Hebrews 8:8-12
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.
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