King James Version

What Does Hebrews 8:9 Mean?

Hebrews 8:9 in the King James Version says “Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of... — study this verse from Hebrews chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

Hebrews 8:9 · KJV


Context

7

For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

8

For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

9

Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

10

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: put: Gr. give in: or, upon

11

And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest .


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The new covenant will 'not be according to the covenant I made with their fathers' at the Exodus, which 'they did not continue in' despite God's husbandly faithfulness ('I disregarded them' better translated 'I was a husband to them'). The old covenant was bilateral (conditional on human obedience); the new is unilateral (based on Christ's obedience and God's sovereign grace). Reformed theology emphasizes the new covenant's superiority in its gracious, effectual nature.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Exodus covenant at Sinai was ratified with the people's promise: 'All that the LORD has said we will do' (Exodus 19:8). Yet they broke covenant almost immediately with the golden calf. The new covenant doesn't depend on human promises but divine performance.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why did the old covenant fail, despite being God's law given to His chosen people?
  2. How does the new covenant's basis in Christ's obedience rather than yours provide security?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 34 words
οὐκ1 of 34

Not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

κατὰ2 of 34

according to

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

τὴν3 of 34
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

διαθήκῃ4 of 34

covenant

G1242

properly, a disposition, i.e., (specially) a contract (especially a devisory will)

ἣν5 of 34

that

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἐποίησα6 of 34

I made with

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

τοῖς7 of 34
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πατράσιν8 of 34

fathers

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

αὐτῶν9 of 34

their

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐν10 of 34

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἡμέρᾳ11 of 34

the day

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

ἐπιλαβομένου12 of 34

when I took

G1949

to seize (for help, injury, attainment, or any other purpose; literally or figuratively)

μου13 of 34

by the hand

G3450

of me

τῆς14 of 34
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χειρὸς15 of 34
G5495

the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)

αὐτῶν16 of 34

their

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐξαγαγεῖν17 of 34

to lead

G1806

to lead forth

αὐτῶν18 of 34

their

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐκ19 of 34

out of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

γῆς20 of 34

the land

G1093

soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)

Αἰγύπτου21 of 34

of Egypt

G125

aegyptus, the land of the nile

ὅτι22 of 34

because

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

αὐτῶν23 of 34

their

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

οὐκ24 of 34

Not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἐνέμειναν25 of 34

continued

G1696

to stay in the same place, i.e., (figuratively) persevere

ἐν26 of 34

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ27 of 34
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

διαθήκῃ28 of 34

covenant

G1242

properly, a disposition, i.e., (specially) a contract (especially a devisory will)

μου29 of 34

by the hand

G3450

of me

κἀγὼ30 of 34

and I

G2504

so also the dative case ????? <pronunciation strongs="kam-oy'"/>, and accusative case ???? <pronunciation strongs="kam-eh'"/> and (or also, even, etc.

ἠμέλησα31 of 34

not

G272

to be careless of

αὐτῶν32 of 34

their

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

λέγει33 of 34

saith

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

κύριος·34 of 34

the Lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Hebrews. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Hebrews 8:9 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Hebrews 8:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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