Hebrews 8:1 kjv

Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

Hebrews 8:1 nkjv

Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,

Hebrews 8:1 niv

Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,

Hebrews 8:1 esv

Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,

Hebrews 8:1 nlt

Here is the main point: We have a High Priest who sat down in the place of honor beside the throne of the majestic God in heaven.

Hebrews 8 verses

Hebrews 8 1 Meaning

Hebrews 8:1 serves as the overarching thesis statement following the detailed argument concerning Jesus Christ's superiority. It proclaims that the central point of the author's previous discourse is this: believers possess an unparalleled High Priest, Jesus, who is presently seated at the right hand of the majestic throne of God in the heavenly realm. This verse pivots the letter, transitioning from proving Christ's inherent supremacy to explaining the practical outworking of His exalted ministry within the true, divine sanctuary of the new and better covenant.

Hebrews 8 1 Context

Hebrews 8:1 functions as the critical climax and transition point in the book of Hebrews. In the preceding seven chapters, the author has meticulously built a robust case for the supremacy of Jesus Christ—His identity as God's Son (Ch. 1), His shared humanity (Ch. 2), His faithfulness over Moses (Ch. 3), His superior rest over Joshua (Ch. 4), and critically, His qualification and appointment as High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, infinitely surpassing the Levitical priesthood (Ch. 5-7). Having established who this perfect High Priest is and why He is superior, Hebrews 8:1 now declares the glorious reality of where He performs His ministry: seated at the pinnacle of divine authority. This declaration prepares the way for the subsequent chapters (Heb. 8-10) which detail the superior nature and effects of the New Covenant, specifically highlighting Christ's priestly work in the true, heavenly sanctuary, directly contrasting it with the old covenant's earthly temple and rituals that the original Jewish Christian audience was tempted to revert to.

Hebrews 8 1 Word analysis

• "Now" (δέ - de): A connecting particle, signaling a shift or continuation. It introduces the culmination of the preceding discussion.
• "of the things which we have spoken" (τῶν λεγομένων - tōn legomenōn): Refers to the entire argument of Hebrews up to this point, particularly concerning Jesus' high priesthood as revealed in chapters 5-7. It acknowledges the extensive theological foundation laid.
• "this is the sum" (κεφάλαιον - kephalaion): This signifies "the main point," "the most important thing," or "the conclusion." It acts as a thesis statement for the rest of the book's exposition on the New Covenant and Christ's heavenly ministry. It asserts the core truth gleaned from all prior arguments.
• "We have" (ἔχομεν - echomen): Present tense, active voice, indicating an active, existing possession or reality for believers. It conveys confidence in this truth.
• "such an high priest" (ἀρχιερέα τοιοῦτον - archierea toiouton):
  • "high priest" (ἀρχιερεύς - archiereus): The chief priest, mediator. This title for Jesus highlights His unique role in presenting offerings and making intercession on behalf of humanity.
  • "such an" (τοιοῦτον - toiouton): An emphasizing adjective, "such a one as this," "of this kind." It refers back to all the perfect, unique, and divine qualities of Jesus detailed in earlier chapters, contrasting Him sharply with the imperfect Aaronic high priests.
• "who is set on the right hand" (ἐκάθισεν ἐν δεξιᾷ - ekathisen en dexia):
  • "is set" (ἐκάθισεν - ekathisen): Aorist tense verb, denoting a completed action with enduring results. Jesus has sat down decisively. This is a deliberate action of God.
  • "right hand" (ἐν δεξιᾷ - en dexia): A biblical idiom universally signifying the position of supreme authority, power, honor, and privilege. To be at God's right hand means sharing His divine sovereignty and rule. It's not a place of idleness but active reign.
• "of the throne" (τοῦ θρόνου - tou thronou): The throne symbolizes sovereign power, kingship, and universal dominion. Its connection to "right hand" emphasizes Christ's royal authority alongside His priestly function.
• "of the Majesty" (τῆς Μεγαλοσύνης - tēs Megalosynēs): A rare but potent abstract noun for God Himself, meaning "the Greatness" or "the Supreme One." It is a reverent and magnificent circumlocution for God, emphasizing His awesome power, glory, and absolute sovereignty. The "throne of Majesty" is the very seat of divine glory.
• "in the heavens" (ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς - en tois ouranois): This specifies the locale of Christ's ministry. The plural "heavens" often denotes the transcendant, spiritual, and perfect dwelling place of God, sharply contrasting with the earthly tabernacle/temple. It highlights the eternal and divine nature of Christ's work, removing it from any temporal or physical limitation.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum": This phrase functions as the explicit "topic sentence" for the latter half of the book, announcing the most critical conclusion drawn from the detailed Christological arguments made in previous chapters. It emphasizes that everything previously discussed culminates in the reality of Jesus' exalted high priesthood.
• "We have such an high priest": This confident assertion highlights the present, beneficial reality for believers. The qualifying phrase "such an" points back to the unparalleled nature of Christ described earlier—perfect, eternal, sinless, kingly—demonstrating His absolute fitness for the high priestly office and His superiority over any other priest.
• "who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty": This powerful statement combines elements of completed divine action, supreme authority, and glorious divine identity. "Set on the right hand" implies His decisive enthronement and shared divine authority. "The throne of the Majesty" designates the ultimate source of all power, identifying God Himself through a term that conveys ultimate reverence and grandeur. This indicates Christ's ultimate royal and governmental role.
• "in the heavens": This crucial phrase specifies the spiritual, transcendent location of Christ's high priestly ministry. It fundamentally differentiates Jesus' work from the earthly, temporal, and shadowy services of the Old Covenant, introducing the theme of the heavenly tabernacle which will be fully explained in the following verses. His ministry is therefore perfect, effective, and eternal.

Hebrews 8 1 Bonus section

• The sitting posture of Christ in Hebrews 8:1 starkly contrasts with the Levitical priests who stood daily in the earthly tabernacle (Heb 10:11), never sitting because their work of offering repeated sacrifices was never complete. Jesus' sitting posture emphatically conveys the finality and absolute effectiveness of His "once for all" sacrifice.
• This verse effectively bridges the Christology of chapters 1-7 with the "New Covenant" theology of chapters 8-10. It shows who is making this new covenant work, and where He is accomplishing it.
• The title "Majesty" for God is an example of the Jewish theological concept of a "circumlocution," avoiding the direct use of God's personal name out of reverence, while still conveying His supreme authority and awesome glory.
• By placing Christ on the "throne," this verse explicitly links His priestly function with His kingly authority, showing that His Melchizedekian priesthood is indeed a King-Priesthood (Heb 7:1-3). He governs the church and intercedes for His people from a position of absolute sovereignty.

Hebrews 8 1 Commentary

Hebrews 8:1 is not just a summary; it's the profound declaration of Christ's current, ultimate status and function, initiating a fresh segment of argument in the letter. The author declares the main point: Jesus is a High Priest like no other. He doesn't merely exist as a priest; He is seated—a significant detail—at the right hand of God's magnificent throne. This seating signifies that His atoning work is finished and eternally effective, leading to a state of triumphant rest and active rule. His location "in the heavens" emphasizes the true, spiritual, and eternal nature of His sanctuary and ministry, fundamentally superior to the temporary, physical Jewish temple and its rituals. This truth underpins the entire concept of a "better covenant" that Hebrews will expound upon. It urges believers to fix their gaze on their reigning, interceding High Priest in glory, understanding that true worship and access to God are now through Him, in the ultimate heavenly reality, not in earthly copies. For instance, when believers face temptations to revert to past practices or legalism, this verse grounds them in the secure reality of Christ's unchangeable and all-sufficient high priestly service from the throne of universal power.