Hebrews 9:16
New International Version
In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it,

New Living Translation
Now when someone leaves a will, it is necessary to prove that the person who made it is dead.

English Standard Version
For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established.

Berean Standard Bible
In the case of a will, it is necessary to establish the death of the one who made it,

Berean Literal Bible
For where there is a will, it is necessary to establish the death of the one having made it.

King James Bible
For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

New King James Version
For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

New American Standard Bible
For where there is a covenant, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it.

NASB 1995
For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it.

NASB 1977
For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it.

Legacy Standard Bible
For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it.

Amplified Bible
For where there is a will and testament involved, the death of the one who made it must be established,

Christian Standard Bible
Where a will exists, the death of the one who made it must be established.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Where a will exists, the death of the one who made it must be established.

American Standard Version
For where a testament is, there must of necessity be the death of him that made it.

Contemporary English Version
In fact, making an agreement of this kind is like writing a will. This is because the one who makes the will must die before it is of any use.

English Revised Version
For where a testament is, there must of necessity be the death of him that made it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
In order for a will to take effect, it must be shown that the one who made it has died.

Good News Translation
In the case of a will it is necessary to prove that the person who made it has died,

International Standard Version
For where there is a will, the death of the one who made it must be established.

Majority Standard Bible
In the case of a will, it is necessary to establish the death of the one who made it,

NET Bible
For where there is a will, the death of the one who made it must be proven.

New Heart English Bible
Now where there is a will, the death of the one who made it must be proven.

Webster's Bible Translation
For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

Weymouth New Testament
For where there is a legal 'will,' there must also be a death brought forward in evidence--the death of him who made it.

World English Bible
For where a last will and testament is, there must of necessity be the death of him who made it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for where a covenant [is], [it is] necessary to establish the death of the [one] having made [it],

Berean Literal Bible
For where there is a will, it is necessary to establish the death of the one having made it.

Young's Literal Translation
for where a covenant is, the death of the covenant-victim to come in is necessary,

Smith's Literal Translation
For where a will, the necessity for the death of him having willed to be brought forward.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For where there is a testament, the death of the testator must of necessity come in.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For where there is a testament, it is necessary for the death of the one who testifies to intervene.

New American Bible
Now where there is a will, the death of the testator must be established.

New Revised Standard Version
Where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For where a testament is, it is proved after the death of its maker.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For where there is a testament, it shows the death of him who made it;
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For where a testament is, it is necessary that there be brought in the death of the testator:

Godbey New Testament
For where there is a covenant, it is necessary to bear the death of the covenanter;

Haweis New Testament
For where a testament is, of necessity the death of the testator is implied.

Mace New Testament
For where a testament is, there the death of the testator is necessarily pre-suppos'd.

Weymouth New Testament
For where there is a legal 'will,' there must also be a death brought forward in evidence--the death of him who made it.

Worrell New Testament
For where there is a testament, there is a necessity that the death of the testator be brought in.

Worsley New Testament
For where a testament is, there is a necessity of proving the death of the testator.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Redemption through His Blood
15Therefore 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. 16 In the case of a will, it is necessary to establish the death of the one who made it, 17because a will does not take effect until the one who made it has died; it cannot be executed while he is still alive.…

Cross References
Galatians 3:15
Brothers, let me put this in human terms. Even a human covenant, once it is ratified, cannot be canceled or amended.

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

Romans 7:1-4
Do you not know, brothers (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives? / For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. / So then, if she is joined to another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man. ...

1 Corinthians 11:25
In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

Luke 22:20
In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.

Ephesians 2:15-16
by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees. He did this to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace / and reconciling both of them to God in one body through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility.

Colossians 2:14
having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross!

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. ...

Exodus 24:8
So Moses took the blood, splattered it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.”

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,

Isaiah 49:8
This is what the LORD says: “In the time of favor I will answer You, and in the day of salvation I will help You; I will keep You and appoint You to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land, to apportion its desolate inheritances,

Zechariah 9:11
As for you, because of the blood of My covenant, I will release your prisoners from the waterless pit.

Genesis 15:9-18
And the LORD said to him, “Bring Me a heifer, a goat, and a ram, each three years old, along with a turtledove and a young pigeon.” / So Abram brought all these to Him, split each of them down the middle, and laid the halves opposite each other. The birds, however, he did not cut in half. / And the birds of prey descended on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away. ...

Genesis 17:2-14
I will establish My covenant between Me and you, and I will multiply you exceedingly.” / Then Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, / “As for Me, this is My covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. ...

Psalm 50:5
“Gather to Me My saints, who made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.”


Treasury of Scripture

For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

be.

Hebrews 9:16
For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

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Case Covenant Death Established Evidence Forward Involved Last Necessary Necessity Needs Prove Testament Testator
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Hebrews 9
1. The description of the rites and sacrifices of the law;
11. which are far inferior to the dignity and perfection of the sacrifice of Christ.














In the case of a will
The Greek word for "will" here is "διαθήκη" (diathēkē), which can also be translated as "covenant." This dual meaning is significant in understanding the broader context of Hebrews, where the author contrasts the Old Covenant with the New Covenant established through Christ. In ancient times, a "will" or "covenant" was a binding agreement, often sealed with a sacrifice. The use of "will" here emphasizes the legal and binding nature of God's promises, which are fulfilled through Christ's sacrificial death.

it is necessary
The phrase "it is necessary" underscores the inevitability and divine requirement of the process being described. In the context of a will, the necessity of death is a legal stipulation. Spiritually, it reflects the divine plan of salvation, where the death of Christ was necessary to inaugurate the New Covenant. This necessity is rooted in God's justice and mercy, fulfilling the law and providing grace.

to establish
The Greek word "φέρεσθαι" (pheresthai) is used here, meaning "to bring forth" or "to confirm." This term conveys the idea of validation or ratification. In the context of a will, the death of the testator confirms the validity of the document. Spiritually, Christ's death confirms and establishes the promises of the New Covenant, bringing them into effect for believers.

the death
Death is central to the concept of a will, as it is the event that activates the inheritance. In the biblical context, death is both a consequence of sin and a means of redemption. Theologically, Christ's death is the pivotal event that fulfills the requirements of the law and opens the way for eternal life. His death is not just a historical event but a transformative act that changes the relationship between God and humanity.

of the one who made it
This phrase refers to the "testator," the person who creates the will. In the context of Hebrews, this is a reference to Christ, who is both the mediator and the testator of the New Covenant. His role as the one who made the will highlights His authority and intentionality in the plan of salvation. It emphasizes that the New Covenant is not an afterthought but a deliberate act of love and grace by Christ, who willingly laid down His life to bring it into effect.

(16) Testament.--As has been already pointed out, the greatest difference of opinion has existed in regard to the meaning of the Greek word diath?k? in this passage. (See Note on Hebrews 7:22.) It will be seen at once that the interpretation of this verse and the next entirely depends on that one question. If "testament" is the correct meaning of the Greek word, the general sense of the verses is well given in the Authorised version. A few commentators even agree with that version in carrying back the idea of testament into Hebrews 9:15, although in the other two places in which the word is joined with "Mediator" (Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 12:24) they adhere to the ordinary rendering, "covenant." By most, however, it is held that a new thought is introduced in the present verse. The writer, it is urged, having spoken of a promise of an inheritance, (Hebrews 9:15), and a promise that cannot be made valid unless death take place, avails himself of the illustration which a second (and very common) meaning of the leading word affords; and though a covenant has hitherto been in his thoughts, he adds interest and force to his argument by calling up the analogy of a testament or will. It is further urged that this procedure will not seem unnatural if we reflect that the diath?k? between God and man is never exactly expressed by covenant, since it is not of the nature of a mutual compact between equals. (See Hebrews 7:22.) The position is chiefly defended by two arguments:--(1) Hebrews 9:16, being a general maxim, gives no intelligible sense in regard to a covenant, but is easy and natural as applied to a will. (2) A Greek word used in Hebrews 9:17, where the literal translation is "over (the) dead," cannot be used of sacrifices of slain animals, but of men only. This, we believe, is a fair statement of the case on the one side; and it may be fully acknowledged that, if Hebrews 9:16-17 stood alone, and if they were written of Gentile rather than Jewish usage, the case would be very strong. As it is, we are compelled to believe that the difficulties which this interpretation brings with it are beyond comparison more serious than those which it removes. (1) There is no doubt that in the overwhelming majority of New Testament passages the meaning covenant must be assigned. By many high authorities these verses are considered to contain the only exception. (2) In the LXX. the word is extremely common, both for the covenants of God and for compacts between man and man. (See Note on Hebrews 7:22). (3) The application of diath?k? in this Epistle rests on the basis of the Old Testament usage, the key passage being Jeremiah 31:31-34, quoted at length in Hebrews 8. With that quotation this passage is linked by the association of diath?k? with Mediator in Hebrews 9:15 and Hebrews 8:6, and with "the first" in Hebrews 9:15 and in Hebrews 8:13; Hebrews 9:1. (4) In the verses which follow this passage the meaning covenant must certainly return, as a comparison of Hebrews 9:20 with the verse of Exodus which it quotes (Exodus 24:8) will show. (5) It is true that the idea of "death" has appeared in Hebrews 9:15, but it is the death of a sin-offering; and there is no natural or easy transition of thought from an expiatory death to the death of a testator. And yet the words which introduce Hebrews 9:16; Hebrews 9:18 ("For" and "Wherefore") show that we are following the course of an argument. (6) Though to us Hebrews 9:16 may present a very familiar thought, we must not forget that to Jews dispositions by will were almost altogether unknown. Were it granted that a writer might for illustration avail himself of a second meaning which a word he is using might happen to bear, this liberty would only be taken if by that means familiar associations could be reached, and the argument or exhortation could be thus urged home. In an Epistle steeped in Jewish thought such a transition as that suggested would be inexplicable. There are other considerations of some weight which might be added; but these seem sufficient to prove that, even if the difficulties of interpretation should prove serious, we must not seek to remove them by wavering in our rendering of diath?k? in these verses. We believe, therefore, that the true translation of Hebrews 9:16-17, must be the following:--For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be brought in the death of the covenanter. For a covenant is of force when there hath been death (literally, over the dead); for hath it ever any strength while the covenanter liveth? In Hebrews 9:15 we have seen the two-fold reference of the death of Jesus, to the past and to the future. As High Priest He has offered Himself as a sin-offering to cleanse the conscience from dead works; the same offering is also looked on as a ransom redeeming from the penalty of past transgressions; and, still by means of His death, He has, as Mediator, established a new covenant. We are reminded at once of the words of Jesus Himself, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood" (1Corinthians 11:25). It is this very thought which the writer proceeds to develop: a covenant cannot be established without death--cannot exist at all. That amongst Jews and Greeks and Romans alike covenants were confirmed by sacrifice we need not pause to prove; of this usage we have the earliest example in Genesis 15. In such sacrifices, again, there is "brought in," or assumed the death of him who makes the covenant. There will not, perhaps, be much difficulty in accepting this as a maxim. The conflict of opinion really begins when we ask in what manner this is assumed. The usual answer is, that the death of victims is emblematic of the punishment which the contracting parties imprecated on themselves if they should break their compact. It may have been so amongst the Greeks and Romans, though this is doubtful.[11] Amongst the Jews, however, the analogy of their general sacrificial system, in which the victim represented the offerer, renders such an explanation very improbable. As to the precise idea implied in this representation, it is not easy to speak with certainty. It has been defined in two opposite ways. In the death of the victim each contracting party may be supposed to die either as to the future, in respect of any power of altering the compact (the covenant shall be as safe from violation through change of intention as if the covenanter were removed by death); or as to the past, to the former state of enmity each is now dead. It is not necessary for our argument to decide such a question as this. The only material points are, that a covenant must be established over sacrifices, and that in such a sacrifice "the death of him that made the covenant" must in some manner be "brought in" or assumed. There remains only the application to the particular covenant here spoken of. If this be taken as made between God and man, the sacrificial death of Jesus in man's stead ratified the covenant for ever, the former state of separation being brought to an end in "the reconciliation" of the gospel. The peculiar character of Hebrews 9:15, however (see above), seems rather to suggest that, as Jesus is set forth as High Priest and sacrifice, so He is both the Author of the covenant and the sacrifice which gives to it validity. In this case we see represented in His sacrifice the death of each "covenanter." (The transition from "Mediator" to Giver of the covenant is not greater than that which the other interpretation requires--a transition from a mediator of a testament to a testator.) There are minor points relating to details in the Greek which cannot be dealt with here. Of the two arguments quoted above, the former has, we hope, been fully met; though (it may be said in passing) it would be easier to give up Hebrews 9:16 as a general maxim, and to regard it as applying only to a covenant between God and sinful man, than to divorce the whole passage from the context by changing "covenant" into "will." One point of interest must not be omitted. There are coincidences of expression with Psalm 1:5 which make it very probable that that Psalm, memorable in the development of the teaching of the Old Testament, was distinctly in the writer's mind. This comparison is also of use in the explanation of some expressions in the original of these two verses. . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
In the case of
Ὅπου (Hopou)
Adverb
Strong's 3699: Where, whither, in what place. From hos and pou; what(-ever) where, i.e. At whichever spot.

[a] will,
διαθήκη (diathēkē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1242: From diatithemai; properly, a disposition, i.e. a contract.

[it is] necessary
ἀνάγκη (anankē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 318: From ana and the base of agkale; constraint; by implication, distress.

to establish
φέρεσθαι (pheresthai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive
Strong's 5342: To carry, bear, bring; I conduct, lead; perhaps: I make publicly known. A primary verb.

[the] death
θάνατον (thanaton)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2288: Death, physical or spiritual. From thnesko; death.

of the [one who]
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

made [it],
διαθεμένου (diathemenou)
Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 1303: (a) I appoint, make (of a covenant), (b) I make (a will). Middle voice from dia and tithemi; to put apart, i.e. dispose.


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NT Letters: Hebrews 9:16 For where a last will and testament (Heb. He. Hb)
Hebrews 9:15
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