Hebrews 8:7

Hebrews 8:7 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
• New International Version (NIV)For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.

Context of Hebrews 8:7

5They serve as a pattern and foreshadowing of [what has its true existence and reality in] the heavenly things (sanctuary). For when Moses was about to erect the tabernacle, he was warned by God, saying, “See that you make it all [exactly] according to the pattern which was shown to you on the mountain.” 6But as it is, Christ has acquired a [priestly] ministry which is more excellent [than the old Levitical priestly ministry], for He is the Mediator (Arbiter) of a better covenant [uniting God and man], which has been enacted and rests on better promises. 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]. 8However, God finds fault with them [showing its inadequacy] when He says, “Behold, the days will come, says the Lord, When I will make and ratify a new covenant With the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; 9Not like the covenant that I made with their fathers On the day when I took them by the hand To lead them out of the land of Egypt; For they did not abide in My covenant, And so I withdrew My favor and disregarded them, says the Lord.

Hebrews 8:7 word by word

εἰ γὰρ ἡ πρώτη ἐκείνη ἦν ἄμεμπτος, οὐκ ἂν δευτέρας ἐζητεῖτο τόπος.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• ifεἰei · ifG1487
• thatἐκεῖνοςekeinos · thatG1565
• firstπρῶτοςprōtos · firstG4413
• had beenεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• faultlessἄμεμπτοςamemptos · blamelessG273
• then should noοὐou · noG3756
• ·ἄνan · ifG302
• placeτόποςtopos · placeG5117
• have been soughtζητέωzēteō · to seekG2212
• for the secondδεύτεροςdeuteros · secondlyG1208
• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588

Cross-references for Hebrews 8:7

• Hebrews 8:6But as it is, Christ has acquired a [priestly] ministry which is more excellent [than the old Levitical priestly ministry], for He is the Mediator (Arbiter) of a better covenant [uniting God and man], which has been enacted and rests on better promises.
• Hebrews 7:11Now if perfection [a perfect fellowship between God and the worshiper] had been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people were given the Law) what further need was there for another and different kind of priest to arise, one in the manner of Melchizedek, rather than one appointed to the order of Aaron?
• Galatians 3:21Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a system of law had been given which could impart life, then righteousness (right standing with God) would actually have been based on law.

Commentaries on Hebrews 8:7

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 7If that first had been faultless - This is nearly the same argument with that in Hebrews 7:11. The simple meaning is: If the first covenant had made a provision for and actually conferred pardon and purity, and given a title to eternal life, then there could have been no need for a second; but the first covenant did not give these things, therefore a second was necessary; and the covenant that gives these things is the Christian covenant.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 7For if that first covenant had been faultless - see the note on Hebrews 7:11. It is implied here that God had said that that covenant was not perfect or faultless. The meaning is not that that first covenant made under Moses had any real faults - or inculcated what was wrong, but that it did not contain the ample provision for the pardon of sin and the salvation of the soul which was desirable. It was merely “preparatory” to the gospel. Then should no…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 7-13Verses 7-13 The superior excellence of the priesthood of Christ, above that of Aaron, is shown from that covenant of grace, of which Christ was Mediator. The law not only made all subject to it, liable to be condemned for the guilt of sin, but also was unable to remove that guilt, and clear the conscience from the sense and terror of it. Whereas, by the blood of Christ, a full remission of sins was provided, so that God would remember them no more. God…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 7The first agreement, made at Mount Sinai, was not without faults. It was only part of God’s plan, because it did not overcome human weakness (see Hebrews 7:11–28; 8:9).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 77. Same reasoning as in He 7:11. faultless--perfect in all its parts, so as not to be found fault with as wanting anything which ought to be there: answering all the purposes of a law. The law in its morality was blameless (Greek, "amomos"); but in saving us it was defective, and so not faultless (Greek, "amemptos"). should no place have been sought--as it has to be now; and as it is sought in the prophecy (He 8:8-11). The old covenant would have…Read the comment

Topics related to Hebrews 8:7

• Covenant
• Gospel
• Law
• Offerings

In the dictionaries

• Admonish
• Uttermost
• Christ, Offices of
• Congregation
• Faithful; Faithfulness
• Fault
• Gebal
• Hebrews, Epistle to the
• Jeroham
• Joelah

Commentaries on Hebrews 8

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings