Hebrews 8:12

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does Hebrews 8:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For I will be merciful to their iniquities, And their sins will I remember no more.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For I will be merciful to their iniquities, And their sins will I remember no more.
Hebrews 8:12 — American Standard Version

Context — Hebrews 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12For I will be merciful to their iniquities, And their sins will I remember no more.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, etc..] That is, sin; for all unrighteousness is sin, being contrary to the justice of God, and his righteous law: and the phrase is expressive of God's forgiveness of it, which is a very considerable article of the covenant of grace; mercy is the spring and original of pardon; it is what God delights in, and therefore he pardons freely; it is large and abundant, and hence he pardons fully; and this lays a foundation for hope in sensible sinners: and the way and means, in and by which God pardons, is the propitiatory sacrifice of his Son; and the word here rendered “merciful”, signifies “propitious”; God pardons none but those to whom he is…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For, &c.--the third of "the better promises" (Heb 8:6). The forgiveness of sins is, and will be, the root of this new state of inward grace and knowledge of the Lord. Sin being abolished, sinners obtain grace. I will be merciful--Greek, "propitious"; the Hebrew, "salach," is always used of God only in relation to men. and their iniquities--not found in Vulgate, Syriac, Coptic, and one oldest Greek manuscript; but most oldest manuscripts have the words (compare Heb 10:17). remember no more--Contrast the law, Heb 10:3.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness ... - That is, the blessing of “pardon” will be much more richly enjoyed under the new dispensation than it was under the old. This is the “fourth” circumstance adduced in which the new covenant will surpass the old. That was comparatively severe in its inflictions (see Hebrews 10:28); marked every offence with strictness, and employed the language of mercy much less frequently than that of justice. It was a system where law and justice reigned; not where mercy was the crowning and prevalent attribute. It was true that it contemplated pardon, and made arrangements for it; but it is still true that this is much more prominent in the new…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“For I will justify them, which is the root of all true knowledge of God. This, therefore, is God's method. First, a sinner is pardoned: then he knows God, as gracious and merciful then God's laws are written on his heart: he is God's, and God is his. Hebrews 8:13”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“8:12 A final characteristic of the new covenant is that God would forgive their wickedness and never again remember their sins. The blood of Jesus cleanses his people completely from sin (9:13-15; 10:14-18, 22; 1 Jn 1:7).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Heb 10:16, Heb 10:17; Psa 25:7, Psa 65:3; Isa 43:25, Isa 44:22; Jer 33:8, Jer 50:20; Mic 7:19; Act 13:38, Act 13:39; Rom 11:27; Eph 1:7; Col 1:14; Jo1 1:7-9, Jo1 2:1, Jo1 2:2; Rev 1:5 Hebrews 8:13”
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Sources and verification