Hebrews 10:16

KJV

This [is] the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

KJV (with Strong's)

This {G3778} is the covenant {G1242} that {G3739} I will make {G1303} with {G4314} them {G846} after {G3326} those {G1565} days {G2250}, saith {G3004} the Lord {G2962}, I will put {G1325} my {G3450} laws {G3551} into {G1909} their {G846} hearts {G2588}, and {G2532} in {G1909} their {G846} minds {G1271} will I write {G1924} them {G846};

Complete Jewish Bible

“ ‘This is the covenant which I will make
with them after those days,’ says Adonai:
‘I will put my Torah on their hearts,
and write it on their minds . . . ,’ ”

Berean Standard Bible

“This is the covenant I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord. I will put My laws in their hearts and inscribe them on their minds.”

American Standard Version

This is the covenant that I will make with them After those days, saith the Lord: I will put my laws on their heart, And upon their mind also will I write them; then saith he,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 10:16 presents a profound articulation of the New Covenant, quoting directly from Jeremiah 31:33 to emphasize a radical shift in God's relationship with His people. This verse reveals that God's law is no longer an external code inscribed on stone tablets, but is now supernaturally implanted within the very hearts and minds of believers, signifying an internal, spiritual transformation that enables genuine and Spirit-empowered obedience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hebrews 10:16 is a pivotal verse within the book of Hebrews, serving as a direct quotation from the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah (specifically [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah's Prophecy of the New Covenant")). This quotation is strategically placed to underscore the superiority and efficacy of the New Covenant, mediated by Jesus Christ, over the Old Covenant. The preceding verses in Hebrews 10 build upon the argument that Christ's "once for all" sacrifice (see [Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Christ's Single Sacrifice")) has rendered the repetitive sacrifices of the Old Covenant obsolete. The author emphasizes that the Holy Spirit Himself bears witness to this new arrangement, as stated in [Hebrews 10:15](/hebrews/10-15 "The Holy Spirit's Witness"), directly leading into the covenant promises detailed in verse 16. This continuous flow of thought highlights the divine validation and internal reality of the new agreement.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were likely facing persecution or temptation to revert to aspects of Judaism, including its ceremonial laws and sacrificial system. In the ancient Near East, covenants were formal agreements, often involving oaths, rituals, and written documents (like the Ten Commandments written on stone tablets, [Exodus 31:18](/exodus/31-18 "The Ten Commandments on Stone Tablets")). The concept of "writing" laws was familiar, but the idea of writing them "into hearts and minds" was revolutionary, signifying a departure from external adherence to an internal, transformative relationship. This prophetic vision in Jeremiah, now applied in Hebrews, would have resonated deeply with a people steeped in covenant theology, demonstrating that God was fulfilling His ancient promises in an unprecedented way through Christ.
* **Key Themes:** Hebrews 10:16 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Hebrews. Foremost is the **Superiority of the New Covenant**, which is presented as fundamentally better than the Old Covenant because it achieves what the former could not: a genuine internal transformation and perfect cleansing from sin. This verse also highlights the theme of **Divine Initiative and Sovereignty**, as God explicitly states, "I will make," "I will put," and "I will write," emphasizing His active role in establishing and fulfilling this covenant. Furthermore, it speaks to the **Internalization of God's Law**, moving beyond mere external obedience to a state where God's will is inherently desired and pursued from within. This internal transformation is foundational to the New Covenant's promise of a restored relationship with God, where believers truly "know" Him, as further elaborated in [Jeremiah 31:34](/jeremiah/31-34 "Knowing the Lord in the New Covenant").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **covenant (Greek, _diathḗkē'_):** From G1242, this term properly signifies a "disposition," specifically a "contract" or "devisory will." In the biblical context, it refers to a solemn, binding agreement initiated by God. The use of "will" or "testament" highlights its unilateral nature, with God setting the terms, and its irrevocable character, much like a last will and testament. In Hebrews, it underscores the unchangeable and divinely ordained nature of God's new arrangement with humanity through Christ.
* **hearts (Greek, _kardía'_):** From G2588, "heart" figuratively denotes the totality of one's inner person—the center of emotions, will, moral character, and spiritual life. It is the seat of thought and feeling. The Old Covenant laws were external; the New Covenant laws are inscribed here, indicating a transformation at the deepest level of one's being, affecting desires, motivations, and affections.
* **minds (Greek, _diánoia'_):** From G1271, this word refers to "deep thought," the "faculty of the mind or its disposition," and by implication, its "exercise." It encompasses intellect, understanding, and imagination. When God's laws are written in the mind, it means a renewal of one's cognitive faculties, enabling true comprehension and alignment with divine truth, moving beyond mere intellectual assent to profound spiritual insight.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"This [is] the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord,"**: This opening clause establishes the divine origin and future orientation of the New Covenant. The phrase "after those days" points to a new epoch, distinct from the era of the Old Covenant, which the author of Hebrews has been meticulously contrasting. The declaration "saith the Lord" affirms the absolute authority and certainty of this promise, directly quoting God's own words from Jeremiah, emphasizing its prophetic fulfillment in Christ.
* **"I will put my laws into their hearts,"**: This is a radical departure from the Old Covenant, where laws were external (e.g., on stone tablets). God promises to internalize His laws, placing them not just in the intellect, but in the "heart," the very core of human desire, will, and affection. This signifies a profound spiritual transformation where obedience becomes not a burdensome external duty but an intrinsic desire, flowing from a renewed inner disposition.
* **"and in their minds will I write them;"**: Complementing the work in the heart, God also promises to inscribe His laws in the "minds." This speaks to the intellectual and cognitive aspect of transformation. It implies a renewed understanding, a divine illumination that enables believers to grasp and align with God's truth. Together, the "heart" and "mind" encompass the totality of one's inner being, ensuring a comprehensive and holistic transformation that impacts both one's affections and one's intellect, leading to genuine and Spirit-empowered obedience.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Hebrews 10:16 is **Quotation**, as the author directly cites [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah's Prophecy of the New Covenant"). This serves to validate the New Covenant's divine origin and demonstrate its fulfillment of ancient prophecy, lending authoritative weight to the argument for Christ's superiority. A significant **Metaphor** is the imagery of God "writing" His laws "into their hearts, and in their minds." This vivid image contrasts sharply with the literal writing of the Old Covenant law on stone tablets, symbolizing an internal, organic, and transformative process rather than an external, imposed code. This metaphorical language highlights the intimate and personal nature of the New Covenant relationship. Furthermore, there is an implicit **Contrast** throughout the passage, as the author continually juxtaposes the Old Covenant's external, ineffective rituals with the New Covenant's internal, efficacious transformation, emphasizing the radical difference and superior efficacy of God's new arrangement.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 10:16 is a cornerstone for understanding the New Covenant's transformative power, moving beyond external adherence to internal regeneration. It highlights God's initiative in making His people truly His own, not by outward compulsion but by an inward work of grace. This internalization of the law signifies a profound shift in the very nature of obedience, transforming it from a legalistic burden into a Spirit-empled desire. This divine work ensures that believers are not merely given rules, but are given new hearts and minds that genuinely desire to live in accordance with God's will, fostering a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him.

* [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "The Full Prophecy of the New Covenant")
* [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26-27 "God's Promise of a New Heart and Spirit")
* [2 Corinthians 3:3](/2_corinthians/3-3 "Believers as Letters of Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 10:16 offers profound comfort and challenge for believers today. It assures us that our relationship with God under the New Covenant is not based on our ability to perfectly keep an external set of rules, but on God's sovereign work within us. This means that true obedience flows from a transformed heart and mind, empowered by the Holy Spirit. We are called to lean into this divine enablement, recognizing that God has already provided the means for us to desire and live out His will. This verse encourages us to cultivate an intimate relationship with God, allowing His truth to penetrate our deepest thoughts and affections, shaping our character from the inside out. It reminds us that our spiritual journey is less about striving to earn favor and more about yielding to the transformative power of God's grace, which makes His law a delight rather than a burden.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the idea of God's law being written on your heart and mind change your understanding of obedience?**
* **In what areas of your life do you sense a need for God to further "write" His laws into your heart and mind?**
* **How does the New Covenant's promise of internal transformation impact your assurance of salvation and your relationship with God?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of God writing His laws on hearts and minds instead of stone tablets?**

Answer: The shift from stone tablets to hearts and minds signifies a profound transformation from an external, legalistic covenant to an internal, relational one. Under the Old Covenant, the law was external, revealing sin and demonstrating humanity's inability to perfectly obey (see [Romans 7:7-13](/romans/7-7-13 "The Law Reveals Sin")). Writing laws on stone emphasized an objective standard, but it did not provide the power to fulfill them. In contrast, under the New Covenant, God's laws are supernaturally inscribed within a believer's inner being—their desires, affections, intellect, and will. This means obedience is no longer merely an external compulsion but flows from an intrinsic desire and a renewed capacity, empowered by the Holy Spirit (as promised in [Ezekiel 36:27](/ezekiel/36-27 "God's Spirit Enables Obedience")). This internal transformation enables a genuine, intimate relationship with God, where His will becomes truly integrated into one's life.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 10:16 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the Mediator of this superior New Covenant (as highlighted in [Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Christ, the Mediator of a Better Covenant")). It is through His perfect, once-for-all sacrifice on the cross that the Old Covenant's limitations were overcome and the New Covenant's promises, including the internalization of God's law, became a reality. Christ's atoning work cleanses the conscience (see [Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Cleansing of Conscience by Christ's Blood")), making it possible for the Holy Spirit to indwell believers and actively write God's laws into their hearts and minds. This is not merely a moral instruction but a spiritual regeneration, where the very nature of the believer is transformed to desire and pursue God's will. Thus, the promise of [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah's Prophecy of the New Covenant") is realized in all who are united with Christ, enabling them to live in genuine obedience and enjoy an intimate, unhindered relationship with God, empowered by the Spirit of Christ who dwells within them (see [Romans 8:4](/romans/8-4 "The Righteous Requirement of the Law Fulfilled in Us")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 31:33

But this [shall be] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Jeremiah 31:34

And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Hebrews 8:8

For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

Hebrews 8:12

For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

Romans 11:27

For this [is] my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.