Hebrews 8:6
New International Version
But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.

New Living Translation
But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises.

English Standard Version
But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.

Berean Standard Bible
Now, however, Jesus has received a much more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises.

Berean Literal Bible
But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted upon better promises.

King James Bible
But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

New King James Version
But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

New American Standard Bible
But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, to the extent that He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.

NASB 1995
But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.

NASB 1977
But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.

Legacy Standard Bible
But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.

Amplified Bible
But as it is, Christ has acquired a [priestly] ministry which is more excellent [than the old Levitical priestly ministry], for He is the Mediator (Arbiter) of a better covenant [uniting God and man], which has been enacted and rests on better promises.

Christian Standard Bible
But Jesus has now obtained a superior ministry, and to that degree he is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been established on better promises.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But Jesus has now obtained a superior ministry, and to that degree He is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been legally enacted on better promises.

American Standard Version
But now hath he obtained a ministry the more excellent, by so much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which hath been enacted upon better promises.

Contemporary English Version
Now Christ has been appointed to serve as a priest in a much better way, and he has given us much assurance of a better agreement.

English Revised Version
But now hath he obtained a ministry the more excellent, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which hath been enacted upon better promises.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jesus has been given a priestly work that is superior to the Levitical priests' work. He also brings a better promise from God that is based on better guarantees.

Good News Translation
But now, Jesus has been given priestly work which is superior to theirs, just as the covenant which he arranged between God and his people is a better one, because it is based on promises of better things.

International Standard Version
However, Jesus has now obtained a more superior ministry, since the covenant he mediates is founded on better promises.

Majority Standard Bible
Now, however, Jesus has received a much more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises.

NET Bible
But now Jesus has obtained a superior ministry, since the covenant that he mediates is also better and is enacted on better promises.

New Heart English Bible
But now he has obtained a more excellent ministry, by so much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which on better promises has been given as Law.

Webster's Bible Translation
But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

Weymouth New Testament
But, as a matter of fact, the ministry which Christ has obtained is all the nobler a ministry, in that He is at the same time the negotiator of a sublimer covenant, based upon sublimer promises.

World English Bible
But now he has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which on better promises has been given as law.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
but now He has obtained a more excellent service, how much He is also mediator of a better covenant, which has been sanctioned on better promises,

Berean Literal Bible
But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted upon better promises.

Young's Literal Translation
and now he hath obtained a more excellent service, how much also of a better covenant is he mediator, which on better promises hath been sanctioned,

Smith's Literal Translation
And now he has attained a more distinguished office, in how much also he is mediator of a better covenant, which was legislated upon better promises.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But now he hath obtained a better ministry, by how much also he is a mediator of a better testament, which is established on better promises.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But now he has been granted a better ministry, so much so that he is also the Mediator of a better testament, which has been confirmed by better promises.

New American Bible
Now he has obtained so much more excellent a ministry as he is mediator of a better covenant, enacted on better promises.

New Revised Standard Version
But Jesus has now obtained a more excellent ministry, and to that degree he is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted through better promises.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But now Jesus Christ has received a ministry which is greater than that; just as the covenant in which he was made a mediator, is greater, so are the promises greater than those given in the old covenant.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Now Yeshua The Messiah has received the Ministry which is better than that, as The Covenant of which he is made The Mediator is better, and it is given with better promises than that.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But now he has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as he is the mediator of a better covenant, which is established with reference to better promises.

Godbey New Testament
but now he has obtained a more excellent ministry, insomuch that he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been founded on better promises.

Haweis New Testament
But now hath Christ obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as he is the mediator of a better covenant, which hath been established on better promises.

Mace New Testament
Our high priest then has obtained a priesthood so much the more excellent, as he is the mediator of a better alliance, established upon better promises.

Weymouth New Testament
But, as a matter of fact, the ministry which Christ has obtained is all the nobler a ministry, in that He is at the same time the negotiator of a sublimer covenant, based upon sublimer promises.

Worrell New Testament
but now he hath obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much also as He is Mediator of a better covenant, which, indeed, has been enacted on better promises.

Worsley New Testament
But now He hath obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which is established upon better promises.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The New Covenant
5The place where they serve is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” 6Now, however, Jesus has received a much more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises. 7For if that first covenant had been without fault, no place would have been sought for a second.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. / 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—a covenant they broke, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD. / “But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. ...

Hebrews 7:22
Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.

Hebrews 9:15
Therefore Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, now that He has died to redeem them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.

2 Corinthians 3:6
And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Hebrews 12:24
to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Romans 8:3-4
For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh, / so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Galatians 3:19-20
Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator. / A mediator is unnecessary, however, for only one party; but God is one.

Hebrews 10:1
For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.

Ezekiel 36:26-27
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. / And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.

Matthew 26:28
This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Romans 8:6-7
The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace, / because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.

Isaiah 42:6
“I, the LORD, have called you for a righteous purpose, and I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and appoint you to be a covenant for the people and a light to the nations,

Hebrews 9:11-12
But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not a part of this creation. / He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.

Hebrews 10:9-10
Then He adds, “Here I am, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first to establish the second. / And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,


Treasury of Scripture

But now has he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

obtained.

Hebrews 8:7-13
For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second…

2 Corinthians 3:6-11
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life…

the mediator.

Hebrews 7:22
By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

Hebrews 12:24
And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

Galatians 3:19,20
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…

covenant.

Hebrews 7:22
By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

Hebrews 9:15-20
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…

was established.

upon.

Hebrews 8:10-12
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: …

Romans 9:4
Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;

Galatians 3:16-21
Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ…

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Hebrews 8
1. By the eternal priesthood of Christ the Levitical priesthood of Aaron is overshadowed;
7. and replaced by the new covenant of the Gospel.














But now
This phrase marks a transition from the old to the new, emphasizing the present reality of Christ's work. In the Greek, "nyni de" indicates a shift in time and circumstance, highlighting the superiority of the new covenant established through Jesus. Historically, this reflects the transition from the Mosaic Law to the grace offered through Christ, a pivotal change in redemptive history.

Jesus
The central figure of the New Testament, Jesus is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. His name, derived from the Hebrew "Yeshua," means "The Lord is salvation." This underscores His role as the Savior and the mediator of the new covenant, fulfilling the promises made to the patriarchs and prophets.

has received
The Greek word "tetychen" suggests an action completed with ongoing results. Jesus' reception of His ministry is not just a past event but has continuing implications for believers. This reflects the permanence and enduring nature of His priestly role, contrasting with the temporary and repetitive nature of the Levitical priesthood.

a much more excellent ministry
The term "diakonia" for ministry implies service, but here it is described as "pleionos diaphoroteras," meaning exceedingly superior. This highlights the surpassing greatness of Christ's priestly service compared to the Levitical priests. His ministry is not only superior in quality but also in effectiveness, offering a once-for-all sacrifice for sins.

just as the covenant He mediates is better
The word "covenant" (Greek "diatheke") refers to a binding agreement. Jesus is the mediator (Greek "mesites") of a "kreittonos" or better covenant, indicating a new and improved agreement between God and humanity. This covenant is superior because it is based on grace rather than law, offering a direct relationship with God through faith in Christ.

and is founded on better promises
The "better promises" (Greek "epangeliais kreittonos") refer to the assurances given by God under the new covenant. These promises include the internalization of God's laws, a personal relationship with Him, and the complete forgiveness of sins. This is a fulfillment of the prophetic promises found in Jeremiah 31:31-34, which anticipated a new covenant that would surpass the old in every way.

(6) But now.--That is, as the case really is. (See Hebrews 8:3.) We have here another of those proportional statements commented on in Hebrews 1:4; Hebrews 3:3; Hebrews 7:22. The last of these passages is closely akin to this. There we read that by how much the Priest appointed by the divine oath is raised above all other priests, by so much is His covenant better than theirs. Here, that as He is Mediator of a better covenant, in the same proportion does His ministry excel that of priests on earth.

Which was established.--Better, one that hath been ordained. The verb, properly meaning "to legislate," has already occurred in Hebrews 7:11, "the people hath received the Law" (literally, hath been legislated for). Here, then, a word which properly refers to the passing of a law is applied to a covenant. The explanation must be sought in the special nature of the covenants of God with man (see Hebrews 7:22), which are not compacts between equals, but arrangements offered by the divine goodness, and made dependent upon conditions. Hence such a covenant may be spoken of as ordained, enacted, on the basis of promise. On the promises (see Hebrews 8:8-12) which are given by God is based the "covenant" which becomes the law of His kingdom and the declaration of His procedure. The man who accepts the promises by entering into the conditions laid down is dealt with according to this law. Here, Jesus is the "Mediator," in Hebrews 7:22 (see Note) the "Surety," of the better covenant. The idea is expanded below in Hebrews 9:15-18. On the tacit comparison with Moses, as mediator of the first covenant, see Note on Galatians 3:19. . . .

Verse 6. - But now (νυνὶ in its usual logical, not temporal, sense; cf. Hebrews 11:16; also Hebrews 2:8; 9:26; 12:26) hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the Mediator of a better covenant, which (ἥτις, equivalent to quippequae, as usual) hath been established upon better promises. Here the idea of the new διαθήκη, introduced first in the way of anticipation at Hebrews 7:22, is brought to the front, to be carried out in what follows. There the proved superior greatness of the predicted priest was made the measure of the superior excellence of the covenant of which he has become Surety; here the superior excellence of the new covenant, which is now to be shown from prophecy, is made /he measure of that of Christ's priestly ministry, which has just been proved to be of necessity in the sphere of heavenly realities of which the Mosaic ritual was but a copy and shadow. The word here used is not ἔγγυος ("surety"), as in Hebrews 7:22, but μεσίτης ("mediator"); on which it is to be observed that the mediator of the old covenant was not Aaron, but Moses (see Galatians 3:19): it was he that intervened between God and the congregation in the establishment of the covenant; and thus, in this respect also, the priesthood of the new covenant transcends the old one, in that (as was shown also in the earlier part of the Epistle) the type of Moses, as well as of Aaron, is fulfilled in it. The word νενομοθέτηται ("established" in A.V.; "enacted" in the recent R.V.) expresses the promulgation of a law - appositely in the first place to the Law of Moses, which constituted the conditions of the old covenant; but also to the description of the new covenant, which follows from Jeremiah, according to which the law remains, but to be written on the heart. The gospel is elsewhere regarded under the idea of law, though not a law of bondage, but of liberty - a law, not of the letter, but of the Spirit (see Romans 3:27; Romans 8:2; Romans 9:31; James 1:25). The "better promises" are such as the passage from Jeremiah, quoted below, notably represents. Other passages might be referred to (such as Ezekiel 36:25, etc.; Ezekiel 37:24, etc.), of similar significance, though not with the same marked mention of a new covenant to supersede the old one. This memorable passage (Jeremiah 31:31-35) occurs in a distinct section of Jeremiah's prophecies (30, 31.), delivered after the commencement of the Captivity, and directed to be written in a book. The subject of the whole section is the restoration of Israel, its ultimate Messianic reference being patent to all who acknowledge any such at all in prophecy. In evidence of this there is not only the passage before us, pointing to an entirely new covenant with Israel, and the ideal tone of the whole prophecy, but also, in particular, the view of all the scattered tribes, not Judah only - the whole ideal Israel - being gathered together from all countries to Zion, and of David himself to rule over them as king. The national and local framework, which the picture has in common with other prophetic visions of the coming days, is of course no difficulty to those familiar with the style of the prophetic books.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Now,
Νυνὶ (Nyni)
Adverb
Strong's 3570: A prolonged form of nun for emphasis; just now.

however,
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

[Jesus] has received
τέτυχεν (tetychen)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5177: (a) gen: I obtain, (b) absol: I chance, happen; ordinary, everyday, it may chance, perhaps.

a much
ὅσῳ (hosō)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3745: How much, how great, how many, as great as, as much. By reduplication from hos; as As.

more excellent
διαφορωτέρας (diaphorōteras)
Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular - Comparative
Strong's 1313: Differing, different; hence: excellent. From diaphero; varying; also surpassing.

ministry,
λειτουργίας (leitourgias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3009: From leitourgeo; public function ('liturgy') or almsgiver).

just as
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the covenant
διαθήκης (diathēkēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1242: From diatithemai; properly, a disposition, i.e. a contract.

He mediates
μεσίτης (mesitēs)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3316: From mesos; a go-between, i.e. an internunciator, or a reconciler.

is better
κρείττονός (kreittonos)
Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular - Comparative
Strong's 2909: Stronger, more excellent. Comparative of a derivative of kratos; stronger, i.e. better, i.e. Nobler.

[and]
ἥτις (hētis)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3748: Whosoever, whichsoever, whatsoever.

is founded
νενομοθέτηται (nenomothetētai)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3549: From nomothetes; to legislate, i.e. to have enactments injoined, be sanctioned.

on
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

better
κρείττοσιν (kreittosin)
Adjective - Dative Feminine Plural - Comparative
Strong's 2909: Stronger, more excellent. Comparative of a derivative of kratos; stronger, i.e. better, i.e. Nobler.

promises.
ἐπαγγελίαις (epangeliais)
Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1860: A promise. From epaggello; an announcement.


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NT Letters: Hebrews 8:6 But now he has obtained a more (Heb. He. Hb)
Hebrews 8:5
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