Hebrews 8
King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context
About this chapter
AI-assisted, sourced"We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens," a minister "of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man." The earthly priests serve "the example and shadow of heavenly things," as Moses was told to make all "according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount," but Christ is "the mediator of a better covenant." The writer quotes God's promise, "I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah," and says, "In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old." Hebrews 8:1Hebrews 8:2Hebrews 8:5Hebrews 8:6Hebrews 8:8Hebrews 8:13
Who, where, when, and the key verses
Who
Christ the high priest, the earthly priests, Moses, and "the house of Israel and... the house of Judah." Hebrews 8:1Hebrews 8:4Hebrews 8:5Hebrews 8:8Hebrews overview
Where
The old covenant was made when God led Israel "out of the land of Egypt." The letter does not say where it was written or sent. "They of Italy salute you" may mean the writer was in Italy or was writing to it. Hebrews 8:9EgyptHebrews overview
When
Traditionally dated before AD 70, since the letter speaks of the tabernacle service as still going on and never mentions the temple's fall. Most scholars date it about AD 60-90 and say the writer is unknown. Hebrews overview
How it fits
Chapter 7 ended with the Son "consecrated for evermore." Chapter 9 describes the first covenant's worship: "Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary." Hebrews 7:28Hebrews 8:6Hebrews 9:1
Key verses
- Verse 5
"See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount." This quotes Exodus 25:40. Hebrews 8:5Exodus 25:40
- Verse 8
"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah." The writer quotes Jeremiah 31:31-34. Hebrews 8:8Jeremiah 31:31Jeremiah 31:34
- Verse 12
"I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." Hebrews 8:10Hebrews 8:12
Takeaway
Christ is the mediator of a better covenant, in which God writes His law on the heart and remembers sins no more. Hebrews 8:6Hebrews 8:10Hebrews 8:12
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-11-01.
A minister of the true tabernacle
1Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; 2A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. 3For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. 4For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: 5Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. 6But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
The new covenant
7For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 8For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: 9Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. 10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 11And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. 12For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. 13In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.