Bible Strands
Hebrews 10:4
because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The author addresses Jewish Christians tempted to revert to the old covenant by contrasting repeated animal sacrifices with Christ's arrival.
The words — ἀδύνατον (adynaton) translates literally to "impossible," and ἀφαιρεῖν (aphairein) means "to take away."
The thread — The insufficiency of repeated sacrifices runs through Hebrews 10:11, Isaiah 1:11, and Micah 6:6.
Why it lands — The text states that animal blood cannot remove sin, requiring a reader to abandon ritual repetition and recognize the necessity of Christ's offering.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
Cross-references
- Hebrews 10:11 Day after day every priest stands to minister and to offer again and again the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
- Isaiah 1:11 “What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.
- Micah 6:6 With what shall I come before the LORD when I bow before the God on high? Should I come to Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves?
- Romans 11:27 And this is My covenant with them when I take away their sins.”
- 1 John 3:5 But you know that Christ appeared to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin.
- Mark 12:33 and to love Him with all your heart and with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. This is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
- Hebrews 10:8 In the passage above He says, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not desire, nor did You delight in them” (although they are offered according to the law).
- Psalms 51:16 For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings.
- Hosea 6:6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
- Amos 5:21 “I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies.