Hebrews 8:9

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
οὐκ
Not
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
#2
κατὰ
according to
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
#3
τὴν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#4
διαθήκῃ
covenant
properly, a disposition, i.e., (specially) a contract (especially a devisory will)
#5
ἣν
that
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
#6
ἐποίησα
I made with
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
#7
τοῖς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#8
πατράσιν
fathers
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
#9
αὐτῶν
their
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
#10
ἐν
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#11
ἡμέρᾳ
the day
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
#12
ἐπιλαβομένου
when I took
to seize (for help, injury, attainment, or any other purpose; literally or figuratively)
#13
μου
by the hand
of me
#14
τῆς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#15
χειρὸς
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)
#16
αὐτῶν
their
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
#17
ἐξαγαγεῖν
to lead
to lead forth
#18
αὐτῶν
their
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
#19
ἐκ
out of
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
#20
γῆς
the land
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
#21
Αἰγύπτου
of Egypt
aegyptus, the land of the nile
#22
ὅτι
because
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
#23
αὐτῶν
their
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
#24
οὐκ
Not
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
#25
ἐνέμειναν
continued
to stay in the same place, i.e., (figuratively) persevere
#26
ἐν
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#27
τῇ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#28
διαθήκῃ
covenant
properly, a disposition, i.e., (specially) a contract (especially a devisory will)
#29
μου
by the hand
of me
#30
κἀγὼ
and I
so also the dative case ????? <pronunciation strongs="kam-oy'"/>, and accusative case ???? <pronunciation strongs="kam-eh'"/> and (or also, even, etc.
#31
ἠμέλησα
not
to be careless of
#32
αὐτῶν
their
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
#33
λέγει
saith
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
#34
κύριος·
the Lord
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

Analysis

The covenant theme here intersects with God's relationship with His people from Abraham through the new covenant. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of evolution from creation covenant through Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, to new covenant. The phrase emphasizing covenant contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's relational commitment from Noah to the new covenant.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on covenant particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show treaty language and adoption practices from the ancient world, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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