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Hebrews 9:16

New American Standard Bible (NASB ©1995) [2]
— For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it.
King James Version (KJV 1769) [2]
— For where a testament [is], there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
English Revised Version (ERV 1885)
— For where a testament is, there must of necessity be the death of him that made it.
American Standard Version (ASV 1901) [2]
— For where a testament is, there must of necessity be the death of him that made it.
Webster's Revision of the KJB (WEB 1833)
— For where a testament [is], there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
Darby's Translation (DBY 1890)
— (For where [there is] a testament, the death of the testator must needs come in.
Rotherham's Emphasized Bible (EBR 1902)
— For, where a covenant is, it is necessary for, the death, to be brought in, of him that hath covenanted;
Young's Literal Translation (YLT 1898)
— for where a covenant [is], the death of the covenant-victim to come in is necessary,
Douay-Rheims Challoner Revision (DR 1750)
— For where there is a testament the death of the testator must of necessity come in.
Geneva Bible (GNV 1560)
— For where a Testament is, there must be the death of him that made the Testament.
Original King James Bible (AV 1611) [2]
— For where a Testament is, there must also of necessitie bee the death of the Testatour.
Lamsa Bible (1957)
— For where a will is presented, it shows the death of its maker.
John Etheridge Peshitta-Aramaic NT (1849)
— FOR where a covenant is, there is indicated the Death of that which made it.
James Murdock Peshitta-Aramaic NT (1852)
— For where there is a testament, it indicateth the death of him who made it.

Strong's Numbers & Red-LettersGreek New TestamentColor-Code/Key Word Studies
For 1063
{1063} Prime
γάρ
gar
{gar}
A primary particle; properly assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles).
where 3699
{3699} Prime
ὅπου
hopou
{hop'-oo}
From G3739 and G4225; what (-ever) where, that is, at whichever spot.
a testament 1242
{1242} Prime
διαθήκη
diatheke
{dee-ath-ay'-kay}
From G1303; properly a disposition, that is, (specifically) a contract (especially a devisory will).
[is], there must also of necessity 318
{0318} Prime
ἀνάγκη
anagke
{an-ang-kay'}
From G0303 and the base of G0043; constraint (literally or figuratively); by implication distress.
be 5342
{5342} Prime
φέρω
phero
{fer'-o}
A primary verb (for which other and apparently not cognate ones are used in certain tenses only; namely οἴω [[oio]], {oy'-o}; and ἐνέγκω [[enegko]], {en-eng'-ko}); to 'bear' or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively.
z5745
<5745> Grammar
Tense - Present (See G5774)
Voice - Passive (See G5786)
Mood - Infinitive (See G5795)
Count - 105
the death 2288
{2288} Prime
θάνατος
thanatos
{than'-at-os}
From G2348; (properly an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively).
of the x3588
(3588) Complement

ho
{ho}
The masculine, feminine (second) and neuter (third) forms, in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom).
testator. 1303
{1303} Prime
διατίθεμαι
diatithemai
{dee-at-ith'-em-ahee}
Middle voice from G1223 and G5087; to put apart, that is, (figuratively) dispose (by assignment, compact or bequest).
z5642
<5642> Grammar
Tense - Second Aorist (See G5780)
Voice - Middle (See G5785)
Mood - Participle (See G5796)
Count - 19
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary

Hebrews 9:16

_ _ A general axiomatic truth; it is “a testament”; not the testament. The testator must die before his testament takes effect (Hebrews 9:17). This is a common meaning of the Greek noun diathece. So in Luke 22:29, “I appoint (by testamentary disposition; the cognate Greek verb diatithemai) unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me.” The need of death before the testamentary appointment takes effect, holds good in Christ’s relation as MAN to us; Of course not in God’s relation to Christ.

_ _ be — literally, “be borne”: “be involved in the case”; be inferred; or else, “be brought forward in court,” so as to give effect to the will. This sense (testament) of the Greekdiathece” here does not exclude its other secondary senses in the other passages of the New Testament: (1) a covenant between two parties; (2) an arrangement, or disposition, made by God alone in relation to us. Thus, Matthew 26:28 may be translated, “Blood of the covenant”; for a testament does not require blood shedding. Compare Exodus 24:8 (covenant), which Christ quotes, though it is probable He included in a sense “testament” also under the Greek word diathece (comprehending both meanings, “covenant” and “testament”), as this designation strictly and properly applies to the new dispensation, and is rightly applicable to the old also, not in itself, but when viewed as typifying the new, which is properly a testament. Moses (Exodus 24:8) speaks of the same thing as [Christ and] Paul. Moses, by the term “covenant,” does not mean aught save one concerning giving the heavenly inheritance typified by Canaan after the death of the Testator, which he represented by the sprinkling of blood. And Paul, by the term “testament,” does not mean aught save one having conditions attached to it, one which is at the same time a covenant [Poli, Synopsis]; the conditions are fulfilled by Christ, not by us, except that we must believe, but even this God works in His people. Tholuck explains, as elsewhere, “covenant ... covenant ... mediating victim”; the masculine is used of the victim personified, and regarded as mediator of the covenant; especially as in the new covenant a MAN (Christ) took the place of the victim. The covenanting parties used to pass between the divided parts of the sacrificed animals; but, without reference to this rite, the need of a sacrifice for establishing a covenant sufficiently explains this verse. Others, also, explaining the Greek as “covenant,” consider that the death of the sacrificial victim represented in all covenants the death of both parties as unalterably bound to the covenant. So in the redemption-covenant, the death of Jesus symbolized the death of God (?) in the person of the mediating victim, and the death of man in the same. But the expression is not “there must be the death of both parties making the covenant,” but singular, “of Him who made (aorist, past time; not ‘of Him making’) the testament.” Also, it is “death,” not “sacrifice” or “slaying.” Plainly, the death is supposed to be past (aorist, “made”); and the fact of the death is brought (Greek) before court to give effect to the will. These requisites of a will, or testament, concur here: (1) a testator; (2) heirs; (3) goods; (4) the death of the testator; (5) the fact of the death brought forward in court. In Matthew 26:28 two other requisites appear: witnesses, the disciples; and a seal, the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, the sign of His blood wherewith the testament is primarily sealed. It is true the heir is ordinarily the successor of him who dies and so ceases to have the possession. But in this case Christ comes to life again, and is Himself (including all that He hath), in the power of His now endless life, His people’s inheritance; in His being Heir (Hebrews 1:2), they are heirs.

Matthew Henry's Commentary

See commentary on Hebrews 9:15-22.

John Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Hebrews 9:16

I say by means of death; for where such a covenant is, there must be the death of him by whom it is confirmed — Seeing it is by his death that the benefits of it are purchased. It seems beneath the dignity of the apostle to play upon the ambiguity of the Greek word, as the common translation supposes him to do.

Geneva Bible Translation Notes

Hebrews 9:16

(11) For where a testament [is], there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

(11) A reason why the testament must be established by the death of the Mediator, because this testament has the condition of a testament or gift, which is made effective by death, and therefore that it might be effective, it must be that he that made the Testament, should die.

Cross-Reference Topical ResearchStrong's Concordance
be:
or, be brought in,
Hebrews 9:16 For where a testament [is], there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
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He 9:16.

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