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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)If the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need for a second covenant to replace it.

Context of Hebrews 8:7

5They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” 6But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises. For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. 8But God found fault with the people and said: “The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. 9It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares 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 in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.
• Hebrews 7:11If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron?
• Galatians 3:21Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the 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