Hebrews · Chapter 8
Hebrews 8
Berean Standard Bible · Public domain · Source credits
Christ’s Eternal Priesthood
1The 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,
2and who ministers in the sanctuary and true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man.
3And since every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, it was necessary for this One also to have something to offer.
4Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are already priests who offer gifts according to the law.
5The place where they serve 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 New Covenant
(Jeremiah 31:26–40)
6Now, however, Jesus has received a much more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises.
7For if that first covenant had been without fault, no place would have been sought for a second.
8But God found fault with the people and said:“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord,when I will make a new covenantwith the house of Israeland with the house of Judah.
9It will not be like the covenantI made with their fatherswhen I took them by the handto lead them out of the land of Egypt,because they did not abide by My covenant,and I disregarded them,declares the Lord.
10For this is the covenant I will makewith the house of Israelafter those days,declares the Lord.I will put My laws in their mindsand inscribe them on their hearts.And I will be their God,and they will be My people.
11No longer will each one teach his neighbor or his brother,saying, ‘Know the Lord,’because they will all know Me,from the least of them to the greatest.
12For I will forgive their iniquitiesand will remember their sins no more.”*
13By speaking of a new covenant, He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.*
Source notes
- 8:5 Exodus 25:40; see also Exodus 26:30. Read Exodus 25:40 Read Exodus 26:30
- 8:12 Jeremiah 31:31–34 (see also LXX) Read Jeremiah 31:31
- 8:13 Literally In saying new; here and in Hebrews 9:1 and 18, covenant is included for clarity but is not contained in the Greek. A broader interpretation could also include priesthood or tabernacle. Read Hebrews 9:1
Old Testament references
References from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Text from the Berean Standard Bible.
Exodus 25:40See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.
Exodus 26:30So you are to set up the tabernacle according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.
Jeremiah 31:31Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.
1 Chronicles 29:11Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in heaven and on earth belongs to You. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom, and You are exalted as head over all.
Job 37:22Out of the north He comes in golden splendor; awesome majesty surrounds Him.
Psalms 21:5Great is his glory in Your salvation; You bestow on him splendor and majesty.
Psalms 45:3Strap your sword at your side, O mighty warrior; appear in your majesty and splendor.
Psalms 45:4In your splendor ride forth in victory on behalf of truth and humility and justice; may your right hand show your awesome deeds.
Psalms 104:1Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and majesty.
Psalms 145:12to make known to men Your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom.
Isaiah 24:14They raise their voices, they shout for joy; from the west they proclaim the majesty of the LORD.
Micah 5:4He will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majestic name of the LORD His God. And they will dwell securely, for then His greatness will extend to the ends of the earth.
Exodus 28:1“Next, have your brother Aaron brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, to serve Me as priests.
Exodus 28:35Aaron must wear the robe whenever he ministers, and its sound will be heard when he enters or exits the sanctuary before the LORD, so that he will not die.
Numbers 16:40just as the LORD commanded him through Moses. This was to be a reminder to the Israelites that no outsider who is not a descendant of Aaron should approach to offer incense before the LORD, lest he become like Korah and his followers.