Hebrews 9:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established.

NIV: In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it,

NASB: For where there is a covenant, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it.

CSB: Where a will exists, the death of the one who made it must be established.

NLT: Now when someone leaves a will, it is necessary to prove that the person who made it is dead.

KJV: For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

NKJV: For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

In this passage, the writer of Hebrews is explaining why the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is superior to that of the old covenant. Animal sacrifice can only do so much to cover human sin. In truth, those sacrifices can only provide ritual purity—they cannot remove the penalty of sin. Jesus, as a man (Hebrews 2:17–18), and one who is sinless (Hebrews 4:15), can offer a single, once-for-all sacrifice which actually covers the penalty for all human sin. This truth is not something which rejects the old covenant. Instead, this is a fulfillment of it. God's intent for the old covenant was as a sign and symbol of things to come (Hebrews 9:23–24).

This verse uses the same Greek word used for terms such as covenant and testament. However, in context, it refers to a slightly different idea. The ESV translates this term as a "will," which is less prone to confusion. The point being made here is that certain legal agreements only take effect upon the death of the one who wrote the will. Verses 16 and 17 both reference this point, leading to the writer's broader goal. The purpose of this statement is to show that sacrifice—represented by blood—has always been necessary to confirm a covenant with God, and to forgive sins. Once again, this demonstrates that the components of the old covenant were meant as symbols of the new covenant.

Hebrews 9:11–28 continues to explain how the new covenant in Jesus Christ is superior to the old covenant. This passage focuses on two main advantages of this arrangement: that Christ serves in a better temple, and that Christ offers a superior sacrifice. The physical temple, and its implements, were meant to be symbols of Christ's ''true'' place of service in heaven. Unlike limited sacrifices of animals, Jesus' single death was able to completely save us from sin.

Hebrews chapter 9 explains how the old covenant included various physical locations and physical rituals. These, according to the writer of Hebrews, were always intended as symbols. Their details, and the drawbacks which they suffered from, were meant to point towards the ''true'' means of our redemption, which is Christ. Unlike animal sacrifices, which must be repeated, and which cannot change man on the inside, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is a once for all, permanent, and completely effective solution to sin. The fact that Christ died for sin only once also means that His next arrival, in the future, will not be as a sacrifice, but as the final fulfillment of God's plan.

Chapter 9 continues the writer's explanation of the superiority of Christ. In chapter 8, this focused on the idea that God had promised a new covenant, even as the old covenant was still in effect. This not only means that the new covenant must be different, but that the old covenant must be flawed. Here in chapter 9, the writer focuses on the fact that the old covenant featured aspects which were meant only as symbols of the ''true'' high priesthood of Christ. Since Christ's sacrifice is more powerful, and performed in a better place, it is more effective in securing our salvation than the sacrifices of animals. Chapter 10 will continue this discussion by wrapping up these various ideas about the superiority of the new covenant.

The book of Hebrews is meant to challenge, encourage, and empower Christian believers. According to this letter, Jesus Christ is superior to all other prophets and all other claims to truth. Since God has given us Christ, we ought to listen to what He says and not move backwards. The consequences of ignoring God are dire. Hebrews is important for drawing on many portions of the Old Testament in making a case that Christ is the ultimate and perfect expression of God's plan for mankind. This book presents some tough ideas about the Christian faith, a fact the author makes specific note of.