Hebrews 8

Notes on the verses

Chap. VIII. Ver. 1. This is the sum.—Doddridge, Macknight, &c., “the principal point.” So Chrysostom and Theophylact, the Syriac and Ver. 2. A minister of the sanctuary.—Macknight reads, “holy places.” Ver. 3. That this man.—The word “man” is a supplement; and, instead of it, both Macknight and M‘Lean supply the term High Priest, from the preceding clause. Ver. 4. That there are priests—Namely, in the temple at Jerusalem. Offer gifts.—Gifts, or offerings, comprehended propitiatory sacrifices as well as free-will offerings. —Bagster. Ver. 6. A better covenant.—Margin, “Testament.” The original term (diatheke) signifies both; but the former is certainly here preferable. Ver. 7. If that first covenant had been faultless,—The fault or defect of the first covenant see it made nothing perfect. See (Hebrews 7:19). Ver. 8. For finding fault with them—That is, according to Doddridge, with the Jews. But Grotius, Hammond, and many others, render it, “finding fault, he saith unto them.” Ver. 9. And I regarded them not.—Doddridge, “I disregarded them.” Macknight, “I neglected them.” This is the Septuagint translation of (Jeremiah 31:32), which in our translation reads, “Although I was a husband unto them;” certainly a widely different translation, and directly accounted for. Some suppose a false letter in the Hebrew copy used by the LXX., which makes all the difference. But, then, how shall we account for St. Paul’s following them? Dr. Pococke thinks the original will bear both senses.