Bible Strands
Hebrews 9:18
That is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The author of Hebrews addresses Jewish Christians to explain the legal necessity of Christ's sacrifice by contrasting it with the old covenant's ritual requirements.
The words — The text employs χωρὶς (chōris), meaning "apart from," and ἐγκεκαίνισται (egkekainistai), meaning "has been inaugurated," to declare that the first covenant could not be legally established without blood.
The thread — This requirement connects to the principle that a will takes effect only upon the death of its maker in Hebrews 9:17, while the ritual implementation appears in Hebrews 9:19 where Moses sprinkles blood, water, scarlet wool, and hyssop on the scroll and the people.
Why it lands — The verse requires the reader to acknowledge that biblical covenants demand blood for legal validity, directly establishing the structural parallel for the unblemished sacrifice described in Hebrews 9:14.
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The Greek words
King James Version
Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.
Cross-references
- Exodus 24:3 When Moses came and told the people all the words and ordinances of the LORD, they all responded with one voice: “All the words that the LORD has spoken, we will do.”
- Hebrews 8:7 For if that first covenant had been without fault, no place would have been sought for a second.
- Hebrews 9:14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!
- Hebrews 9:22 According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
- Exodus 12:22 Take a cluster of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin, and brush the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe. None of you shall go out the door of his house until morning.