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Hebrews 8:7
ESV For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.
NIV For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another.
NASB For if that first covenant had been free of fault, no circumstances would have been sought for a second.
CSB For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion for a second one.
NLT If the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need for a second covenant to replace it.
KJV For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

What does Hebrews 8:7 mean?

Earlier passages in the book of Hebrews pointed out that God's promises clearly point to something better than the Levitical priesthood. References to passages such as Genesis 14 and Psalm 110 were used to prove that God had a purpose in mind which went beyond the Old Testament law. Those rituals and objects were meant as symbols of the truth, not the truth itself. Here, that same idea is stated in clear language: the old covenant, by itself, is flawed. If that system had been perfect, there would have been no reason for God to promise something better. Therefore, if God Himself made the promise of a "new covenant," we cannot claim that the old covenant is His ultimate plan.

The upcoming quotation is from the prophet Jeremiah, who wrote about the impending defeat and exile of Israel, many centuries before the birth of Jesus Christ. Even then, God was pointing to a relationship with mankind beyond rituals and repetitive sacrifices. The description provided by Jeremiah exactly matches the pattern fulfilled by Jesus, and preached by the apostles who followed Him.
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