Hebrews 8:10
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
Original Language Analysis
ὅτι
For
G3754
ὅτι
For
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
1 of 39
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
αὕτη
this
G3778
αὕτη
this
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
2 of 39
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 39
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διαθήκη
is the covenant
G1242
διαθήκη
is the covenant
Strong's:
G1242
Word #:
4 of 39
properly, a disposition, i.e., (specially) a contract (especially a devisory will)
ἣν
that
G3739
ἣν
that
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
5 of 39
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
διαθήσομαι
I will make
G1303
διαθήσομαι
I will make
Strong's:
G1303
Word #:
6 of 39
to put apart, i.e., (figuratively) dispose (by assignment, compact, or bequest)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 39
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἴκῳ
with the house
G3624
οἴκῳ
with the house
Strong's:
G3624
Word #:
8 of 39
a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively)
Ἰσραὴλ
of Israel
G2474
Ἰσραὴλ
of Israel
Strong's:
G2474
Word #:
9 of 39
israel (i.e., jisrael), the adopted name of jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively)
μετὰ
after
G3326
μετὰ
after
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
10 of 39
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 39
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡμέρας
days
G2250
ἡμέρας
days
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
12 of 39
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
ἐκείνας
those
G1565
ἐκείνας
those
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
13 of 39
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
λέγει
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
14 of 39
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
κύριος·
the Lord
G2962
κύριος·
the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
15 of 39
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
διδοὺς
I will put
G1325
διδοὺς
I will put
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
16 of 39
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
νόμους
laws
G3551
νόμους
laws
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
17 of 39
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
19 of 39
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 39
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διάνοιαν
mind
G1271
διάνοιαν
mind
Strong's:
G1271
Word #:
21 of 39
deep thought, properly, the faculty (mind or its disposition), by implication, its exercise
αὐτοὶ
their
G846
αὐτοὶ
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
22 of 39
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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
23 of 39
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπὶ
in
G1909
ἐπὶ
in
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
24 of 39
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
καρδίας
hearts
G2588
καρδίας
hearts
Strong's:
G2588
Word #:
25 of 39
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
αὐτοὶ
their
G846
αὐτοὶ
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
26 of 39
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
αὐτοὶ
their
G846
αὐτοὶ
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
28 of 39
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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
29 of 39
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοὶ
their
G846
αὐτοὶ
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
31 of 39
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
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
32 of 39
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
θεόν
a God
G2316
θεόν
a God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
33 of 39
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
34 of 39
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοὶ
their
G846
αὐτοὶ
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
35 of 39
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
Cross References
Jeremiah 31:33But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.2 Corinthians 3:3Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.Jeremiah 24:7And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.Deuteronomy 30:6And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.1 Peter 2:9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:Romans 11:27For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.James 1:21Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.Titus 2:14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.1 Peter 1:23Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.Zechariah 8:8And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.
Historical Context
This contrasts with the stone tablets at Sinai. Ezekiel 36:26-27 similarly promises a new heart and God's Spirit within, enabling obedience. The new covenant accomplishes what the old commanded but couldn't enable.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Spirit's internal work differ from external law-keeping?
- What does it mean practically that God's law is written on your heart?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The new covenant's mechanism: 'I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts.' This is internal transformation, not external legislation. The Spirit enables obedience from regenerate hearts, not merely external compliance. The result is intimate relationship: 'I will be their God, and they shall be My people.' Reformed theology sees regeneration and the Spirit's indwelling as distinguishing the new covenant from the old.