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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 9:23 mean?

Explanation

Hebrews 9:23 speaks to the distinction between earthly and heavenly realms in sacrificial practices as understood in Christian theology.

The "patterns of things in the heavens" refers to the earthly Tabernacle or Temple and its sacrifices, which were considered to be mere copies or shadows of true, spiritual realities in heaven.

Because these earthly components served as symbols of heavenly truths, they were purified with the appropriate sacrifices.

However, the verse suggests that the heavenly counterparts, the actual heavenly realities, required purification with sacrifices far superior to those earthly ones.

In Christian thought, these "better sacrifices" are understood to be the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which, unlike the repetitive and imperfect sacrifices of old, was singular, perfect, and complete.

Top Rated Hebrews Books

Historical Context

This verse is part of a letter directed to Jewish Christians, written sometime before the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 AD.

The epistle to the Hebrews explains the superiority of Christ's new covenant over the old covenant as delineated in Jewish Law.

Under the old covenant, the high priest entered the Holy of Holies once a year with animal blood to atone for the sins of the people.

This ritual pointed forward to the ultimate sacrifice by Christ.

The author of Hebrews describes the earthly sanctuary and its rituals as "patterns" or "copies" of the true, heavenly sanctuary where Christ has entered.

Theological Insights

Different theological perspectives often hinge on the nature of Christ's sacrifice and the application of its efficacy.

From a traditional Christian viewpoint, Christ's sacrifice is unique and once for all, intended to complete and fulfill the need for sacrificial offerings by perfecting what animal sacrifices could only symbolize.

A Reformed or Covenant theology perspective maintains continuity between the old and new covenants, understanding the sacrifices of the old as foretelling Christ's ultimate sacrifice.

A Dispensational perspective might emphasize more strongly the discontinuities, arguing that the new covenant represents a completely new work of God rather than the fulfillment of the old.

Practical Applications

For the modern believer, Hebrews 9:23 can affirm the belief in the complete and sufficient work of Christ's sacrifice. It encourages the believer to shift focus from ritualistic or symbolic acts of atonement to a faith-based relationship with God through Christ.

The verse can also inspire a sense of humility and gratitude, recognizing the magnitude of what is believed to be Christ's sacrifice for humanity.

Cross-References

Hebrews 8:5 - "Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount."
Hebrews 10:1 - "For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, significant terms occur:

"Patterns" (ὑποδείγματα, hypodeigmata) refers to examples or copies signifying something more substantial.
"Purified" (καθαρίζω, katharizō) often has a ceremonial connotation of making clean or sanctifying something for religious purposes.
"Better sacrifices" (κρείττοσιν θυσίαις, kreittosin thusiais) suggests a comparative superiority of Christ's sacrifice to the animal sacrifices of the old covenant.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparison with ancient myths and other religious interpretations shows a common theme of sacrificial systems as means of maintaining a relationship with the divine.

For example, in Ancient Greek religion, sacrifices were believed to please the gods.

In Judaism, sacrifices were a central part of religious practice, signifying repentance, thanksgiving, or purification.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern scientific understanding does not directly intersect with the very religious and theological content of the verse.

Scientific discourse typically does not comment on matters of spiritual purifications or the concept of heavenly realms, as these notions fall outside the scope of empirical measurement and observation.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer diverse perspectives on Hebrews 9:23:

Matthew Henry’s commentary suggests that earthly sanctuaries needed purification just as heaven did, but heaven was purified by a nobler sacrifice, once Christ entered into it for us.
The Pulpit Commentary notes the "patterns" emphasize not so much the material tabernacle but the services performed there, being shadows of Christ's heavenly work.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible elaborate on the concept of patterns and examples, suggesting the earthly holy places indeed required cleansing but were merely representations of the true cleansing in heaven by Christ's sacrifice.

Hebrews 9

Hebrews 9

What does Hebrews 9:23 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 9:23 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?