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Hebrews 9

Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.

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;

Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;

And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.

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

But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:

The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;

Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

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.

For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

Whereupon neither the first testament 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 of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.

Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.

And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;

For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

What does Hebrews 9:19 mean?

Explanation

Hebrews 9:19 describes an incident that involves Moses performing a ritual after having delivered God's commandments to the Israelites.

This verse provides a snapshot of an Old Testament scene where Moses consecrated the covenant between God and His people with blood, as was customary in ancient covenantal ceremonies.

The sprinkling of the blood signified the sanctification and binding nature of the law and commandments Moses had just imparted.

The deeper significance of this act pertains to the concept of atonement and purification.

Without the shedding of blood, there was no remission of sin in the Old Testament covenant (Hebrews 9:22).

The use of blood, water, scarlet wool, and hyssop symbolically represented cleansing, sacrifice, and the seriousness of being in a covenantal relationship with God.

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Historical Context

Hebrews 9:19 is part of a larger passage that contrasts the old covenant rituals with the new covenant through Jesus Christ.

It is set in the context of early Christianity, where the Epistle to the Hebrews addresses Jewish Christians who were familiar with the rituals of the Mosaic Law.

The passage refers to the ritual performed in the desert post-Exodus when Moses would have likely performed such a ceremony after having received the Tablets of the Law at Mount Sinai.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse outlines a typological interpretation where the Old Testament sacrifices prefigured the ultimate sacrifice of Christ on the cross. According to Christian theology, the actions of Moses pointing forward to the final and all-sufficient sacrifice of Jesus.

Different denominational perspectives may emphasize varying aspects of this typology.

For example, Catholic theology often sees the ritual actions of Moses as prefiguring the sacraments and the Eucharist.

Protestant theology might focus more on the discontinuity between the Old and New Covenants and the completion of the old by the new through Jesus' death.

Practical Applications

In terms of practical applications, believers may draw lessons on the importance of making commitments and the seriousness of covenant relationships.

This verse also reminds Christians of the foundational role of sacrifice in seeking atonement and reconciliation. Believers might be encouraged to recognize the ultimate sacrifice of Christ and live a life worthy of the covenant they have with God.

Cross-References

Exodus 24:5-8: Where Moses first performs the blood-sprinkling ritual.
Leviticus 16:14-16: Describes the use of blood for purification in the ritual of the Day of Atonement.
Hebrews 10:22: Drawing near to God with hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and bodies washed with pure water.
1 Peter 1:2: Sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ mentioned in the context of sanctification and obedience.

Language Study

"Blood" (Greek: αἷμα, "haima") often symbolizes life and sacrifice.
"Calves" and "goats" (Greek: μόσχων, "moschon" and τράγων, "tragon") represent different types of animal sacrifices.
"Scarlet wool" and "hyssop" (Greek: ἐρίου κοκκίνου, "eriou kokkinou" and ὕσσωπος, "hyssopos") are items used in purification rituals, with scarlet symbolizing sin and hyssop as purification.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient religions outside of Judaism, blood and sacrifice were also important ritual elements.

The idea that blood has life-giving properties or powers of atonement is not unique to the Hebrew bible.

Ancient, pagan rituals often included similar practices, though the meaning and significance may differ widely.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern science informs us about the biological properties of blood and its life-sustaining role, which gives a naturalistic understanding of why blood might be viewed symbolically as having power in religious rituals.

However, the scientific viewpoint does not ascribe any mystical or spiritual significance to blood as is done in religious rituals depicted in Hebrews 9:19.

Commentaries

Commentators have historically looked at Hebrews 9:19 to provide clarity on the nature of old covenant rituals.

They generally affirm that these rituals were a foreshadowing of Christ's atonement.

For instance, Matthew Henry's Commentary emphasizes the completeness of Christ's sacrifice compared to these older rites.

The New International Commentary on the New Testament also discusses the transformative nature of the blood in both the old and new covenants, seeing Christ's sacrifice as superior and definitive compared to the old covenant rituals.

Hebrews 9

Hebrews 9

What does Hebrews 9:19 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Hebrews Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Hebrews 9:19 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Hebrews Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?