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Book of Hebrews - Chapter 10 - Verse 5

10:5
Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

Meaning

When Jesus came into the world, he declared that God did not desire sacrifices and offerings, but instead, He had prepared a body for Jesus to fulfill His purpose. This verse emphasizes the importance of Jesus's incarnation and how it was necessary for Him to come in human form to offer the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity. The previous sacrifices and offerings made by the Israelites were insufficient to truly atone for sin, leading to the need for a perfect and complete sacrifice. Jesus, with the body prepared for Him by God, became the ultimate sacrifice through His death on the cross. This passage foreshadows the crucifixion of Jesus and the establishment of a new covenant between God and humanity, based on His sacrifice rather than the blood of animals. It underscores the divine plan of redemption and the unique role Jesus plays in bridging the gap between God and humanity.

Theological Overview

One theological interpretation of Hebrews 10:5 centers around the idea of Jesus being the ultimate sacrifice for sin. The verse highlights how God was not pleased with the sacrifices and offerings prescribed in the Old Testament law, but instead desired a perfect sacrifice that would truly atone for sin. This prophecy is seen as pointing to Jesus Christ, whose body was prepared as the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of humanity. The use of the word "prepared" indicates the intentional and specific nature of Jesus' sacrifice, which was foreordained and planned by God for the redemption of all. This verse emphasizes the importance of Jesus' physical body in fulfilling the role of the perfect sacrifice, setting him apart as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Through this theological lens, we see Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrificial system, ushering in a new covenant based on his sacrificial death on the cross.

American Standard Version

Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, But a body didst thou prepare for me;
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