Hebrews 3:9

King James Version (KJV)

When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

When your fathers tempted me - It would be better to translate οὑ where than when, as the Vulgate has done in its ubi; and this translation has been followed by Wiclif, Coverdale, Tindal, and our first translators in general. In my old MS. Bible the 7th, 8th, and 9th verses stand thus: -

Wherefore as the Holy Gost seith, to-day gif yhe han herde his voyce: nye yhe herden ghour hertis as in wrath-thinge, after the day of temptacioun in desert. Where ghoure fadris temptiden me: provyden and saiden my werkis. Wherefore fourtye yeere I was offendid or wrothe to this generatoun.

In behalf of this translation, Dr. Macknight very properly argues: "The word When implies that, at the time of the bitter provocation, the Israelites had seen God's works forty years; contrary to the history, which shows that the bitter provocation happened, in the beginning of the third year after the Exodus: whereas the translation where, as well as the matter of fact, represents God as saying, by David, that the Israelites tempted God in the wilderness during forty years, notwithstanding all that time they had seen God's miracles."

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

Proved me - “As if they would have made an experiment how much it was possible for me to bear.” - Doddridge. The meaning is: “they put my patience to a thorough trial.”

And saw my works - That is, my miracles, or my interpositions in their behalf. They saw the wonders at the Red Sea, the descent on Mount Sinai, the supply of manna, etc., and yet while seeing those works they rebelled. Even while sinners look on the doings of God, and are surrounded by the proofs of his power and goodness, they rebel, and provoke him to anger. Men sin when God is filling their houses with plenty; when he opens his hand daily to supply their wants; when they behold the manifestations of his goodness on the sea and on the land; and even in the midst of all the blessings of redemption, they provoke him to wrath.

Forty years - The whole time during which they were passing from Egypt to the promised land. This may mean either that they saw his works forty years, or that they tempted him forty years. The sense is not materially affected whichever interpretation is preferred.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

Days of temptation are often days of provocation. But to provoke God, when he is letting us see that we entirely depend and live upon him, is a provocation indeed. The hardening of the heart is the spring of all other sins. The sins of others, especially of our relations, should be warnings to us. All sin, especially sin committed by God's professing, privileged people, not only provokes God, but it grieves him. God is loth to destroy any in, or for their sin; he waits long to be gracious to them. But sin, long persisted in, will make God's wrath discover itself in destroying the impenitent; there is no resting under the wrath of God. "Take heed:" all who would get safe to heaven must look about them; if once we allow ourselves to distrust God, we may soon desert him. Let those that think they stand, take heed lest they fall. Since to-morrow is not ours, we must make the best improvement of this day. And there are none, even the strongest of the flock, who do not need help of other Christians. Neither are there any so low and despised, but the care of their standing in the faith, and of their safety, belongs to all. Sin has so many ways and colours, that we need more eyes than ours own. Sin appears fair, but is vile; it appears pleasant, but is destructive; it promises much, but performs nothing. The deceitfulness of sin hardens the soul; one sin allowed makes way for another; and every act of sin confirms the habit. Let every one beware of sin.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

9. Your fathers tempted me. Or, “your fathers tested me,” or “your fathers put me to the test.” By incessant complaining and acts of rebellion Israel tested God’s patience to the uttermost. His infinite patience with ancient Israel can be a source of hope for those who may have wandered far astray in our time, though never an excuse for imposing upon God’s mercy and long-suffering (see Rom. 6:1, 15). “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed” (Lam. 3:22; cf. Ex. 34:6, 7).

The repeated instances of rebellion against the authority and leadership of the Lord were the inevitable product of Israel’s “evil heart” of “unbelief” (see on Heb. 3:12, 19). By the plagues in Egypt, by the crossing of the Red Sea, by the manna, by water from the rock, by deliverance from the fiery serpents, and in many other ways God demonstrated to His people His mighty wisdom and power. Again and again God had permitted circumstances that would teach His people to trust in Him and to follow His instructions. But Israel proved to be “a stiffnecked people” (Ex. 32:9), slow to learn. This perverse spirit continued almost to the very close of the 40 years of wilderness wandering (see Num. 20:5).

It is not for us to condemn the Hebrew people for their many mistakes. Rather we should learn from the sad experiences they went through because of their perversity of heart, and avoid making the same mistakes they made (1 Cor. 10:5-12.

Proved me. Or, “tested [or “tried”] me.”

Saw my works. That is, witnessed manifold instances of divine providence, which should have been sufficient to lead them into an experience of perfect confidence in God’s wisdom and power. There were repeated occasions when, in justice, God could have abandoned them to follow their own perverse ways. But, in mercy, He continued patiently to bear with them.

Forty years. Exactly 40 years elapsed between the Passover celebrated at the time of the exodus from Egypt and the Passover celebrated a few days after the crossing of the Jordan (see Vol. I, p. 187).

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Ellen G. White
The Desire of Ages, 126

But faith is in no sense allied to presumption. Only he who has true faith is secure against presumption. For presumption is Satan's counterfeit of faith. Faith claims God's promises, and brings forth fruit in obedience. Presumption also claims the promises, but uses them as Satan did, to excuse transgression. Faith would have led our first parents to trust the love of God, and to obey His commands. Presumption led them to transgress His law, believing that His great love would save them from the consequence of their sin. It is not faith that claims the favor of Heaven without complying with the conditions on which mercy is to be granted. Genuine faith has its foundation in the promises and provisions of the Scriptures. DA 126.1

Often when Satan has failed of exciting distrust, he succeeds in leading us to presumption. If he can cause us to place ourselves unnecessarily in the way of temptation, he knows that the victory is his. God will preserve all who walk in the path of obedience; but to depart from it is to venture on Satan's ground. There we are sure to fall. The Saviour has bidden us, “Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.” Mark 14:38. Meditation and prayer would keep us from rushing unbidden into the way of danger, and thus we should be saved from many a defeat. DA 126.2

Yet we should not lose courage when assailed by temptation. Often when placed in a trying situation we doubt that the Spirit of God has been leading us. But it was the Spirit's leading that brought Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. When God brings us into trial, He has a purpose to accomplish for our good. Jesus did not presume on God's promises by going unbidden into temptation, neither did He give up to despondency when temptation came upon Him. Nor should we. “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” He says, “Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the Most High: and call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” 1 Corinthians 10:13; Psalm 50:14, 15. DA 126.3

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