Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. New Living Translation If the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need for a second covenant to replace it. English Standard Version For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second. Berean Standard Bible For if that first covenant had been without fault, no place would have been sought for a second. Berean Literal Bible For if what was first had been faultless, no place would have been sought for a second. King James Bible For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. New King James Version For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. New American Standard Bible For if that first covenant had been free of fault, no circumstances would have been sought for a second. NASB 1995 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second. NASB 1977 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second. Legacy Standard Bible For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second. Amplified Bible For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion for a second one or an attempt to institute another one [the new covenant]. Christian Standard Bible For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion for a second one. Holman Christian Standard Bible For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion for a second one. American Standard Version For if that first covenant had been faultless, then would no place have been sought for a second. Contemporary English Version If the first agreement with God had been all right, there would not have been any need for another one. English Revised Version For if that first covenant had been faultless, then would no place have been sought for a second. GOD'S WORD® Translation If nothing had been wrong with the first promise, no one would look for another one. Good News Translation If there had been nothing wrong with the first covenant, there would have been no need for a second one. International Standard Version If the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need to look for a second one, Majority Standard Bible For if that first covenant had been without fault, no place would have been sought for a second. NET Bible For if that first covenant had been faultless, no one would have looked for a second one. New Heart English Bible For if the first had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. Webster's Bible Translation For if that first covenant had been faultless, then would no place have been sought for the second. Weymouth New Testament For if that first Covenant had been free from imperfection, there would have been no attempt to introduce another. World English Bible For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionfor if that first were faultless, a place would not have been sought for a second. Berean Literal Bible For if what was first had been faultless, no place would have been sought for a second. Young's Literal Translation for if that first were faultless, a place would not have been sought for a second. Smith's Literal Translation For if that first was faultless, then place was not to be sought for the second. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor if that former had been faultless, there should not indeed a place have been sought for a second. Catholic Public Domain Version For if the former one had been entirely without fault, then a place certainly would not have been sought for a subsequent one. New American Bible For if that first covenant had been faultless, no place would have been sought for a second one. New Revised Standard Version For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need to look for a second one. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor if the first covenant had been faultless, then there would have been no need for the second. Aramaic Bible in Plain English For if the first one had been without fault, then there would have been no place for this second one. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentFor if that first covenant had been faultless, no place would have been sought for a second. Godbey New Testament For if that first covenant had been faultless, a place would not have been sought for the second. Haweis New Testament For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no place sought for a second. Mace New Testament for if the first alliance had been without defect, there could have been no occasion for the second. Weymouth New Testament For if that first Covenant had been free from imperfection, there would have been no attempt to introduce another. Worrell New Testament For, if that first covenant had been faultless, place would not be sought for a second; Worsley New Testament For if the first covenant had been unexceptionable, there had been no room for a second: Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The New Covenant6Now, however, Jesus has received a much more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises. 7For if that first covenant had been without fault, no place would have been sought for a second. 8But God found fault with the people and said: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.… Cross References Jeremiah 31:31-34 Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. / It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant they broke, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD. / “But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. ... Hebrews 7:11-12 Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron? / For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well. Hebrews 10:1-4 For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. / If it could, would not the offerings have ceased? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt the guilt of their sins. / Instead, those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, ... Romans 8:3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh, Galatians 3:19-25 Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator. / A mediator is unnecessary, however, for only one party; but God is one. / Is the law, then, opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come from the law. ... 2 Corinthians 3:6-11 And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. / Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory, / will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? ... Hebrews 9:9-10 It is an illustration for the present time, because the gifts and sacrifices being offered were unable to cleanse the conscience of the worshiper. / They consist only in food and drink and special washings—external regulations imposed until the time of reform. Hebrews 10:9 Then He adds, “Here I am, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first to establish the second. Ezekiel 36:26-27 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. / And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances. Hebrews 7:18-19 So the former commandment is set aside because it was weak and useless / (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. Romans 7:12-14 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good. / Did that which is good, then, become death to me? Certainly not! But in order that sin might be exposed as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful. / We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. Colossians 2:14 having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross! Hebrews 9:15 Therefore Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, now that He has died to redeem them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. Matthew 5:17-18 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. / For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Romans 3:20-22 Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin. / But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets. / And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, Treasury of Scripture For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. had. Hebrews 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. Hebrews 7:11,18 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? … Galatians 3:21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. Jump to Previous Agreement Attempt Covenant Faultless First Free Good Imperfection Introduce Occasion Possible Second Sought WrongJump to Next Agreement Attempt Covenant Faultless First Free Good Imperfection Introduce Occasion Possible Second Sought WrongHebrews 8 1. By the eternal priesthood of Christ the Levitical priesthood of Aaron is overshadowed;7. and replaced by the new covenant of the Gospel. For if that first covenant had been without fault The "first covenant" refers to the Mosaic Covenant, established between God and Israel at Mount Sinai. This covenant included the Law, which was given to guide the Israelites in their relationship with God and each other. The "fault" mentioned here is not with the covenant itself, as it was divinely instituted, but with the inability of the people to uphold it due to their sinful nature. This highlights the limitations of the Law in bringing about true righteousness and points to the need for a more effective means of reconciliation with God. The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in Romans 8:3, where he discusses the Law's inability to fully address sin. no place would have been sought for a second Persons / Places / Events 1. The First CovenantRefers to the Mosaic Covenant, which was established between God and the Israelites at Mount Sinai. It included the Law given to Moses and was based on adherence to these laws for maintaining a relationship with God. 2. The Second Covenant This is the New Covenant, prophesied in the Old Testament and fulfilled through Jesus Christ. It is based on grace and faith rather than adherence to the law. 3. The Israelites The original recipients of the first covenant, who struggled to maintain their part of the covenant due to human weakness and sin. 4. Jesus Christ The mediator of the New Covenant, whose sacrifice established a new way for humanity to relate to God. 5. Mount Sinai The place where the first covenant was given to Moses, symbolizing the old way of law and commandments. Teaching Points The Imperfection of the First CovenantThe first covenant was not without fault because it relied on human ability to uphold it, which was impossible due to sin. The Necessity of the New Covenant The New Covenant was necessary because it provides a way to God that is not dependent on human effort but on the grace and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Role of Jesus as Mediator Jesus is the perfect mediator of the New Covenant, offering a relationship with God that is based on His righteousness, not ours. Living Under the New Covenant As believers, we are called to live by faith in Jesus Christ, embracing the freedom and grace offered through the New Covenant. The Fulfillment of God's Promises The transition from the first to the second covenant demonstrates God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises and His desire for a deeper relationship with His people.(7) For the second.--Rather, for a second. This verse connects itself with the words, "a better covenant" in Hebrews 8:6. The form of expression used clearly points to the intended inference--that covenant was faulty, and a place was sought for a second; this makes plain the connection with Hebrews 8:8. The failure of the first covenant was manifest (Hebrews 7:11; Hebrews 7:18) to God, who, whilst the first still existed, "sought" and found place for a second.Verse 7. - For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for a second. "For" introduces this sentence as a reason for what has been already said; i.e. for a better covenant having been spoken cf. The expression might be objected to by Hebrew readers as implying imperfection in the original Divine covenant. "Nay," says the writer, "it was imperfect, it was not faultless; for prophecy itself declares this." Should it be further objected that in the prophecy it is not the old covenant itself that is found fault with, but the people for not observing it, the answer would be that the remedy for their non-observance being the substitution of a new one that would answer its purpose better, some imperfection in the old one is implied. This is indeed the very point of this verse. If it be asked, further, how faultiness in the old covenant is compatible with the view of its Divine origin, the answer is abundantly supplied in St. Paul's Epistles. His position constantly is that the Mosaic Law, though in itself "holy, just, and true," and adequate to its purpose, was still imperfect as a means of justification. It was but a temporary dispensation, with a purpose of its own, intervening between the original promise to Abraham and the fulfillment of that promise in Christ. Thus it is no derogation to itself or to its Author to charge it with "weakness and unprofitableness" for a purpose it was never meant to answer. Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Forγὰρ (gar) Conjunction Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. if εἰ (ei) Conjunction Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. that ἐκείνη (ekeinē) Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 1565: That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed. first [ covenant ] πρώτη (prōtē) Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 4413: First, before, principal, most important. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost. had been ἦν (ēn) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. without fault, ἄμεμπτος (amemptos) Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 273: Blameless, free from fault or defect. Irreproachable. no οὐκ (ouk) Adverb Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. place τόπος (topos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 5117: Apparently a primary word; a spot, i.e. Location; figuratively, condition, opportunity; specially, a scabbard. would have been sought ἐζητεῖτο (ezēteito) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2212: To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot. for a second. δευτέρας (deuteras) Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 1208: Second; with the article: in the second place, for the second time. As the compare of duo; second. Links Hebrews 8:7 NIVHebrews 8:7 NLT Hebrews 8:7 ESV Hebrews 8:7 NASB Hebrews 8:7 KJV Hebrews 8:7 BibleApps.com Hebrews 8:7 Biblia Paralela Hebrews 8:7 Chinese Bible Hebrews 8:7 French Bible Hebrews 8:7 Catholic Bible NT Letters: Hebrews 8:7 For if that first covenant had been (Heb. He. Hb) |
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