Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Hebrews 12:24 - 12:24

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Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Hebrews 12:24 - 12:24


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24. διαθήκης νέας μεσίτῃ. “Mediator of a New Covenant.” The word for “new” is here νέας (“new in time”), not καινῆς (“fresh in quality”), implying not only that it is “fresh” or “recent,” but also young and strong (Mat 26:27-29; Heb 9:15; Heb 10:22).

παρὰ τὸν Ἄβελ. Better things “than Abel” is a comparatio compendiaria for “than the blood of Abel.” The allusion is explained by Heb 9:13, Heb 10:22, Heb 11:4, Heb 13:12. “The blood of Abel cried for vengeance; that of Christ for remission” (Erasmus). In the original Hebrew it is (Gen 4:10) “The voice of thy brother’s bloods crieth from the ground,” and this was explained by the Rabbis of his blood “sprinkled on the trees and stones.” It was a curious Jewish Haggadah that the dispute between Cain and Abel rose from Cain’s denial that God was a Judge. The “sprinkling” of the blood of Jesus, an expression borrowed from the blood-sprinklings of the Old Covenant (Exo 24:8), is also alluded to by St Peter (1Pe 1:2).