Hebrews 9:16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hebrews 9:15-22

In these verses the apostle considers the gospel under the notion of a will or testament, the new or last will and testament of Christ, and shows the necessity and efficacy of the blood of Christ to make this testament valid and effectual. I. The gospel is here considered as a testament, the new and last will and testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is observable that the solemn transactions that pass between God and man are sometimes called a covenant, here a testament. A... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Hebrews 9:15-22

9:15-22 It is through him that there emerges a new covenant between God and man; and the purpose behind this new covenant is that those who have been called might receive the eternal inheritance which has been promised to them; but this could happen only after a death had taken place, the purpose of which was to rescue them from the consequences of the transgressions which had been committed under the conditions of the old covenant. For where there is a will, it is necessary that there should... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 9:16

For where a testament is ,.... The covenant of grace, as administered under the Gospel dispensation, is a testament or will. The Jews have adopted the Greek word, here used, into their language, and pronounce it דייתיקי , and by it understand a dying man's last will and testament F4 T. Hieros. Peah, fol. 17. 4. & T. Bab. Bava Bathra, fol. 152. 2. . Some of them make it to be of Hebrew derivation; as if it was said, דא תהי למיקם , "this shall be to confirm" F5 T. Bab.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 9:16

For where a testament is - A learned and judicious friend furnishes me with the following translation of this and the 17th verse: - "For where there is a covenant, it is necessary that the death of the appointed victim should be exhibited, because a covenant is confirmed over dead victims, since it is not at all valid while the appointed victim is alive." He observes, "There is no word signifying testator, or men, in the original. Διαθεμενος is not a substantive, but a participle, or a... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 9:16

Verse 16 16.For where a testament is, etc. Even this one passage is a sufficient proof, that this Epistle was not written in Hebrew; for ברית means in Hebrew a covenant, but not a testament; but in Greek , διαθήκη, includes both ideas; and the Apostle, alluding to its secondary meaning, holds that the promises should not have been otherwise ratified and valid, had they not been sealed by the death of Christ. And this he proves by referring to what is usually the case as to wills or testaments,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 9:1-28

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 9:15-17

And for this cause he is the Mediator of a new testament, that by means of death (literally, death having taken place ) , for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. Here the view of the gospel as a new διαθήκη (introduced first in Hebrews 7:22 , and enlarged on in Hebrews 8:6-13 ) is again brought in. For the word is still διαθήκη , though here, for reasons that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 9:15-22

Ratification by blood. Here the writer pauses in his argument regarding the superiority of Christ's sacrifice to the sacrifices of the Law, and directs attention to an important point of similarity between the old covenant and the new. This passage is a serious crux. It has perplexed the most eminent commentators. The great question is, whether διαθήκη should be translated "covenant" or "testament:" in Hebrews 9:16 and Hebrews 9:17 . For ourselves, we have come to the conclusion... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 9:15-22

"The Mediator of the new testament." The ideas contained in this section are— I. THE TWOFOLD EFFECT OF THE DEATH OF OUR LORD . The free surrender of his life was the means of removing, in the case of believers, the burden of those sins which the Mosaic Law could not take away. The sins committed under the first covenant were not forgiven by acts of sacrifice and the aid of priestly service, which, though ordained by Jehovah, were unequal to produce peace and purity of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 9:16

For where a testament is - This is the same word - διαθήκη diathēkē - which in Hebrews 8:6, is rendered “covenant.” For the general signification of the word, see note on that verse. There is so much depending, however, on the meaning of the word, not only in the interpretation of this passage, but also of other parts of the Bible, that it may be proper to explain it here more at length. The word - διαθήκη diathēkē - occurs in the New Testament thirty-three times. It is translated... read more

Group of Brands