16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. 18 Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.” 21 Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
Commentary
Vs. 16-17 16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.
Throughout the Book of Hebrews the Word of God has been systematically showing the Superiority of Christ's Person, His Priesthood, His Sacrifice, His Service as well as the Superiority of the New Covenant (Heb. 7:22; 8:6). Now in order for the New Covenant (here being refereed to as a testament) to be enacted there had to be the death of the testator, that is before a will and testament is enforced the testator must have died, thus the analogy is that Christ Himself must also have died (shed His blood unto death) before the New Covenant could be enacted (Matt. 26:28; Heb. 9:15-16).
Vs. 18-22 18 Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.” 21 Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
Similarly then the first covenant was also dedicated with blood. Now in order to show the importance of this the Word of God recalls how Moses according to the commandment of God did so, recalling some of the various sacrificial ceremonially rituals that were required and he performed in order to purify both the book of the covenant, as well as the people, and even the tabernacle and all it's vessels of ministry (Exodus 24:1-8, 29:12, 16, 20-21, 36; Lev 4; 14; 17:6 etc.). The point being made then is that according to the law sacrificial blood was not only required to sanctify the people, along with whatever articles of ministry were to be used on their behalf, but without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins, thereby establishing the principal for Lord and Saviors own blood washing away the sins us all who believe in Him (Rev. 1:5). How exceedingly precious then is the shed Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who by doing so on our behalf has not only sanctified our persons and lives; but through His own blood, and His alone, He has provided the everlasting atonement that God required for us all who believe in Him to be reconciled back to Himself (1 Peter 1:18-21). The Blood of Christ then is the only means by which we come into a New and Everlasting Covenant relationship with God (Matt 26:28). Something which I now urge you to do, for by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ's Person's Life, Death, Resurrection from the dead and Ascension back to God the Father in heaven you can have remission of all your sins and new and everlasting life with Christ the moment that you do, for if anyone calls upon the Name of the Lord they shall be saved (Rom 10:11-13). Therefore don't delay call upon the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ today!
Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.
Word Study Notes
The Greek word διαθήκη (Str. 1242) translated testament in verse 16 is translated covenant elsewhere in the Book of Hebrews, and throughout the rest of the New Testament (see Matt. 26:28; Mark 14:24; Luke 1:72; 22:20; Acts 3:25; 7:8; Rom. 9:4; 11:27; 1 Cor 11:25; 2 Cor 3:6, 14; Gal. 3:15, 17; 4:24; Eph 2:12; Heb. 7:22; 8:6, 8-10; 9:4, 9:15-17, 20; 10:16, 29; 12:24; 13:20; Rev. 11:19).
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