Hebrews 8:9
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
Original Language Analysis
κατὰ
according to
G2596
κατὰ
according to
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
2 of 34
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διαθήκῃ
covenant
G1242
διαθήκῃ
covenant
Strong's:
G1242
Word #:
4 of 34
properly, a disposition, i.e., (specially) a contract (especially a devisory will)
ἣν
that
G3739
ἣν
that
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
5 of 34
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐποίησα
I made with
G4160
ἐποίησα
I made with
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
6 of 34
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατράσιν
fathers
G3962
πατράσιν
fathers
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
8 of 34
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
αὐτῶν
their
G846
αὐτῶν
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 34
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἡμέρᾳ
the day
G2250
ἡμέρᾳ
the day
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
11 of 34
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
ἐπιλαβομένου
when I took
G1949
ἐπιλαβομένου
when I took
Strong's:
G1949
Word #:
12 of 34
to seize (for help, injury, attainment, or any other purpose; literally or figuratively)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χειρὸς
G5495
χειρὸς
Strong's:
G5495
Word #:
15 of 34
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)
αὐτῶν
their
G846
αὐτῶν
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 34
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
αὐτῶν
their
G846
αὐτῶν
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
18 of 34
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐκ
out of
G1537
ἐκ
out of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
19 of 34
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
γῆς
the land
G1093
γῆς
the land
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
20 of 34
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
ὅτι
because
G3754
ὅτι
because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
22 of 34
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
αὐτῶν
their
G846
αὐτῶν
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
23 of 34
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐνέμειναν
continued
G1696
ἐνέμειναν
continued
Strong's:
G1696
Word #:
25 of 34
to stay in the same place, i.e., (figuratively) persevere
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
27 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διαθήκῃ
covenant
G1242
διαθήκῃ
covenant
Strong's:
G1242
Word #:
28 of 34
properly, a disposition, i.e., (specially) a contract (especially a devisory will)
κἀγὼ
and I
G2504
κἀγὼ
and I
Strong's:
G2504
Word #:
30 of 34
so also the dative case ????? <pronunciation strongs="kam-oy'"/>, and accusative case ???? <pronunciation strongs="kam-eh'"/> and (or also, even, etc.
αὐτῶν
their
G846
αὐτῶν
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
32 of 34
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Cross References
Jeremiah 31:32Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:Galatians 4:24Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.Mark 8:23And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.Isaiah 40:11He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.Isaiah 63:9In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.Acts 13:11And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.Acts 9:8And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.Psalms 77:20Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.Psalms 78:57But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.Psalms 105:43And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness:
Historical Context
The Exodus covenant at Sinai was ratified with the people's promise: 'All that the LORD has said we will do' (Exodus 19:8). Yet they broke covenant almost immediately with the golden calf. The new covenant doesn't depend on human promises but divine performance.
Questions for Reflection
- Why did the old covenant fail, despite being God's law given to His chosen people?
- How does the new covenant's basis in Christ's obedience rather than yours provide security?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The new covenant will 'not be according to the covenant I made with their fathers' at the Exodus, which 'they did not continue in' despite God's husbandly faithfulness ('I disregarded them' better translated 'I was a husband to them'). The old covenant was bilateral (conditional on human obedience); the new is unilateral (based on Christ's obedience and God's sovereign grace). Reformed theology emphasizes the new covenant's superiority in its gracious, effectual nature.