ⓘThis section explains that Christ's death, as the...
This section explains that Christ's death, as the sacrifice in the new covenant, is better than the sacrifices in the old covenant. In Hebrews 9:1–10, the author describes worship practices under the old covenant rules (see Exodus 28–29; Leviticus 1–10; 16:1–17:16). In Hebrews 9:11–10:18, these rules are compared to Christ's superior offering.
ⓘThese verses describe the tabernacle, which was Israel's...
These verses describe the tabernacle, which was Israel's place of worship before they built the temple.
1Now the first covenant†had regulations for worshipand also an earthly sanctuary. 2A tabernacle was prepared. In its first room were the lampstand, the table, and the consecrated bread.†This was called theHoly Place. 3Behind the second curtainwas a room called theMost Holy Place,†4containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’sstaff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. 5Above the ark were the cherubimofglory, overshadowing the mercy seat.†But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.
ⓘIn the Holy Place, which was the first...
In the Holy Place, which was the first room of the tabernacle (Hebrews 9:2), priests had specific duties. They kept the lamps burning and replaced the sacred loaves of bread regularly (Exodus 27:20–21; Leviticus 24:8).
6When everything had been prepared in this way, the priests entered regularly into the first room to perform their sacred duties. 7But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.
8By this arrangement the Holy Spirit was showing that the way into the Most Holy Place†had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. 9It is an illustration for the present time, because the gifts and sacrifices being offered were unable to cleanse the conscience of the worshiper. 10They consist only in food and drink and special washings—external regulations imposed untilthetime of reform.
Redemption through His Blood
ⓘThe author compares the old system (Hebrews 9:1...
The author compares the old system (Hebrews 9:1–10) with Christ's superior sacrifice as high priest. Christ offered his own blood, not animal blood (9:13–22; see also 9:7). His offering took place in the heavenly tabernacle, not the earthly one (9:23–24; see also 9:1–5). Unlike repeated offerings, Christ's sacrifice happened only once (9:25–10:18; see also 7:27; 9:6–7).
11But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come,†He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not a part of this creation. 12He did not enter by the bloodof goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternalredemption.
13For if the bloodof goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially uncleansanctify them so that their bodiesare clean, 14how much more will the bloodof Christ, who through the eternalSpiritoffered Himself unblemishedto God, purify our†consciences from works of death, so that we may servethe livingGod!
15Therefore Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promisedeternal inheritance, now that He has died to redeem them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.
ⓘThe author explains a basic rule about wills...
The author explains a basic rule about wills or covenants (Hebrews 9:16–17). He then discusses it further, using the start of the first covenant as an example (9:18–22).
16In the case of a will,†it is necessary to establish the death of the one who made it, 17because a will does not take effect until the one who made it has died; it cannot be executed while he is still alive.
ⓘput into effect: Exodus 24:3 – 8 describes...
put into effect: Exodus 24:3–8 describes Moses starting the old covenant using the blood of a sacrifice.
Hebrews is the only ancient source that says Moses sprinkled the book of God's law (see Exodus 24:6–8).
18That is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. 19For when Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the bloodof calves and goats,†along with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people, 20saying, “This is the blood of the covenant, which Godhas commanded you to keep.”†
21In the same way, he sprinkled with blood the tabernacle and all the vessels used in worship. 22According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
23So it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things tobe purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24For Christ did not enter a man-made copy of the truesanctuary, but He entered heaven itself, now to appear on our behalf in the presence of God.
ⓘUnder the old covenant, the priests had to...
Under the old covenant, the priests had to repeat the sacrifice on the Day of Atonement every year (Leviticus 16:29–34). Christ's better sacrifice was made once and for all time.
25Nor did He enter heaven to offer Himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26Otherwise, Christ would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But now He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
ⓘChrist's first coming was to remove the sins...
Christ's first coming was to remove the sins of many people. When he comes again, it will not be to address sins, as that is already done. Instead, he will bring salvation to everyone eagerly waiting for him (see study note on Galatians 5:5).
27Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to facejudgment, 28so also Christwas offered once to bear the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him.
At the back of the first room of the tabernacle was a curtain that separated it from the second room, called the Most Holy Place (Exodus 26:31–33). This curtain was a sacred barrier. Only the high priest could go behind it into the Most Holy Place, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Hebrews 9:7; see Exodus 30:6, 10; Leviticus 16:2–34; 23:27–32).
Commentary
Hebrews 9:4
The gold incense altar likely stood just outside the inner curtain (Exodus 30:1–10). Its exact location is unclear in the Old Testament, but it was closely linked to the Most Holy Place (Exodus 30:6; Leviticus 16:13; 1 Kings 6:22).
The ark of the covenant, representing God's presence, was the most important item in the tabernacle (see Exodus 25:10–22).
The gold jar with manna reminded people of God's provision in the wilderness (Exodus 16:32–34).
The stone tablets of the covenant held the Ten Commandments and reminded the people of the rules they were to live by (Exodus 25:16; 31:18; Deuteronomy 9:9–10:5).
The cherubim of divine glory were angel statues on the cover of the ark. These angels are closely linked to God's glorious presence (Genesis 3:24; Psalms 80:1; 99:1; Isaiah 37:16). The ark's cover was the atonement place, where they sprinkled blood from the Day of Atonement sacrifice (Leviticus 16:14–16).
we cannot discuss these things in detail now: The main topic is the offering of sacrifices under the old covenant (Hebrews 9:6–10).
had not yet been disclosed: Under the old covenant system, people could not freely enter God's presence.
The outer room of the tabernacle, which served as a sacred barrier, kept people from entering the Most Holy Place. This barrier symbolized the entire system, which kept people away from God's presence instead of guiding them into it.
This example shows that the gifts and sacrifices of the old covenant could not clear people's consciences. They could not remove guilt before a holy God (see 9:14; 10:2, 22; 13:18).
The old system focused only on physical rules and could not address people's inner feelings (Hebrews 8:10; 10:21–24). It was temporary, meant to last until Christ came to create a better system (9:11–10:18).
Christ is now the high priest over all the good things of the new covenant. God appointed him, as mentioned in Psalm 110:4 (Hebrews 5:1–10; 7:1–28), and he offered a better sacrifice.
that have come: Some manuscripts say that are about to come, either from the old covenant's viewpoint or looking forward to God's future plan.
Christ’s sacrifice is better because it was made in the greater, perfect tabernacle in heaven, not the earthly one (see 8:5 and corresponding study note).
Christ's offering is better because he used his own blood, not the blood of goats and calves (see Leviticus 16:3–5).
Christ's offering is better because he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time. Unlike the sacrifices in the old covenant, which had to be repeated every year (Hebrews 10:1), Jesus's sacrificial death was needed only once and secured our redemption forever.
how much more: This is an argument from lesser to greater, a traditional Jewish way of reasoning. The idea is that if something is true in a smaller case, it is even more true in a bigger case (see also Hebrews 2:1–4; 12:25–29). If animal blood had some effect in cleansing, then Christ's blood will be much more effective.
purify our consciences: Christ’s sacrifice, unlike the old covenant sacrifices, removes the guilt that keeps us from God by thoroughly cleansing us from sinful actions.
the mediator: This term describes a person who helps resolve a tough legal or political disagreement. In the old covenant, people saw Moses and the angels as go-betweens between God and the people (Galatians 3:19–20). In the new covenant, Christ connects God and people through his sacrificial death (Hebrews 8:6; 12:24; Romans 6:23; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 Peter 3:18) and ongoing intercession (prayer on behalf of others) (Hebrews 7:25).
This verse uses a comparison from lesser to greater (see study note on Hebrews 9:14). Just as heaven is greater than the earthly tabernacle, Christ’s sacrifice had to be much better than earthly sacrifices.
heavenly things to be purified: Just as the tabernacle needed cleansing because of the Israelites' sin (Leviticus 16:16–19), the heavenly tabernacle required removing uncleanness from those entering heaven under the new covenant.
Under the new covenant, Christ did not offer his sacrifice in the earthly tabernacle. Instead, he entered God's presence in heaven to act for us. His sacrifice makes him a better mediator to help us have a right relationship with God (2 Corinthians 5:19–21).
Otherwise: The author uses a logical argument to show that Christ’s one sacrifice is permanently effective. Christ is both the sacrifice and the high priest. If his offering had to be repeated every year, like the earthly priests, he would have to die again and again. But that idea is absurd. Clearly, Christ died once for all time to take away sin.