Hebrews 9:16 Meaning and Explanation
“For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Where there is a will, the death of the one who made it must take place for it to take effect.
What Does Hebrews 9:16 Mean?
The writer pauses to illustrate his point with a familiar idea. The same word can mean both covenant and last will. A will, he observes, comes into force only through the death of the one who made it. While the maker lives, the inheritance is merely promised; his death is what brings the bequest into effect.
This homely picture illuminates the cross. The eternal inheritance just mentioned required a death to release it, and that death was Christ's own. What feels like tragedy is shown to be the very means by which the promise is delivered to the heirs. God's gift to his people is not held back; it is handed over through the death of the One who pledged it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hebrews 9:16
What does Hebrews 9:16 mean?
Where there is a will, the death of the one who made it must take place for it to take effect.