Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

HEBREWS 10:5KJV
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Hebrews 10:5 (KJV)

What does Hebrews 10:5 mean?

Hebrews 10:5 says that when Christ comes into the world, he declares that God does not desire animal sacrifices and offerings, but instead has prepared a body for him. This verse points to a shift from the old system of sacrifices to the significance of Christ himself.

The writer of Hebrews is quoting words attributed to Jesus as he enters the world, addressing God. The context is a discussion about how animal sacrifices under the old covenant could not truly take away sins. By saying "a body hast thou prepared me," the verse highlights the idea that Jesus’ physical life and coming sacrifice are what God truly desired, not just ritual offerings.

The Greek behind Hebrews 10:5

  • "σῶμα" (sōma, G4983) means "body." The emphasis on a prepared body highlights the physical, human life of Jesus, showing that his coming in the flesh is central to God's plan.
  • "κατηρτίσω" (katērtisō, G2675) means "prepared." This word suggests careful intention and purpose, underlining that Jesus’ incarnation was not accidental but part of God’s deliberate design.
  • "θυσία" (thysia, G2378) and "προσφορά" (prosphora, G4376) mean "sacrifice" and "offering." Mentioning both terms covers the full range of Old Testament sacrifices, stressing that none of them fulfilled what God ultimately wanted.

Why Hebrews 10:5 matters

  • Hebrews 10:5 clarifies that God’s true desire was not endless animal sacrifices but the willing self-offering of Christ, which brings real forgiveness.
  • This verse helps readers see the connection between Old Testament rituals and their fulfillment in Jesus, making sense of why the old system was only temporary.
  • It sets up the argument in Hebrews that Jesus’ sacrifice is once-for-all and completely sufficient, unlike the repeated offerings of the old covenant.

Where else these words appear

“offering” Greek G4376 · used in 9 verses

  • Acts 21:26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.
  • Romans 15:16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
  • Hebrews 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

“prepared” Greek G2675 · used in 13 verses

  • Matthew 4:21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
  • Romans 9:22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
  • 1 Thessalonians 3:10 Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

“Sacrifice” Greek G2378 · used in 29 verses

  • Matthew 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
  • 1 Corinthians 10:18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
  • Hebrews 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

“Wherefore” Greek G1352 · used in 52 verses

  • Matthew 27:8 Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.
  • Romans 15:7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.