Charles Ellicott Commentary Hebrews 8:7

"For if that first [covenant] had been faultless, then would no place have been sought for a second." — Hebrews 8:7 (ASV)

For the second.—Rather, for a second. This verse connects itself with the words, a better covenant in Hebrews 8:6. The form of expression used clearly points to the intended inference—that covenant was faulty, and a place was sought for a second; this makes plain the connection with Hebrews 8:8. The failure of the first covenant was manifest (Hebrews 7:11; Hebrews 7:18) to God, who, while the first still existed, sought and found place for a second.