“For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.”
King James Version (KJV)
9:16 I say by means of death; for where such a covenant is, there must be the death of him by whom it is confirmed - Seeing it is by his death that the benefits of it are purchased. It seems beneath the dignity of the apostle to play upon the ambiguity of the Greek word, as the common translation supposes him to do.
Heb 9:16 For where a testament [is]. An inheritance has just been spoken of (Heb 9:15). That suggests a last will and testament, one meaning of the Greek word "diatheekee". See PNT "Heb 9:15". There must also of necessity be the death of the testator. A testament has no force until the testator is dead.