Hebrews 8:9
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
Hebrews 8:9 · King James Version
Meaning
This verse from the book of Hebrews is a powerful reminder of the consequences of straying from God's covenant. The covenant mentioned here is the one God made with the Israelites when He led them out of Egypt. It was a covenant based on obedience and faithfulness to God's commands. However, the Israelites failed to uphold their end of the covenant by disobeying God and turning to idols. As a result, God did not regard them, meaning He withdrew His protection and blessings from them. This verse serves as a warning to all believers to remain steadfast in their commitment to God's covenant and to avoid falling into the same trap of disobedience that the Israelites did. It also highlights the importance of faithfulness and obedience in maintaining a strong and close relationship with God.
Theological Overview
In this verse, the Lord is highlighting the failure of the Israelites to uphold the covenant He made with them when He led them out of Egypt. The theological interpretation of this passage focuses on the unfaithfulness of the people and the consequences that followed. The Lord's statement emphasizes the importance of keeping covenant with Him and the repercussions of disobedience. The word "covenant" in this context refers to a deep and binding agreement between God and His people, which was broken by the Israelites due to their lack of faithfulness. The Lord's decision to no longer regard them signifies His disappointment and withdrawal of favor. This verse serves as a reminder of the significance of honoring commitments and remaining loyal to God's commands.
Hebrews 8:9 in other translations
American Standard Version
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers In the day that I took them by the hand to lead them forth out of the land of Egypt; For they continued not in my covenant, And I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
World English Bible
not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers, in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; for they didn’t continue in my covenant, and I disregarded them,” says the Lord.
Douay-Rheims
Not according to the testament which I made to their fathers, on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt: because they continued not in my testament: and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Not like the Testament that I made with their fathers, in the day that I tooke them by the hand, to leade them out of the land of Egypt: for they continued not in my Testament, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.