In the previous chapter we digressed to discuss an ancient high priest, Melchizedek, who (at least according to Jewish tradition) was an individual superior to Abraham. Some traditions even equated him with the archangel, Michael.
Hebrews 8:1-2
The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man.
There is a Platonic view here -- a real sanctuary exists in heaven; the one on earth was just a shadow. Our high priest, Jesus, is even better than Melchizedek since he is the priest of the heavenly sanctuary.
Hebrews 8:3-5
Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer. If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already men who offer the gifts prescribed by the law. They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: "See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain."
The tabernacle of Moses is merely a shadow of the heavenly tabernacle. This is very reminiscent of Plato's shadows and forms, described in Plato's allegory of the cave, in his Republic. In that allegory, things we see on earth might be described as shadows cast on a cave wall; we see only the shadows, not the real, true objects.
The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man.
There is a Platonic view here -- a real sanctuary exists in heaven; the one on earth was just a shadow. Our high priest, Jesus, is even better than Melchizedek since he is the priest of the heavenly sanctuary.
Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer. If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already men who offer the gifts prescribed by the law. They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: "See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain."
The tabernacle of Moses is merely a shadow of the heavenly tabernacle. This is very reminiscent of Plato's shadows and forms, described in Plato's allegory of the cave, in his Republic. In that allegory, things we see on earth might be described as shadows cast on a cave wall; we see only the shadows, not the real, true objects.
Hebrews 8:6-7
But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises. For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another.
The covenant offered by Jesus is a superior covenant. The word "covenant" here was translated "testament" in the King James Version and is the source of the terms "Old Testament, New Testament" for the two portions of the Bible.
Hebrews 8:8-9
But God found fault with the people and said: "The time is 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 forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord.
The new covenant (New Testament) is deeper, more profound, final.
In verse 8, an alternate translation to "God found fault with the people and said," is "God found fault and said to the people".
Hebrews 8:10-12
This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, `Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."
Hebrews 8:13
By calling this covenant "new," he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.
But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises. For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another.
The covenant offered by Jesus is a superior covenant. The word "covenant" here was translated "testament" in the King James Version and is the source of the terms "Old Testament, New Testament" for the two portions of the Bible.
Hebrews 8:8-9
But God found fault with the people and said: "The time is 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 forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord.
The new covenant (New Testament) is deeper, more profound, final.
In verse 8, an alternate translation to "God found fault with the people and said," is "God found fault and said to the people".
Hebrews 8:10-12
This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, `Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."
The quote in verses 9-12 is from Jeremiah 31:31-34. Read that ancient passage for a beautiful Old Testament description of the new covenant. This New Covenant has the Holy Spirit teaching us, from within our hearts.
Hebrews 8:13
By calling this covenant "new," he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.
And so, the author argues to the Jewish readers, move on to the final, new covenant! It is silly to stay behind!
This chapter is a short 13 verses, serving as a hinge between Melchizedek and a detailed description coming in chapters 9 and 10, of the role Jesus plays as high priest.
This chapter is a short 13 verses, serving as a hinge between Melchizedek and a detailed description coming in chapters 9 and 10, of the role Jesus plays as high priest.
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