Hebrews 7:19

7:19 for the law made nothing perfect. On the other hand a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.

Hebrews 7:22

7:22 accordingly Jesus has become the guarantee ¹  of a better covenant.

Hebrews 8:6

8:6 But ²  now Jesus ³  has obtained a superior ministry, since ⁴  the covenant that he mediates is also better and is enacted ⁵  on better promises. ⁶ 

Hebrews 9:23

9:23 So it was necessary for the sketches ⁷  of the things in heaven to be purified with these sacrifices, ⁸  but the heavenly things themselves required ⁹  better sacrifices than these.

Hebrews 12:24

12:24 and to Jesus, the mediator ¹⁰  of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks of something better than Abel’s does. ¹¹ 

¹ tn Or “surety.”

² sn The Greek text indicates a contrast between vv. 4-5 and v. 6 that is difficult to render in English: Jesus’ status in the old order of priests (vv. 4-5) versus his superior ministry (v. 6).

³ tn Grk “he”; in the translation the referent (Jesus) has been specified for clarity.

⁴ tn Grk “to the degree that.”

⁵ tn Grk “which is enacted.”

⁶ sn This linkage of the change in priesthood with a change in the law or the covenant goes back to Heb 7:12, 22 and is picked up again in Heb 9:6-15 and 10:1-18.

⁷ tn Or “prototypes,” “outlines,” referring to the earthly sanctuary. See Heb 8:5 above for the prior use of this term.

⁸ tn Grk “with these”; in the translation the referent (sacrifices) has been specified for clarity.

⁹ tn Grk “the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.”

¹⁰ tn The Greek word μεσίτης (mesith", “mediator”) in this context does not imply that Jesus was a mediator in the contemporary sense of the word, i.e., he worked for compromise between opposing parties. Here the term describes his function as the one who was used by God to enact a new covenant which established a new relationship between God and his people, but entirely on God’s terms.

¹¹ sn Abel’s shed blood cried out to the Lord for justice and judgment, but Jesus’ blood speaks of redemption and forgiveness, something better than Abel’s does (Gen 4:10; Heb 9:11-14; 11:4).