Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY

Hebrews 8:7

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
- 7 If that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need for a second.+

Hebrews 8:7

The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures
- 7 εἰ If γὰρ for ἡ the πρώτη first ἐκείνη that ἦν was ἄμεμπτος, blameless, οὐκ not ἂν likely δευτέρας of second (one) ἐζητεῖτο was being sought τόπος· place;

Hebrews 8:7

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures—With References
- 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, no place would have been sought for a second;+

Hebrews 8:7

The Bible in Living English
- 7 * For if that first one had been irreproachable there would be no looking for a place for a second.

Hebrews 8:7

American Standard Version
- 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then would no place have been sought for a second.

Hebrews 8:7

The Emphasized Bible
- 7 For if that first had been faultless, Not in that case for a second had there been sought a place.

Hebrews 8:7

King James Version
- 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

Hebrews Study Notes—Chapter 8

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)
- 8:7
  
  If that first covenant had been faultless: Paul shows here that the “first covenant” made with Israel was not faultless. He gives a key reason in the next verse: “For he [God] does find fault with the people.” (Heb 8:8 and study note) The Israelites were responsible for upholding their side of the covenant, but most of them failed to take the spirit of that covenant to heart. Therefore, “they broke” the covenant repeatedly. (Jer 31:32) Paul also shows in this letter that the first covenant was not faultless in another respect: It did not make possible the complete forgiveness of sins. In fact, that was not its purpose. (Heb 7:11, 19; 9:9; 10:1, 2; compare Ro 8:3 and study note.) That Law was designed “to make transgressions manifest” (Ga 3:19), to point to a better arrangement for worship (Col 2:17), and to lead people to the Messiah (Ga 3:24). It did accomplish those goals. Therefore, Paul is not contradicting what he states at Ro 7:12.