Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

HEBREWS 10:22KJV
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Hebrews 10:22 (KJV)

What does Hebrews 10:22 mean?

Hebrews 10:22 urges believers to approach God with sincerity and full confidence in their faith, describing a heart that has been cleansed from guilt and a body that has been purified. The verse highlights both an inner and outer readiness to come near to God, based on a clear conscience and spiritual assurance.

The writer of Hebrews is addressing a group of early Christians, encouraging them to draw near to God because of what Jesus has accomplished. The language of “hearts sprinkled” and “bodies washed” draws from Old Testament imagery of ritual cleansing, but here it points to a deeper, spiritual reality. The verse emphasizes that approaching God is not just about outward actions but about genuine faith and an inner transformation.

The Greek behind Hebrews 10:22

  • “Draw near” (προσέρχομαι, proserchomai, G4334) means to approach or come close, often used in the context of coming before God. Here, it suggests an open invitation for believers to come confidently into God’s presence.
  • “True” (ἀληθινός, alēthinos, G228) describes the kind of heart needed—one that is genuine and sincere, not just outwardly correct but inwardly honest.
  • “Assurance” (πληροφορία, plērophoria, G4136) carries the sense of full confidence or complete certainty, stressing that faith is not meant to be hesitant or doubtful.
  • “Sprinkled” (ῥαντίζω, rhantizō, G4472) and “washed” (λούω, louō, G3068) both refer to ceremonial acts of cleansing, but here they symbolize an inner purification from a guilty conscience and an outward sign of belonging to God.

Why Hebrews 10:22 matters

  • Hebrews 10:22 clarifies that drawing near to God is not just about external rituals but about a sincere heart and confident faith, moving beyond mere religious routine.
  • The verse connects the Old Testament imagery of cleansing to the new reality found in Christ, helping readers see the continuity and fulfillment of God’s promises.
  • By emphasizing both heart and body, Hebrews 10:22 shows that faith involves the whole person—inner belief and outward life—encouraging a holistic approach to relationship with God.

Where else these words appear

“assurance” Greek G4136 · used in 4 verses

  • Colossians 2:2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
  • 1 Thessalonians 1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
  • Hebrews 6:11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

“having” Greek G4472 · used in 4 verses

  • Hebrews 9:13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
  • Hebrews 9:19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
  • Hebrews 9:21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.

“washed” Greek G3068 · used in 6 verses

  • John 13:10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
  • Acts 9:37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
  • 2 Peter 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

“pure” Greek G2513 · used in 24 verses

  • Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
  • Acts 18:6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.
  • James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.