Hebrews 8 - Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

Bible Comments
  • Hebrews 8:1-13 open_in_new

    The High Priest of the Heavenly Sanctuary and the Fulfilment of Jeremiah's Prophecy

    Christ, as Melchizedek-High-Priest, has a higher ministry than the Levitical priesthood, because He ministers in the true Tabernacle in heaven which indeed was the pattern for the earthly tabernacle (Hebrews 8:1-5). Besides He is superior in proportion as the new covenant is better than the first (Hebrews 8:6-13).

  • Hebrews 8:2 open_in_new

    A minister] i.e. an officiating high priest.

    The sanctuary] corresponds to the innermost chamber of the tabernacle, which is a general name for the whole place of ministry. It is called the 'true' tabernacle, i.e. authentic or primary, that on earth being secondary, a copy of the heavenly (Hebrews 8:5).

  • Hebrews 8:4 open_in_new

    The connexion is with Hebrews 8:2. Christ's ministry must be in the heavenly tabernacle, for there is already a priesthood on earth; the office on earth is preoccupied. 'He would not be a priest at all' (so RV), much less a high priest. It has been inferred from this v. that the Epistle was written while the Levitical priesthood was still in existence, i.e. before the destruction of Jerusalem: see Intro. § 3, 'Recipients and Probable Date.' Otherwise it must be supposed that the writer is speaking generally from the view-point of the OT.

  • Hebrews 8:9 open_in_new

    Regarded them not] i.e. rejected them after they had broken the covenant; or, let them alone: cp. Matthew 23:38; RM.

    10-12. The second covenant is better than the first, because, (1) it is an internal principle instead of an external code; (2) it is universally realised; every member of the covenant is in direct and personal communion with God; (3) it secures real righteousness. This is the ground of the two preceding promises.

    13. Even in the time of Jeremiah mention was made of a new covenant, showing that the first was destined to be superseded. Since then it has actually vanished away.