Hebrews 9:16-22 NKJV – 16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. 18 Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.” 21 Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
V16 “For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.” The Greek word for “testament” is (G1242) διαθήκη diathḗkē, which literally means “a place between two” (Wuest). “A disposition of property by will, testament” and “compact, covenant” (Liddell/Scott/Jones Greek-English Lexicon). Dia = two and tithemi = place, put. Thus a place between two. The two is the parties of the agreement and a picture/illustration of two parties signing a contract, will, or covenant. This agrees with the Old Testament use of Genesis 15:9-18. The Hebrew word used there is (H128 בְּרִית beriyṯ, which means “A feminine noun meaning covenant, treaty, alliance, agreement. The word is used many times in the Old Testament. Its basic uses are outlined here. It describes covenants, or agreements between and among human beings” (Word Study Dictionary). God is one party and Abraham is the other in Genesis 15:9-18. Jesus is the one sacrifice that ratifies the New Covenant. For an agreement as this to be in effect, the writer, initiater, must have died.
V17 “For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.” It is nothing more than a piece of paper until the one who made the will dies.
V18 “Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood.” The point is that the first covenant (Mosaic Law) was not in force until there was death–animal sacrifices (with Abraham (Genesis 15:9-18), Book of the Covenant (Exodus 24:6-8) and the tabernacle (Exodus 40:9-15)). In the New Testament it is used for the agreement between 1) Abraham and God (Genesis 15:9-18 and Acts 3:25), 2) the New Covenant with Israel (Jeremiah 31:31-36 and Hebrews 8:10), and 3) an agreement with the Apostles and disciplines who believed in Jesus during His ministry on earth (the word “appoint” in Luke 22:29). The Greek word for “dedicated,” which should be translated “inaugurated” (G1457) ἐγκαινίζω enkainízō, which means inaugurated. The day the sacrifice died was the first day of the covenant.
V19 “For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people…” This is not the oral law but the written law. Moses, after writing it, preached it to the people of Israel. Specifically it refers to Exodus 20:1-23. Interesting insight from Joseph Benson: “The will, appointment, or express order of God; he took the blood of calves, &c., with water. The blood was mixed with water, to prevent its growing too stiff for sprinkling, perhaps also to typify the blood and water which should issue out of Christ’s side, signifying the expiating and cleansing virtue of his sufferings. And scarlet wool and hyssop — All these circumstances are not particularly mentioned in that chapter of Exodus, but are supposed to be already known from other passages of Moses; and sprinkled both the book — Which contained all he had said; and all the people — Who were near him. The book was sprinkled to show, 1st, That the law itself was not able to reconcile them to God, and give life without the blood of Christ added to it. 2d, That atonement was to be made by blood for sins committed against the law. 3d, That every thing is unclean to us that is not sprinkled with the blood of Christ. Saying, (Exo 24:8,) This is the blood of the covenant, &c. — This sprinkling of the blood is a ceremony instituted by God to signify the mutual consent of both parties to the terms of the covenant; or, this is the blood whereby the covenant is ratified on both sides; which God hath enjoined unto you — Hath required me to deliver unto you or, hath commanded with respect to you, as ης ενετειλατο προς υμας literally signifies, requiring you to declare your consent to the terms of it.”
V20 “…saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.” The covenant is ratified and inaugurated.
V21 “Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry.”
V22 “And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.” Not only is the covenant inaugurated but death and the blood poured out on the altar are necessary for the remission of sins and defilement. The Greek word for “remission” is (G859) ἄφεσις aphesis, which a release from something imprisoning a person; thus, pardon, forgiveness, and a letting go of sin, sin nature, guilt, and the wrath of God. There is no forgiveness of sins without a sacrificial death. Animal sacrifices are unable to cleanse the conscience of guilt, but the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ was able.