8. For finding fault with them (peuddcpevos adrods).* Them signifies the possessors of the first covenant. The prophet says what follows by way of blame. The passage cited is Jer. xxxvili, LXX (A.V. xxxi), 31-34. The writer assumes that Jeremiah’s new covenant means the Christian covenant.
| will make (cuvterdow). Rend. LI will conclude or con- summate. See on L.iv.13. Only here in Hebrews, and once in Paul, Rom. ix. 28, a citation.
With the house (é7l). The preposition marking direction toward.
* Westcott and Hort and Tischendorf read atro’s. Weiss and Rev. T. retain the T. R. atrots. If the latter, the more probable construction is with he saith: ‘‘he saith to them,’’ taking peudduevos absolutely. If adrovs, the pronoun will be governed by weuddueros, ‘* blaming them.”’
472 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. (Cu. VIII.
A new covenant (diady«ny Kawnv). Always cay in the phrase new covenant, except Heb. xii. 24, where we have vea. For the distinction see note there, and on Matt. xxvi. 29.
9. In the day when | took (év puépa ériAaBopevov pov). An unusual construction. Lit. in the day of me having taken hold. Comp. J. iv. 89. ;
10. The covenant which | will make () S:a@yKn nv d.a- Ojcouat). The noun and the verb are cognate — the arrange- ment which I will arrange. A covenant (S:a8jKxn) is something arranged (d:at@ecOa) between two parties. See the same combination, Acts iii. 25.
| will put my laws (d1d0vs vewous wov). Lit. giving my laws: const. with I will make: “the covenant which I will make by giving my laws.”
Mind (évdvoravy). ‘The moral understanding. See on Mk. xii. 80; L. i. 51. Hearts, xapdias, see on Rom. i. 21; od KO
A God —a people (eis Oecvy —eis Xadv). Lit. unto a God, etc. A Hebraistic form of expression, es signifying the des- tination of the substantive verb. The sense is, I will be to them to serve as a God; or my being as related to them will amount to my being a God to them. Comp. Matt. xix. 5; 2 Cor, Viel Oemel enw ..0-
11. His neighbour (tov wodirnv). Lit. his citizen: his FSellow-citizen.*
Know the Lord (yvat tov xvpov). As if commending God to the knowledge of one who is ignorant of him.
All shall know (adres eidyjcovowv). Observe the two words for know : yv@G of the recognition of a stranger ; eiS#jcovor
* Codex A, LXX, has rdv ddedgpdv his brother, and for rdv ddedpbv in the following clause, rdv rAnolov his neighbour.
Cx. VIL] THE EPISTLE TO TIE HEBREWS. 473
of an absolute acquaintance as of one born under God’s covenant.
From the least to the greatest (ad piKxpod gas peyddou avTav). Lit. from the little unto the great of them. This knowl- edge of God will be without distinction of age or station.
12. Merciful (rews). Only here and Matt. xvi. 22, see note.
Unrighteousness (adiciais). Unrighteousnesses. The only occurrence of the word in the plural. For dé«éa see on 2 Pet. ii. 18.
Their sins and their iniquities (rav duapriav adtav). Omit and their iniquities.* For duapria sin, see on Matt. i. 21; and for both aéucéa and dwapria,on1J.i.9. Comp.1J. v.17.
Will | remember no more (ov pi) pry err). Lit. J will by no means remember any more.
13. In that he saith a new covenant (év 7@ Aéyewv Kauvv). Lit. “in his saying new.”
He hath made the first old (aevadaloxev tiv mpwTny). IlaXatodv to make old, only in Hebrews and L. xii. 838. Comp. Heb. 1. 11.
Now that which decayeth and waxeth old (70 6€ wadat- ovpevov Kal ynpacKkov). Rend. but that which is becoming old and waxing aged. Inpdoxew (only here and J. xxi. 18) adds the idea of infirmity to that of age.
Is ready to vanish away (éyyts afavcopod). Lit. 13 nigh unto vanishing. "Adamopds vanishing, N.T.°. Often in LXX. Class. rare and late. The whole statement indicates that the writer regarded the Sinaitic covenant, even in Jeremiah’s