Hebrews 10:8-10
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The author emphasizes that the sacrifices mentioned were "offered according to the law," highlighting their ritualistic nature and their designed place within an older covenant, thereby setting them apart from the ultimate sacrifice to come. This detail isn't just a descriptor; it underscores that these sacrifices, though divinely ordained at one time, were part of a system that God himself declared He didn't fully desire or take pleasure in, paving the way for something new.
When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author is continuing an argument by quoting Psalm 40, first highlighting God's rejection of sacrifices and now emphasizing Christ's willing obedience. This verse restates that God desired neither the prescribed sacrifices and offerings, which were offered according to the Mosaic Law, nor took pleasure in them. The following verses will then contrast this with Christ's declaration, "Lo, I come to do your will," showing His perfect sacrifice fulfilled God's purpose where the others failed.
Why did God declare that He 'neither desired nor taken pleasure' in the very sacrifices He commanded?
This verse, quoting Psalm 40, highlights a crucial point: God's heart wasn't truly in the endless cycle of animal sacrifices mandated by the Law. It's not that He hated the idea of sacrifice, but rather that these were temporary measures pointing towards something greater.
A Shift in Focus
The ritual sacrifices, while important for atonement under the Old Covenant, were never meant to be the ultimate solution. They were a placeholder, a system that highlighted humanity's sinfulness and need for a perfect sacrifice.
The Limitation of Law
The phrase 'which are offered according to the law' is key. It reminds us that these sacrifices were bound by a specific, legal framework. They were imperfect because the law itself was imperfect and couldn't bring true, lasting cleansing.
If God wasn't pleased with the old system, what did He truly want?
The immediate follow-up in the larger passage (Hebrews 10:9) reveals God's ultimate desire: the willing obedience of His Son. When the author says 'Above when he said... then he said,' he's connecting these two declarations.
A New Covenant, A New Offering
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God's 'pleasure' wasn't in repeated animal bloodshed, but in Jesus Christ's perfect obedience. Christ's entire body, offered once for all, fulfilled the will of God in a way no Levitical sacrifice ever could.
Obedience Over Ritual
This wasn't just about fulfilling a religious duty; it was about actively 'doing God's will.' Christ's sacrifice wasn't just an offering; it was the ultimate act of submission and love, perfectly aligning with the Father's plan for humanity's redemption.
Understand the original words
nomos · Greek Noun
The totality of the Mosaic Law, including its commandments, rituals, and ordinances, which pointed toward Christ.
hagiazō · Greek Verb
The state of being set apart or consecrated for God’s exclusive use; in the New Covenant, it refers to being positionally made holy through faith in Christ.
sōma · Greek Noun
The physical human form of Jesus, which he offered as the definitive, atoning sacrifice to satisfy God’s justice.
ephapax · Greek Adverb
A term signifying that Christ's sacrifice was unique, complete, and unrepeatable, permanently finishing the work of redemption.
This verse is deeply rooted in the Old Testament's sacrificial system, particularly Psalm 40. The author of Hebrews uses this ancient text to contrast God's ultimate will—fulfilled in Christ's sacrifice—with the temporary and insufficient sacrifices mandated by the Mosaic Law.
c. 1000 BC
King David's Reign and Psalms
King David, a key figure in Israel's history, writes many Psalms, including Psalm 40. This Psalm contains the passage about God not desiring sacrifices, which the author of Hebrews will later cite.
c. 515 BC
Second Temple Construction Complete
After the Babylonian exile, the Second Temple is completed in Jerusalem. Its sacrificial system, as prescribed by the Law of Moses, continues to be central to Jewish worship.
c. 500 BC - AD 100
Septuagint Translation
The Old Testament is translated into Greek (the Septuagint), becoming the common version of Scripture for many Jews and early Christians, including the author of Hebrews.
c. AD 30— this verse
Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is crucified. His sacrificial death is presented in Hebrews as the once-for-all atonement that fulfills and replaces the Levitical sacrifices.
c. AD 64-67
Writing of the Book of Hebrews
The Epistle to the Hebrews is written, likely to Jewish Christians facing persecution or internal pressure to revert to Mosaic Law. The author uses Old Testament scripture to argue for Christ's supremacy.
This is the original Old Testament passage being quoted in Hebrews, establishing the direct link and foundation for the argument about God's preference away from mere sacrifice.
Isaiah 1:11This prophetic passage echoes the sentiment that God is not pleased with mere ritualistic sacrifices, highlighting a consistent theme throughout Scripture about the inadequacy of external offerings without internal devotion.
Jeremiah 7:22-23Here, God explicitly states that the original command was not primarily about sacrifices, but about obedience, reinforcing the idea that the law's offerings were secondary to the heart's disposition.
Romans 12:1This verse presents a New Testament parallel, calling believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, showing how the concept of sacrifice has been transformed from external rituals to internal, whole-life consecration in Christ.
meyerHebrews 10:8: "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;"
Hebrews 10:8-10 . Contrasting of the two main elements in the citation just adduced, and emphasizing of the fact that the one element, upon which God lays no stress, is represented by Judaism; the other , to which value is attached in God’s sight, is represented by Christianity. ἀνώτερον ] above , in the opening word…
pulpitHebrews 10:8: "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;"
Verses 8-10. - Saying above that Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and offerings for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein (such as are offered according to the Law); then hath he said, Lo, I come to do thy will; i.e. he has made this second assertion while making the first also. The…
The author emphasizes that the sacrifices mentioned were "offered according to the law," highlighting their ritualistic nature and their designed place within an older covenant, thereby setting them apart from the ultimate sacrifice to come. This detail isn't just a descriptor; it underscores that these sacrifices, though divinely ordained at one time, were part of a system that God himself declared He didn't fully desire or take pleasure in, paving the way for something new.
The author is continuing an argument by quoting Psalm 40, first highlighting God's rejection of sacrifices and now emphasizing Christ's willing obedience. This verse restates that God desired neither the prescribed sacrifices and offerings, which were offered according to the Mosaic Law, nor took pleasure in them. The following verses will then contrast this with Christ's declaration, "Lo, I come to do your will," showing His perfect sacrifice fulfilled God's purpose where the others failed.
The author is continuing an argument by quoting Psalm 40, first highlighting God's rejection of sacrifices and now emphasizing Christ's willing obedience. This verse restates that God desired neither the prescribed sacrifices and offerings, which were offered according to the Mosaic Law, nor took pleasure in them. The following verses will then contrast this with Christ's declaration, "Lo, I come to do your will," showing His perfect sacrifice fulfilled God's purpose where the others failed.
"When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does awa…" — The author emphasizes that the sacrifices mentioned were "offered according to the law," highlighting their ritualistic nature and their designed place within an older covenant, thereby setting them…
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Last reviewed October 2026
