The text highlights God's initiative by stating "I will establish a new covenant," emphasizing that this isn't a human proposal but a divine promise. This phrasing also subtly points to the first covenant's incompleteness, implying that God himself initiated the transition because the previous arrangement had inherent flaws that He alone could rectify.
For he finds fault with them when he says: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author of Hebrews is arguing that Jesus is the superior high priest of a better covenant. To support this, he quotes Jeremiah 31, which describes God's promise of a new covenant that will replace the old one. This passage, therefore, explains why a new covenant was necessary—because the old one, while divinely given, was ultimately found to be insufficient due to the people's failure to uphold it.
Ever feel like God is disappointed with you? This verse talks about God 'finding fault,' but it's not what you might think. It points to a deeper issue than just human failure.
The phrase 'finding fault with them' (Greek: memphomenos) doesn't imply God is arbitrarily blaming people. Instead, it highlights a fundamental inadequacy in the first covenant, not solely due to the people's mistakes, but because the covenant itself couldn't achieve God's ultimate purpose.
Think of it like this: If a tool isn't working correctly, you don't just blame the user; you recognize the tool has limitations. Here, God's 'finding fault' points to the old covenant's inability to fully transform hearts and connect people to Him in a lasting way.
This sets the stage for a new covenant – one that addresses the root issues, not just the symptoms of human failure.
God promised a 'new covenant.' What makes it so revolutionary? It’s not just a new set of rules; it's a complete inner makeover.
The prophecy from Jeremiah, quoted here, reveals the core of the new covenant: 'I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts.' This is a radical shift from the old covenant, where laws were external (written on stone tablets).
This new covenant signifies a direct, internal connection with God. His laws aren't just rules to follow; they become part of who we are. This transformation comes through the Holy Spirit, enabling genuine obedience and a deep, personal relationship with God.
Ask a follow-up
This internal work means God isn't just judging our actions, but transforming our very desires. It’s a covenant of relationship, not just ritual.
Understand the original words
kyrios · Greek Noun
The supreme authority and creator of all things, who reveals Himself to humanity. Used here in the sense of the LORD (Yahweh), the personal, covenant-keeping name of God.
This verse quotes Jeremiah's prophecy from the 7th century BC, which was a time of Judah's spiritual decline, foreshadowing a future covenant that would address the people's failures and the Law's shortcomings.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus and Sinai Covenant
God rescues Israel from slavery in Egypt and establishes the Mosaic covenant at Mount Sinai, giving them the Law.
c. 931 BC
Divided Kingdom
Following King Solomon's death, the united kingdom splits into the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Assyrian Exile
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many of its inhabitants.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonian Empire destroys Jerusalem and its temple, exiling much of the population of the Kingdom of Judah.
c. 622 BC— this verse
Jeremiah's Prophecy of New Covenant
The prophet Jeremiah delivers God's message promising a future new covenant, written on hearts, that will bring forgiveness and true knowledge of God.
c. AD 30-33
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus Christ is crucified and rises from the dead, inaugurating the new covenant through his sacrifice and resurrection.
c. AD 60s
Writing of the Epistle to the Hebrews
The author of Hebrews writes to Jewish Christians, arguing for the superiority of Christ and the new covenant over the Old Testament system.
This is the foundational Old Testament prophecy that the author of Hebrews is quoting and explaining, directly linking God's promise of a new covenant to His people.
Hebrews 8:6This verse immediately precedes the one in question, establishing the superiority of Jesus' ministry because He is the mediator of a 'better covenant' that was established on 'better promises'.
Romans 8:3-4This passage speaks to the inability of the Law to justify and God's action in sending His Son 'in the likeness of sinful flesh' to condemn sin, which is the basis for the new covenant's effectiveness.
2 Corinthians 3:3-6Paul here contrasts the old covenant, written on stone, with the new covenant written on hearts by the Spirit, echoing the promise of God's law being internalized.
Jeremiah 31:1-6This earlier section of Jeremiah's prophecy sets the context for the 'new covenant' passage by speaking of God's enduring love and restoration for His people, Israel.
ellicottHebrews 8:8: "For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:"
(8) Finding fault with them. —Not, “with it,” but with those through whom the covenant had failed. The following quotation ( Hebrews 8:8-12 ) is taken from Jeremiah 31:31-34 . It is the crowning point of that collection of prophecies which is brought together in Heb 30-33, descriptive of the hope and salvation of Israe…
vincentHebrews 8:8: "For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:"
For finding fault with them (μεμφόμενος αὐτοὺς)Them signifies the possessors of the first covenant. The prophet says what follows by way of blame. The passage cited is Jeremiah 38:31-34, lxx (A.V. Jeremiah 31:31-34). The writer assumes that Jeremiah's new covenant means the Christian covenant.I will make (συντελέσω…
The text highlights God's initiative by stating "I will establish a new covenant," emphasizing that this isn't a human proposal but a divine promise. This phrasing also subtly points to the first covenant's incompleteness, implying that God himself initiated the transition because the previous arrangement had inherent flaws that He alone could rectify.
The author of Hebrews is arguing that Jesus is the superior high priest of a better covenant. To support this, he quotes Jeremiah 31, which describes God's promise of a new covenant that will replace the old one. This passage, therefore, explains why a new covenant was necessary—because the old one, while divinely given, was ultimately found to be insufficient due to the people's failure to uphold it.
The author of Hebrews is arguing that Jesus is the superior high priest of a better covenant. To support this, he quotes Jeremiah 31, which describes God's promise of a new covenant that will replace the old one. This passage, therefore, explains why a new covenant was necessary—because the old one, while divinely given, was ultimately found to be insufficient due to the people's failure to uphold it.
"For he finds fault with them when he says:
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord,
when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel
and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made w…" — The text highlights God's initiative by stating "I will establish a new covenant," emphasizing that this isn't a human proposal but a divine promise. This phrasing also subtly points to the first cov…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026