(13) In that he saith . . .—Rather, In saying “new” He hath made the first old: now that which groweth old and is failing for age is nigh unto vanishing away. The very language of the prophet contains a declaration of the speedy dissolution of the former covenant. If “nigh unto vanishing” at the time when Jeremiah wrote, well might it now be believed to have passed away. read more
Heaven's Teaching on Earth's Duties Hebrews 8:5 The experience of Moses on Mount Sinai, to which our text refers, was a remarkable example of communion between God and man. We may thankfully accept it as a symbol of spiritual truth, and typical of recurring experience. Fellowship with God is not peculiar to any age, or clime, or race; and access to the Father is now far more generally enjoyed than in Mosaic times; for since then the world has seen and heard Him who said: 'I am the way, and the... read more
CHAPTER 8 1. Christ, the High Priest (Hebrews 8:1-6 ) 2. The old covenant and the new (Hebrews 8:7-13 ) Hebrews 7:1-6 The new priesthood which the better priest exerciseth in heaven furthermore implies also a change in the sacrifices and in the covenant. This is now more fully developed in the last three chapters of this section. There is first of all a summary. The priest we have is not ministering on earth but “we have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the... read more
8:13 {8} In that he saith, A new [covenant], he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old [is] ready to vanish away.(8) The conclusion: Therefore by the later and the new, the first and old is taken away, for it could not be called new, if it did not differ from the old. Again, that same is at length taken away, which is subject to corruption, and therefore imperfect. read more
"Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: we have such an High Priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens: a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man." Another contrast now appears in ch. 8 between Aaron and Christ: not only is the Priest Himself of a higher and perfect character, but the ministry He introduces is "more excellent" than that of Aaron (see verse 6). But the first verse would... read more
PRIESTHOOD OF CHRIST AND AARON CHRIST IS A PRIEST OF A BETTER COVENANT THAN AARON (Hebrews 8:0 ) Better not morally, but efficaciously, i.e., established on better promises (Hebrews 8:6 ), in the sense that they are written on the heart rather than tablets of stone (Hebrews 8:10 ); that they are universal in their application and not limited to a single people (Hebrews 8:11 ); and that they bring with them eternal forgiveness. CHRIST IS A PRIEST OF A BETTER TABERNACLE (Hebrews 9:1-14 )... read more
(7) For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. (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: (9) Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the... read more
REFLECTIONS READER! is this indeed the sum and substance of what God the Holy Ghost hath been blessing the Church with, in such gracious teachings concerning the Lord Jesus; that He is gone into heaven, and is set down on the right hand of the throne of Majesty: oh! then, for grace to follow him thither by faith! For, as sure as Jesus the Son of God is one there, so sure is He gone as the Head and Husband, the Surety and Representative of his body the Church, the fulness that filleth all in... read more
In calling this testament a new one, he hath made the former old. This is to put the Hebrews in mind that the former law, as to its ceremonies and sacrifices, is now to be laid aside, and the new law or testament to be received and complied with. (Witham) --- Thus the first alliance was to end according to the testimony of Scripture itself, and make place for the second, which is infinitely more perfect. To be fully satisfied of this, it is merely necessary to compare the one with the other.... read more
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John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 8:1-13
The High Priest of the Heavenly Sanctuary and the Fulfilment of Jeremiah’s ProphecyChrist, as Melchizedek-High-Priest, has a higher ministry than the Levitical priesthood, because He ministers in the true Tabernacle in heaven which indeed was the pattern for the earthly tabernacle (Hebrews 8:1-5). Besides He is superior in proportion as the new covenant is better than the first (Hebrews 8:6-13).1. The sum] RV ’the chief point.’2. A minister] i.e. an officiating high priest.The sanctuary]... read more