Hebrews 8 Explained – Verse by Verse Commentary

The True Meaning of Hebrews 8

The Book of Hebrews was written by an anonymous author, though many scholars believe it was the Apostle Paul. The author was a learned Jewish Christian who sought to explain the superiority of Christ’s priesthood and new covenant over the old Mosaic covenant. The author delves into the nature of Christ’s priesthood and the new covenant he established in this chapter. He highlights how Christ’s priesthood is superior to the Levitical priesthood, and how the new covenant surpasses the old one. The chapter foreshadows the pivotal moment when Christ’s sacrifice on the cross would fulfill and replace the old system of animal sacrifices.

The author draws connections to the prophecy of Jeremiah, who foretold the coming of a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34). This new covenant, established through Christ’s blood, would write God’s laws on the hearts of his people, granting them forgiveness and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 8:1-2

The verses in Hebrews 8:1-2 state that 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 a mere human being.”

These verses highlight the main theme of the passage, which is the superiority of Jesus as our High Priest. The author of Hebrews is emphasizing the uniqueness and excellence of Christ’s priesthood compared to the Levitical priesthood. The mention of Jesus sitting at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven signifies His exalted status and authority.

The image of Jesus serving in the true tabernacle set up by the Lord is significant because it refers to the heavenly sanctuary where Christ performs His role as the ultimate High Priest. This heavenly sanctuary contrasts with the earthly tabernacle where the Levitical priests served. The earthly tabernacle was a copy and shadow of the heavenly reality (Hebrews 8:5), and Christ’s ministry in the heavenly sanctuary is far superior and eternal. The author of Hebrews conveys the message of the efficacy and finality of Christ’s redemptive work by underscoring Jesus as the High Priest who serves in the heavenly sanctuary. Christ, as the perfect High Priest, offered Himself once and for all as a sacrifice for sin in the Old Testament, where the high priests offered sacrifices repeatedly for the sins of the people (Hebrews 9:26). This emphasizes the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice to atone for sin and bring about eternal redemption.

Furthermore, the mention of Jesus as the High Priest in the order of Melchizedek is a recurring theme in the book of Hebrews. The author draws parallels between Melchizedek, an enigmatic figure in the Old Testament who was both a king and a priest (Genesis 14:18-20), and Jesus, highlighting Christ’s eternal priesthood (Hebrews 7:17). The Melchizedek priesthood surpasses the Levitical priesthood because it is characterized by its eternal nature and its connection to Christ. Hebrews 8:1-2 sets the stage for the overarching message of the book of Hebrews, which is the supremacy of Christ as our High Priest who offers a new and better covenant (Hebrews 8:6). It underscores the importance of understanding Christ’s role as the mediator between God and humanity and the significance of His once-for-all sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. The passage calls believers to place their trust in Jesus, who fulfills the role of the ultimate High Priest and the perfect sacrifice for our salvation.

Hebrews 8:3-6

The verse in Hebrews 8:3-6 breaks down into several important sections that are crucial for understanding its overall meaning.

Firstly, Hebrews 8:3 begins with “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.” This section emphasizes the role of the high priest in offering gifts and sacrifices. The high priest in the Old Testament played a crucial role in interceding for the people of Israel and offering sacrifices to atone for their sins. This verse alludes to the sacrificial system established in the Old Covenant, where the high priest acted as a mediator between God and the people.

Moving on to Hebrews 8:4, it states, “If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law.” Here, the passage highlights the limitations of the earthly priesthood in fulfilling the ultimate purpose of reconciliation with God. The earthly priests under the Old Covenant were limited by their human nature and the repetitive nature of their sacrifices. The reference to the “gifts prescribed by the law” underscores the legalistic and ritualistic nature of the Mosaic Law.

Continuing with Hebrews 8:5, it says, “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.’” This verse draws attention to the temporary and imperfect nature of the earthly sanctuary and priesthood. The tabernacle constructed by Moses in the wilderness was a mere shadow or copy of the heavenly sanctuary where Christ would serve as the ultimate High Priest. The mention of Moses being warned to build everything according to the heavenly pattern emphasizes the importance of adhering to God’s instructions and foreshadows the fulfillment of these patterns in Christ.

Lastly, Hebrews 8:6 states, “But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.” This verse underscores the superiority of Jesus’ priesthood over the Levitical priesthood and the New Covenant over the Old Covenant. Jesus, as the ultimate High Priest, offers a perfect sacrifice – Himself – once and for all, bringing a new covenant based on better promises. This new covenant is not founded on adherence to the law but on faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross, offering forgiveness of sins and eternal life to all who believe. Hebrews 8:3-6 serves as a reminder of the transitional nature of the Old Covenant priesthood and sanctuary, pointing towards the ultimate fulfillment in Christ under the New Covenant. This passage underscores the centrality of Christ in God’s redemptive plan and the surpassing excellence of His priesthood and covenant by highlighting the role of the high priest, the limitations of the earthly priesthood, the temporary nature of the earthly sanctuary, and the superiority of Jesus’ ministry and the New Covenant. It directs believers to look to Jesus as the perfect High Priest who secures eternal redemption for all who put their trust in Him.

Hebrews 8:7-13

The verse in Hebrews 8:7-13 emphasizes the importance of the New Covenant that Jesus Christ ushered in. Let’s break down the verse into important sections for a more in-depth understanding.

1. “For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second.”
   This verse alludes to the imperfection of the old covenant given to the Israelites through Moses. The Mosaic covenant, which was based on the law given at Mt. Sinai, was unable to bring salvation or lasting righteousness to the people. The law exposed the sins of the people but could not provide a way for true reconciliation with God. A new covenant was necessary to deal with the sinful nature of humanity once and for all.

2. “For finding fault with them, He says, ‘Behold, days are coming, says the Lord, when I will effect a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. The writer of Hebrews refers to the prophecy from Jeremiah 31:31-34, where God promises a new covenant that would not be like the Mosaic covenant. This new covenant was promised to be written on the hearts of God’s people, indicating a personal and intimate relationship between God and His followers. This prophecy sets the stage for the arrival of Jesus Christ, who would establish this new covenant through His sacrificial death on the cross.

3. “Not like the covenant which I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; for they did not continue in My covenant, and I did not care for them, says the Lord.”
   This section highlights the contrast between the old covenant made at Sinai and the new covenant prophesied by Jeremiah. The Mosaic covenant was external, written on tablets of stone, and focused on adherence to the law. However, the people continually broke this covenant due to their sinful nature. The new covenant, in contrast, would be internal, transforming the hearts of believers and enabling them to have a personal relationship with God through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

4. “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”
   This verse reiterates the promise of the new covenant to be internalized within the hearts and minds of believers. The law would no longer be external but would be a part of the believer’s very being. This intimate connection with God as His people signifies a new level of relationship that was not fully realized under the old covenant.

5. “And they shall not teach everyone his fellow citizen, and everyone his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for all will know Me, from the least to the greatest of them. The writer emphasizes the universal knowledge of God that would characterize the new covenant era in this section. Unlike the old covenant where knowledge of God was mediated through priests and prophets, under the new covenant, all believers would have a direct and personal knowledge of God. Through the work of the Holy Spirit in believers’ lives, intimate knowledge and communion with God would be accessible to all, regardless of social status or background.

6. “For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”
   The final section of the verse emphasizes the forgiveness and mercy that comes with the new covenant. God completely forgives and forgets sins under the new covenant, rather than temporarily covering them through sacrifices in the old covenant. Through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, believers can experience full redemption and reconciliation with God, experiencing the true freedom that comes from the forgiveness of sins. Hebrews 8:7-13 underscores the superiority of the new covenant established by Jesus Christ over the old covenant given through Moses. The new covenant brings about true salvation, intimate relationship with God, and complete forgiveness of sins for all who believe. This passage highlights the fulfillment of God’s promises through the ages and points to the centrality of Jesus Christ in God’s redemptive plan for humanity. The timeless message of this verse reminds believers of the transformative power of the new covenant and the depth of God’s love and mercy towards His people.

After Hebrews 8

The author of Hebrews had made a powerful case for the superiority of Christ’s priesthood over the Levitical priesthood. He had shown how Christ’s sacrifice was the fulfillment of the old covenant, establishing a new and better covenant. The reverend closed the chapter, knowing the congregation was eager to learn more about this new covenant and how it would transform their lives. With a sense of anticipation, he prepared to guide them into the next chapter, where they would discover the profound implications of this remarkable truth.