Hebrews 8:6

8:6 But ¹  now Jesus ²  has obtained a superior ministry, since ³  the covenant that he mediates is also better and is enacted ⁴  on better promises. ⁵ 

Hebrews 9:15

9:15 And so he is the mediator ⁶  of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the eternal inheritance he has promised, ⁷  since he died ⁸  to set them free from the violations committed under the first covenant.

[8:6]  ¹ 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).

[8:6]  ² tn Grk “he”; in the translation the referent (Jesus) has been specified for clarity.

[8:6]  ³ tn Grk “to the degree that.”

[8:6]  ⁴ tn Grk “which is enacted.”

[8:6]  ⁵ 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.

[9:15]  ⁶ 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.

[9:15]  ⁷ tn Grk “the promise of the eternal inheritance.”

[9:15]  ⁸ tn Grk “a death having occurred.”