Hebrews 9:16-22 - Will and covenant

9:16,17

The same Greek word is used for “will” and “covenant”. This has two implications. One is that it is difficult to be absolutely certain when the writer is using the word to mean will, and when he is using it to mean covenant. The second is that it explains the use of covenant and will in the same section. We may wonder why on earth the writer is talking about covenants, and then suddenly starts talking about wills. The reason is that it is exactly the same Greek word, so it is a natural progression of thought. The writer’s mind may have moved over from covenant to will, then realising that a will though it was obviously written before the person’s death only came into force once he died. So the new covenant had always been God’s intention, but it only came into effect once Christ had died.

9:18-22

The need for death was very much a feature of the old covenant. The writer makes reference to various aspects of the Law, eg Ex 24:4-8; Lev 8:10, 17:11, 19:30. Most of us probably wonder at times why there was such an emphasis on blood in the Law, wondering if it was really necessary. The Law was pointing forward to the fact that Christ’s blood would provide purification for all things.