The old Covenant VS The New Heritage
in Heb 9
• "This cup is the new covenant in my blood" (Luke 22:20).
• "Mediator of a new covenant" (Hebrews 9:15).
• Paul's contrast between the old and new covenants (2 Corinthians 3). The Christian message is that it's God's good will to make a New Treaty with us. This status solely depends on the sacrifice and death of Jesus Christ. And this is well outlined and elaborated in the Hebrew epistle. Our subject, Hebrews 9:16-17 is (linguistically) an unusual case in the New Testament writings because the author appears to use diathēkē in the sense of a testament/will:
Hebrews 9:15–17 plays on both meanings simultaneously:
As a Covenant: Jesus acts as the mediator of a new pact established with his people.
As a Will/Testament: Jesus is the testator whose death activates the inherited promises for his heirs. Below, we will go through this section in detail, examining and contemplating on every little detail.
1 ..the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant.
...
Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover.
...
the priests enteredregularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry.
But only the high priest entered the inner room, and thatonly once a year , and never without blood , which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.
The Holy Spirit was showing by this [model] that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed* as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning.
9 This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offeredwere not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings —external regulations applying until the time of the new order.
Christ came as High Priest of the good things that are now already here,[are to come] he went through the greater and more perfect Tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood , thus obtaining [by his own blood, having obtained] eternal redemption.
14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death,[from dead works /from useless rituals] so that we may serve theliving God!
new covenant , [here: testament, since it comes with inheritance see v. 16. about the Will] that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance —now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
16 In the case of a will,[covenant], becausea will [covenant] is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood.
...
(Moses) said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep” [Exo 24:8]
24 Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.
25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own.
...
26 But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sinby the sacrifice of himself .
..
28 Christ was sacrificed onceto take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Using the word: "covenant"
In the modern English a "covenant" conveys the idea of a solemn agreement between two living parties and a "testament" as a last will activated by death.Biblical definitions
In the Old Testament era, "covenant" {Heb. בְּרִית = berit} a binding, solemn pact alliance between parties. These partners are living persons and the agreement or treaty takes effect when established (often sealed with a blood sacrifice or oath with special ceremonies). In the New Testament era, "covenant" and "testament" are related concepts, {testamentum / diathēkē} but they are not exactly the same. Sometimes these concepts overlap. One thing is sure. When we read the word: Testament it takes effect only upon the death of the testator.Why do the writers choose these word?
In Classical Greek, the normal word for a mutual treaty or covenant was synthēkē. However, when Jewish scholars translated the Hebrew Bible into Greek (the Septuagint), they deliberately chose diathēkē (which usually meant "last will" or "unilateral disposition"). They did this to emphasize that God’s pacts with humans are not negotiated contracts between equals; God sets the terms sovereignty. The act is assymetric. In the New Testament the dominant usage /meaning of the diathēkē is clearly covenant, echoing the Hebrew berit of the Old Testament.• "This cup is the new covenant in my blood" (Luke 22:20).
• "Mediator of a new covenant" (Hebrews 9:15).
• Paul's contrast between the old and new covenants (2 Corinthians 3). The Christian message is that it's God's good will to make a New Treaty with us. This status solely depends on the sacrifice and death of Jesus Christ. And this is well outlined and elaborated in the Hebrew epistle. Our subject, Hebrews 9:16-17 is (linguistically) an unusual case in the New Testament writings because the author appears to use diathēkē in the sense of a testament/will:
Hebrews 9:15–17 plays on both meanings simultaneously:
As a Covenant: Jesus acts as the mediator of a new pact established with his people.
As a Will/Testament: Jesus is the testator whose death activates the inherited promises for his heirs. Below, we will go through this section in detail, examining and contemplating on every little detail.
Our meditation according to the Heb 9
The starting point — What to do in the...
· old covenant - it should be maintained by ceremonial repetition for yearly "reset". The action is narrowed to the service keeper levites and priesthood. The member of the covenant / the chosen Nation needs to be restored in every year.
VS
· new heritage - it has been maintained by the everlasting (timeless) sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Guaranteed treaty, an everlasting "deal", new status as heir in the same family with the Messiah & Living Gd for the perfected conscience in the human life.
· old covenant - it should be maintained by ceremonial repetition for yearly "reset". The action is narrowed to the service keeper levites and priesthood. The member of the covenant / the chosen Nation needs to be restored in every year.
VS
· new heritage - it has been maintained by the everlasting (timeless) sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Guaranteed treaty, an everlasting "deal", new status as heir in the same family with the Messiah & Living Gd for the perfected conscience in the human life.
the Earthly
Heb 9:1 ..the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant.
...
Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover.
...
the priests entered
But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that
The Holy Spirit was showing by this [model] that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed* as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning.
9 This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered
*not yet disclosed:
it was previously hidden, private, secret;
not known to the public or to anyone
(also means: not to be uncovered or allowed)
it was previously hidden, private, secret;
not known to the public or to anyone
(also means: not to be uncovered or allowed)
the Heavenly
11 But whenThe comparison of the two different blood
13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean.14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death,[from dead works /from useless rituals] so that we may serve the
Christ is the Mediator & Ransom
15 For this reason Christ is the mediator [Heb 8:6; 12:24] of a16 In the case of a will,[covenant], because
...
(Moses) said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep” [Exo 24:8]
Christ is the sacrifice and the High Priest
..24 Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.
25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own.
...
26 But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin
..
28 Christ was sacrificed once
