King James Version

What Does Hebrews 8:10 Mean?

Hebrews 8:10 in the King James Version says “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws ... — study this verse from Hebrews chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: put: Gr. give in: or, upon

Hebrews 8:10 · KJV


Context

8

For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

9

Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

10

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: put: Gr. give in: or, upon

11

And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest .

12

For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The new covenant's mechanism: 'I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts.' This is internal transformation, not external legislation. The Spirit enables obedience from regenerate hearts, not merely external compliance. The result is intimate relationship: 'I will be their God, and they shall be My people.' Reformed theology sees regeneration and the Spirit's indwelling as distinguishing the new covenant from the old.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This contrasts with the stone tablets at Sinai. Ezekiel 36:26-27 similarly promises a new heart and God's Spirit within, enabling obedience. The new covenant accomplishes what the old commanded but couldn't enable.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the Spirit's internal work differ from external law-keeping?
  2. What does it mean practically that God's law is written on your heart?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 39 words
ὅτι1 of 39

For

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

αὕτη2 of 39

this

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

3 of 39
G3588

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

διαθήκη4 of 39

is the covenant

G1242

properly, a disposition, i.e., (specially) a contract (especially a devisory will)

ἣν5 of 39

that

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

διαθήσομαι6 of 39

I will make

G1303

to put apart, i.e., (figuratively) dispose (by assignment, compact, or bequest)

τῷ7 of 39
G3588

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

οἴκῳ8 of 39

with the house

G3624

a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively)

Ἰσραὴλ9 of 39

of Israel

G2474

israel (i.e., jisrael), the adopted name of jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively)

μετὰ10 of 39

after

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

τὰς11 of 39
G3588

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

ἡμέρας12 of 39

days

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

ἐκείνας13 of 39

those

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

λέγει14 of 39

saith

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

κύριος·15 of 39

the Lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

διδοὺς16 of 39

I will put

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

νόμους17 of 39

laws

G3551

law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat

μου18 of 39

my

G3450

of me

εἰς19 of 39

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὴν20 of 39
G3588

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

διάνοιαν21 of 39

mind

G1271

deep thought, properly, the faculty (mind or its disposition), by implication, its exercise

αὐτοὶ22 of 39

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

καὶ23 of 39

and

G2532

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

ἐπὶ24 of 39

in

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

καρδίας25 of 39

hearts

G2588

the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle

αὐτοὶ26 of 39

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

ἐπιγράψω27 of 39

write

G1924

to inscribe (physically or mentally)

αὐτοὶ28 of 39

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

καὶ29 of 39

and

G2532

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

ἔσονταί30 of 39

I will be

G2071

will be

αὐτοὶ31 of 39

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

εἰς32 of 39

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

θεόν33 of 39

a God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

καὶ34 of 39

and

G2532

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

αὐτοὶ35 of 39

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

ἔσονταί36 of 39

I will be

G2071

will be

μοι37 of 39

me

G3427

to me

εἰς38 of 39

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

λαόν·39 of 39

a people

G2992

a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)


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 8:10 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 8:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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