Hebrews 10:6 — “With burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased.”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
This verse is part of a larger quote from Psalm 40, where the speaker is reflecting on what truly matters to God. It’s a strong statement: God was not pleased with burnt offerings and sin offerings. That’s surprising on the surface, because God Himself commanded those sacrifices in the Old Testament.
But the point is this: the outward act of offering sacrifices was never the end goal. God didn’t just want ritual. He wanted people’s hearts. When the heart wasn’t in it, when the offering was just going through the motions, God wasn’t pleased. Even when done correctly, the offerings were only temporary pictures of what was still to come. They didn’t solve the problem of sin—they only covered it up for a time.
This verse shows that God was never ultimately satisfied with animal sacrifices. They were not the real answer to sin. They were a sign pointing forward to the real solution—Jesus.
Historical Context
In the Old Testament, especially in Leviticus, God gave instructions for burnt offerings and sin offerings. These sacrifices were meant to deal with different aspects of sin and worship. A burnt offering was a way to express devotion and surrender to God. A sin offering was for dealing with guilt and wrongdoing.
But over time, many people started relying on the ritual itself, instead of the repentance and faith behind it. That’s why, even in the Old Testament, God often said He wasn’t pleased with sacrifices when the people’s hearts were far from Him (see Isaiah 1:11 and Amos 5:21-24).
By the time the letter to the Hebrews was written, Jesus had already come and offered the only sacrifice that could truly satisfy God’s justice. The writer is reminding believers that the old way was never enough—and never what God ultimately wanted.
Theological Implications
This verse highlights a deep truth: God is after the heart, not just religious acts. The old sacrifices could never make people truly right with God. They were never the final solution. They were temporary measures, meant to prepare people for something greater.
This verse also shows that true worship and obedience come from the inside out. God doesn’t want rituals that don’t match the heart. He wants love, trust, and obedience. That’s why He sent Jesus—to do what offerings could never do.
It also helps us understand that God’s plan was always leading to Jesus. The old covenant had a purpose, but it was never meant to be permanent.
Literary Analysis
Hebrews 10:6 continues the quote from Psalm 40, forming part of a poetic and prophetic declaration. The repetition of the kinds of offerings—“burnt offerings and sin offerings”—is meant to emphasize how even the most central and serious sacrifices in the old system weren’t enough to please God.
The structure builds the argument. In verse 5, Jesus says God didn’t desire sacrifices. Now in verse 6, He says God wasn’t pleased with them. The build-up leads into verse 7, where Jesus declares His readiness to do God’s will. This whole section is carefully crafted to highlight the difference between old rituals and Christ’s obedience.
Biblical Cross-References
- 1 Samuel 15:22 – “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”
- Psalm 51:16-17 – “You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it… a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.”
- Isaiah 1:11 – “The multitude of your sacrifices—what are they to me? says the Lord… I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.”
- Micah 6:6-8 – “Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams?… He has shown you… what is good.”
All of these passages remind us that God wants our hearts, not just our actions.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
This verse challenges us to think about our own worship and relationship with God. Are we going through the motions? Or are we truly offering our hearts to God? God is not impressed with routine religion. He’s looking for sincerity, trust, and a life surrendered to Him.
It also reminds us not to place our confidence in what we do for God, but in what Jesus has done for us. No religious activity—no matter how well-intentioned—can replace the need for real faith in Jesus.
This verse pushes us toward a deeper, more genuine walk with God.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is seen clearly here. He wasn’t content with a system that only went skin-deep. He wasn’t satisfied with partial fixes. He wanted something better for us—something that could change hearts, not just clean up the outside.
Out of love, God moved beyond a sacrificial system that couldn’t truly remove sin. He sent His Son to offer Himself, once and for all. God’s refusal to be pleased with offerings was not rejection—it was the beginning of something better.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse is all about pointing us to Jesus. The old sacrifices didn’t please God—but Jesus did. He came in obedience, not just offering something to God, but offering Himself. He is the sacrifice that pleases the Father, because He is perfect, willing, and fully obedient.
- Hebrews 10:10 – “We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
- John 6:38 – “I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.”
- Ephesians 5:2 – “Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Jesus didn’t come to add to the old system—He came to replace it. And His sacrifice is the one that pleases God forever.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What does this verse teach you about what God values most?
- Are there any areas in your life where you’re just “going through the motions” with God?
- How does knowing that Jesus pleased God with His sacrifice give you peace?
- What would it look like for you to offer your heart to God, not just your actions?
- How can you grow in offering worship that comes from a sincere and obedient heart?