Hebrews 10:1
For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
Original Language Analysis
Σκιὰν
a shadow
G4639
Σκιὰν
a shadow
Strong's:
G4639
Word #:
1 of 29
"shade" or a shadow (literally or figuratively (darkness of error or an adumbration))
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 29
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ἔχων
having
G2192
ἔχων
having
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
3 of 29
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νόμος
the law
G3551
νόμος
the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
5 of 29
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μελλόντων
to come
G3195
μελλόντων
to come
Strong's:
G3195
Word #:
7 of 29
to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili
αὐταῖς
the very
G846
αὐταῖς
the very
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 29
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
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εἰκόνα
image
G1504
εἰκόνα
image
Strong's:
G1504
Word #:
12 of 29
a likeness, i.e., (literally) statue, profile, or (figuratively) representation, resemblance
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πραγμάτων
of the things
G4229
πραγμάτων
of the things
Strong's:
G4229
Word #:
14 of 29
a deed; by implication, an affair; by extension, an object (material)
κατ'
year by year
G2596
κατ'
year by year
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
15 of 29
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
ταῖς
G3588
ταῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐταῖς
the very
G846
αὐταῖς
the very
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
18 of 29
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
θυσίαις
sacrifices
G2378
θυσίαις
sacrifices
Strong's:
G2378
Word #:
19 of 29
sacrifice (the act or the victim, literally or figuratively)
ἃς
which
G3739
ἃς
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
20 of 29
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
προσφέρουσιν
they offered
G4374
προσφέρουσιν
they offered
Strong's:
G4374
Word #:
21 of 29
to bear towards, i.e., lead to, tender (especially to god), treat
εἰς
continually
G1519
εἰς
continually
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
22 of 29
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διηνεκὲς
G1336
διηνεκὲς
Strong's:
G1336
Word #:
24 of 29
carried through, i.e., (adverbially with g1519 and g3588 prefixed) perpetually
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
27 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Hebrews 8:5Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.Hebrews 9:11But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;Colossians 2:17Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.Hebrews 9:23It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
Historical Context
The Day of Atonement came every year (Leviticus 16), testifying that last year's sacrifice was insufficient. This endless cycle demonstrated the old covenant's inability to perfect consciences or remove sin definitively.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding OT sacrifices as shadows help you appreciate Christ's perfect sacrifice?
- What does Christ's single sacrifice accomplish that thousands of animal sacrifices could not?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The law had only 'a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things.' A shadow provides outline but no substance. The law pointed to realities fulfilled in Christ. The repetition of sacrifices 'continually year by year' proves they 'can never...make the comers thereunto perfect.' If they worked, the sacrifices would cease. Continuation proves inadequacy.