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 9:2 mean?

Explanation

Hebrews 9:2 describes the layout and contents of the first room of the tabernacle, which was a portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites as they traveled through the wilderness.

This verse emphasizes the interior of the first section, sometimes referred to as the Holy Place. It housed the candlestick (menorah), which provided light; the table, which bore the shewbread or the "Bread of the Presence"; and is called the sanctuary, or the holy place.

The presence of the candlestick, table, and shewbread represented God's provision and presence among His people.

While the verse details items in the tabernacle, it also indirectly points to the structure's function as a place of worship and the meticulous nature of divine instructions regarding worship and approach to God.

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Historical Context

The Hebrews addressed in this epistle were Jewish Christians, familiar with the Old Testament tabernacle and its significance.

The tabernacle was constructed according to God's instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai and played a central role in the religious life of Israel.

Its design, furniture, and rituals were rich in symbolism and pointed to various spiritual truths.

Written before the destruction of the second Temple in 70 AD, Hebrews draws on the symbolism of the tabernacle to teach deeper spiritual truths about Christ's superior high priestly ministry when compared to the Levitical priesthood.

Theological Insights

Different theological viewpoints consider the tabernacle as a foreshadowing of Christ and His work.

From a Christian perspective, the items in the Holy Place symbolize various aspects of Jesus’ ministry:

The candlestick represents Jesus as the light of the world.
The table with the shewbread exemplifies Jesus as the bread of life.
The overall sanctuary indicates that Jesus is the true meeting place between God and man.

Theological debates also arise concerning the tabernacle model's role in contrasting the old covenant with the new covenant established through Christ, as further elaborated in the book of Hebrews.

Practical Applications

The detailed description of the tabernacle can inspire contemporary application in emphasizing the importance of intentionality and reverence in worship. The manner in which the tabernacle was treated serves as an example of how believers might approach God with respect and awe.

The Holy Place was carefully designed and structured, which can teach the importance of order and preparation in the spiritual aspects of life, including dedicating specific times and places to commune with God.

Cross-References

Exodus 25:23-30: Details on the construction of the table and instructions for the shewbread.
Exodus 25:31-40: Instructions for the making of the candlestick.
Leviticus 24:5-9: Describes how the shewbread was to be handled and used.
John 6:35: Jesus proclaims Himself as the "Bread of life."
John 8:12: Jesus states He is the "light of the world."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the key terms and their meanings are:

"Tabernacle" (Greek: "skēnē") originally means tent or dwelling place.
"Candlestick" (Greek: "lychnia") refers to lampstand, not a single candle, representing the seven-branched menorah.
"Table" (Greek: "trapeza") refers to the table used to display the shewbread.
"Shewbread" (Greek: "prothesis ton arton") literally means the setting forth of the breads or the bread of the Presence.
"Sanctuary" (Greek: "hagia") means holy place or sacred place.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Ancient mythologies include temples and sacred spaces, often with specific articles and rituals akin to the Hebrew tabernacle.

However, the Hebrew tabernacle stands out in its symbolic representation of the Israelites' covenant relationship with Yahweh and its specific, divine instructions, differing from structures dedicated to multiple deities and varied worship practices found in other ancient cultures.

Scientific Perspectives

The description of the tabernacle in Hebrews and its historical counterpart in the Old Testament does not directly intersect with scientific understandings but does reflect the ancient Israelites' cosmology and their view of the world.

Scientific analysis might entail the materials used, the construction techniques of the time, and the practicality of a portable worship structure for a nomadic people.

Commentaries

Modern biblical scholars and commentators elaborate on Hebrews 9:2's description of the tabernacle.

William Barclay suggests that every detail of the tabernacle's construction is symbolic of spiritual truths.

F.F.

Bruce focuses on the supremacy of Christ's sacrifice compared to the rituals and symbolism of the tabernacle.

John Calvin sees the tabernacle as an earthly representation of the heavenly pattern shown to Moses, with Christ being the ultimate fulfillment of what the tabernacle signified.

Hebrews 9

Hebrews 9

What does Hebrews 9:2 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 9:2 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?