Hebrews 9 Study Notes
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diathēkē
| Greek pronunciation | [dee ah THAY kay] |
| CSB translation | covenant |
| Uses in Hebrews | 17 |
| Uses in the NT | 33 |
| Focus passage | Hebrews 9:4 |
A covenant (diathÄ“kÄ“) is a legal arrangement between two parties (Gl 3:15) or a document, a will, transferring property from the deceased to an heir (Heb 9:16). The Greek OT influenced the use of diathÄ“kÄ“ in the NT, where the covenant was an agreement by which God’s people related to him. The NT frequently mentions three OT covenants: (1) the Abrahamic covenant (Gn 12:1-3; 15:1-21; 17:1-27), (2) the Mosaic covenant (Ex 20:1-24:8), and (3) the new covenant (Jr 31:31-34), and it often focuses on the relationship between the Mosaic and new covenants (e.g., 2Co 3:6,14). Over half of the occurrences of diathÄ“kÄ“ occur in Hebrews, where Jesus is portrayed as mediator of the new covenant, a covenant superior to the Mosaic covenant (Heb 7:22; 8:6,8-10; 9:15). As the Mosaic covenant was inaugurated with blood, so the new covenant was inaugurated with Jesus’s blood (Heb 10:18-28; 13:20; cp. Mt 26:28; 1Co 11:25).
9:1-28 The author turned his attention to a comparison of the ministries of the old and new priesthoods. The regulations for ministry given through the old covenant were for an earthly sanctuary that represented the transcendence of God insomuch as the people could not enter the holy place in the tabernacle. Only the high priest could enter the most holy place, and he did so only once per year. The sacrificial ministry of the old priesthood was unable to perfect the worshiper’s conscience. While the old priesthood was incomplete, the sacrificial ministry of Christ is able to cleanse our consciences. This perfect cleansing enables the followers of Christ to engage in works that serve the living God.
The ministry of Christ is that of a new covenant mediator. His ministry is superior because he does not enter an earthly sanctuary, but into heaven itself, and thus into the very presence of God. Unlike the high priest who entered annually into the most holy place, Christ entered into the most holy place once for all time. Unlike the old covenant that was inaugurated by the death of animals that had no choice in the matter, the new covenant was inaugurated by Christ’s voluntary death. Unlike the old priesthood that offered the blood of animals, Christ offered his own blood. Unlike the old priesthood that offered sacrifices continually without effect, the blood of Christ obtained eternal redemption.