Tyndale Open Study NotesHebrews 8

This passage explains that the role of Jesus as the heavenly high priest is better than the role of earthly priests.

• The 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 because he serves in the true place of worship, the very presence of God in heaven (8:5; 9:11, 24; 10:12).

• Every high priest must offer gifts and sacrifices. Since offering sacrifices is a general duty of priests, Jesus also needed to offer a sacrifice.

• This verse repeats what was mentioned in the first verse of the earlier discussion (Hebrews 5:1), marking another important section in the book.

If Jesus were on earth, he would not be a priest under the old system (see Hebrews 7:13–14). However, Jesus is in heaven, making his priestly role unique and better than the priests of the old covenant (8:5; 9:11, 24; 10:12).

a copy and shadow: The earthly place of worship was a copy of the real one in heaven. This is why God told Moses to follow the pattern (see Exodus 25:40; 26:30; compare Acts 7:44). Both Judaism and early Christianity talked about a heavenly temple in a heavenly Jerusalem, which would come to earth at the end of time (see Revelation 21:2). Hebrews suggests that God showed Moses this heavenly place so he could build the earthly tabernacle. However, Jesus serves as high priest in the heavenly temple.

• He mediates: A mediator helps two parties reach an agreement. Christ's sacrifice created a covenant (agreement) between people and God.

• the covenant He mediates is better: See “The New Covenant” Theme Note. This covenant is better because it relies on better promises (see Hebrews 8:7–13).

The author refers to Jeremiah 31:31–34, an Old Testament prophecy about the new covenant with several important promises. Highlighting the new covenant's superiority supports the argument in Hebrews 9:1–10:18 that the Son’s offering under the new covenant was better than the old covenant offerings.

The 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).

God found fault with the people: The people could not follow the old agreement's terms (see study note on Hebrews 8:7), so God created a new agreement.

• God made a covenant with their ancestors at Sinai (Exodus 19:1–8; 24:7–8; 34:27–28; Deuteronomy 4:13).

• I took them by the hand: God rescued his people from Egypt, guiding them like a parent guides a child who cannot care for itself (see Exodus 12–14).

• they did not abide by My covenant: See Hebrews 3:7–19; Numbers 14:1–38; Deuteronomy 9; Psalms 106.

• I disregarded them: The covenant warned that if the people turned away, God would also turn away from them (see Deuteronomy 28:15–68; 30:11–20; 1 Kings 8:22–53; 2 Chronicles 6:12–42).

In the old covenant, people had to deeply understand the words of the law (Deuteronomy 32:46). The kings of Israel and Judah were judged on their dedication to God's law (2 Kings 10:31; 2 Chronicles 31:21). Under the new covenant, God's laws are meant to be in people's minds and hearts. People would have renewed hearts and minds, with God's law as a natural, internal motivation.

All people in the new covenant know the Lord. A close and personal relationship with him is at the center of the new covenant.

A key feature of the new covenant is that God will forgive their wickedness and never again remember their sins. The sacrifice of Jesus fully cleanses his people from sin (Hebrews 9:13–15; 10:14–18, 22; 1 John 1:7).

The word new in "new" covenant emphasizes that, after God established this covenant, the Sinai covenant became old or obselete. Its usefulness ended, and it was about to be replaced.