Hebrews 10:28

He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

He {G5100} that despised {G114} Moses {G3475}' law {G3551} died {G599} without {G5565} mercy {G3628} under {G1909} two {G1417} or {G2228} three {G5140} witnesses {G3144}:

Someone who disregards the Torah of Moshe is put to death without mercy on the word of two or three witnesses.

Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

A man that hath set at nought Moses’ law dieth without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses:

Hebrews 10:28 (KJV): "He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:"

Context

Hebrews 10:28 is part of a crucial warning section in the Epistle to the Hebrews (10:26-31). The author is addressing Jewish Christians who might be tempted to abandon their faith in Christ and return to the practices of the Old Covenant due to persecution or misunderstanding. This verse serves as a powerful rhetorical device: if the Old Covenant, given through Moses, carried such severe penalties for deliberate disobedience, how much more serious will be the judgment for those who reject the superior New Covenant established through Jesus Christ?

Key Themes

  • Severity of Old Covenant Law: The verse reminds readers of the strictness of the Mosaic Law, under which certain egregious sins (like idolatry, blasphemy, or murder) were punishable by death. The phrase "died without mercy" underscores the absolute nature of the judgment for deliberate, high-handed rebellion against God's revealed will.
  • Requirement of Witnesses: The phrase "under two or three witnesses" refers to a fundamental principle of justice in the Old Testament Law, found in passages like Deuteronomy 17:6 and Deuteronomy 19:15. This requirement ensured that capital punishment was not carried out on mere accusation but on corroborated testimony, emphasizing the fairness and seriousness of the judicial process.
  • Foreshadowing Greater Judgment: The primary message of this verse is an argument from the lesser to the greater. If rejecting the temporary and imperfect Mosaic Law brought certain death, then deliberately rejecting Christ, who inaugurated a better and eternal covenant, will lead to an even more terrifying judgment. It sets the stage for the solemn warning in the verses immediately following.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Despised" (Greek: ἀθετήσας, athetesas): This word implies more than casual disregard. It signifies a deliberate rejection, setting aside, or nullifying of the law's authority. It speaks of contempt and an active renunciation of what is established as true and binding.
  • "Without mercy" (Greek: χωρὶς οἰκτιρμῶν, choris oiktirmon): This phrase emphasizes the absolute and unmitigated nature of the penalty. For certain capital offenses under the Law, there was no provision for leniency or a lesser punishment; the sentence was final.

Practical Application

Hebrews 10:28 serves as a profound warning for believers today. It underscores the immense seriousness of God's grace and the danger of treating it lightly. While the New Covenant is characterized by grace and mercy through Christ's sacrifice, it also demands a response of faith and perseverance. To deliberately turn away from Christ after having known the truth, as implied in the preceding verse (Hebrews 10:27), is a far greater offense than rejecting the Old Law, because it means despising the very blood of the Son of God. This verse calls for careful self-examination and steadfastness in faith, reminding us of the immense value of our salvation and the solemn responsibility that comes with it.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Hebrews 2:2

    For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

  • Deuteronomy 19:15

    One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

  • Matthew 18:16

    But if he will not hear [thee, then] take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

  • John 8:17

    It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.

  • Numbers 15:30

    ¶ But the soul that doeth [ought] presumptuously, [whether he be] born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

  • Numbers 15:31

    Because he hath despised the word of the LORD, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity [shall be] upon him.

  • Deuteronomy 17:2

    If there be found among you, within any of thy gates which the LORD thy God giveth thee, man or woman, that hath wrought wickedness in the sight of the LORD thy God, in transgressing his covenant,

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