Hebrews 9:16 Meaning
For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
Context Explained
14How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
15And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
16For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
17For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
18Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.
Key Themes
Related Cross References
Matthew 26:28
Jesus speaks of His blood as the blood of the new covenant.
Hebrews 9:15
This verse clarifies that Christ's death redeems those under the first covenant.
Romans 7:4
Believers are described as having died to the law through Christ.
Source: Hebrews 9:16