Not 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.
Not {G3756} according to {G2596} the covenant {G1242} that {G3739} I made with {G4160} their {G846} fathers {G3962} in {G1722} the day {G2250} when I took {G1949} them {G846} by the hand {G3450}{G5495} to lead {G1806} them {G846} out of {G1537} the land {G1093} of Egypt {G125}; because {G3754} they {G846} continued {G1696} not {G3756} in {G1722} my {G3450} covenant {G1242}, and I {G2504} regarded {G272} them {G846} not {G272}, saith {G3004} the Lord {G2962}.
“‘It will not be like the covenant
which I made with their fathers
on the day when I took them by their hand
and led them forth out of the land of Egypt;
because they, for their part,
did not remain faithful to my covenant;
so I, for my part,
stopped concerning myself with them,’
says Adonai.
It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, because they did not abide by My covenant, and I disregarded them, declares the Lord.
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers In the day that I took them by the hand to lead them forth out of the land of Egypt; For they continued not in my covenant, And I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
-
Jeremiah 31:32
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day [that] I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: -
Galatians 4:24
Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. -
Mark 8:23
And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. -
Genesis 19:16
And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city. -
Malachi 2:13
And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth [it] with good will at your hand. -
Galatians 3:15
Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though [it be] but a man's covenant, yet [if it be] confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. -
Galatians 3:19
¶ Wherefore then [serveth] the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; [and it was] ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
Hebrews 8:9 is a pivotal verse within the book of Hebrews, deeply embedded in its overarching argument for the supremacy of Jesus Christ and the superiority of the new covenant He mediates.
Context
This verse directly quotes from the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah (specifically Jeremiah 31:32), forming part of a larger prophecy about a coming "new covenant." The immediate context in Hebrews chapter 8 is the author's explanation of why the priestly ministry of Jesus is superior to that of the Levitical priests under the Old Covenant (also known as the Mosaic Law). The author argues that the first covenant, established with Israel after their deliverance from Egypt, was flawed, not in its divine origin, but in its human recipients' inability to uphold it. This verse serves to highlight the deficiency of the old covenant by pointing to Israel's repeated failure to keep its terms.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The KJV phrase "I regarded them not" translates the Greek word amelēsas (ἀμελήσας). This term means "to neglect," "to disregard," or "to not care for." In context, it signifies God's withdrawal of special attention or favor due to Israel's persistent breach of the covenant terms. It implies a consequence of their actions, where God ceased to uphold His side of the conditional agreement because they had broken theirs.
Practical Application
Hebrews 8:9 serves as a powerful reminder of the profound difference between the old and new covenants. For believers today, it emphasizes that our relationship with God is not based on our own perfect performance or adherence to a legal code, which inevitably fails. Instead, it rests on God's grace and the finished work of Jesus Christ. The new covenant, mediated by Christ, is superior because it addresses the core problem of human sin and unfaithfulness through divine forgiveness and an inner transformation of the heart (Jeremiah 31:33). This offers assurance and hope, knowing that our standing with God is secured by His faithfulness, not our own.