Hebrews 8:13

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.

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}.

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.

By speaking of a new covenant, He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.

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

Hebrews 8:13 delivers a powerful conclusion to the author's detailed exposition on the superiority of the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ over the Old Covenant given through Moses. This verse succinctly summarizes the theological argument presented throughout Hebrews chapter 8, particularly after quoting the prophecy from Jeremiah 31:31-34.

Context

The book of Hebrews is addressed to Jewish Christians who were perhaps tempted to revert to Judaism and its rituals due to persecution or a misunderstanding of Christ's finished work. Chapters 7 and 8 meticulously build the case for Jesus's high priesthood being superior to the Levitical priesthood, and consequently, the covenant He mediates being superior to the Mosaic Law. The author extensively quotes Jeremiah 31:31-34 in Hebrews 8:8-12, where God Himself declares His intention to establish a "new covenant." Hebrews 8:13 serves as the direct interpretation and emphatic declaration of what that prophecy implies for the first covenant.

Key Themes

  • The Obsolescence of the Old Covenant: The verse explicitly states that by God's declaration of a "new" covenant, the "first" (Old Covenant) has been rendered "old." This isn't just about chronology but about its effectiveness and purpose. The Old Covenant served its purpose in revealing sin and pointing to a greater reality, but it was never meant to be permanent as a means of salvation or direct access to God.
  • The Superiority of the New Covenant: Implicitly, the "new" covenant is superior, not merely a replacement. It is a covenant of grace, written on hearts, offering true forgiveness and direct fellowship with God, unlike the law which revealed sin but could not perfectly cleanse it (Hebrews 10:4).
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This verse highlights God's faithfulness to His prophetic word. The promise given through Jeremiah centuries earlier is now seen as fulfilled and active in Christ.
  • Transition and Transformation: The imagery of something "decaying and waxing old" and being "ready to vanish away" conveys a divinely orchestrated transition from a preparatory system to a perfect and lasting one. It signifies a shift from outward rituals to inward transformation.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "new" in "new covenant" is kainēn (καινὴν), which implies new in quality, fresh, and superior, not merely new in time (which would be neos). This emphasizes that the New Covenant is fundamentally different and better than the Old. The phrase "decayeth and waxeth old" uses forms of the Greek palaioumenon (παλαιούμενον), meaning "being made old" or "worn out," and aphanismou (ἀφανισμοῦ), which suggests "disappearance" or "abolition." This strong language underscores that the Old Covenant was not just outdated but actively being rendered obsolete and prepared for removal.

Significance and Application

For the original audience, Hebrews 8:13 provided crucial assurance that moving away from the Law's rituals and sacrifices was not abandoning God, but embracing His progressive revelation and His ultimate plan. For believers today, this verse emphasizes the completeness and sufficiency of Christ's work. We are not under the demands of the Mosaic Law for salvation or righteousness, but under the grace of the New Covenant. This understanding brings freedom from legalism and a focus on a relationship with God based on faith in Christ, as the Mediator of a better covenant. It calls us to live by the spirit of the New Covenant, which is love, grace, and inner transformation, rather than external rules.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
7 Major Themes in the Book of Hebrews An Introduction to Hebrews: Christ is Better The Meaning of "Melchizedek" in Hebrews Aaron: The First High Priest The New Covenant

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;
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