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The New Covenant
Hebrews 8:6–13 compares a first covenant with a new covenant. It says the one spoken of in the passage has a more excellent ministry and is called the mediator of a better covenant.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
In this part of the letter, the writer first states that a better covenant has been given on better promises. The passage then quotes the Lord’s words about a coming new covenant and ends by explaining what calling it “new” means for the first covenant.
Hebrews 8:6–13Main takeaway
Hebrews 8:6–13 teaches that the new covenant is better, brings God’s law inwardly, includes knowing the Lord, and speaks of mercy for sins.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A more excellent ministryThe passage opens with a comparison. The one spoken of here has obtained a “more excellent ministry” and is called “the mediator of a better covenant”.
Explanation
The passage opens with a comparison. The one spoken of here has obtained a “more excellent ministry” and is called “the mediator of a better covenant”. The verse also says this covenant has been given as law on “better promises”. The stress is on something better than what came before.
02Why a second covenant is mentionedVerse 7 says that if the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no place sought for a second.
Explanation
Verse 7 says that if the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no place sought for a second. Then the writer quotes the Lord announcing days when he will make “a new covenant” with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. The passage says the fault was found with them.
03Not like the covenant from the exodusThe new covenant is “not according to” the covenant made with their fathers when God led them out of Egypt.
Explanation
The new covenant is “not according to” the covenant made with their fathers when God led them out of Egypt. The reason given is that they did not continue in that covenant. In contrast, the Lord says he will put his laws into their mind and write them on their heart.
04Knowing the Lord and receiving mercyThe quoted promise continues with two striking parts. “All will know me, from their least to their greatest.”
Explanation
The quoted promise continues with two striking parts. “All will know me, from their least to their greatest.” Then the Lord says, “I will be merciful to their unrighteousness” and “I will remember their sins and lawless deeds no more.” These words show knowledge of the Lord and mercy together.
05What “new” means for the first covenantThe final verse explains the writer’s conclusion. By saying “a new covenant”, the first has been made obsolete.
Explanation
The final verse explains the writer’s conclusion. By saying “a new covenant”, the first has been made obsolete. The writer adds that what is becoming obsolete and growing aged is near to vanishing away. The point is drawn from the word “new” itself.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What three things are described as better or more excellent in the opening verse?
Read Hebrews 8:6 closely and list the ministry, the covenant, and the promises in the wording of the verse.
02According to the quotation, how is the new covenant different from the covenant made when God led their fathers out of Egypt?
Notice both the statement that it is “not according to” the earlier covenant and the promise about laws in mind and heart.
03What does the passage say about knowing the Lord and about sins under the new covenant?
Use the phrases in Hebrews 8:11–12 about all knowing the Lord and about mercy and remembered sins.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Hebrews 8:6–13
6But now he has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which on better promises has been given as law.
7For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.
8For finding fault with them, he said, “Behold, the days are coming”, says the Lord, “that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah;
9not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; for they didn’t continue in my covenant, and I disregarded them,” says the Lord.
10“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 mind; I will also write them on their heart. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
11They will not teach every man his fellow citizen and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for all will know me, from their least to their greatest.
12For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness. I will remember their sins and lawless deeds no more.”
13In that he says, “A new covenant”, he has made the first obsolete. But that which is becoming obsolete and grows aged is near to vanishing away.