Heb 8:7-13 | RWP | e4.org | That first covenant ( η πρωτη εκεινη ). The word διαθηκη (covenant) is not expressed, but clearly meant by the feminine gender πρωτη . Faultless ( αμεμπτος ). Old compound adjective for which see ; . The condition is second class and assumes that the old covenant was not "blameless," apparently a serious charge which he hastens to explain. For a second ( δευτερας ). Objective genitive with διαθηκης understood. The conclusion with αν and the imperfect passive indicative ( εζητειτο ) is clearly a second-class condition. See a like argument in .

‏ Hebrews 8:7-13

That first covenant ( η πρωτη εκεινη ). The word διαθηκη (covenant) is not expressed, but clearly meant by the feminine gender πρωτη.

Faultless ( αμεμπτος ). Old compound adjective for which see Lu 1:6; Php 2:15. The condition is second class and assumes that the old covenant was not "blameless," apparently a serious charge which he hastens to explain.

For a second ( δευτερας ). Objective genitive with διαθηκης understood. The conclusion with αν and the imperfect passive indicative ( εζητειτο ) is clearly a second-class condition. See a like argument in 7:11.

Finding fault with them ( μεμφομενος αυτους ). Present middle participle of μεμφομα (cf. αμεμπτος ), old verb, in N.T. only here and Ro 9:19. The covenant was all right, but the Jews failed to keep it. Hence God made a new one of grace in place of law. Why do marriage covenants so often fail to hold? The author quotes in verses 8-12; Jer 38:31-34 (in LXX 31:31-34) in full which calls for little explanation or application to prove his point (verse 13).

I will make ( συντελεσω ). Future active of συντελεω, old compound verb to accomplish as in Mr 13:4; Ro 9:28.

A new covenant ( διαθηκην καινην ). In 12:24 we have διαθηκης νεας, but καινης in 1Co 11:25. Καινος is fresh, on new lines as opposed to the old ( παλαιος ) as in 2Co 3:6, 14; νεος is young or not yet old.

In the day that I took them ( εν ημερα επιλαβομενου μου ). Genitive absolute ( μου and second aorist middle participle of επιλαμβανω ), "a Hellenistic innovation" (Moffatt) in imitation of the Hebrew after ημερα in place of εν η επελαβομεν, occurring also in Barn. 2:28.

By the hand ( της χειρος ). Technical use of the genitive of the part affected.

To lead them forth ( εξαγαγειν αυτους ). Second aorist active infinitive of εξαγω to denote purpose.

For they continued not ( οτ αυτο ουκ ενεμειναν ). First aorist active indicative of εμμενω, old verb to remain in (Ac 14:22). The Israelites broke the covenant. Then God annulled it.

I regarded not ( ημελησα ). "I neglected" as in 2:3. The covenant was void when they broke it.

This ( αυτη ). The "new" one of verse 8.

That I will make ( ην διαθησομα ). Future middle of διατιθημ, "that I will covenant," cognate accusative ( ην ), using the same root in the verb as in διαθηκη.

I will put ( διδους ). "Giving," present active participle of διδωμ, to give.

Into their mind ( εις την διανοιαν αυτων ). Their intellect, their moral understanding, all the intellect as in Aristotle (Col 1:21; Eph 4:18).

On their heart ( επ καρδιας αυτων ). Either genitive singular or accusative plural. Καρδια is the seat of man's personal life (Westcott), the two terms covering the whole of man's inward nature.

A god ( εις θεον ). Note the Hebraistic use of εις in the predicate instead of the usual nominative θεος as in "a people" ( εις λαον ). This was the ideal of the old covenant (Ex 6:7), now at last to be a fact.

They shall not teach ( ου μη διδαξωσιν ). Strong double negative ( ου μη ) with the first aorist active (futuristic) subjunctive of διδασκω.

His fellow-citizen ( τον πολιτην αυτου ). See Lu 15:15; 19:14.

Know the Lord ( Γνωθ τον κυριον ). Second aorist active imperative of γινωσκω. In the new covenant all will be taught of God (Isa 54:13; Joh 6:45), whereas under the old only the educated scribe could understand the minutiae of the law (Dods). See Paul's comparison in 2Co 3:7-18.

Shall know ( ειδησουσιν ). Future perfect active, old form of οιδα (note γινωσκω just before of recognizing God), one of the rare future perfects (cf. 2:13, εσομα πεποιθως ).

Merciful ( ιλεως ). Old Attic adjective for ιλαος, common in the LXX, only here in N.T., from which ιλασκομα comes (Lu 18:13).

Will I remember no more ( ου μη μνησθω ετ ). Double negative ου μη with first aorist passive subjunctive (volitive) of μιμνησκω, to recall.

In that he saith ( εν τω λεγειν ). Locative case of the articular present active infinitive of λεγω, "in the saying as to him."

He hath made the first old ( πεπαλαιωκεν την πρωτην ). Perfect active indicative of παλαιοω, old verb from παλαιος (in contrast with καινος, fresh, new), to treat as old and out of date. The conclusion is to the point.

That which is becoming old and waxeth aged ( το παλαιουμενον κα γηρασκον ). Γηρασκω is old verb from γηρας (age) like γερων (old man) and refers to the decay of old age so that both ideas appear here in opposition to καινος ( παλαιος ) and νεος ( γεραιος ).

Is nigh unto vanishing away ( εγγυς αφανισμου ). Genitive case with εγγυς and late word for disappearance (from αφανιζω, Mt 6:19), here only in the N.T. The author writes as if the Old Testament legal and ceremonial system were about to vanish before the new covenant of grace. If he wrote after A.D. 70, would he not have written "has vanished away"?