Hebraism

What it means and why it matters today.

Friend, have you ever stumbled over a phrase in Scripture, such as ‘God hardened his heart,’ and paused in confusion, wondering why a loving God would do such a thing?

Passages like these remind us of the importance of approaching God’s Word prayerfully, inviting the Holy Spirit to give us understanding. Let’s look closer at what is truly meant when we read expressions such as, ‘God gave them over.’

The Hebraic Way of Speaking

God is the ultimate sovereign over all creation. So Scripture sometimes phrases events as though God actively did something when, in reality, He allowed it, rather allowed people to give in to their own desires.

For example, when Pharaoh repeatedly hardened his own heart first (Exodus 8:15, 8:32, 9:34), later passages phrase it as “God hardened his heart.” This reflects a Hebraic way of describing God’s rule over even man’s stubbornness: He gave Pharaoh what Pharaoh persistently chose.

Greek/Western thought differ because they often sharply separate direct and indirect cause and effect. Hebrew idiom doesn’t make that distinction as cleanly; it simply acknowledges God as sovereign over both.

Examples of This Hebraism

• Romans 1:24, 26, 28 – Paul echoes this idea when he says, “God gave them over” to their desires. He did not force them, but He allowed them to fully experience the consequences of their rebellion.

• Psalm 81:11–12 – “But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels.”

• Isaiah 63:17 – “O LORD, why do you make us wander from your ways and harden our heart, so that we fear you not?” Again, the Hebrew way of speaking recognizes God’s sovereignty even when human rebellion is the starting point.

Hebraism teaches us ➸

• God will not force someone against their will. If a person persists in rebellion, He may eventually confirm them in it.

• What is phrased as God “hardening” can also be understood as Him removing His restraining grace, letting the person have what they want.

• It highlights both divine sovereignty and human responsibility: Pharaoh hardened his own heart, and God, as Judge, allowed that hardening to stand as part of His greater purpose.

Simply put, when Scripture says God “hardened” Pharaoh’s heart, it is an example of Hebraism—a way of emphasizing God’s sovereignty by attributing the end result to Him, even though Pharaoh’s own stubborn choices initiated it.

The Importance ➸

You may ask why this is so important.

It all comes full circle for the times we live in, where reckless abandonment to self, one’s own truth, relativism, philosophy, and the praise of human intellect are at an all-time high. The words of Paul to the Romans are important now ⭢

“Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves.” Romans 1:24.

“For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature.” Romans 1:26.

“And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.” Romans 1:28.

We live in challenging times, and human wisdom will never be enough. Too often, we’ve traded the language of Scripture for softer substitutes—calling people “seekers” instead of acknowledging the reality of sinners in need of a Savior, or labeling what is clearly demonic as mere “dysfunction.” These subtle shifts in wording reflect more than semantics; they reveal how easily we bend under cultural pressure, rather than standing firm in the unchanging truth of God’s Word.

This is why prayer is essential. It aligns our hearts with heaven’s language and keeps us from adopting the world’s vocabulary, which can blur spiritual realities. Through prayer and dependence on the Spirit, we not only discern truth but also declare it with boldness.

Paul reminds us:

“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

Notice the last three words of the passage above: “Avoid such people.” This is not a call to abandon evangelism nor to abandon people, but a stern reminder that evangelism is ultimately God’s work.

It is also a sober call to discernment: to recognize the company we keep, to guard our own hearts against temptation, and to depend on the Spirit’s leading. We need wisdom to know when, where, and to whom we are sent, and what we are meant to say.

The Spirit must first prepare hearts to receive the engrafted word. As I was writing this, I was reminded of the apostle Paul, with all his zeal, who was restrained by the Spirit from entering certain regions (Acts 16:6 7).

Evangelism that bears fruit is never human effort; it is Spirit-led and Spirit-empowered. Most importantly, remember that the Gospel isn’t just preached; it is lived out in the world. Our very lives, just as all of creation, are the testimony of Christ.

You may wonder what this has to do with Hebraism? Why am I talking about it? Our next verse is actually the one I would like us to focus on.

Look here,⭢ “And with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” II Thessalonians 2:10-12.

Friend, this verse carries a heavy and prophetic warning. When hearts refuse to love the truth, when wrong is celebrated as right and deception embraced as light, there comes a sobering point—God gives them over to the very delusion they have chosen.

Falling Away ➸

Beloved, we are glimpsing the falling away happening. This isn’t meant to scare us, just a reminder of the moment we are standing in. We can’t afford to walk around rogue. We desperately need to abide in the Spirit.

I want to be clear so that those new to the faith remain secure and don’t think salvation can be undone. It cannot! We have eternal security in Christ Jesus. We know this from the overwhelming support of Scripture.

John 3:16

John 5:24

John 6:37–39

John 10:27–29

Romans 8:1

Romans 8:38–39

Hebrews 7:25

1 Peter 1:3–5

1 John 5:11–13

The falling away has to do with those who were never of us, and the apostle John makes it very clear, ⭢ “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.” 1 John 2:19.

This is a stern reminder that profession and possession of eternal life are two completely different things.

If you have received Jesus as your Savior and Lord, rest securely in the love of God, dear friend. I write this because Jesus’ return is imminent, and like the tribe of Issachar, we must remain abreast of the times.

There is no time like the present to stand in the place of continuous intercession for the lost, for the church, for ourselves, for we desperately need to remain in alignment with our Father, what He is doing in this most auspicious hour. Jesus is whispering not only words of consolation but also words of commissioning, equipping us to be effective Kingdom ambassadors and caution.

Let’s Dig🪏 Deeper 📖

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Pharaoh and the Hardening 🖤 of Heart

• “I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.” Exodus 4:21.

• “Pharaoh’s heart became hard…” Exodus 7:13–14.

• “He hardened his heart and would not listen.” Exodus 8:15.

• “But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart…” Exodus 9:12.

• Multiple declarations of the LORD hardening Pharaoh’s heart. Exodus 10:20, 27; 11:10; 14:8.

Pattern: Pharaoh first hardens his heart; then God hardens his heart, thereby giving Pharaoh over to his initial desire.

God “Giving Them Over”

• “But my people would not heed My voice… so I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, to walk in their own counsels.” Psalm 81:11–12.

• “God gave them over to impurity, dishonorable passions, and a debased mind. “Romans 1:24, 26, 28.

• “But God turned away and gave them over to worship the host of heaven…” Acts 7:42.

Pattern: When people refuse God, He allows them to fully experience the fruit of their rebellion.

God’s Hand Removed in Human Stubbornness

• “But Sihon king of Heshbon was not willing… for the LORD your God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate.” Deuteronomy 2:30.

• “It was the LORD’s doing to harden their hearts that they should come against Israel in battle.” Joshua 11:20.

• “O LORD, why do you make us wander from your ways and harden our heart, so that we fear you not?” Isaiah 63:17.

• “They could not believe… He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts.” John 12:39–40.

Pattern: God’s sovereignty over the rebellion of nations and individuals.

Human Responsibility and Response

• Hebrews 3:7–8 – “Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion…”

• Hebrews 3:15 – “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”

No Pattern, just a vital warning.

Reminder: Although God is sovereign, we are warned not to harden our hearts. It is a dangerous place to be when one no longer experiences the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

I was reminded, as I penned this, of the love of the Father to discipline us. Beloved, conviction is a blessing and so necessary; may we respond accordingly.

Hebraism reminds us of the depth of God’s sovereignty and the seriousness of human responsibility. What may appear, at first glance, as God arbitrarily hardening hearts or handing people over, is in truth the righteous Judge allowing men and women to walk out the path they have persistently chosen. Scripture speaks this way to keep our hearts anchored in one reality: God reigns, and nothing escapes His hand.

Beloved, this should not stir fear, but holy reverence. It calls us to humility, to live tender before Him, and to cherish the convicting work of the Spirit as a gift. Conviction is the Spirit’s mercy; hardness comes when we ignore Him. Now more than ever, as deception abounds and love grows cold, the people of God must lean into intimacy with Christ, staying soft and surrendered.

A Word of Comfort ➸

The same God who gave Pharaoh over also gave His only Son for us. The same Sovereign who allows stubbornness to run its course also lavishes grace on all who turn to Him. Rest in this truth: He has secured your salvation, He is able to keep you, and He calls you to walk closely, faithfully, and fruitfully in Him until the day of His return.

A Word of Warning ➸

If you’ve been running from the Lord and came across this post today, it isn’t by accident. The Lord is tugging on Your heart, requesting ever so gently for you to repent and come home to Love. It is a deliberate decision to turn from whatever is keeping you from Him, back to Him. Repentance involves a change in the mind, to say: “God is good. His ways are good. He does good. And He loves me in this moment no matter where I might find myself, even in a mess of my own making—I am loved by Jesus, and I will follow Him.”

If you haven’t received salvation, you can today. He is waiting to save you. He will meet you right where you are. Call on the name of Jesus and you will be saved! Amen!

“… if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Romans 10:9.

“For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13.

Reflection Question ➸

Where might you be resisting God in small ways? How can you invite Him to soften your heart and align your desires with His today?

Let’s Pray ➸

Lord, keep me from a hardened heart. Where I have resisted You, help me to surrender. I yield my will to You. Soften me by Your Spirit, and lead me in Your truth.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Thank you for studying Hebrasim with me!