Bible Verses

The Best 50+ Bible Verses About Hardened Hearts

Updated:
March 3, 2025
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Author:
Joseph Cox

Ever wondered why some hearts seem so unyielding? This article explores 50 Bible verses that shed light on the concept of hardened hearts.

These verses offer insights into why hearts harden and what it means in a spiritual context. Whether you're curious or seeking understanding, these passages provide a deeper look into this intriguing topic.

50 Bible Verses About Hardened Hearts

10 Bible Verses on Hardened Hearts and Rebellion

Exodus 7:3
  • "And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt." — Exodus 7:3
  • "But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not heed them, as the Lord had said." — Exodus 8:15
  • "But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh; and he did not heed them, just as the Lord had spoken to Moses." — Exodus 9:12
  • "Now the Lord said to Moses, 'Go in to Pharaoh; for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his servants, that I may show these signs of Mine before him.'" — Exodus 10:1
  • "Then I will harden Pharaoh's heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord." — Exodus 14:4
  • "But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass through, for the Lord your God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate, that He might deliver him into your hand, as it is this day." — Deuteronomy 2:30
  • "If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs." — Deuteronomy 15:7-8
  • "Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, as in the day of trial in the wilderness." — Psalm 95:8
  • "O Lord, why have You made us stray from Your ways, and hardened our heart from Your fear? Return for Your servants' sake, the tribes of Your inheritance." — Isaiah 63:17
  • "But this people has a defiant and rebellious heart; they have revolted and departed." — Jeremiah 5:23

10 Bible Verses on Consequences of Hardened Hearts

Proverbs 28:14
  • "Happy is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity." — Proverbs 28:14
  • "Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and return and be healed." — Isaiah 6:10
  • "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?" — Jeremiah 17:9
  • "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." — Ezekiel 36:26
  • "For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them." — Matthew 13:15
  • "And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand.' And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other." — Mark 3:5
  • "Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened." — Romans 1:21
  • "Having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart." — Ephesians 4:18
  • "While it is said: 'Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.'" — Hebrews 3:15
  • "And especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries." — 2 Peter 2:10

10 Bible Verses on Hardened Hearts in Scripture

Exodus 4:21
  • "And the Lord said to Moses, 'When you go back to Egypt, see that you do all those wonders before Pharaoh which I have put in your hand. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.'" — Exodus 4:21
  • "So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, to walk in their own counsels." — Psalm 81:12
  • "For the Lord has poured out on you the spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes, namely, the prophets; and He has covered your heads, namely, the seers." — Isaiah 29:10
  • "He said to them, 'Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.'" — Matthew 19:8
  • "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, lest they should see with their eyes, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them." — John 12:40
  • "For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them." — Acts 28:27
  • "Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens." — Romans 9:18
  • "But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ." — 2 Corinthians 3:14
  • "Again He designates a certain day, saying in David, 'Today,' after such a long time, as it has been said: 'Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.'" — Hebrews 4:7
  • "But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts." — Revelation 9:20-21

10 Bible Verses on Healing Hardened Hearts

Psalm 147:3
  • "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." — Psalm 147:3
  • "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound." — Isaiah 61:1
  • "Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh." — Ezekiel 11:19
  • "Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel?" — Ezekiel 18:31
  • "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." — Matthew 11:28
  • "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed." — Luke 4:18
  • "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." — John 3:16
  • "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." — Acts 3:19
  • "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." — 2 Corinthians 5:17
  • "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded." — James 4:8

10 Bible Verses on Hardened Hearts and Faith

Matthew 17:20
  • "So Jesus said to them, 'Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, "Move from here to there," and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.'" — Matthew 17:20
  • "Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, 'Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!'" — Mark 9:24
  • "And the apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith.'" — Luke 17:5
  • "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me." — John 14:1
  • "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." — Romans 10:17
  • "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong." — 1 Corinthians 16:13
  • "For we walk by faith, not by sight." — 2 Corinthians 5:7
  • "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." — Hebrews 11:1
  • "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith." — 1 John 5:4
  • "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." — Revelation 3:20

What Does the Bible Say About Hardened Hearts

The Bible has a lot to say about hardened hearts. It’s a topic that comes up in many different contexts, from stories of rebellion to promises of healing. These verses show us the dangers of a hardened heart but also offer hope for those who seek to soften their hearts through faith and repentance.

One key theme is rebellion. Verses like Exodus 7:3 and Psalm 95:8 talk about how a hardened heart often leads to defiance against God. This rebellion can result in a cycle of stubbornness and resistance, making it hard to accept divine guidance. But understanding this can help us recognize when we’re being stubborn and choose a different path.

Another important theme is the consequences of a hardened heart. Proverbs 28:14 and Romans 1:21 highlight that a hardened heart can lead to calamity and darkened understanding. These verses remind us that ignoring God’s voice can have serious repercussions, affecting not just our spiritual well-being but our everyday lives too.

On a more hopeful note, the Bible also speaks about healing hardened hearts. Verses like Ezekiel 36:26 and Psalm 147:3 show that God is willing to replace our hearts of stone with hearts of flesh. This transformation is possible through faith and repentance, offering a fresh start and renewed spirit.

Lastly, faith plays a crucial role in overcoming a hardened heart. Matthew 17:20 and Hebrews 11:1 emphasize that even a small amount of faith can make a big difference. By nurturing our faith, we can open our hearts to God’s love and guidance, leading to a more fulfilling and spiritually enriched life.

How to Apply These Bible Verses About Hardened Hearts

Applying the Bible's teachings about hardened hearts can make a real difference in our daily lives. These verses offer guidance on how to soften our hearts and live more faithfully.

Here are some practical steps to help you live out these biblical principles:

  • Daily Prayer: Start your day with a prayer asking God to soften your heart and guide your actions.
  • Self-Reflection: Take a few minutes each day to reflect on your attitudes and behaviors. Are you being stubborn or resistant to change?
  • Acts of Kindness: Make it a habit to perform small acts of kindness. This can help open your heart to others and to God.
  • Community Involvement: Join a church group or community service project. Being part of a supportive community can encourage a softer heart.
  • Scripture Reading: Regularly read Bible verses about hardened hearts. This can remind you of the importance of staying open and receptive to God's word.

Remember, God is always with you, ready to help you transform your heart. Even small steps of faith can lead to big changes. Keep trusting in God's love and guidance.

For more prayers and Bible verses, visit PrayersFor or try our Bible Verse Generator to deepen your understanding and faith.

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