God’s Word Translation
Hebrews 8:1
1The main point we want to make is this: We do have this kind of chief priest. This chief priest holds the honored position—the one next to the majestic God [the Father] on the heavenly throne.
Hebrews 8:1 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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;
- New International Version (NIV)Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,
- English Standard Version (ESV)Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,
- New King James Version (NKJV)Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,
Context of Hebrews 8:1
The main point we want to make is this: We do have this kind of chief priest. This chief priest holds the honored position—the one next to the majestic God [the Father] on the heavenly throne. 2He serves as priest of the holy place and of the true tent set up by the Lord and not by any human. 3Every chief priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices. Therefore, this chief priest had to offer something.
Read all of Hebrews 8Hebrews 8:1 word by word
Κεφάλαιον δὲ ἐπὶ τοῖς λεγομένοις, τοιοῦτον ἔχομεν ἀρχιερέα ὃς ἐκάθισεν ἐν δεξιᾷ τοῦ θρόνου τῆς μεγαλωσύνης ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς,Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Nowδέde · thenG1161
- ofἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
- the things which we have spokenλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
- the sumκεφάλαιοςkephalaion · sumG2774
- We haveἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
- suchτοιοῦτοςtoioutos · such as thisG5108
- an high priestἀρχιερεύςarchiereus · high-priestG749
- whoὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
- is setκαθίζωkathizō · to seatG2523
- onἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- the right handδεξιόςdexios · rightG1188
- of the throneὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- of the throneθρόνοςthronos · throneG2362
- of the Majestyμεγαλωσύνηmegalōsunē · majestyG3172
- the heavensοὐρανόςouranos · heavenG3772
Cross-references for Hebrews 8:1
- Hebrews 7:26We need a chief priest who is holy, innocent, pure, set apart from sinners, and who holds the honored position—the one next to God the Father on the heavenly throne.
- Hebrews 1:3His Son is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact likeness of God’s being. He holds everything together through his powerful words. After he had cleansed people from their sins, he now holds the honored position—the one next to the majestic God [the Father] on the heavenly throne.
- Hebrews 10:12However, this chief priest made one sacrifice for sins, and this sacrifice lasts forever. Now he holds the honored position—the one next to God the Father on the heavenly throne.
- Hebrews 12:2We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith. He saw the joy ahead of him, so he endured death on the cross and ignored the disgrace it brought him. Now he holds the honored position—the one next to God the Father on the heavenly throne.
- Ephesians 6:20Because I have already been doing this as Christ’s representative, I am in prison. So pray that I speak about this Good News as boldly as I have to.
- Colossians 3:1Since you were brought back to life with Christ, focus on the things that are above—where Christ holds the honored position—the one next to God the Father on the heavenly throne.
- Revelation 3:21I will allow everyone who wins the victory to sit with me on my throne, as I have won the victory and have sat down with my Father on his throne.
- 1 Chronicles 29:11Greatness, power, splendor, glory, and majesty are yours, Lord, because everything in heaven and on earth is yours. The kingdom is yours, Lord, and you are honored as head of all things.
- Job 37:22A golden light comes from the north. A terrifying majesty is around God.
- Psalms 21:5Because of your victory his glory is great. You place splendor and majesty on him.
- Psalms 45:3O warrior, strap your sword to your side with your splendor and majesty.
- Psalms 104:1Praise the Lord, my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great. You are clothed with splendor and majesty.
- Psalms 145:12in order to make known your mighty deeds and the glorious honor of your kingdom.
- Isaiah 24:14They raise their voices. They shout for joy. From the sea they sing joyfully about the Lord’s majesty.
- Micah 5:4The child will become the shepherd of his flock. ⌞He will lead them⌟ with the strength of the Lord, with the majestic name of the Lord his God. They will live in safety because his greatness will reach the ends of the earth.
Commentaries on Hebrews 8:1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1Of the things which we have spoken this is the sum - The word , which we translate sum, signifies the chief, the principal, or head; or, as St. Chrysostom explains it, , "that which is greatest is always called kephalaion," i.e. the head, or chief. Who is set on the right hand of the throne - This is what the apostle states to be the chief or most important point of all that he had yet discussed. His sitting down at the right hand of the throne of God…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1Now of the things which we have spoken - Or, “of the things of which we are speaking” (Stuart); or as we should say, “of what is said.” The Greek does not necessarily mean things that “had been” spoken, but may refer to all that he was saying, taking the whole subject into consideration. This is the sum - Or this is the principal thing; referring to what he was about to say, not what he had said. Our translators seem to have understood this as referring…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1The excellence of Christ's priesthood above that of Aaron is shown. (1-6) The great excellence of the new covenant above the former. (7-13) Verses 1-6 The substance, or summary, of what had been declared was, that Christians had such a High Priest as they needed. He took upon himself human nature, appeared on earth, and there gave himself as a sacrifice to God for the sins of his people. We must not dare to approach God, or to present any thing to him…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-2The first two verses of chapter 8 connect the previous discussion and introduce the next topic. The main point is that Jesus is appointed as a superior high priest (Hebrews 5:1–10; 7:1–28). He serves in the heavenly tabernacle (also in 8:5): This introduces the theme of Jesus’s superior offering, discussed in the rest of this section (8:3–10:18). Unlike the Levitical priests who served in an earthly tent or building, the sacrifice of Jesus is superior…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-131. the sum--rather, "the principal point"; for the participle is present, not past, which would be required if the meaning were "the sum." "The chief point in (or, 'in the case'; so the Greek, He 9:10, 15, 17) the things which we are speaking," literally, "which are being spoken." such--so transcendently pre-eminent, namely in this respect, that "He is set on the right hand of," &c. Infinitely above all other priests in this one grand respect, He…Read the comment
Topics related to Hebrews 8:1
In the dictionaries
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries