Hebrews 9:18

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 9:18

Whereupon neither the first testament ,.... Or the first administration of the covenant of grace under the law: was dedicated without blood ; or "confirmed" without it, that dispensation being a typical one; and that blood was typical of the blood of Christ, by which the new covenant or testament is ratified; see Exodus 24:7 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 9:18

Whereupon - Ὁθεν . Wherefore, as a victim was required for the ratification of every covenant, the first covenant made between God and the Hebrews, by the mediation of Moses, was not dedicated, εγκεκαινισται , renewed or solemnized, without blood - without the death of a victim, and the aspersion of its blood. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 9:18

Verse 18 18.Whereupon neither the first, etc. It hence appears that the fact is what is mainly urged, and that it is not a question about the word, though the Apostle turned to his own purpose a word presented to his attention in that language in which he wrote, as though one, while speaking of God’s covenant, which is often called in Greek μαρτυρία, a testimony, were to recommend it among other things under that title. And doubtless that is a testimony , μαρτυρία, to which angels from heaven... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 9:1-28

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 9:15-22

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 9:18

Wherefore neither hath the first ( testament , A.V or, covenant ) been dedicated without blood. Here the blood of slain victims, which had been essential for the first inauguration of the old διαθήκη , is referred to as expressing the principle of Hebrews 9:16 , Hebrews 9:17 , viz. that there must be death for a διαθήκη to take effect. Whichever view we take of the intended import of the word, the reference is equally apposite in support of the introductory... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 9:18

Whereupon - Ὅθεν Hothen - “Whence.” Or since this is a settled principle, or an indisputable fact, it occurred in accordance with this, that the first covenant was confirmed by the shedding of blood. The admitted principle which the apostle had stated, that the death of the victim was necessary to confirm the covenant, was the “reason” why the first covenant was ratified with blood. If there were any doubt about the correctness of the interpretation given above, that Hebrews 9:16-17, refer to... read more

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