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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad7.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/hebrews/8-6.htm" title="Hebrews 8:6">◄</a> Hebrews 8:7 <a href="/hebrews/8-8.htm" title="Hebrews 8:8">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/hebrews/8.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/hebrews/8.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/hebrews/8.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />If the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need for a second covenant to replace it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/hebrews/8.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/hebrews/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For if that first covenant had been without fault, no place would have been sought for a second.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/hebrews/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For if what was first had been faultless, no place would have been sought for a second.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/hebrews/8.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For if that first <i>covenant</i> had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/hebrews/8.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For if that first <i>covenant</i> had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/hebrews/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For if that first <i>covenant</i> had been free of fault, no circumstances would have been sought for a second.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/hebrews/8.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/hebrews/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For if that first <i>covenant</i> had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/hebrews/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For if that first <i>covenant</i> had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/hebrews/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For if that first <i>covenant</i> had been faultless, there would have been no occasion for a second one <i>or</i> an attempt to institute another one [the new covenant].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/hebrews/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion for a second one.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/hebrews/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion for a second one.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/hebrews/8.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For if that first covenant had been faultless, then would no place have been sought for a second.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/hebrews/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If the first agreement with God had been all right, there would not have been any need for another one. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/hebrews/8.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For if that first covenant had been faultless, then would no place have been sought for a second.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/hebrews/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />If nothing had been wrong with the first promise, no one would look for another one.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/hebrews/8.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />If there had been nothing wrong with the first covenant, there would have been no need for a second one. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/hebrews/8.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />If the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need to look for a second one, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/hebrews/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For if that first covenant had been without fault, no place would have been sought for a second.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/hebrews/8.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For if that first covenant had been faultless, no one would have looked for a second one.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/hebrews/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For if the first had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/hebrews/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For if that first covenant had been faultless, then would no place have been sought for the second.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/hebrews/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />For if that first Covenant had been free from imperfection, there would have been no attempt to introduce another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/hebrews/8.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/hebrews/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />for if that first were faultless, a place would not have been sought for a second.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/hebrews/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For if what was first had been faultless, no place would have been sought for a second.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/hebrews/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> for if that first were faultless, a place would not have been sought for a second.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/hebrews/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For if that first was faultless, then place was not to be sought for the second.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/hebrews/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For if that former had been faultless, there should not indeed a place have been sought for a second. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/hebrews/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For if the former one had been entirely without fault, then a place certainly would not have been sought for a subsequent one.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/hebrews/8.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />For if that first covenant had been faultless, no place would have been sought for a second one.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/hebrews/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need to look for a second one.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/hebrews/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For if the first covenant had been faultless, then there would have been no need for the second.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/hebrews/8.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />For if the first one had been without fault, then there would have been no place for this second one.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/hebrews/8.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />For if that first covenant had been faultless, no place would have been sought for a second.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/hebrews/8.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />For if that first covenant had been faultless, a place would not have been sought for the second.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/hebrews/8.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no place sought for a second.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/hebrews/8.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />for if the first alliance had been without defect, there could have been no occasion for the second.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/hebrews/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />For if that first Covenant had been free from imperfection, there would have been no attempt to introduce another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/hebrews/8.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />For, if that first <i>covenant</i> had been faultless, place would not be sought for a second;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/hebrews/8.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />For if the first <i>covenant</i> had been unexceptionable, there had been no room for a second:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/hebrews/8-7.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x-IAXXp5zcA?start=1309" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/hebrews/8.htm">The New Covenant</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6</span>Now, however, Jesus has received a much more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises. <span class="reftext">7</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">For</a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">if</a> <a href="/greek/1565.htm" title="1565: ekeinē (DPro-NFS) -- That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.">that</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4413.htm" title="4413: prōtē (Adj-NFS) -- First, before, principal, most important. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost.">first covenant</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ēn (V-IIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">had been</a> <a href="/greek/273.htm" title="273: amemptos (Adj-NFS) -- Blameless, free from fault or defect. Irreproachable.">without fault,</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">no</a> <a href="/greek/5117.htm" title="5117: topos (N-NMS) -- Apparently a primary word; a spot, i.e. Location; figuratively, condition, opportunity; specially, a scabbard.">place</a> <a href="/greek/302.htm" title="302: an (Prtcl) -- A primary particle, denoting a supposition, wish, possibility or uncertainty."></a> <a href="/greek/2212.htm" title="2212: ezēteito (V-IIM/P-3S) -- To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot.">would have been sought</a> <a href="/greek/1208.htm" title="1208: deuteras (Adj-GFS) -- Second; with the article: in the second place, for the second time. As the compare of duo; second.">for a second.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">8</span>But 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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/31-31.htm">Jeremiah 31:31-34</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/7-11.htm">Hebrews 7:11-12</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-1.htm">Hebrews 10:1-4</a></span><br />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, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-3.htm">Romans 8:3</a></span><br />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,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-19.htm">Galatians 3:19-25</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/3-6.htm">2 Corinthians 3:6-11</a></span><br />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? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-9.htm">Hebrews 9:9-10</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-9.htm">Hebrews 10:9</a></span><br />Then He adds, “Here I am, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first to establish the second.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/36-26.htm">Ezekiel 36:26-27</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/7-18.htm">Hebrews 7:18-19</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-12.htm">Romans 7:12-14</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/2-14.htm">Colossians 2:14</a></span><br />having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-15.htm">Hebrews 9:15</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17-18</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-20.htm">Romans 3:20-22</a></span><br />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,</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.</p><p class="hdg">had.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hebrews/8-6.htm">Hebrews 8:6</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hebrews/7-11.htm">Hebrews 7:11,18</a></b></br> If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need <i>was there</i> that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/galatians/3-21.htm">Galatians 3:21</a></b></br> <i>Is</i> 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.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hebrews/8-6.htm">Agreement</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-27.htm">Attempt</a> <a href="/hebrews/8-6.htm">Covenant</a> <a href="/colossians/1-22.htm">Faultless</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-27.htm">First</a> <a href="/hebrews/2-15.htm">Free</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-28.htm">Good</a> <a href="/revelation/3-2.htm">Imperfection</a> <a href="/romans/16-1.htm">Introduce</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-14.htm">Occasion</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-18.htm">Possible</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-15.htm">Second</a> <a href="/2_timothy/1-17.htm">Sought</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-26.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/hebrews/8-8.htm">Agreement</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-29.htm">Attempt</a> <a href="/hebrews/8-8.htm">Covenant</a> <a href="/james/1-27.htm">Faultless</a> <a href="/hebrews/8-13.htm">First</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-14.htm">Free</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-11.htm">Good</a> <a href="/revelation/3-2.htm">Imperfection</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-1.htm">Introduce</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-15.htm">Occasion</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-5.htm">Possible</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-3.htm">Second</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-17.htm">Sought</a> <a href="/james/2-4.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Hebrews 8</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/hebrews/8-1.htm">By the eternal priesthood of Christ the Levitical priesthood of Aaron is overshadowed;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/hebrews/8-7.htm">and replaced by the new covenant of the Gospel.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hebrews/8.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hebrews/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/hebrews/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For if that first covenant had been without fault</b><br>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 <a href="/romans/8-3.htm">Romans 8:3</a>, where he discusses the Law's inability to fully address sin.<p><b>no place would have been sought for a second</b><br>The "second" covenant refers to the New Covenant, prophesied in <a href="/jeremiah/31-31.htm">Jeremiah 31:31-34</a>, which promised a new relationship between God and His people, characterized by internal transformation and forgiveness of sins. The seeking of a "second" covenant indicates God's plan for redemption through Jesus Christ, who fulfills and surpasses the old covenant. This new covenant is established through Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection, offering a permanent solution to sin and a direct relationship with God. <a href="/hebrews/9-15.htm">Hebrews 9:15</a> further explains that Christ is the mediator of this new covenant, providing eternal inheritance for those who are called.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_first_covenant.htm">The First Covenant</a></b><br>Refers 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.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_second_covenant.htm">The Second Covenant</a></b><br>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.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The original recipients of the first covenant, who struggled to maintain their part of the covenant due to human weakness and sin.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The mediator of the New Covenant, whose sacrifice established a new way for humanity to relate to God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_sinai.htm">Mount Sinai</a></b><br>The place where the first covenant was given to Moses, symbolizing the old way of law and commandments.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_imperfection_of_the_first_covenant.htm">The Imperfection of the First Covenant</a></b><br>The first covenant was not without fault because it relied on human ability to uphold it, which was impossible due to sin.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_necessity_of_the_new_covenant.htm">The Necessity of the New Covenant</a></b><br>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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_jesus_as_mediator.htm">The Role of Jesus as Mediator</a></b><br>Jesus is the perfect mediator of the New Covenant, offering a relationship with God that is based on His righteousness, not ours.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_under_the_new_covenant.htm">Living Under the New Covenant</a></b><br>As believers, we are called to live by faith in Jesus Christ, embracing the freedom and grace offered through the New Covenant.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_fulfillment_of_god's_promises.htm">The Fulfillment of God's Promises</a></b><br>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.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_hebrews_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Hebrews 8</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_an_altar.htm">What defines an altar?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_constantine_move_sabbath_to_sunday.htm">Did Constantine shift the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_fulfilling_christ's_law.htm">What does fulfilling Christ's law entail?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_you_find_peace_and_remain_still.htm">What did the Ark of the Covenant contain?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/hebrews/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(7) <span class= "bld">For the second.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">for a second.</span> This verse connects itself with the words, "a better covenant" in <a href="/hebrews/8-6.htm" title="But now has he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.">Hebrews 8:6</a>. The form of expression used clearly points to the intended inference--that covenant <span class= "ital">was</span> faulty, and a place was sought for a second; this makes plain the connection with <a href="/hebrews/8-8.htm" title="For finding fault with them, he said, Behold, the days come, said the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:">Hebrews 8:8</a>. The failure of the first covenant was manifest (<a href="/hebrews/7-11.htm" title="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?">Hebrews 7:11</a>; <a href="/hebrews/7-18.htm" title="For there is truly a cancellation of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.">Hebrews 7:18</a>) to God, who, whilst the first still existed, "sought" and found place for a second.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/hebrews/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 7.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for a second</span>. "For" introduces this sentence as a reason for what has been already said; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> for a <span class="accented">better</span> 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 <span class="accented">was</span> imperfect, it was <span class="accented">not</span> 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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/hebrews/8-7.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">For</span><br /><span class="grk">γὰρ</span> <span class="translit">(gar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> </span><span class="str2">For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">if</span><br /><span class="grk">εἰ</span> <span class="translit">(ei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> </span><span class="str2">If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐκείνη</span> <span class="translit">(ekeinē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1565.htm">Strong's 1565: </a> </span><span class="str2">That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">first [ covenant ]</span><br /><span class="grk">πρώτη</span> <span class="translit">(prōtē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4413.htm">Strong's 4413: </a> </span><span class="str2">First, before, principal, most important. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had been</span><br /><span class="grk">ἦν</span> <span class="translit">(ēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">without fault,</span><br /><span class="grk">ἄμεμπτος</span> <span class="translit">(amemptos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_273.htm">Strong's 273: </a> </span><span class="str2">Blameless, free from fault or defect. Irreproachable.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">no</span><br /><span class="grk">οὐκ</span> <span class="translit">(ouk)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> </span><span class="str2">No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">place</span><br /><span class="grk">τόπος</span> <span class="translit">(topos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5117.htm">Strong's 5117: </a> </span><span class="str2">Apparently a primary word; a spot, i.e. Location; figuratively, condition, opportunity; specially, a scabbard.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">would have been sought</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐζητεῖτο</span> <span class="translit">(ezēteito)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2212.htm">Strong's 2212: </a> </span><span class="str2">To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for a second.</span><br /><span class="grk">δευτέρας</span> <span class="translit">(deuteras)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1208.htm">Strong's 1208: </a> </span><span class="str2">Second; with the article: in the second place, for the second time. As the compare of duo; second.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/hebrews/8-7.htm">Hebrews 8:7 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/hebrews/8-7.htm">Hebrews 8:7 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/hebrews/8-7.htm">Hebrews 8:7 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/hebrews/8-7.htm">Hebrews 8:7 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/hebrews/8-7.htm">Hebrews 8:7 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/hebrews/8-7.htm">Hebrews 8:7 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/hebrews/8-7.htm">Hebrews 8:7 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/hebrews/8-7.htm">Hebrews 8:7 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/hebrews/8-7.htm">Hebrews 8:7 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/hebrews/8-7.htm">Hebrews 8:7 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/hebrews/8-7.htm">NT Letters: Hebrews 8:7 For if that first covenant had been (Heb. He. Hb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/hebrews/8-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Hebrews 8:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Hebrews 8:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/hebrews/8-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Hebrews 8:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Hebrews 8:8" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>