Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

HEBREWS 10:9KJV
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Hebrews 10:9 (KJV)

What does Hebrews 10:9 mean?

Hebrews 10:9 presents Jesus as coming to do God’s will. The writer explains that, through Jesus, God sets aside the earlier arrangement centered on animal sacrifices and establishes a new way grounded in Jesus’ offering of himself.

Jesus’ words are addressed to God. After speaking of sacrifices in verse 8, the writer repeats Jesus’ declaration, “Lo, I come to do thy will.” The writer then comments on what Jesus’ coming means for the earlier sacrifices.

The Greek behind Hebrews 10:9

  • “away” — ἀναιρέω (anaireō): This word can carry the sense of removing or taking something away. Here, it describes the removal of “the first” so that “the second” can be established.
  • “establish” — ἵστημι (histēmi): This word can carry the sense of setting something in place. Here, it presents “the second” as taking its place in contrast to “the first.”

Why Hebrews 10:9 matters

  • The two things called “first” and “second” are identified by the surrounding passage. Verse 8 names sacrifices and offerings; verse 9 then points to Jesus’ coming to do God’s will.
  • Jesus’ offering is central to what follows. Verse 10 connects God’s will with “the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

Where else these words appear

“away” Greek G337 · used in 22 verses

  • Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
  • Acts 7:28 Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday?
  • Acts 16:27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

“come” Greek G2240 · used in 26 verses

  • Matthew 8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
  • Luke 15:27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
  • Hebrews 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come(in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

“second” Greek G1208 · used in 45 verses

  • Matthew 21:30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
  • Acts 7:13 And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph's kindred was made known unto Pharaoh.
  • Hebrews 9:7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:

“will” Greek G2307 · used in 60 verses

  • Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
  • Acts 13:22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.
  • Colossians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,