Hebrews 8:13

KJV

In that he saith, A new [covenant], he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old [is] ready to vanish away.

KJV (with Strong's)

In {G1722} that he saith {G3004}, A new {G2537} covenant, he hath made {G3822} the first {G4413} old {G3822}. Now {G1161} that which decayeth {G3822} and {G2532} waxeth old {G1095} is ready {G1451} to vanish away {G854}.

Complete Jewish Bible

By using the term, “new,” he has made the first covenant “old”; and something being made old, something in the process of aging, is on its way to vanishing altogether.

Berean Standard Bible

By speaking of a new covenant, He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.

American Standard Version

In 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 8:13 serves as the definitive interpretive conclusion to the author's extensive exposition on the superiority of the New Covenant. By declaring that God's establishment of a "new" covenant inherently renders the "first" (Old Covenant) "old," the verse powerfully asserts its obsolescence and imminent cessation. This statement underscores the foundational shift in redemptive history, signifying the divine replacement of the Mosaic Law with a superior, grace-based covenant mediated through Jesus Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The immediate literary context of Hebrews 8:13 is the culmination of the author's comprehensive argument for the supremacy of Christ's high priestly ministry and the New Covenant He mediates. Having established Jesus as a priest after the order of Melchizedek in [Hebrews 7](/hebrews/7 "Hebrews 7 - Christ's Superior Priesthood"), the author transitions in [Hebrews 8](/hebrews/8 "Hebrews 8 - The Superiority of the New Covenant") to demonstrate the superior nature of the covenant itself. Verses [Hebrews 8:8-12](/hebrews/8-8-12 "Hebrews 8:8-12 - The Prophecy of the New Covenant") directly quote [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - God's Promise of a New Covenant"), where God explicitly promises to make a "new covenant" with Israel, distinct from the one made with their fathers. Hebrews 8:13 serves as the author's inspired commentary and definitive conclusion on the implications of this prophecy, asserting the obsolescence of the first covenant.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The epistle to the Hebrews was addressed to a community of Jewish Christians, likely in Rome or Italy, who were facing significant pressure and possibly persecution, tempting them to revert to the familiar practices and perceived security of Judaism. Many were struggling to fully grasp the radical implications of Christ's finished work, particularly regarding the Law, the temple, and the sacrificial system. The author's detailed theological arguments, including the one in [Hebrews 8](/hebrews/8 "Hebrews 8 - The Superiority of the New Covenant"), were designed to prevent apostasy by demonstrating the unparalleled supremacy of Jesus Christ and the covenant He inaugurated. The cultural context involved deeply ingrained traditions of temple worship, Levitical priesthood, and adherence to the Mosaic Law, which the author systematically shows have been superseded by a superior reality in Christ.
* **Key Themes:** Several key theological and narrative themes converge in [Hebrews 8:13](/hebrews/8-13 "Hebrews 8:13 - The Old Covenant Vanishes"). Foremost is the **Obsolescence of the Old Covenant**, which the verse explicitly declares "old" and "ready to vanish away" by virtue of God's establishment of a "new" one. This theme is crucial throughout Hebrews, emphasizing that the Mosaic Law, while divinely given, was provisional and preparatory, unable to perfect those who drew near ([Hebrews 10:1](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1 - The Law as a Shadow")). Secondly, the **Superiority of the New Covenant** is implicitly affirmed; it is "new" in quality and efficacy, offering true forgiveness and direct access to God, unlike the Old Covenant which merely revealed sin and provided temporary atonement through animal sacrifices ([Hebrews 10:4](/hebrews/10-4 "Hebrews 10:4 - Sacrifices Cannot Take Away Sins")). The verse also highlights the **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, as God's ancient promise through Jeremiah ([Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - God's Promise of a New Covenant")) is now realized in Christ. Finally, it speaks to a profound **Divine Transition and Transformation**, moving from an external, ritualistic system to an internal, grace-based relationship, signifying a divinely orchestrated shift in salvation history.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **new (Greek, _kainós'_):** (G2537) This word signifies "new" in quality, freshness, and superiority, rather than merely new in time (for which _néos_ would be used). Its application to the "new covenant" emphasizes that this agreement is fundamentally different and better, not just a later iteration.
* **made old (Greek, _palaióō'_):** (G3822) This verb means "to make (passively, become) worn out, or declare obsolete." The perfect tense indicates a completed action with ongoing results: God has definitively declared the first covenant antiquated and no longer fully operative in its former capacity.
* **vanish away (Greek, _aphanismós'_):** (G854) This noun denotes "disappearance" or "abrogation." It conveys the idea of something being made to disappear or abolished, underscoring the definitive and complete cessation of the Old Covenant's function as a means of salvation and access to God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In that he saith, A new [covenant],"**: This opening clause refers back to God's own declaration in [Jeremiah 31:31](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31 - God's Promise of a New Covenant"), quoted extensively in [Hebrews 8:8-12](/hebrews/8-8-12 "Hebrews 8:8-12 - The New Covenant Prophecy"). The author of Hebrews interprets God's prophetic utterance as a definitive statement that by merely announcing a "new" covenant, God implicitly renders the preceding one distinct and superseded. The emphasis is on the divine initiative and authority behind this declaration.
* **"he hath made the first old."**: This phrase directly states the consequence of God's declaration. The "first" covenant, referring to the Mosaic Law and its associated system, is not merely chronologically older but has been actively "made old" or rendered obsolete by God Himself. This isn't a passive aging process but an active divine judgment on its efficacy and purpose in light of the superior covenant. The perfect tense "hath made" indicates a completed action with lasting effect.
* **"Now that which decayeth and waxeth old [is] ready to vanish away."**: This final clause serves as the logical conclusion and emphatic statement of the first two. The Old Covenant, now characterized as "decaying" (G3822, _palaióō_, "being made old, worn out") and "waxing old" (G1095, _gēráskō_, "to be senescent"), is depicted as being in a state of terminal decline. The term "ready" (G1451, _engýs_, "near, at hand") signifies its imminent and certain cessation. The phrase "to vanish away" (G854, _aphanismós_, "disappearance, abrogation") powerfully conveys its complete abolition and removal as the operative covenant for God's people. This imagery underscores the finality of the transition.

#### Literary Devices
The author employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey the radical shift from the Old Covenant to the New. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where the Old Covenant is described as something that "decayeth and waxeth old," likening it to a physical object or living being that has reached the end of its lifespan and is in a state of terminal decline. This **personification** of the covenant vividly illustrates its obsolescence, moving beyond a mere chronological distinction to a qualitative one. There is also a strong **Implied Contrast** between the "new" and the "old," where the very declaration of the former inherently devalues and supersedes the latter. The phrase "ready to vanish away" uses vivid imagery of **dissolution** or **abrogation**, emphasizing the complete and irreversible removal of the Old Covenant's functional authority. This language is not merely descriptive but prescriptive, signaling a divine act of replacement.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 8:13 stands as a pivotal theological statement, encapsulating the profound shift in salvation history from the provisional Mosaic Covenant to the definitive New Covenant established through Christ. It underscores the progressive nature of God's revelation, where the Old Covenant served as a tutor leading to Christ and a shadow of the good things to come. The verse asserts that the Old Covenant's purpose has been fulfilled and superseded, not abolished in the sense of being evil, but rendered obsolete in its function as a means of justification and sanctification. This transition highlights God's faithfulness to His promises, bringing about a superior and more effective way of relating to Him, characterized by inner transformation and direct access through Christ's mediation.

* [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - God's Prophecy of the New Covenant")
* [2 Corinthians 3:6-11](/2_corinthians/3-6-11 "2 Corinthians 3:6-11 - The Superiority of the New Covenant")
* [Hebrews 9:15](/hebrews/9-15 "Hebrews 9:15 - Christ, Mediator of the New Covenant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For contemporary believers, Hebrews 8:13 offers profound freedom and clarity. It liberates us from any lingering temptation to rely on external rituals, legalistic adherence, or human effort for our standing with God. The declaration that the Old Covenant is "ready to vanish away" means that its demands for justification are no longer binding; our righteousness comes solely through faith in Christ and His finished work. This understanding fosters a deep appreciation for the grace of God, emphasizing that our relationship with Him is based on His new covenant promises, written on our hearts, rather than on a list of external regulations. It calls us to live in the reality of an intimate, Spirit-empowered walk with God, marked by forgiveness, direct access, and transformed desires, rather than a performance-based religion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the obsolescence of the Old Covenant impact your daily walk with God?**
* **In what ways might we, even unintentionally, revert to "old covenant" thinking in our spiritual lives or church practices?**
* **What practical implications does living under a "new covenant" of grace have for your assurance of salvation and your approach to sin?**

### FAQ
**Does "vanish away" mean the Old Testament is irrelevant for Christians?**

Answer: No, "vanish away" in [Hebrews 8:13](/hebrews/8-13 "The Old Covenant Vanishes") refers to the Old Covenant's function as a system of salvation and justification. It means its ceremonial laws, sacrificial system, and the covenant of works are no longer operative as the means by which people relate to God for salvation. However, the Old Testament remains divinely inspired Scripture, invaluable for understanding God's character, His redemptive plan, the history of Israel, and the prophecies fulfilled in Christ ([2 Timothy 3:16](/2_timothy/3-16 "All Scripture is God-breathed")). It is foundational for comprehending the New Covenant's superiority and Christ's fulfillment of all righteousness.

**What is the primary difference between the Old and New Covenants?**

Answer: The primary difference, as highlighted in [Hebrews 8](/hebrews/8 "The Superiority of the New Covenant") and particularly in the prophecy from [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "God's Promise of a New Covenant"), lies in their nature and efficacy. The Old Covenant was external, written on tablets of stone, revealing sin but unable to perfectly cleanse it ([Hebrews 10:4](/hebrews/10-4 "Sacrifices Cannot Take Away Sins")). It was preparatory, pointing to Christ. The New Covenant, by contrast, is internal, written on the heart, mediated by Christ's perfect sacrifice, offering full forgiveness of sins and direct, intimate fellowship with God through the Holy Spirit ([Hebrews 9:15](/hebrews/9-15 "Christ, Mediator of the New Covenant")). It is a covenant of grace, not works, providing true transformation and lasting access to God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 8:13 finds its ultimate and profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. He is not merely the mediator of a new covenant but its very embodiment and the reason the first covenant becomes obsolete. Christ's perfect life, atoning death on the cross, and glorious resurrection constitute the definitive sacrifice that the Old Covenant's rituals could only foreshadow ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). His once-for-all sacrifice rendered the daily animal offerings unnecessary and ineffective ([Hebrews 10:11-14](/hebrews/10-11-14 "Christ's One Sacrifice")). Furthermore, as our great High Priest after the order of Melchizedek ([Hebrews 7:26-28](/hebrews/7-26-28 "Christ, Our Perfect High Priest")), Jesus provides perfect and perpetual access to God, fulfilling the longing for intimacy that the Old Covenant's veiled sanctuary could only hint at ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Access to God Through Christ")). Thus, the "vanishing away" of the old is not a destructive act but a triumphant declaration of Christ's comprehensive and eternal victory, establishing a superior and everlasting covenant founded on better promises ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "A Better Covenant Based on Better Promises")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Hebrews 7:18

For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

Hebrews 7:19

For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope [did]; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

Hebrews 7:11

¶ If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need [was there] that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

Hebrews 7:12

For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

Hebrews 9:15

¶ And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

Hebrews 9:9

Which [was] a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;