Hebrews 10:4

4 It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Hebrews 10:4 in Other Translations

4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

4 For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

4 The plain fact is that bull and goat blood can't get rid of sin.

4 For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.

4 (The blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sins.)

4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

4 It isn't possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Hebrews 10:4 Meaning and Commentary

Hebrews 10:4

For it is not possible
There is a necessity of sin being taken away, otherwise it will be remembered; and there will be a conscience of it, and it must be answered for, or it will remain marked, and the curse and penalty of the law must take place: but it is impossible

that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins;
which was shed on the day of atonement: sin is a breach of the moral law, but these sacrifices belong to, the ceremonial law, which are less acceptable to God than moral duties; sin is committed against God, and has an objective infiniteness in it, and therefore can never be atoned for by the blood of such creatures; it leaves a stain on the mind and conscience, which this blood cannot reach; besides, this is not the same blood, nor of the same kind with the person that has sinned; yea, if this could take away sin, it would do more than the blood of the man himself could do; such blood shed can never answer the penalty of the law, satisfy divine justice, or secure the honour of divine holiness: but what the blood of these creatures could not do, the blood of Christ has done, and does: that takes away sin from the sight of justice, and from the consciences of the saints. Compare with this the Septuagint version of ( Jeremiah 11:15 ) .

``what, has the beloved committed abomination in my house? shall prayers, and the holy flesh take away thy wickednesses from thee, or by these shall thou escape?''

Hebrews 10:4 In-Context

2 Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins.

3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins.

4 It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me;

6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased.

Cross References

• 1. Hebrews 9:12,13
• 2. ver 1,11