Hebrews 10:7

KJV

¶ Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G5119} said I {G2036}, Lo {G2400}, I come {G2240}(in {G1722} the volume {G2777} of the book {G975} it is written {G1125} of {G4012} me {G1700},) to do {G4160} thy {G4675} will {G2307}, O God {G2316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then I said, ‘Look!
In the scroll of the book
it is written about me.
I have come to do your will.’”

Berean Standard Bible

Then I said, ‘Here I am, it is written about Me in the scroll: I have come to do Your will, O God.’”

American Standard Version

Then said I, Lo, I am come (In the roll of the book it is written of me) To do thy will, O God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 10:7 presents a profound declaration from the Messiah, quoting Psalm 40:7-8, which underscores His willing and proactive submission to the Father's redemptive plan. This verse serves as a pivotal point in the author's argument, establishing Christ's perfect obedience as the ultimate fulfillment of God's will, thereby rendering the Old Covenant sacrifices obsolete and inaugurating a new and living way to God through His singular, sufficient sacrifice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the author's extended argument in Hebrews 10, which culminates the discussion on the superiority of Christ's priesthood and sacrifice over the Levitical system. The preceding verses ([Hebrews 10:1-4](/hebrews/10-1-4 "The Inadequacy of Old Covenant Sacrifices")) establish the inadequacy of animal sacrifices to truly cleanse sins or perfect the worshipper, highlighting their repetitive and temporary nature. Against this backdrop of ritualistic insufficiency, the quotation of Psalm 40:7-8 in [Hebrews 10:5-7](/hebrews/10-5-7 "Christ's Coming to Do God's Will") introduces Christ's incarnation as the divinely appointed means to accomplish what the Law could not. His declaration, "Lo, I come... to do thy will, O God," directly contrasts with the "sacrifices and offerings" that God did not desire, setting the stage for the abolition of the old system and the establishment of the new through His perfect obedience.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The original audience of the book of Hebrews was primarily Jewish Christians who were tempted to revert to the familiar practices of Judaism, including the temple sacrifices, due to persecution or a misunderstanding of Christ's finished work. For centuries, the sacrificial system was the bedrock of Israelite worship, a divinely ordained means of atonement and communion with God. The concept of "doing God's will" was central to Jewish piety, often expressed through adherence to the Torah and participation in the cultic rituals. The author's use of a Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) quotation from Psalm 40, which was widely known, would resonate deeply with this audience. By portraying Christ's coming as the fulfillment of this ancient prophecy, the author demonstrates that the new covenant in Christ is not a radical departure but the divinely intended culmination of God's redemptive plan, superior to the shadows of the old covenant.
* **Key Themes:** Hebrews 10:7 significantly contributes to several overarching themes throughout the book of Hebrews. Foremost is the **Superiority of Christ's Sacrifice**, which is presented as once-for-all and perfectly effective, unlike the repeated animal offerings ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). This verse also emphasizes **Christ's Perfect Obedience**, portraying Him as the willing Son who came to accomplish the Father's will, a stark contrast to the disobedience of humanity and the limitations of the Law. The theme of **Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecy** is explicit in the parenthetical phrase, asserting that Christ's advent and work were preordained and written in the sacred texts, thereby validating the divine origin of His mission. Finally, this verse underpins the concept of the **New Covenant**, established not by animal blood but by Christ's obedient offering of His body, ushering in a new era of direct access to God ([Hebrews 8:6-13](/hebrews/8-6-13 "The Superiority of the New Covenant")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **come (Greek, _hḗkō'_):** A primary verb meaning "to arrive, i.e., be present (literally or figuratively)." In this context, it signifies Christ's active and deliberate arrival into the world, not merely a passive appearance, but a purposeful coming to fulfill a specific mission. It denotes His intentional presence for the divine task.
* **volume (Greek, _kephalís'_):** Properly, "a knob," which by implication refers to "a roll" or "scroll." This term refers to the ancient form of a book, a scroll rolled around a stick. Its usage here emphasizes that the divine plan concerning Christ was not an afterthought but was meticulously recorded and preordained in the sacred writings, specifically pointing to the Old Testament Scriptures.
* **will (Greek, _thélēma'_):** From a prolonged form of _thelō_, meaning "a determination (properly, the thing), i.e., (actively) choice (specially, purpose, decree; abstractly, volition) or (passively) inclination." This word highlights the Father's sovereign purpose and decree, to which Christ perfectly aligns His own volition. It is God's fixed, determined plan for redemption that Christ came to execute.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said I, Lo, I come":** This marks a dramatic shift in the divine dialogue, introducing the voice of the Messiah. "Then said I" indicates a decisive moment in the eternal counsels of God, where the Son declares His readiness. "Lo, I come" (Greek _idoú hḗkō_) is an emphatic declaration, signifying not just an arrival but a willing, purposeful, and self-initiated act of obedience. It is the Son's proactive response to the Father's will, setting the stage for His incarnation and redemptive work.
* **"(in the volume of the book it is written of me,)":** This parenthetical clause is crucial, asserting the prophetic nature of Christ's mission. The "volume of the book" refers to the Old Testament Scriptures (specifically Psalm 40:7-8), indicating that Christ's coming and His redemptive purpose were not spontaneous events but were meticulously foretold and recorded in God's inspired Word. It validates the divine origin and pre-planned nature of salvation history, demonstrating that Christ's life and work are the fulfillment of ancient prophecies.
* **"to do thy will, O God.":** This is the core purpose of Christ's coming. It encapsulates His perfect obedience and the ultimate goal of His incarnation. "Thy will, O God" refers to the Father's sovereign plan of salvation, which involved the Son offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice to atone for sin, thereby superseding the insufficient animal sacrifices of the Old Covenant. This phrase highlights Christ's complete alignment with and active execution of God's redemptive purpose for humanity.

#### Literary Devices
The author of Hebrews employs several significant literary devices in this verse. The most prominent is **Quotation**, as Hebrews 10:7 directly quotes from Psalm 40:7-8 (LXX), attributing the words to the Messiah. This serves to demonstrate the continuity between Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment, grounding Christ's work in the divine plan revealed through the ages. The use of **Parenthesis** ("in the volume of the book it is written of me") functions as an explanatory interjection, providing crucial theological context by affirming the prophetic nature of Christ's mission within the sacred Scriptures. Implicitly, there is an **Antithesis** at play, contrasting Christ's perfect obedience and singular sacrifice with the repeated, imperfect animal sacrifices mentioned in the preceding verses. This contrast underscores the superiority and finality of Christ's work. Furthermore, the verse embodies **Prophecy and Fulfillment**, as the ancient words of the Psalmist are presented as being spoken by Christ Himself, revealing the pre-ordained nature of His coming and His redemptive task.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 10:7 stands as a theological cornerstone, revealing the heart of God's redemptive plan centered on the perfect obedience of His Son. It affirms that Christ's incarnation was not an arbitrary event but the deliberate, pre-ordained execution of the Father's will, a will that found no true satisfaction in the blood of animals. This verse underscores the unique efficacy of Christ's sacrifice, rooted in His willing submission, which alone could provide a once-for-all atonement for sin and establish a new covenant grounded in grace and truth. It highlights the profound unity of purpose between the Father and the Son in accomplishing salvation, demonstrating that Christ's life and death were the ultimate expression of divine love and justice, fulfilling all that was written concerning Him in the sacred texts.

* [Psalm 40:7-8](/psalm/40-7-8 "The Psalmist's Declaration of Obedience")
* [John 4:34](/john/4-34 "Jesus' Mission to Do God's Will")
* [Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Christ's Humility and Obedience to Death")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 10:7 offers a profound invitation for reflection and a powerful call to application in the life of every believer. First, it reassures us of the absolute sufficiency and finality of Christ's work. Our salvation is not dependent on our own efforts, rituals, or adherence to a flawed system, but entirely on the perfect obedience of Jesus Christ. His "Lo, I come... to do thy will, O God" means that the ultimate sacrifice has been made, the perfect will accomplished, and the way to God opened definitively. This should fill us with immense gratitude and confidence in His finished work. Second, this verse challenges us to emulate Christ's heart of obedience. Just as Jesus came to do the Father's will, we are called to align our lives with God's purposes. This involves seeking His will through prayer and Scripture, surrendering our own desires, and actively pursuing the mission He has for us. Our obedience, though imperfect, becomes a response of love and worship to the One who perfectly obeyed on our behalf, trusting that His will for us is always good, pleasing, and perfect.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Christ's willing obedience in Hebrews 10:7 deepen your understanding of His sacrifice for you?**
* **In what areas of your life are you currently struggling to submit to God's will, and how might reflecting on Christ's example encourage you?**
* **How does the knowledge that Christ's mission was "written of me" in the "volume of the book" strengthen your faith in the divine plan of salvation?**

### FAQ
**Why is Psalm 40:7-8 quoted in Hebrews 10:7, and what is its significance?**

Answer: Psalm 40:7-8 is quoted in Hebrews 10:7 to demonstrate that Christ's coming and His redemptive work were not random events but were prophesied in the Old Testament Scriptures. In its original context, Psalm 40 expresses the psalmist's (likely David's) commitment to obey God's will rather than relying on sacrifices. The author of Hebrews, however, applies these words prophetically to Christ, showing that the Messiah Himself declares His intention to come and perfectly fulfill God's will. This is highly significant because it establishes Christ as the ultimate embodiment of obedience, whose singular act of submission to the Father's will (culminating in His death on the cross) supersedes and fulfills the temporary and inadequate animal sacrifices of the Old Covenant, thereby inaugurating a new and living way to God ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19-20 "The New and Living Way")).

**What does "in the volume of the book" refer to in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "in the volume of the book" (Greek _kephalís bibliou_) refers to an ancient scroll, which was the form that books or written documents took in that era. Specifically, it points to the Old Testament Scriptures. The author of Hebrews uses this phrase to emphasize that Christ's mission and His role as the perfect sacrifice were not an afterthought but were meticulously detailed and preordained within God's sacred writings, long before His incarnation. It underscores the divine authorship and trustworthiness of Scripture, confirming that Christ's life and work are the fulfillment of God's eternal plan for salvation as revealed throughout history. This highlights the continuity and coherence of God's redemptive narrative from Genesis to Revelation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 10:7 profoundly reveals Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive will, presenting Him as the obedient Son who perfectly accomplished what the Old Covenant could only foreshadow. This verse is the very heart of the Gospel, portraying Jesus not as a reluctant participant but as the willing Lamb, declaring, "Lo, I come... to do thy will, O God." His incarnation was the deliberate act of the eternal Son entering human history, not merely as a teacher or prophet, but as the one appointed to offer the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice for sin ([Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Christ's Single Sacrifice")). Unlike the repeated animal sacrifices that could never truly take away sin, Christ's obedience to the Father's will—culminating in His death on the cross—established the New Covenant, providing genuine cleansing and eternal redemption ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Christ's Eternal Redemption")). His "coming" was the embodiment of divine love and purpose, demonstrating that salvation is entirely God's initiative, perfectly executed by Christ, who, by His one offering, has perfected forever those who are being sanctified ([Hebrews 10:14](/hebrews/10-14 "Christ Perfects Those Who Are Sanctified")). This perfect obedience of Christ, pre-written in the "volume of the book," is the foundation of our faith, offering full assurance and direct access to God through His shed blood ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Boldness to Enter the Holiest")).

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

Psalms 40:7

Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book [it is] written of me,

Psalms 40:8

I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law [is] within my heart.

John 4:34

Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

John 6:38

For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

John 5:30

I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

Hebrews 10:9

Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

Hebrews 10:10

By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once [for all].