Hebrews 10:4-7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 10:7

In the volume of the book - ספר במגלת bimgillath sepher , "in the roll of the book." Anciently, books were written on skins and rolled up. Among the Romans these were called volumina, from volvo , I roll; and the Pentateuch, in the Jewish synagogues, is still written in this way. There are two wooden rollers; on one they roll on, on the other they roll off, as they proceed in reading. The book mentioned here must be the Pentateuch, or five books of Moses; for in David's time no other... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 10:4

Verse 4 4.For it is not possible, etc. He confirms the former sentiment with the same reason which he had adduced before, that the blood of beasts could not cleanse souls from sin. The Jews, indeed, had in this a symbol and a pledge of the real cleansing; but it was with reference to another, even as the blood of the calf represented the blood of Christ. But the Apostle is speaking here of the efficacy of the blood of beasts in itself. He therefore justly takes away from it the power of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 10:5

Verse 5 5.Wherefore, when he cometh, etc. This entering into the world was the manifestation of Christ in the flesh; for when he put on man’s nature that he might be a Redeemer to the world and appeared to men, he is said to have then come into the world, as elsewhere he is said to have descended from heaven. (John 6:41.) And yet the Psalms 41:6, which he quotes, seems to be improperly applied to Christ, for what is found there by no means suits his character, such as, “My iniquities have laid... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 10:7

Verse 7 7.In the volume or chapter of the book, etc. Volume is properly the meaning of the Hebrew word; for we know that books were formerly rolled up in the form of a cylinder. There is also nothing unreasonable in understanding book as meaning the Law, which prescribes to all God’s children the rule of a holy life; though it seems to me a more suitable view to consider him as saying, that he deemed himself to be in the catalogue of those who render themselves obedient to God. The Law, indeed,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 10:1-18

Close of the argument. This concluding passage presents little more than a re-statement of some points which have been already marked in the discussion which occupies the three preceding chapters. The kernel-thought of the paragraph is expressed in Hebrews 10:9 : "He taketh away the first" (the Jewish sacrifices), "that he may establish the second" (redemption by the sacrifice of himself). I. THE INHERENT WORTHLESSNESS OF THE LEVITICAL SACRIFICES , ( Hebrews 10:1-4 )... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 10:1-19

CONCLUDING SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT WITH RESPECT TO CHRIST 'S ETERNAL PRIESTHOOD . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 10:4

For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats (specified as being the offerings of the Day of Atonement) should take away sins. The principle of the insufficiency of animal sacrifices having been thus expressed, confirmation of it is now further adduced from the Old Testament itself, together with a prophetic anticipation of the great self-oblation which was to take their place. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 10:5-7

Wherefore, when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body didst thou prepare me: In whole burnt offering and offerings for sin thou hadst no pleasure: Then said I, Lo, I am come (in the volume (i.e. roll) of the book it is written of me) to do thy will, O God. The quotation is from Psalms 40:6 , Psalms 40:7 , Psalms 40:8 . It is entitled "a psalm of David," nor is there anything in the psalm itself incompatible with his authorship. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 10:5-10

The imperfect sacrifices and the perfect Sacrifice. "Wherefore when he cometh into the world," etc. I. THE IMPERFECT SACRIFICES . The imperfection of the legal sacrifices has been exhibited already with considerable fullness. In the preceding verses of this chapter it is pointed out that they were mere shadows of the true Sacrifice; they could not cleanse the offerers, or take away their sins. Another aspect of this imperfection is brought into view in our text. These sacrifices... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 10:4

For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins - The reference here is to the sacrifices which were made on the great day of the atonement, for on that day the blood of bulls and of goats alone was offered; see the notes on Hebrews 9:7. Paul here means to say, doubtless, that it was not possible that the blood of these animals should make a complete expiation so as to purify the conscience, and so as to save the sinner from deserved wrath. According to the... read more

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