V. 17-18.— For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. For a testament is of force when men are dead. There is nothing in the original about men. The assertion of the Apostle is that a covenant is firm or confirmed upon the dead; for instance, the sacrifices employed by Abraham, and the calf by the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Till the death of these sacrifices, or victims, respectively, neither Abram’ s covenant, nor that of the Jews, was ratified or confirmed. This clearly illustrates the Apostle’ s meaning.In perfect correspondence with this, the first, or Sinai covenant, was not dedicated, or ratified, without blood.