Hebrews 8:13

Covenant. This word is supplied, and correctly so, as the Greek indicates. The adjective translated “new” is in the same gender and number as the word for “covenant.” That “covenant” is correctly supplied is further shown by the fact that “he saith” refers back to the quotation cited in vs. 8-12 (from Jer. 31:31-33), which employs the phrase “new covenant.”

Hath made the first old. The quotation from Jeremiah (cited in vs. 8—12) clearly shows that the new was to replace the old, not to be in addition to it. This was a difficult point for the Hebrew Christians to grasp.

Decayeth. Or, “is growing old.” The question may be raised as to why this word is in the present tense if the old covenant passed away at the cross. Some commentators think that the reference is to the time that Jeremiah uttered his prophecy concerning the new covenant (Jer. 31:31-33). However, it is possible to understand the reference also to the time when the book of Hebrews was written. It is true that the ceremonial system was fulfilled when Jesus died on the cross (see on Eph. 2:15). However, even for devout Christians, the transition from the old to the new system was gradual (see on Heb. 9:9; cf. on Rom. 14:1).

Ready to vanish away. Readers of the epistle are being prepared for the time when the old system would be done away completely (see on ch. 9:9).