KJV: Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
YLT: See, brethren, lest there shall be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in the falling away from the living God,
Darby: See, brethren, lest there be in any one of you a wicked heart of unbelief, in turning away from the living God.
ASV: Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God:
| Βλέπετε | Take heed |
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Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Active, 2nd Person Plural Root: βλέπω Sense: to see, discern, of the bodily eye. |
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| ἀδελφοί | brothers |
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Parse: Noun, Vocative Masculine Plural Root: ἀδελφός Sense: a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother. |
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| μή‿ | lest |
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Parse: Adverb Root: μή Sense: no, not lest. |
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| ποτε | ever |
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Parse: Conjunction Root: πότε Sense: when?, at what time?. |
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| ἔσται | there will be |
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Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Middle, 3rd Person Singular Root: εἰμί Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present. |
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| τινι | any |
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Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Dative Masculine Singular Root: τὶς Sense: a certain, a certain one. |
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| ὑμῶν | of you |
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Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Plural Root: σύ Sense: you. |
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| καρδία | a heart |
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Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular Root: καρδία Sense: the heart. |
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| πονηρὰ | evil |
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Parse: Adjective, Nominative Feminine Singular Root: πονηρός Sense: full of labours, annoyances, hardships. |
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| ἀπιστίας | of unbelief |
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Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular Root: ἀπιστία Sense: unfaithfulness, faithless. |
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| ἐν | into |
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Parse: Preposition Root: ἐν Sense: in, by, with etc. |
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| τῷ | - |
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Parse: Article, Dative Neuter Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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| ἀποστῆναι | falling away |
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Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active Root: ἀφίστημι Sense: to make stand off, cause to withdraw, to remove. |
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| Θεοῦ | God |
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Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular Root: θεός Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities. |
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| ζῶντος | [the] living |
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Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Genitive Masculine Singular Root: ζάω Sense: to live, breathe, be among the living (not lifeless, not dead). |
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Greek Commentary for Hebrews 3:12
Present active imperative as in Philemon 3:2 (three times) of βλεπω blepō in place of the more usual ορατε horate Solemn warning to the Jewish Christians from the experience of the Israelites as told in Psalm 95:1-11. Lest haply there shall be Negative purpose with μη ποτε mē pote and the future indicative as in Mark 14:2. But we have in Colossians 2:8 μη τις εσται mē tis estai as in Hebrews 12:25; μη mē occurs with the aorist subjunctive, and μη ποτε mē pote with present subjunctive (Hebrews 4:1) or aorist subjunctive (Acts 5:39). In any one of you The application is personal and pointed. An evil heart of unbelief A remarkable combination. Heart Απιστιας Apistias is more than mere unbelief, here rather disbelief, refusal to believe, genitive case describing the evil heart marked by disbelief which is no mark of intelligence then or now. In falling away from the living God “In the falling away” (locative case with εν en of the second aorist active (intransitive) infinitive of απιστημι aphistēmi to stand off from, to step aside from “Remember that to apostatize from Christ in whom you have found God is to apostatize from God” (Dods). That is true today. See Ezekiel 20:8 for this use of the verb. [source]
d Note how the following exhortation is colored by the O.T. citation: evil heart; the to-day; be hardened; take heed ( βλέπετε ). See to it. Often in warnings or admonitions: sometimes with ἀπὸ fromwith genitive of that against which the warning is given, as Mark 8:15; Mark 12:38; but so only in the Gospels. In construction connect with διὸ Hebrews 3:7; therefore beware. [source]
The indicative with μὴ lestshows that with the fear that the event may occur, there is blended a suspicion that it will occur. [source]
They are appealed to individually. [source]
The whole phrase N.T.oNeither do the combinations evil heart or heart of unbelief occur elsewhere. In lxx, among nearly a thousand instances of καρδία heart καρδία πονηρὰ evilheart appears only five times, and in three of the five in apocryphal books. See Baruch 1:22; 2:8. In lxx proper, Jeremiah href="/desk/?q=jer+16:12&sr=1">Jeremiah 16:12; Jeremiah 18:12. Ἀπιστίας ofunbelief, specifies that in which the more general πονηρὰ evilconsists. An evil heart is an unbelieving heart. [source]
The characteristic of unbelief. Faith is personal union with God. Unbelief separates from God. The phrase living God is common to both Testaments. For the bearing of the words upon the question of the Gentile destination of the Epistle, see Introduction. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Hebrews 3:12
Note the emphatic position of ζῶν livingLiving is the word of God, since it is the word of “the living God” (Hebrews 3:12). Living in its essence. For ἐνεργὴς activeenergizing, and kindred words, see on John 1:12; see on Philemon 3:21; see on Colossians 1:29; see on Philemon 1:6. Manifesting itself actively in the world and in men's hearts. Comp. 1 Peter 1:23. [source]
The formula by which the writer reverts to the previous citation. Connect with if we hold fast. The exhortation of Hebrews 3:12answered to Psalm 95:1-11; so the condition of fulfillment in Hebrews 3:14is declared to rest on the same Scripture. Only on the ground of what is said in that Psalm does the holding fast come to pass. Rend. therefore, “We are fellows of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end, seeing it is said,” etc. [source]
See on Hebrews 1:6. The formula the Spirit the holy (Spirit ) is common in the N.T. with the exception of the Catholic Epistles, where it does not occur. The construction of the passage is as follows: Διὸ whereforeis connected with βλέπετε takeheed, Hebrews 3:12. The point is the writer's warning, not the warning of the citation. The whole citation including the introductory formula, down to rest, Hebrews 3:11, is parenthetical. [source]
There is an emphasis on heart as well as on grace. These strange teachings all emphasized externalism, in contrast with Christianity, which insisted upon the purification of the heart and conscience. The contrast is strongly stated in Hebrews 9:9, Hebrews 9:14, and the Epistle constantly directs the readers to the heart as the true point of contact with God, and the source of all departures from him. See Hebrews 3:8, Hebrews 3:10, Hebrews 3:12, Hebrews 3:15; Hebrews 4:7, Hebrews 4:12; Hebrews 8:10; especially Hebrews 10:22. Hence, the writer says, “it is good that the solid basis of your assurance before God be in the heart, purged from an evil conscience, so that you can draw near to God with a firmly-established confidence, with a true heart, in full assurance of faith”: Hebrews 10:22; comp. 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 2 Timothy 2:22. [source]
Have true life; not limited to the future life. Comp. John 5:26; John 6:57; 1 John 5:11; Revelation 11:11; Acts 16:28; Romans 6:11; Romans 14:8; 1 John 4:9, and see on living God, Hebrews 3:12. [source]
For βλέπετε seesee on Hebrews 3:12. For παραιτήσησθε refusesee on 1 Timothy 4:7. [source]
Comp. lxx, 2 Samuel 24:14; Hebrews href="/desk/?q=heb+3:12&sr=1">Hebrews 3:12. [source]
Old adjective (from ποβεω phobeō to frighten). In N.T. only in Heb. (Hebrews 10:27, Hebrews 10:31; Hebrews 12:21). The sense is not to be explained away. The wrath of God faces wrongdoers. To fall “The falling” (articular infinitive second aorist active of εμπιπτω empiptō to fall in, followed here by εις eis). We are not dealing with a dead or an absentee God, but one who is alive and alert (Hebrews 3:12). [source]
Earnest word as in Hebrews 3:12. Driving home the whole argument of the Epistle by this powerful contrast between Mount Zion and Mount Sinai. The consequences are dreadful to apostates now, for Zion has greater terrors than Sinai, great as those were. That ye refuse not Negative purpose with μη mē and the first aorist middle subjunctive of παραιτεομαι paraiteomai the same verb used in Hebrews 12:19 about the conduct of the Israelites at Sinai and also below. Him that speaketh Present active articular participle of λαλεω laleō as in Hebrews 12:24 (Jesus speaking by his blood). For if they did not escape Condition of first class with ει ei and second aorist active indicative of εκπευγω ekpheugō to escape. Direct reference to Sinai with use of the same verb again Him that warned That is Moses. For χρηματιζω chrēmatizō see Hebrews 8:5; Hebrews 11:7. Much more we Argument from the less to the greater, πολυ polu adverbial accusative case. The verb has to be supplied from the condition, “We shall not escape.” Our chance to escape is far less, “we who turn away (αποστρεπομενοι apostrephomenoi middle participle, turn ourselves away from) the one from heaven (τον απ ουρανων ton ap' ouranōn),” God speaking through his Son (Hebrews 1:2). [source]
Negative μη mē (cf. ει ei in Hebrews 3:11) and the future middle infinitive in indirect discourse. To them that were disobedient Dative masculine plural of the articular first aorist active participle of απειτεω apeitheō active disobedience with which compare απιστιας apistias in Hebrews 3:12, Hebrews 3:19. [source]
Volitive subjunctive aorist of σπουδαζω spoudazō old verb to hasten (2 Timothy 4:9), to be eager and alert (1 Thessalonians 2:17). The exhortation has a warning like that in Hebrews 4:1. That no man fall Negative purpose with ινα μη hina mē and the second aorist active subjunctive of πιπτω piptō to fall. After the same example of disobedience The unbelief is like that seen in the Israelites (Hebrews 3:12, Hebrews 3:18; Hebrews 4:2). υποδειγμα Hupodeigma is a late word from υποδεικνυμι hupodeiknumi (Matthew 3:7) and means a copy (John 13:15; James 5:10). The Israelites set a terrible example and it is so easy to copy the bad examples. [source]
That just quoted about the promise of rest and God‘s rest, but true of any real word of God. Living Cf. the Living God (Hebrews 3:12). In Philo and the Book of Wisdom the Logos of God is personified, but still more in John 1:1-18 where Jesus is pictured as the Logos on a par with God. “Our author is using Philonic language rather than Philonic ideas” (Moffatt). See John 6:63: “The words which I have spoken are spirit and are life.” Active Energetic, powerful (John 1:12; Philemon 3:21; Colossians 1:29). Sharper Comparative of τομος tomos cutting (from τεμνω temnō to cut), late adjective, here only in the N.T. Than Often so after a comparative (Luke 16:8; 2 Corinthians 12:13). Two-edged “Two-mouthed” Present middle participle of αχρι μερισμου diikneomai old verb to go through, here only in N.T. Even to the dividing Old word from μερος merizō As in 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 1 Corinthians 15:45, but not an argument for trichotomy. Psychology is constantly changing its terminology. Of both joints and marrow From αρμος arō to join, comes Μυελος harmos old word, here only in the N.T. μυω Muelos (from κριτικος muō to shut), old word, here only in N.T. This surgeon goes into and through the joints and marrow, not cleaving between them. Quick to discern Verbal adjective in -κρινω ikos from εντυμησεων και εννοιων καρδιας krinō skilled in judging, as the surgeon has to be and able to decide on the instant what to do. So God‘s word like his eye sees the secret lurking doubt and unbelief “of the thoughts and intents of the heart” The surgeon carries a bright and powerful light for every dark crevice and a sharp knife for the removal of all the pus revealed by the light. It is a powerful picture here drawn. [source]