Hebrews 9:16-18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hebrews 9:15-22

In these verses the apostle considers the gospel under the notion of a will or testament, the new or last will and testament of Christ, and shows the necessity and efficacy of the blood of Christ to make this testament valid and effectual. I. The gospel is here considered as a testament, the new and last will and testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is observable that the solemn transactions that pass between God and man are sometimes called a covenant, here a testament. A... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Hebrews 9:15-22

9:15-22 It is through him that there emerges a new covenant between God and man; and the purpose behind this new covenant is that those who have been called might receive the eternal inheritance which has been promised to them; but this could happen only after a death had taken place, the purpose of which was to rescue them from the consequences of the transgressions which had been committed under the conditions of the old covenant. For where there is a will, it is necessary that there should... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 9:16

For where a testament is ,.... The covenant of grace, as administered under the Gospel dispensation, is a testament or will. The Jews have adopted the Greek word, here used, into their language, and pronounce it דייתיקי , and by it understand a dying man's last will and testament F4 T. Hieros. Peah, fol. 17. 4. & T. Bab. Bava Bathra, fol. 152. 2. . Some of them make it to be of Hebrew derivation; as if it was said, דא תהי למיקם , "this shall be to confirm" F5 T. Bab.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 9:17

For a testament is of force after men are dead ,.... The necessity of Christ's death is here urged, from the nature and force of a testament or will, among men, which does not take place, and cannot be executed, till a man is dead. Otherwise it is of no strength at all whilst the testator liveth ; no claim can be made by the legatees for the part they have in it, nor can any disposition be made by the executor of it; not that hereby is suggested, that the testament or will of God was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 9:18

Whereupon neither the first testament ,.... Or the first administration of the covenant of grace under the law: was dedicated without blood ; or "confirmed" without it, that dispensation being a typical one; and that blood was typical of the blood of Christ, by which the new covenant or testament is ratified; see Exodus 24:7 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 9:16

For where a testament is - A learned and judicious friend furnishes me with the following translation of this and the 17th verse: - "For where there is a covenant, it is necessary that the death of the appointed victim should be exhibited, because a covenant is confirmed over dead victims, since it is not at all valid while the appointed victim is alive." He observes, "There is no word signifying testator, or men, in the original. Διαθεμενος is not a substantive, but a participle, or a... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 9:18

Whereupon - Ὁθεν . Wherefore, as a victim was required for the ratification of every covenant, the first covenant made between God and the Hebrews, by the mediation of Moses, was not dedicated, εγκεκαινισται , renewed or solemnized, without blood - without the death of a victim, and the aspersion of its blood. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 9:16

Verse 16 16.For where a testament is, etc. Even this one passage is a sufficient proof, that this Epistle was not written in Hebrew; for ברית means in Hebrew a covenant, but not a testament; but in Greek , διαθήκη, includes both ideas; and the Apostle, alluding to its secondary meaning, holds that the promises should not have been otherwise ratified and valid, had they not been sealed by the death of Christ. And this he proves by referring to what is usually the case as to wills or testaments,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 9:18

Verse 18 18.Whereupon neither the first, etc. It hence appears that the fact is what is mainly urged, and that it is not a question about the word, though the Apostle turned to his own purpose a word presented to his attention in that language in which he wrote, as though one, while speaking of God’s covenant, which is often called in Greek μαρτυρία, a testimony, were to recommend it among other things under that title. And doubtless that is a testimony , μαρτυρία, to which angels from heaven... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hebrews 9:15-22

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Hebrews 9:15-22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 9:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 9:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 9:18

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 9:16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 9:18

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 9:16

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 9:18

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 9:1-28

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