Hebrews 10:16

Authorized King James Version

This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
Αὕτη
This
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
#2
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#3
διαθήκη
is the covenant
properly, a disposition, i.e., (specially) a contract (especially a devisory will)
#4
ἣν
that
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
#5
διαθήσομαι
I will make
to put apart, i.e., (figuratively) dispose (by assignment, compact, or bequest)
#6
πρὸς
with
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
#7
αὐτούς
their
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
#8
μετὰ
after
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
#9
τὰς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#10
ἡμέρας
days
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
#11
ἐκείνας
those
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
#12
λέγει
saith
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
#13
κύριος·
the Lord
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
#14
διδοὺς
I will put
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
#15
νόμους
laws
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
#16
μου
my
of me
#17
ἐπὶ
in
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
#18
καρδίας
hearts
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
#19
αὐτούς
their
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
#20
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#21
ἐπὶ
in
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
#22
τῶν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#23
διανοιῶν
minds
deep thought, properly, the faculty (mind or its disposition), by implication, its exercise
#24
αὐτούς
their
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
#25
ἐπιγράψω
will I write
to inscribe (physically or mentally)
#26
αὐτούς
their
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

Analysis

The covenant theme here intersects with God's relationship with His people from Abraham through the new covenant. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of evolution from creation covenant through Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, to new covenant. The phrase emphasizing covenant contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's relational commitment from Noah to the new covenant.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on covenant particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show treaty language and adoption practices from the ancient world, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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