Hebrews 9:16

For where a last will and testament is, there must of necessity be the death of him who made it.

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

For where a last will and testament is, there must of necessity be the death of him who made it.

BSB

In the case of a will, it is necessary to establish the death of the one who made it,

KJV

For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

ASV

For where a testament is, there must of necessity be the death of him that made it.

BBE

Because where there is a testament, there has to be the death of the man who made it.

Original Greek

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ὅπου hopou Where G3699 γὰρ gar for G1063 διαθήκη diathēkē [there is] a will G1242 θάνατον thanaton [the] death G2288 ἀνάγκη anagkē [it is] necessary G318 φέρεσθαι pheresthai to establish G5342 τοῦ tou of the [one] G3588 διαθεμένου diathemenou having made [it] G1303

The early church

It was probable that many of those who were more weakly would especially distrust the promises of Christ because He had died. Paul accordingly out of a superabundance introduced this illustration, deriving it from common custom. Of what kind is it? He says, "indeed, on this very account we ought to be of good courage." On what account? Because testaments are established and obtain their force when those who have made them are not living, but dead. "And for this cause," he says, "He is the Mediator of the New Testament." A Testament is made towards the last day, [the day] of death. And a testament is of this character: It makes some heirs, and some disinherited. So in this case also: "I will that where I am," Christ says, "they also may be." (John xvii. 24.) And again of the disinherited, hear Him saying, "I pray not for" all, "but for them that believe on Me through their word." (John xvii. 20.) Again, a testament has relation both to the testator, and to the legatees; so that they have some things to receive, and some to do, So also in this case. For after having made promises innumerable, He demands also something from them, saying, "a new commandment I give unto you." (John xiii. 34.) Again, a testament ought to have witnesses. Hear Him again saying, "I am one that bear witness of Myself, and He that sent Me beareth witness of Me." (John viii. 18.) And again, "He shall testify of Me" (John xv. 26), speaking of the Comforter. The twelve Apostles too He sent, saying, "Bear ye witness before God."
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on Hebrews

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 15–22

The solemn transactions between God and man, are sometimes called a covenant, here a testament, which is a willing deed of a person, bestowing legacies on such persons as are described, and it only takes effect upon his death. Thus Christ died, not only to obtain the blessings of salvation for us, but to give power to the disposal of them. All, by sin, were become guilty before God, had forfeited every thing that is good; but God, willing to show the greatness of his mercy, proclaimed a covenant of grace. Nothing could be clean to a sinner, not even his religious duties; except as his guilt was done away by the death of a sacrifice, of value sufficient for that end, and unless he continually depended upon it. May we ascribe all real good works to the same all-procuring cause, and offer our spiritual sacrifices as sprinkled with Christ's blood, and so purified from their defilement.

Read Matthew Henry on Hebrews 9 →

Cross-references

3

Topics

SufferingInheritanceWillTestament

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.