Hebrews 8:13
What does Hebrews 8:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Hebrews 8:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Hebrews 8:13 means
By calling the covenant “new,” God has rendered the former one old; and what is aging is close to disappearing. The statement recognizes a divinely intended transition. The old covenant, honorable in its time, is obsolete in light of the promised reality now come. It functioned as a shadow pointing forward; with the arrival of substance, the shadow recedes. The readers, tempted to retreat to familiar forms, are urged to see that God Himself has declared the change. The proper response is to embrace the new covenant mediated by Christ, in which forgiveness, inward renewal, and direct knowledge of God are secured.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. But that which is becoming old and waxeth aged is nigh unto vanishing away.
KJV
King James Version · 1611In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. But that which is becoming old and waxeth aged is nigh unto vanishing away.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949When he says, A new agreement, he has made the first agreement old. But anything which is getting old and past use will not be seen much longer.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862in the saying `new,' He hath made the first old, and what doth become obsolete and is old <FI>is<Fi> nigh disappearing.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Now in saying a new, he hath made the former old. And that which decayeth and groweth old is near its end.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890In that he says New, he has made the first old; but that which grows old and aged [is] near disappearing.
Context
Having quoted Jeremiah’s promises, the author draws the necessary conclusion: the very existence of a new covenant signals the passing of the old. This closes the chapter by returning to the readers’ practical crisis—whether to cling to the Mosaic system or endure with Christ. The next chapter will expand on the heavenly sanctuary and Christ’s sacrificial work, showing in detail how His ministry fulfills what the old system only prefigured. Verse 13 thus serves as both summary and bridge, urging confidence in the superior, enduring realities Christ brings.
v.12For I will be merciful to their iniquities, And their sins will I remember no more.
v.13This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 51:6
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath; for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment; and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.
- Hebrews 7:11
Now if there was perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it hath the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be reckoned after the order of Aaron?
- Hebrews 7:18
For there is a disannulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness
- 1 Corinthians 13:8
Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new.
- Hebrews 9:9
which is a figure for the time present; according to which are offered both gifts and sacrifices that cannot, as touching the conscience, make the worshipper perfect,
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