Hebrews 3:10
Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.
Original Language Analysis
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γενεᾷ
generation
G1074
γενεᾷ
generation
Strong's:
G1074
Word #:
4 of 18
a generation; by implication, an age (the period or the persons)
ἐκείνῃ,
with that
G1565
ἐκείνῃ,
with that
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
5 of 18
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Ἀεὶ
alway
G104
Ἀεὶ
alway
Strong's:
G104
Word #:
8 of 18
"ever," by qualification regularly; by implication, earnestly
πλανῶνται
They do
G4105
πλανῶνται
They do
Strong's:
G4105
Word #:
9 of 18
to (properly, cause to) roam (from safety, truth, or virtue)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καρδίᾳ
in their heart
G2588
καρδίᾳ
in their heart
Strong's:
G2588
Word #:
11 of 18
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
αὐτοὶ
they
G846
αὐτοὶ
they
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 18
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἔγνωσαν
have
G1097
ἔγνωσαν
have
Strong's:
G1097
Word #:
15 of 18
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Psalms 95:10Forty 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:Psalms 67:2That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.Psalms 78:8And 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.Jeremiah 4:22For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.Ephesians 4:30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.Isaiah 63:10But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.Hosea 4:12My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God.
Historical Context
The wilderness generation knew God's law and witnessed His miracles, yet failed to truly know Him relationally. This serves as a warning that religious knowledge without heart transformation leads to judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How can someone know about God intellectually while not knowing Him relationally?
- What does God's anger at unbelief reveal about the seriousness of sin?
Analysis & Commentary
God's grief ('prosōchthisa' - was angry/disgusted) over persistent unbelief shows sin's serious offense against God's holiness. The diagnosis is hearts that 'always go astray' - total depravity, constant tendency toward sin apart from grace. 'They have not known my ways' indicates practical ignorance despite intellectual knowledge, emphasizing the Reformed distinction between notitia (awareness) and fiducia (trust).