Hebrews 10:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure.

NIV: with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased.

NASB: YOU HAVE NOT TAKEN PLEASURE IN WHOLE BURNT OFFERINGS AND offerings for sin.

CSB: You did not delight in whole burnt offerings and sin offerings.

NLT: You were not pleased with burnt offerings or other offerings for sin.

KJV: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.

NKJV: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure.

This is a continuation of a quote from Psalm 40:6–8. The writer of Hebrews is pointing out how the repetitive animal sacrifices of the old covenant could never truly cleanse mankind from sin. Instead, they only served to remind man that he was a sinner in need of a Savior. The real resolution for sin came in the form of Jesus Christ, who offered a single, once for all payment for sin. The various rituals and symbols of the old covenant were meant to foreshadow the new covenant, and explain our need for the Messiah (Hebrews 9:8–10).

This particular Old Testament quotation supports the idea that God's plan for our redemption was never meant to lie in burnt offerings or animal sacrifices. Instead, God's intent revolved around the creation of a body—a veiled reference to the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Just as God made the ears (and body) of the Psalmist in order for him to do the will of God, so did God intend to fulfill His plan through the body of the Messiah, not through offerings.

The writer quotes from the Septuagint, a Greek translation of Hebrew Scriptures. This results in a slightly different English phrasing for this verse than for the original Old Testament reference.

Hebrews 10:1–18 summarizes the writer's argument that the new covenant, in Jesus Christ, is superior to the old covenant, based on animal sacrifices. Using themes developed in earlier passages, this section points out that God's own Word promised to replace the system centered on the priests and the temple. Those flawed earthly components were symbols of the ''real'' remedy for sin, which is the one-time sacrifice of Jesus. Having completed this long, detailed discourse, the writer will move on to practical applications, including a very stern warning.

God's own words, found in the Old Testament Scriptures, declare His intention to replace the old covenant with a new covenant. Jesus fulfills all of these prophecies, and all of the symbolism found in the system of priests, the tabernacle, and animal sacrifices. Knowing that Jesus Christ is, undoubtedly, God's remedy for our sin, we should be encouraged in holding on to our faith in the face of persecution. However, that same confidence means dire spiritual consequences for those who know Christ's salvation, but choose to act in defiance of His will.

Chapter 10 completes the long, detailed explanation of why the new covenant is superior to the old covenant. Starting in chapter 7, the writer gave various arguments and Scriptures to support this idea. The theme of these points is that God had always intended to send Jesus, as the real fulfillment of the old covenant's symbolism. The second half of this chapter transitions into more practical ideas, including an extremely dire warning about the dangers of apostasy.

The book of Hebrews is meant to challenge, encourage, and empower Christian believers. According to this letter, Jesus Christ is superior to all other prophets and all other claims to truth. Since God has given us Christ, we ought to listen to what He says and not move backwards. The consequences of ignoring God are dire. Hebrews is important for drawing on many portions of the Old Testament in making a case that Christ is the ultimate and perfect expression of God's plan for mankind. This book presents some tough ideas about the Christian faith, a fact the author makes specific note of.