This verse continues the contrast with verse 4. But now suggests a contrast of present time with past time, as well as a contrast in the kind of priestly work. As RSV’s note shows, Jesus or “Christ” is implied. Has been given, more literally “has received,” means “God has given him,” as a permanent possession.

The statement Jesus has been given priestly work may require some restructuring; for example, “God has appointed Jesus to serve as a priest” or “God has assigned Jesus to work as a priest.”

The old and new orders are contrasted at three points: the new order includes (a) priestly work which is superior, (b) the covenant which … is a better one, and (c) promises of better things (literally “better promises”; compare “hope of something better” in 7.19; see comment). The relation between these three contrasts is as follows: contrast (a) is as great as contrast (b). Contrast (c) is literally “which is enacted on better promises.” Compare 7.11. The basic idea is “God has given Jesus a higher priestly function (or, office) as mediator of a better covenant which is based on promises of better things.”

Work which is superior to theirs may be rendered as “work which is higher than theirs.” But superior must usually be understood as “more important.” Therefore work which is superior to theirs may be rendered as “what Jesus does is far more important than what they do” or “… what other high priests do.”

The “mediator” (so Revised Standard Version) is usually an arbitrator or go-between who deals impartially with both parties who have made a contract. Good News Translation brings out the meaning clearly. The idea of a conflict between the parties is not emphasized. “Mediator” here carries some of the same meaning as guarantee in 7.22 (see comment).

In this context it may be better to translate arranged as “made possible,” because the Greek does not state in detail what the role of Jesus was. It would be wrong to suggest that Jesus served as a kind of go-between to work out a compromise between God and his people.

The tense of the verbs, as of the verb for told in verse 5, emphasizes the fact that the new covenant is permanent and remains valid.

It may be necessary to indicate what is being contrasted in the phrase a better one. This can be done by expanding the central part of verse 6 to read “just as the covenant which Jesus made possible between God and his people is better than the one arranged by Moses” or “… the one God made through Moses.”

It may be difficult to render satisfactorily the final clause of verse 6, namely, because it is based on promises of better things. It is based suggests the establishment of the covenant, and promises may need to be expressed as a verb. If so, the final clause must be restructured and made more explicit by saying “because God established this agreement by promising that people would have better things,” “… would enjoy greater benefits,” or “… would be benefited much more.”

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Letter of the Hebrews. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .