Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. New Living Translation The old system under the law of Moses was only a shadow, a dim preview of the good things to come, not the good things themselves. The sacrifices under that system were repeated again and again, year after year, but they were never able to provide perfect cleansing for those who came to worship. English Standard Version For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Berean Standard Bible For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. Berean Literal Bible For the Law, having a shadow of the good things coming, not the form of the things themselves, never is able each year, with the same sacrifices which they offer continually, to perfect those drawing near. King James Bible For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. New King James Version For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. New American Standard Bible For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the form of those things itself, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually every year, make those who approach perfect. NASB 1995 For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near. NASB 1977 For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never by the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect those who draw near. Legacy Standard Bible For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near. Amplified Bible For since the Law has only a shadow [just a pale representation] of the good things to come—not the very image of those things—it can never, by offering the same sacrifices continually year after year, make perfect those who approach [its altars]. Christian Standard Bible Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come, and not the reality itself of those things, it can never perfect the worshipers by the same sacrifices they continually offer year after year. Holman Christian Standard Bible Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come, and not the actual form of those realities, it can never perfect the worshipers by the same sacrifices they continually offer year after year. American Standard Version For the law having a shadow of the good things to 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. Contemporary English Version The Law of Moses is like a shadow of the good things to come. This shadow isn't the good things themselves, because it cannot free people from sin by the sacrifices offered year after year. English Revised Version For the law having a shadow of the good things to come, not the very image of the things, they can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect them that draw nigh. GOD'S WORD® Translation Moses' Teachings with their yearly cycle of sacrifices are only a shadow of the good things in the future. They aren't an exact likeness of those things. They can never make those who worship perfect. Good News Translation The Jewish Law is not a full and faithful model of the real things; it is only a faint outline of the good things to come. The same sacrifices are offered forever, year after year. How can the Law, then, by means of these sacrifices make perfect the people who come to God? International Standard Version For the Law, being only a reflection of the blessings to come and not their substance, can never make perfect those who come near by the same sacrifices repeatedly offered year after year. Majority Standard Bible For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. NET Bible For the law possesses a shadow of the good things to come but not the reality itself, and is therefore completely unable, by the same sacrifices offered continually, year after year, to perfect those who come to worship. New Heart English Bible For the Law, having a shadow of the good to come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect those who draw near. Webster's Bible Translation For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers to them perfect. Weymouth New Testament For, since the Law exhibits only an outline of the blessings to come and not a perfect representation of the things themselves, the priests can never, by repeating the same sacrifices which they continually offer year after year, give complete freedom from sin to those who draw near. World English Bible For the law, having a shadow of the good to come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect those who draw near. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionFor the Law having a shadow of the good things coming—not the very image of the matters, every year, by the same sacrifices that they offer continually, is never able to make perfect those coming near, Berean Literal Bible For the Law, having a shadow of the good things coming, not the form of the things themselves, never is able each year, with the same sacrifices which they offer continually, to perfect those drawing near. Young's Literal Translation For the law having a shadow of the coming good things -- not the very image of the matters, every year, by the same sacrifices that they offer continually, is never able to make perfect those coming near, Smith's Literal Translation For the law having a shadow of good things about to be, not the same image of the things, with these sacrifices which they bring in yearly in continuance never can render perfect them coming thereto. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor the law having a shadow of the good things to come, not the very image of the things; by the selfsame sacrifices which they offer continually every year, can never make the comers thereunto perfect: Catholic Public Domain Version For the law contains the shadow of future good things, not the very image of these things. So, by the very same sacrifices which they offer ceaselessly each year, they can never cause these to approach perfection. New American Bible Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of them, it can never make perfect those who come to worship by the same sacrifices that they offer continually each year. New Revised Standard Version Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered year after year, make perfect those who approach. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFOR the law had in it a shadow of the good things to come, but was not the essence of the things themselves; hence although the same sacrifices were offered every year, they could not perfect those who offered them. Aramaic Bible in Plain English For The Written Law had a shadow in it of good things that were coming. It was not the essence of those matters; because of this, while they were offering those sacrifices every year, they could never perfect those who offered them. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentFor the law, having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never, with the same sacrifices, which they offer year by year continually, make a perfect expiation for those who come to them: Godbey New Testament For the law having the shadow of good things to come, not the real image of the things, annually with the same sacrifices which they offer continually, is by no means able to make perfect those coming to it: Haweis New Testament NOW the law, having a shadow of the good things which were to come, not the very substance of the things, cannot possibly, by the same sacrifices which they offer year by year continually, make those perfect who approach God; Mace New Testament For the law being only an allusion to a future dispensation that was more excellent, and not an exact imitation of such a state, cannot by the anniversary sacrifices, which are offered, entirely purify those that present themselves. Weymouth New Testament For, since the Law exhibits only an outline of the blessings to come and not a perfect representation of the things themselves, the priests can never, by repeating the same sacrifices which they continually offer year after year, give complete freedom from sin to those who draw near. Worrell New Testament For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, not the very likeness of the things, can never, with the same sacrifices, which they offer year by year continually, perfect those who come to them; Worsley New Testament For the law having but a faint shadow of good things to come, and not the full image of the things, can never, even by the great annual sacrifices which they offer statedly, make the comers thereunto perfect. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Christ's Perfect Sacrifice1For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2If it could, would not the offerings have ceased? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt the guilt of their sins.… Cross References Colossians 2:17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ. Galatians 3:24 So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Romans 8:3-4 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh, / so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Hebrews 8:5 The place where they serve is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” Hebrews 9:9-10 It is an illustration for the present time, because the gifts and sacrifices being offered were unable to cleanse the conscience of the worshiper. / They consist only in food and drink and special washings—external regulations imposed until the time of reform. Romans 3:20 Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin. Galatians 4:9-10 But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? / You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! Romans 7:7 What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been mindful of sin if not for the law. For I would not have been aware of coveting if the law had not said, “Do not covet.” Hebrews 7:18-19 So the former commandment is set aside because it was weak and useless / (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. Hebrews 9:23 So it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. Hebrews 9:11-12 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not a part of this creation. / He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption. Hebrews 9:24 For Christ did not enter a man-made copy of the true sanctuary, but He entered heaven itself, now to appear on our behalf in the presence of God. Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes. 2 Corinthians 3:14 But their minds were closed. For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It has not been lifted, because only in Christ can it be removed. John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. Treasury of Scripture For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. having. Hebrews 8:5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. Hebrews 9:9,11,23 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; … Colossians 2:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. with. Hebrews 10:3,4,11-18 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year… Hebrews 7:18,19 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof… Hebrews 9:8,9,25 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: … perfect. Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Jump to Previous Blessings Complete Continually Draw Freedom Good Image Law Offer Offered Outline Perfect Priests Repeating Representation Sacrifices Shadow Sin Themselves ThereuntoJump to Next Blessings Complete Continually Draw Freedom Good Image Law Offer Offered Outline Perfect Priests Repeating Representation Sacrifices Shadow Sin Themselves ThereuntoHebrews 10 1. The weakness of the law sacrifices.10. The sacrifice of Christ's body once offered, 14. for ever has taken away sins. 19. An exhortation to hold fast the faith with patience and thanksgiving. For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come The term "shadow" suggests that the law was a preliminary representation, not the full reality. In biblical context, the law given to Moses was a guide and a tutor (Galatians 3:24) leading to Christ. The "good things to come" refers to the new covenant and the salvation brought through Jesus Christ. The law's rituals and sacrifices pointed forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17). This concept of shadow versus reality is also seen in Colossians 2:17, where Paul describes religious festivals as a shadow of things to come, with the substance belonging to Christ. not the realities themselves It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year make perfect those who draw near to worship Persons / Places / Events 1. The LawRefers to the Mosaic Law given to the Israelites, which includes ceremonial, moral, and civil laws. It served as a guide for living in covenant with God. 2. Sacrifices The offerings prescribed in the Mosaic Law, including burnt offerings, sin offerings, and peace offerings, which were performed regularly by the priests. 3. Worshipers The people of Israel who approached God through the sacrificial system, seeking atonement and fellowship with Him. 4. The Good Things to Come Refers to the new covenant and the ultimate redemption through Jesus Christ, which the law foreshadowed. 5. The Shadow A metaphor indicating that the law was a precursor or a representation of the true and complete reality found in Christ. Teaching Points Understanding the Purpose of the LawThe law was never intended to be the final solution for sin but a guide pointing to the need for a Savior. The Insufficiency of Repeated Sacrifices The repetitive nature of sacrifices under the law highlights their inability to perfect or fully cleanse the worshiper, emphasizing the need for a once-for-all sacrifice. Christ as the Fulfillment of the Law Jesus is the reality to which the law pointed. His sacrifice is sufficient and complete, offering true redemption and perfection. Living in the New Covenant Believers are called to live in the freedom and fullness of the new covenant, relying on Christ's finished work rather than the old sacrificial system. Approaching God with Confidence Through Christ, believers can draw near to God with confidence, knowing that they are made perfect in Him.(1) A Shadow of good things to come.--These words have already come before us; the "shadow" in Hebrews 8:5, and "the good things to come" in the ordinary reading of Hebrews 9:11. Not the very image.--The antithesis is hardly what we should have expected. The word "image" is indeed consistent with the very closest and most perfect likeness; but why is the contrast to "shadow" expressed by a word which cannot denote more than likeness, and not by a reference to the things themselves? The answer would seem to be that, from the very nature of the "good things to come," the law could not be conceived of as having the things themselves; but had it possessed "the very image" of them, a representation so perfect might have been found to bring with it equal efficacy. Can never with those sacrifices.--It is difficult to ascertain the exact Greek text in the latter half of this verse. With the ordinary reading the general construction of the sentence is that which the Authorised version represents, "For the law . . . can never . . . make perfect." The better MSS., however, read "they can," a change which introduces some irregularity of construction: the pronoun "they" must probably in this case be understood of the priests. The order of the Greek is also very peculiar. Two translations of the verse (with the changed reading) may be given: (1) "They can never with the same sacrifices year by year which they offer continually make them that draw nigh perfect." (2) "They can never year by year, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually, make them that draw nigh perfect." The difference between the two renderings will be easily seen. The former makes the whole sentence to relate to the annual sacrifice on the Day of Atonement, and gives to "continually" almost the same meaning as "year by year." The meaning of the latter is that by the annual sacrifices, which are the same as those which the priests are offering for the people day by day (for the sacrifice of the Day of Atonement did not in itself differ from the ordinary sin offering), they cannot make the worshippers perfect. The latter translation agrees best with the original, and conveys a very striking thought. It is open, however, to a very serious objection--that it separates the verse into two incongruous parts. That annual sacrifices not different in kind from the sin offerings which were presented day by day (and which the very institution of the Day of Atonement declared to be imperfect) could not bring to the worshippers what they needed, is an important argument; but it has no connection with the first words of the verse. Hence, though the Greek does not very readily yield the former translation, it is probably to be preferred. With the expression "them that draw nigh" or "approach" (to God) comp. Hebrews 7:26, where the same word is used. On "make perfect" see Hebrews 7:11; Hebrews 9:9. . . . Verses 1-19. - CONCLUDING SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT WITH RESPECT TO CHRIST'S ETERNAL PRIESTHOOD. Verse 1. - For the Law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make the comers thereunto perfect. The Law is said here to exhibit a shadow (σκιὰν) of the good things to come (τῶν μελλόντων ἀγαθῶν), viz. of the "good things" of which Christ is come as "High Priest" (Hebrews 9:11), belonging to the μέλλων αἰών (Hebrews 6:5), μέλλουσα οἰκουμένη (Hebrews 2:5), which is still, in its full realization, future to us, though already inaugurated by Christ, and though we have already tasted the powers of it (Hebrews 6:5). Similarly (Hebrews 8:5) the priests under the Law are said to have served a copy and shadow of the heavenly things; i.e. of the heavenly realities to be revealed in the "coming age." To "shadow" is opposed "very image" (εἰκόνα), which means, not a representation apart from the things (as a statue or portrait may be called an image), but (as emphasized by αὐτὴν) the actual presentment of the things themselves; which were, in fact, archetypal and prior to the shadows of the Law, though their manifestation was reserved to the future age. Such is the sense of εἰκὼν in Colossians 3:10, κατ εἰκόνα τοῦ κτίσαντος αὐτόν: and Romans 8:29, συμμόρφους τῆς εἰκόνος τοῦ υἱοῦ. (Cf. Colossians 1:15, where Christ is called εἰκὼν τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ ἀοράτου: cf. also Colossians 2:17, where σκιὰ is opposed to σῶμα ( σηαδοω to body.) In the latter part of the verse, "they," who "offer," are the priests of the Law; "the comers thereunto" (οἱ προσερχομένοι) are the people who resort to the rites. "Make perfect" (τελειῶσαι) means full accomplishment for them of what is aimed at; in this case, remission of sin, and acceptance after complete atonement. The verb τελειοῦν, though variously applied, signifies always full completion of the purpose in view (cf. Hebrews 7:19, οὐδεν γὰρ ἐτελείωσεν ὁ νόμος). (For its application to Christ himself, see under Hebrews 2:10; 5:9.)Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Theὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Law νόμος (nomos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3551: From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively. is ἔχων (echōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. only a shadow Σκιὰν (Skian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 4639: Apparently a primary word; 'shade' or a shadow (darkness of error or an adumbration). of the τῶν (tōn) Article - Genitive Neuter Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. good things ἀγαθῶν (agathōn) Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural Strong's 18: A primary word; 'good'. to come, μελλόντων (mellontōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Neuter Plural Strong's 3195: A strengthened form of melo; to intend, i.e. Be about to be, do, or suffer something. not οὐκ (ouk) Adverb Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. the τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. realities εἰκόνα (eikona) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 1504: An image, likeness, bust. From eiko; a likeness, i.e. statue, profile, or representation, resemblance. themselves. αὐτὴν (autēn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. It can δύναται (dynatai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible. never, οὐδέποτε (oudepote) Adverb Strong's 3763: Never. From oude and pote; not even at any time, i.e. Never at all. by the ταῖς (tais) Article - Dative Feminine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. same αὐταῖς (autais) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Feminine 3rd Person Plural Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. sacrifices θυσίαις (thysiais) Noun - Dative Feminine Plural Strong's 2378: Abstr. and concr: sacrifice; a sacrifice, offering. From thuo; sacrifice. offered προσφέρουσιν (prospherousin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 4374: From pros and phero; to bear towards, i.e. Lead to, tender, treat. year after year, ἐνιαυτὸν (eniauton) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 1763: A year, cycle of time. Prolongation from a primary enos; a year. make perfect τελειῶσαι (teleiōsai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active Strong's 5048: From teleios; to complete, i.e. accomplish, or consummate. those who τοὺς (tous) Article - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. draw near [ to worship ]. προσερχομένους (proserchomenous) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 4334: From pros and erchomai; to approach, i.e. come near, visit, or worship, assent to. Links Hebrews 10:1 NIVHebrews 10:1 NLT Hebrews 10:1 ESV Hebrews 10:1 NASB Hebrews 10:1 KJV Hebrews 10:1 BibleApps.com Hebrews 10:1 Biblia Paralela Hebrews 10:1 Chinese Bible Hebrews 10:1 French Bible Hebrews 10:1 Catholic Bible NT Letters: Hebrews 10:1 For the law having a shadow (Heb. He. Hb) |
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