Devine Scripture

Hebrews 10:8

What does Hebrews 10:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 10:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 10:8 means

The author comments on the earlier quotation, highlighting that the sacrifices and offerings prescribed by the law were never God’s ultimate delight. Though commanded, they were insufficient to satisfy his will because they did not bring final cleansing. By repeating the types of sacrifices, the writer underscores the comprehensive scope of what is being set aside. The point is not that the law was wrong, but that it was provisional. The dissatisfaction invites and necessitates the coming of a better order centered on obedient fulfillment rather than ritual repetition. This sets the stage for the decisive transition accomplished by Christ.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Saying above, Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings andsacrificesfor sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein (the which are offered according to the law),

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Saying above, Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings andsacrificesfor sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein (the which are offered according to the law),

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

After saying, You had no desire for offerings, for burned offerings or offerings for sin (which are made by the law) and you had no pleasure in them,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

saying above--`Sacrifice, and offering, and burnt-offerings, and concerning sin-offering Thou didst not will, nor delight in,' --which according to the law are offered--

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

In saying before, Sacrifices, and oblations, and holocausts for sin thou wouldest not, neither are they pleasing to thee, which are offered according to the law.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Above, saying Sacrifices and offerings and burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin thou willedst not, neither tookest pleasure in (which are offered according to the law);

Context

After quoting Christ’s words in verses 5–7, the author in verses 8–9 expounds their meaning. Verse 8 restates the variety of sacrifices the law required and asserts that God did not ultimately desire or take pleasure in them. This interpretive step clarifies the contrast between the old and new orders. Verse 9 will draw the conclusion: Christ’s coming to do God’s will removes the first arrangement and establishes the second. Verse 10 then declares the saving effect—believers’ sanctification through Jesus’ once-for-all offering.

v.7Then said I, Lo, I am come (In the roll of the book it is written of me) To do thy will, O God.

v.8This passage

v.9then hath he said, Lo, I am come to do thy will. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

Cross references

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

  • Mark 12:33

    and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is much more than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices.

  • Hebrews 10:5

    Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, But a body didst thou prepare for me;

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