Hebrews 9

Hebrews 9 delves into the symbolism and significance of the Old Covenant's tabernacle and its services, contrasting them with the superior ministry of Christ under the New Covenant. The chapter emphasizes Christ’s role as the ultimate High Priest who enters the true, heavenly sanctuary to offer a sacrifice that fully atones for sins, once and for all.

Hebrews 9:1-2 (NKJV) Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary;

The first covenant encompassed specific rituals and a physical sanctuary—details given to instruct and guide the Israelites in their worship. The tabernacle, divided into sections, contained the lampstand, table, and showbread in the first area, highlighting its role in daily religious observance and symbolizing God's presence and provision.

Hebrews 9:3-4 (NKJV) And behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant;

The innermost part of the tabernacle, known as the Holiest of All, was separated by a veil and held the most sacred items: the golden censer, the ark of the covenant, and its contents, including the manna, Aaron’s rod, and the tablets of the covenant. These items signified God's direct interactions and miraculous provisions for Israel, emphasizing His holiness and the sanctity of the covenant.

Hebrews 9:5 (NKJV) And above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

Above the ark were the cherubim of glory, spreading their wings over the mercy seat, symbolizing God's divine presence and His throne of grace. The text notes a limitation in discussing these elements in full detail, possibly due to their profound mystery and sacredness, underscoring the reverence due to God’s direct dwelling place among His people.

Hebrews 9:6-7 (NKJV) Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance;

The regular priests conducted daily services in the outer part of the tabernacle, whereas the High Priest entered the inner sanctuary, the Holiest of All, only once a year on the Day of Atonement. This rare entrance, involving blood sacrifice, was essential for atoning both his sins and those of the people, highlighting the stringent and solemn nature of approaching God’s presence under the Old Covenant.

Hebrews 9:8 (NKJV) The Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing.

This verse implies that the restricted access to the Holiest of All symbolized by the tabernacle indicated a deeper, not yet revealed path to true communion with God. The Holy Spirit, through these arrangements, pointed to the limitations of the Old Covenant and foreshadowed the coming of a new and living way through Christ.

Hebrews 9:9-10 (NKJV) It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience—concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.

The rites and rituals of the Old Covenant were symbolic, addressing physical purity but unable to perfect the conscience of the worshiper. These practices were interim measures, effective only until Christ's coming, which the text refers to as the 'time of reformation,' when true spiritual cleansing and transformation became possible.

Hebrews 9:11-12 (NKJV) But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.

Christ, as the ultimate High Priest, entered a heavenly sanctuary, not a man-made structure. His sacrifice, unlike the repeated animal sacrifices, was with His own blood, signifying a once-and-for-all act that achieved eternal redemption. This pivotal act transcends the temporary measures of the Old Covenant, providing a lasting solution to sin.

Hebrews 9:13-14 (NKJV) For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

This passage contrasts the limited efficacy of animal sacrifices with the powerful, cleansing effect of Christ's sacrifice. While the former could purify the flesh, Christ's sacrifice—made through the eternal Spirit and without blemish—cleanses the believer's conscience, enabling service to God that is alive and genuine, free from the guilt and power of sin.

Hebrews 9:15 (NKJV) And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

Christ’s death not only inaugurates the New Covenant but also redeems the transgressions committed under the First Covenant. As the Mediator, He ensures that believers, those called by God, receive the promised eternal inheritance. This highlights the comprehensive nature of His redemption, covering past, present, and future believers.

Hebrews 9:16-17 (NKJV) For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.

These verses use legal language akin to a last will and testament to explain the necessity of Christ’s death for the New Covenant to take effect. A testament, or covenant, is only activated upon the death of the one who made it, emphasizing that Christ’s death was essential to activate the covenantal promises.

Hebrews 9:18-20 (NKJV) Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.”

These verses recount the establishment of the First Covenant, which was also ratified with blood, demonstrating its sacred and binding nature. Moses used blood mixed with other elements to consecrate the covenant, indicating the seriousness and solemnity of the commitments made between God and Israel.

Hebrews 9:21-22 (NKJV) Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. And according to the law, almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

The purification rites extended to the tabernacle and its furnishings, illustrating the comprehensive purification required under the law. The principle that remission of sins requires bloodshed underscores the sacrificial system’s role in pointing forward to Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.

Hebrews 9:23-24 (NKJV) Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;

The earthly sanctuary and its rituals, being mere copies of the heavenly reality, required purification with sacrifices. However, Christ's offering is described as a "better sacrifice," necessary for the true heavenly sanctuary. Unlike earthly high priests, Christ entered heaven itself, directly interceding before God on behalf of humanity.

Hebrews 9:25-26 (NKJV) Nor did He enter heaven to offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another; He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

Christ’s single sacrifice contrasts with the repeated annual sacrifices of the high priests. His one-time, efficacious offering at the culmination of the ages effectively removes sin, highlighting the sufficiency and finality of His work on the cross.

Hebrews 9:27-28 (NKJV) And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him, He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

This passage draws an analogy between the common human experience of death followed by judgment, and Christ’s singular sacrifice followed by His return. Unlike His first coming, which dealt with sin, His second appearance will bring final salvation to those who await Him, affirming the hope of eternal life for believers.