King James Version

What Does Hebrews 10:17 Mean?

Hebrews 10:17 in the King James Version says “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. And their: some copies have, Then he said, And their” — study this verse from Hebrews chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. And their: some copies have, Then he said, And their”

Hebrews 10:17 · KJV

Context

15

Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,

16

This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

17

And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. And their: some copies have, Then he said, And their

18

Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

19

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, boldness: or, liberty

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. This verse represents the climax of the new covenant promise and provides the theological foundation for the finality of Christ's sacrifice. The statement "I will remember no more" (ou mē mnēsthō eti, οὐ μὴ μνησθῶ ἔτι) uses the strongest possible Greek negation—absolutely, categorically, definitively God will not remember believers' sins. This is not divine forgetfulness (God is omniscient) but covenant commitment to treat believers as though their sins never occurred.

The distinction between "sins" (hamartiōn, ἁμαρτιῶν—missing the mark) and "iniquities" (anomiōn, ἀνομιῶν—lawlessness) encompasses all forms of moral failure. Whether sins of weakness or willful rebellion, ignorance or defiance, all are covered by this promise. God's commitment to forget encompasses the totality of human guilt.

This divine "forgetting" is based on Christ's atoning sacrifice. God can righteously not remember sins because they have been fully punished in Christ as our substitute. Divine justice has been satisfied; the penalty has been paid; God's wrath has been propitiated. Therefore, there remains no legal basis for God to charge believers with sin—it would be unjust to punish twice what has already been punished in Christ.

This promise demolishes all notions of purgatory, ongoing penance, or gradual payment for sins. If God remembers sins no more, they require no further purification or punishment. It refutes works-righteousness, which assumes we must somehow make satisfaction for our sins. It provides assurance—if God has committed never to remember our sins, no accuser (including our own conscience) can successfully bring charges against us (Romans 8:33-34).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The promise that God would remember sins no more represented a radical departure from the old covenant system. Under the Law, the Day of Atonement sacrifices provided covering (kippur) for sins, but the yearly repetition demonstrated that complete removal had not been achieved (Hebrews 10:1-3). The sacrifices reminded Israel of their guilt; they didn't permanently erase it.

Jeremiah's prophecy that God would remember sins no more awaited fulfillment in Christ's once-for-all sacrifice. Jesus Himself connected His death to this new covenant promise at the Last Supper. When He said "This is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Matthew 26:28), He was claiming to accomplish what the old covenant sacrifices could never achieve—permanent, complete forgiveness.

The Reformation recovered this glorious truth after centuries of medieval theology that emphasized ongoing penance, purgatory, and indulgences. Luther's discovery that "the righteous shall live by faith" included recognizing that Christ's atonement fully satisfied divine justice, leaving no debt for believers to pay. The Roman Catholic Council of Trent (1545-1563) explicitly rejected this understanding, insisting on the necessity of ongoing satisfaction for sins. Protestant theology maintained that such teaching denied the sufficiency of Christ's atonement and contradicted this very verse.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the promise that God will never remember your sins change your approach to prayer, especially confession?
  2. What practical difference should it make in your daily life that God has committed never to remember your sins?
  3. How can you combat feelings of guilt or unworthiness when God Himself has promised to remember your sins no more?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 12 words
καὶ1 of 12

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τῶν2 of 12
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἁμαρτιῶν3 of 12

“sins”

G266

a sin (properly abstract)

αὐτῶν4 of 12

“their”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ5 of 12

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τῶν6 of 12
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀνομιῶν7 of 12

“iniquities”

G458

illegality, i.e., violation of law or (genitive case) wickedness

αὐτῶν8 of 12

“their”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

οὐ9 of 12
G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

μὴ10 of 12
G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

μνησθῶ11 of 12

“will I remember”

G3415

to bear in mind, i.e., recollect; by implication, to reward or punish

ἔτι12 of 12

“more”

G2089

"yet," still (of time or degree)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Hebrews. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Hebrews 10:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Hebrews 10:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 31:34Hebrews 8:12

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