Psalms 95:8
Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
Original Language Analysis
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
1 of 7
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תַּקְשׁ֣וּ
Harden
H7185
תַּקְשׁ֣וּ
Harden
Strong's:
H7185
Word #:
2 of 7
properly, to be dense, i.e., tough or severe (in various applications)
כְּי֥וֹם
and as in the day
H3117
כְּי֥וֹם
and as in the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
5 of 7
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
Cross References
Exodus 17:7And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not?Numbers 20:13This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified in them.Numbers 14:11And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?Numbers 14:22Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;1 Samuel 6:6Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed?Deuteronomy 6:16Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.Hebrews 12:25See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:Romans 2:5But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;Hebrews 3:13But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.Acts 19:9But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.
Historical Context
The wilderness generation saw miracles—Red Sea crossing, manna, quail, water from rock—yet still hardened their hearts in unbelief. Their rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea (Numbers 13-14) resulted in 40 years of wandering and that generation's death before entering Canaan.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to "harden your heart" rather than simply doubting or questioning?
- In what areas might you be hardening your heart against God's clear leading or provision?
- How does Hebrews 3:7-19 apply this warning to Christians regarding perseverance in faith?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Harden not your heart, as in the provocation (אַל־תַּקְשׁוּ לְבַבְכֶם כִּמְרִיבָה, al-takshu levavkhem ki-merivah)—Kasheh means harden, make stiff, stubborn; merivah means contention, strife, provocation. And as in the day of temptation in the wilderness (כְּיוֹם מַסָּה בַּמִּדְבָּר, ke-yom massah ba-midbar)—Massah means testing, trial; refers to Exodus 17:1-7 at Massah and Meribah.
Psalm 95 calls worship, then warns against Israel's wilderness rebellion. "Provocation" refers to Exodus 17 where Israel quarreled with Moses, demanding water, testing whether God was with them. Hebrews 3:7-19 extensively applies this psalm to Christians, warning against unbelief that prevents entering God's rest. Heart-hardening is active resistance, not passive drifting—a choice to disbelieve despite evidence.