Hebrews 3

Apostle and High Priest

Apostle — one sent forth (Christ was sent by the Father); High Priest — the one who offers atonement for the people

Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Hebrews 3:1

Jesus is the one the Father sent (the Apostle) and the one who stands for us before God (the High Priest). He is the center of what we profess.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in John 17:3 — Jesus Christ, whom the Father hath sent.
• the same title in Hebrews 2:17 — Merciful and faithful high priest.

Builder of the house

Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. Hebrews 3:2–4

Christ was faithful to the Father who appointed Him and deserves more glory than Moses, the way a builder deserves more honor than the house he built.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in John 1:3 — All things were made by Him.

Moses as a testimony of Christ

And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; Hebrews 3:5

Moses served faithfully as a servant, and his ministry was a testimony pointing forward to what would later be revealed in Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a type of what is in Deuteronomy 18:15 — A Prophet like unto Moses.
• interprets 1 Nephi 22:21 — Nephi says the prophet like Moses is the Holy One of Israel.

Christ, a Son over His own house

But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. Hebrews 3:6

Moses was a servant in God's house, but Christ is the Son over His own house, and we are that house if we hold on to our hope to the end.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in Hebrews 10:21 — An high priest over the house of God.

Jehovah in the wilderness

Jehovah — the covenant name, 'I AM', the premortal Christ

Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Hebrews 3:7–11

The Holy Ghost repeats Psalm 95, where the LORD speaks of Israel testing Him in the wilderness. Latter-day Saints understand that LORD as Jehovah, the premortal Christ, and Paul says Israel tempted Christ in the wilderness.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Psalm 95:7-11 — The psalm quoted.
• interpreted by 1 Corinthians 10:9 — Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted.
• alluded to by D&C 84:23-24 — The Lord in His wrath swore Israel would not enter into His rest.

Partakers of Christ

Christ — the Anointed One

For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; Hebrews 3:14

We share in Christ and all He offers if we keep our first faith strong to the end.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in 2 Nephi 31:20 — Press forward with steadfastness in Christ and endure to the end.

Jehovah grieved with unbelieving Israel

While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. Hebrews 3:15–18

The 'he' who was grieved and swore an oath is the LORD of Psalm 95, Jehovah, who led Israel out of Egypt by Moses.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in Numbers 14:26-30 — The LORD swears the unbelieving generation will die in the wilderness.