audience of Hebrews struggled with accepting Christ’s superiority over the law and angels.

Doxa Word Study

3:5 servant Someone who serves with devotion, particularly in a religious setting.

things that would be spoken As a prophet, Moses bore witness to things that would be spoken by God. In parallel, when God spoke through the Son (Heb 1:3), He announced the message of salvation (2:2–3).

3:6 Christ The Greek word used here, christos, is a Greek translation of the Hebrew word mashiach, meaning “anointed one.” The letter to the Hebrews presents a progression of titles: “Son” (1:2), then “Jesus” (2:9), then “Christ.” The author is revealing the identity of the one who is superior to all others except God the Father.

whose house we are Like the Israelites (e.g., Hos 8:1), Christians are described as God’s house (compare 1 Tim 3:15).

if we hold fast A standard exhortation within Hebrews (Heb 3:14; 10:23) urging the audience to remain firm in their faith without slipping away or forgetting. See 2:1–4.

confidence The word parrēsia here expresses boldness before God. Believers can draw near to God (4:16) by entering the holy place (10:19).

hope Refers to the hope of inheriting God’s promises of glory and honor (2:5–9) and entering His sanctuary or tabernacle (6:19; 10:19–23; compare 11:1).

3:7 Holy Spirit says The author identifies the Holy Spirit as the speaker in the quotation that follows. Elsewhere, he identifies the Holy Spirit as a source of divine communication and Scripture (9:8; 10:15).

Today The Greek term sēmeron, used frequently in ch. 3 and 7 (vv. 7, 13, 15; 4:7), emphasizes the urgency or immediacy of this message. God’s people need to act in accordance with God today.

3:8 do not harden your hearts Refers to denying God’s will (Rom 2:5). In the ot, God hardens hearts (e.g., Exod 4:21; 7:3, 22; Deut 2:30). Here, the expression is a warning to the audience not to repeat Israel’s sins (see Neh 9:16–17; 2 Chr 30:8; Jer 7:26).

the rebellion Refers to Massah and Meribah (Psa 95:8), where the Israelites argued with Moses over God’s provision for them (Exod 17:1–7; Num 20:2–13).

testing in the wilderness May refer generally to testing of God’s people, but it could also refer to Kadesh (Num 14:11–22), where Israel tested God and disobeyed His voice.

3:9 where your fathers tested me by trial The Israelites tested God by expecting further patience from Him while continuing to disobey Him (Exod 17:1–7; Num 11:1–6; 20:2–13; Deut 9:22; Psa 78:18–20).

my works Refers to the acts God performed to save His people, miraculously sustaining them with manna, quail, and water during their 40 years in the wilderness (Exod 16:11–15; 17:1–7). It also refers to God’s righteous judgment on those who rebel against Him (Deut 11:1–7).

3:11 my anger This phrase refers to divine judgment against evil, not an emotional disposition or outburst.

my rest God promised the Israelites rest—safety, peace, and freedom from slavery and wandering (Deut 12:9–10; 25:19)—if they would trust Him and follow His will.

3:12 evil, unbelieving heart Such a heart is hardened against God (Heb 3:8) and ignores His purposes (Jer 16:12; 18:12; Baruch 1:22; 2:8). Disobedience and testing of God represent symptoms of unbelief.

living God Even though God is merciful and loving, He is the living God who judges the sins of His people (Num 14:17–32).

3:13 hardened by the deception of sin Israel’s history contains a pattern of sin as deception (see Gen 3:13; see 2 Cor 11:3; 1 Tim 2:14). The author exhorts and encourages his audience to live righteously so that they will avoid hardening by sin and its effects.

3:14 partners of Christ Likely refers to sharing a common relationship.

the end In this context, the Greek term used here, telos, could refer to death (perhaps martyrdom) or to Christ’s return at the end of the age (e.g., 6:11; 10:25).

3:15 Today This citation from Psa 95:7–8 summarizes the argument thus far. It recalls Israel’s failure to obey God in the wilderness. This is a warning for the present generation who has the opportunity to inherit God’s rest (Heb 4:1).

3:16 were disobedient In Psalm 95 (quoted above), the disobedience refers primarily to the rebellion at Kadesh (Num 14), but the usage here could pertain to the defiance of all Israel.

3:17 fell in the wilderness The Israelites complained that they rather would have died in Egypt or the wilderness than be killed fighting for the promised land (Num 14:2). God vowed that the unfaithful generation would die in the wilderness (Num 14:29–33).

3:18 those who were disobedient The Israelites disobeyed Yahweh by turning away from Him (Num 14:43). Numbers 14:22 records that the Israelites disobeyed 10 times—likely referring to their complaints (Exod 14:11; 15:24; 16:2; 17:2, 3; 32:1; Num 11:1, 4; 12:1; 14:2).

3:19 not able to enter Following the events at Kadesh, the Israelites acted against God’s word and sought to enter the land against His will. Moses disapproved of their attempt, which resulted in disaster (Num 14:39–45; see Deut 1:41–44).