Devine Scripture

Hebrews 10:2

What does Hebrews 10:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 10:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 10:2 means

The writer reasons that if the sacrifices under the law truly cleansed worshipers once for all, those offerings would have stopped. A fully cleansed conscience would no longer be shadowed by the ongoing awareness of guilt, and there would be no need for further rites. The very repetition of sacrifices proves they never achieved final, inward purification. True cleansing would produce lasting peace before God. This logical argument invites the reader to look beyond the routine of ritual to the deeper need: a sacrifice that actually resolves the problem of sin at its root and sets the conscience free permanently.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Else would they not have ceased to be offered? because the worshippers, having been once cleansed, would have had no more consciousness of sins.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Else would they not have ceased to be offered? because the worshippers, having been once cleansed, would have had no more consciousness of sins.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For if this had been possible, would there not have been an end of those offerings, because the worshippers would have been made completely clean and would have been no longer conscious of sins?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

since, would they not have ceased to be offered, because of those serving having no more conscience of sins, having once been purified?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For then they would have ceased to be offered: because the worshippers once cleansed should have no conscience of sin any longer.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Since, would they not indeed have ceased being offered, on account of the worshippers once purged having no longer any conscience of sins?

Context

Following verse 1’s claim that the law’s sacrifices cannot perfect, verse 2 presses the point through a simple thought experiment: effectiveness would have ended repetition. This argument continues the critique of the old system’s limitations. Verse 3 will contrast this hypothetical with reality—those sacrifices did not cease but rather reminded Israel annually of sin. Verse 4 then states the theological bottom line about animal blood’s incapacity, preparing for the turn to Christ’s effective obedience and sacrifice in verses 5–10.

v.1For the law having a shadow of the goodthingsto come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect them that draw nigh.

v.2This passage

v.3But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance made of sins year by year.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Hebrews 9:13

    For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling them that have been defiled, sanctify unto the cleanness of the flesh:

  • Hebrews 10:17

    And their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

  • Micah 7:19

    He will again have compassion upon us; he will tread our iniquities under foot; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

  • Psalms 103:12

    As far as the east is from the west, So far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

  • Isaiah 43:25

    I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake; and I will not remember thy sins.

  • Isaiah 44:22

    I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Hebrews 10

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Hebrews 10.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Hebrews 10:2.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary