9:16

a covenant: As shown in the study note on Heb 9:15, Paul often uses the term “covenant” in the book of Hebrews when referring to the “new covenant” foretold by Jeremiah. Therefore, “covenant” is an appropriate rendering here. However, in secular Greek, this term had a double meaning. It could refer to such a “covenant,” but it could also mean “testament” in the sense of a last will. Paul has just mentioned that by means of Jesus’ sacrificial death, anointed Christians could receive their “everlasting inheritance.” (Heb 9:15) The reference to an “inheritance” has led some scholars to suggest that Paul here made use of this double meaning of the Greek word, including the idea of a last will. So in verses 16 and 17, the following idea is conveyed: “For where there is a will [or, “a testament”], the death of the one who made the will needs to be established, because a will is valid at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is living.” If Paul had the double meaning of this Greek word in mind, he likely used it to illustrate the point he was making. Both covenants he discusses required shed blood, or a death, in order to go into effect. The covenant that God made with Israel called for the shed blood of sacrificial animals. The new covenant required the death of the Christ as the ransom sacrifice. (Heb 9:18-22) In that sense, both covenants could be likened to a will, or a testament, which goes into effect only after a death occurs. In any case, whether Paul had “a will” or “a covenant” in mind, he was clearly teaching that Jesus had to die in order for the new covenant to go into effect.

the human covenanter: Jehovah is the Originator of the new covenant, while Jesus is “the human covenanter,” or the Mediator of that covenant. Because Jesus willingly offered up his life as a sacrifice, he fulfilled his Father’s will for him, so the new covenant was validated and soon went into effect.​—Jer 31:31; Lu 22:20; Heb 8:10; 9:15.