And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

HEBREWS 10:17KJV
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Hebrews 10:17 (KJV)

What does Hebrews 10:17 mean?

Hebrews 10:17 says that God will no longer remember the sins and wrongdoings of His people. This means that, according to the promise quoted here, God chooses not to hold past failures against them any longer.

The writer of Hebrews is addressing Jewish Christians, reminding them of God’s promise from the Old Testament (specifically Jeremiah 31). The verse is part of a larger argument that, through Jesus’ sacrifice, forgiveness is complete and there is no longer a need for repeated offerings for sin.

The Greek behind Hebrews 10:17

  • ἁμαρτίαι (hamartiai, G266): This word means "sins," referring to actions that miss the mark or fall short of what is right. The use here emphasizes all kinds of moral failures.
  • ἀνομίαι (anomiai, G458): This word is often translated "iniquities" and points to lawless acts or deeper rebellion. The pairing with "sins" covers both general wrongdoing and deliberate disobedience.
  • μνησθήσομαι (mnēsthēsomai, G3415): This is the word for "remember." In Greek, it often means to call something to mind or to keep it in account. Here, it stresses that God is choosing not to bring these things up again.
  • οὐ μή (ou mē, G3364 + G2089): This strong double negative means "absolutely not" or "never again." The phrase underlines the finality of God’s forgiveness—He will never remember these sins anymore.

Why Hebrews 10:17 matters

  • Hebrews 10:17 clarifies that forgiveness in Christ is total; God is not keeping a secret record of past sins to bring up later.
  • The verse highlights the difference between the old sacrificial system, which offered only temporary relief, and the new covenant, which brings lasting forgiveness.
  • This promise connects to the broader message of Hebrews: that Jesus’ sacrifice is sufficient and believers can trust in the completeness of God’s mercy.

Where else these words appear

“iniquities” Greek G458 · used in 13 verses

  • Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
  • Romans 4:7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
  • Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

“remember” Greek G3415 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
  • Luke 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
  • Acts 11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

“no” Greek G3364 · used in 84 verses

  • Matthew 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
  • Luke 1:15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
  • John 13:8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

“more” Greek G2089 · used in 86 verses

  • Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
  • Luke 24:41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?
  • Galatians 5:11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.