Hebrews 10 (JND) - Bible Truth Library

• And when He enters into the world, His eye single, His whole body full of light, according to Psa. 40 He speaks, whatever the cost to Himself; and it cost Him everything. He recognizes that His work, itself the most stupendous of sacrifices, must take the place of those that God had provisionally instituted; more than accomplishing each of them, but superseding them all, because perfection only now was found in it. (“Hebrews 10:5-7” by W. Kelly)

• The Holy Spirit in the Psalm refers to the assumption of human nature in a condition wholly different from fallen man, even from His virgin mother. Of this the figure of "ears digged," not merely opened or bored, is the striking expression. Other ears were deaf through sin; His only God dug for Him, as He only ever heard and obeyed (“Hebrews 10:5-7” by W. Kelly)

• The allusion is neither to Ex. 21:6, nor to Isa. 50:5: Psa. 40:6 (7) is distinct from both, though all three center in the Messiah. (1) The Holy Spirit in the Psalm refers to the assumption of human nature in a condition wholly different from fallen man, even from His virgin mother. Of this the figure of "ears digged," not merely opened or bored, is the striking expression. Other ears were deaf through sin; His only God dug for Him, as He only ever heard and obeyed, living thus “not by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” "A body didst thou prepare for Me" well answered to that, and gives the meaning which all might not so easily draw from the Hebrew phrase. (2) Then comes the application of the prophet who speaks of the Messiah morning by morning wakened to hear. "The Lord Jehovah hath opened mine ear." It is not alone holy humanity given Him at the outset, but His habit of daily dependence as "the Servant." (3) The type in the law completes so far; for this conveys that at the end of faithful service, when He might have gone out free, He, in love to His master, His wife, and His children, submits to have His ear "bored" through with an awl, as the sign of serving forever. It is His death for the glory of God, and the life and blessing of all that believe. Thus consistency marks all, while each is distinct; and our text refers to the divine preparation of a body for Messiah, suited for His work. (“Hebrews 10:5-7” by W. Kelly)

• {vss. 5-9} He takes the place of submission and of obedience, of performing the will of another. God would no longer accept the sacrifices that were offered under the law (the four classes of which are here pointed out), He had no pleasure in them. In their stead He had prepared a body for His Son; vast and important truth! (“Hebrews 10” by J.N. Darby)

• The psalm says, in the Hebrew, “Thou hast digged ears for me,” translated in the Septuagint, “Thou hast prepared me a body”; words which, as they give the true meaning, are used by the Holy Spirit. For “the ear” is always employed as a sign of the reception of commandments, and the principle of obligation to obey, or the disposition to do so. “He hath opened mine ear morning by morning” (Isa. 50), that is, has made me listen to His will, be obedient to His commands. The ear was bored, or fastened with an awl to the door, in order to express that the Israelite was attached to the house as a slave, to obey, forever. Now in taking a body, the Lord took the form of a servant (Phil. 2). Ears were digged for Him. That is to say, He placed Himself in a position in which He had to obey all His Master’s will, whatever it might be. But it is the Lord Himself who speaks in the passage before us: “Thou,” He says, “hast prepared me a body.” (“Hebrews 10” by J.N. Darby)

• Sacrifice and offerings under the law could not carry out God’s will. A body had to be prepared for the Lord so that, in accord with the counsels of God, He might accomplish the will of God. (“The Purged Conscience: Hebrews 10:1-18” by H. Smith)

J. N. Darby Translation

Wherefore coming into the world he saysa, Sacrifice and offering thou willedst not; but thou hast prepared me a body.

JND Translation Notes

Ps. 40.6-8.

W. Kelly Translation

Wherefore entering into the world he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou willedst not, but a body thou preparedst for mea:

WK Translation Notes

The LXX reading is different from the Hebrew form of the last clause in verse 5. There is no sufficient reason to suppose a misreading gave rise to that Greek version. That the Epistle to the Hebrews adopts it, not as the literal rendering but as the substantial sense, is of deep instruction and interest; and this has commended itself to the most reverent and competent readers to the present time. The allusion is neither to {vi 2084}{/vi}, nor to {vi 18668}{/vi}: {vi 14532}{/vi} is distinct from both, though all three center in Messiah.