What does Hebrews 9:6 mean?

Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. Hebrews 9:6

Explanation

Hebrews 9:6 describes the practice of the Levitical priests who served in the tabernacle—a type of portable temple used by the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings and beyond, until the construction of Solomon’s temple. The “first tabernacle” (also known as the Holy Place) was the initial section of the two-part tabernacle. The priests regularly entered this area to perform various religious duties such as the burning of incense and tending to the lampstand and the table of showbread. This verse emphasizes the ongoing, repetitive nature of their service. It implies a contrast with the work of Christ, which is expounded upon in following verses as a singular, sufficient, and completed act of atonement.

Historical Context

The Book of Hebrews was written to a community that was familiar with the Levitical priesthood and the Mosaic Law. The historical context of this verse ties back to the time when the Israelites traveled in the desert after their exodus from Egypt. The tabernacle was the center of Jewish religious life and sacrifice, and it was constructed according to divine specifications provided to Moses on Mount Sinai. The daily services carried out by the priests depicted in Hebrews 9:6 were an integral aspect of maintaining their covenant relationship with God through ritual, obedience, and atonement for sins.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, Hebrews 9:6 points to the limitations of the Old Covenant rituals. Priests performed continuous service, yet they could not achieve complete atonement for the people. The following verses in Hebrews contrast this with the work of Christ, who entered “once into the holy place” for eternal redemption. The verse illustrates a key theme in Christian theology, where Jesus’ sacrifice supersedes the repeated animal sacrifices of the Old Testament, establishing a New Covenant on the basis of his death and resurrection.

From a different viewpoint, some may interpret the verse as an acknowledgment of the importance and sanctity of the Old Testament practices, not merely as outdated rituals but as vital steps in God’s unfolding plan of salvation.

Practical Applications

The verse can motivate believers to appreciate the definitive sacrifice of Jesus and live in the freedom it provides, moving away from repetitive religious rituals that are powerless to cleanse from sin. It also encourages a spirit of gratitude for the access to God that Jesus’ sacrifice has afforded. Moreover, acknowledging the disciplined service of the priests, individuals can apply the dedication to one’s own spiritual practices, while relying not on personal works but on Christ’s accomplished work.

Cross-References

• Hebrews 9:2-3: “For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;”
• Hebrews 9:12: “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”
• Exodus 25:8-9: “And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.”
• Leviticus 16:2: “And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the veil before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.”

Language Study

In the original Greek, key words such as “first tabernacle” (πρώτης σκηνῆς – prōtēs skēnēs) suggest a sequence or hierarchy, with “first” indicating the part of the tabernacle entered regularly by the priests. The use of the term “always” (πάντοτε – pantote) illustrates the continual and regular nature of these services. “Accomplishing” or “performing” (ἐπιτελοῦντες – epitelountes) implies the carrying out of obligations or duties. These terms in their original language carry nuances that are important for understanding the perpetual yet ultimately insufficient nature of the Old Covenant rituals.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparing the tabernacle rituals to other ancient religions, many cultures had similar concepts of intermediaries (such as priests) and sacred spaces (such as temples) where gods were worshipped through a series of repeated rituals. The specificity and uniqueness of the Hebrew tabernacle, however, lie in the belief that they were divinely ordained according to the commandments given to Moses.

Scientific Perspectives

Science does not typically intersect directly with the specific practices of ancient religious rituals. However, it can provide insight into the practical aspects of these rites, such as the use of incense, which could create an environment that promoted a sense of the sacred, or the impacts of repetitive ritualistic actions on the psychology of individuals and communities, reinforcing social cohesion and group identity.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars offer insights into Hebrews 9:6:

• Matthew Henry commentary suggests that the “first tabernacle” was a type and figure, for the present time, of the church militant, or of heaven.
• The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges notes that the priests were continuously entering the Holy Place, performing rites which could never secure perfect communion with God.
• John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible underlines that the service the priests performed was only a “carnal” (worldly, external) ordinance.

Scholars generally agree on the ritualistic nature of the priestly duties but emphasize that these were a shadow of the perfect sacrifice to come in Jesus Christ according to Christian theology.