What does Hebrews 10:6 mean?

In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Hebrews 10:6

Explanation

Hebrews 10:6 follows a series of verses in which the author speaks about sacrifices and offerings according to the Old Testament Law. This verse, “In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure,” specifically conveys the idea that God does not find ultimate satisfaction in the ritualistic burnt offerings and sin sacrifices that were an integral part of the Jewish religious system. Instead, it suggests a deeper meaning behind the rituals, implying that God desires something more than the external observance of religious duties. This phrase challenges the belief held by some that merely performing religious rituals is enough to attain favor with God.

Historical Context

Hebrews was written to a group of early Christians who were predominantly Jewish and would have been very familiar with the Old Testament Law and its requirement for sacrifices. The historical context of the book of Hebrews is complex. It appears to come from a period when there was a struggle among Jewish Christians to fully understand the significance of Jesus in relation to the Law. The priestly sacrificial system was central to Jewish worship, especially the sacrifices that took place in the Temple in Jerusalem. By stating that God has “no pleasure” in these sacrifices, the author of Hebrews is pointing to a new understanding of God’s requirements born from the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse suggests several key insights:

1. The Insufficiency of Old Testament Sacrifices: It implies that the sacrifices offered under the old covenant were not capable of fully pleasing God or bringing about the redemption of human sin.

2. Christ’s Superior Sacrifice: Many theologians interpret this verse in light of the full context of Hebrews to mean that Christ’s sacrifice upon the cross is the only one in which God takes pleasure, as it is the perfect and complete sacrifice.

3. Internal vs. External Worship: It emphasizes the importance of internal transformation over external religious rituals. God desires a heart that is fully surrendered to Him rather than mere mechanical observance of the Law.

Practical Applications

This verse has several practical applications in daily life:

1. Authentic Worship: It calls for genuine worship that comes from a heart transformed by faith rather than a reliance on mere external religious practices.

2. Relationship over Ritual: Believers are encouraged to focus on fostering a relationship with God that is beyond rituals, reflecting on the inner aspects of faith like love, justice, mercy, and obedience to God.

3. Reflection on Motives: It serves as a reminder to continually examine one’s motives in worship and religious practice, ensuring the goal is to please God rather than to simply check off a list of religious duties.

Cross-References

1. Psalm 51:16 – “For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.”
2. Isaiah 1:11 – “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.”
3. Micah 6:6-8 – “Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings… He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
4. Mark 12:33 – “And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

Language Study

In the original Greek language, the phrase “no pleasure” comes from the Greek “ouk eudokeo,” which means to not be pleased with, to not approve of, or to not find favor in. The term refers to a state of dissatisfaction or disapproval. The words “burnt offerings” (holocaustos) and “sacrifices for sin” (peri hamartias) were technical terms for specific types of sacrifices in the Jewish religious system. Holocaustos refers to a whole burnt offering that is entirely consumed by fire, while peri hamartias refers to offerings specifically for the atonement of sin.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient cultures, including the Israelites’, sacrifices were considered a means to appease the gods and maintain a favorable relationship with them. The idea that God could find “no pleasure” in sacrifices would have been countercultural at the time, as it suggests that the deity’s desire goes beyond physical offerings. Comparatively, in some other ancient religions, such as those of the Greeks and Romans, there was also a concept that the gods desired more than the external rituals – an ethical life and just actions were often emphasized.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives may not directly bear upon this verse unless considering the psychology of religious practices. Modern psychology and sociology often explore how ritualistic acts affect human behavior and society’s collective conscience. They have found that ritual and sacrifice can indeed affect moral behavior and social cohesion, but this verse points to a different sort of efficacy in religious observance – a spiritual efficacy that transcends mere outward acts.

commentaries

Commentators throughout history have shared diverse views on this verse.

1. John Calvin interpreted this passage to mean that the Old Testament sacrifices were never intended to be the final solution to sin, but were instituted to point to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.

2. Matthew Henry commented on the necessity of internal obedience and righteousness over the external rite, underlining the fact that these sacrifices were a shadow of the good things to come in Christ.

3. The Pulpit Commentary states that this scripture emphasizes the limitation of the ceremonial law and the superiority of Christ’s obedience which God ordained as a prelude to end all sacrifice.

Generally, there is a consensus among experts that Hebrews 10:6 highlights the transition from the old covenant of law and sacrifices to the new covenant in Christ, where the inefficacy of the Law is made apparent in light of the coming of the true and final sacrificial Lamb.