Vincent's Word Studies in the NT

Hebrews 10:1

The arrangement of the verse is much disputed. Rend. "The law, with the same sacrifices which they continually renew year by year, can never make the comers thereunto perfect." 217

A shadow [σ κ ι α ν]. The emphasis is on this thought. The legal system was a shadow. Skia is a rude outline, an adumbration, contrasted with eijkwn, the archetypal or ideal pattern. Skia does not accurately exhibit the figure itself. Comp. ch. Hebrews 8:5.

Of good things to come [τ ω ν μ ε λ λ ο ν τ ω ν α γ α θ ω ν]. From the point of view of the law.

The very image of the things [α υ τ η ν τ η ν ε ι κ ο ν α τ ω ν π ρ α γ μ α τ ω ν] For eijkwn image, see on Revelation 13:14; Philippians 2:7. Pragmatwn things expresses a little more distinctly than mellontwn the idea of facts and realities.

Can [δ υ ν α τ α ι]. Dunatai might be expected with oJ nomov the law as the subject. If dunatai, the plural, is retained, the clause the law - image of the things must be taken absolutely, the construction of the sentence breaking off suddenly, and the subject being changed from the law to the priests : "The priests can never," etc. It is better to read dunatai in the singular, with Tischendorf, Westcott and Hort, and Weiss.

Continually [ε ι ς τ ο δ ι η ν ε κ ε ς]. See on ch. Hebrews 7:3, and comp. vers. 12, 14. Const. with offer.

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Vincent's Word Studies in the NT

Hebrews 10:1

Old Testament

New Testament