Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Hardened Hearts?
12 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Hardened Hearts in the Bible
Explore what the Bible says about hardened hearts. This collection of 13 key Scripture passages reveals God's wisdom and guidance on this important theme.
Top 10 Verses About Hardened Hearts
- 1Exodus 7:3
“And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.”
KJV - 2Exodus 9:12
“And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses.”
KJV - 3Psalms 119:9
“BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.”
KJV - 4Proverbs 28:13
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”
KJV - 5
- 6Ezekiel 36:26
“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.”
KJV - 7Matthew 13:14
“And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:”
KJV - 8Mark 8:17
“And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?”
KJV - 9John 12:48
“He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”
KJV - 10Ephesians 4:18
“Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: blindness: or, hardness”
KJV
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Hardened Hearts? (6 Verses)
“And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.”
“And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses.”
“BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.”
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.”
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Hardened Hearts? (6 Verses)
“And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:”
“And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?”
“He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”
“Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: blindness: or, hardness”
“Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:”
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Hardened Hearts
- 1
Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.
- 2
Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about hardened hearts. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.
- 3
Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.
- 4
Memorise at least one key verse about hardened hearts and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.
Practical Application
Studying what the Bible says about hardened hearts is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:
Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on hardened hearts needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about hardened hearts with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.
Pray through the key verses about hardened hearts, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.
How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Hardened Hearts?
You have studied 12 verses about hardened hearts. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.