College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Hebrews 9:15-22
The effectiveness of the new covenant based upon the death of Christ. Hebrews 9:15-22.
Text
Hebrews 9:15 And for this cause He is the Mediator of a new covenant, that a death having taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, they that have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. Hebrews 9:16 For where a testament is, there must of necessity be the death of him that made it, Hebrews 9:17 For a testament is of force where there hath been death: for it doth never avail while he that made it liveth. Hebrews 9:18 Wherefore even the first covenant hath not been dedicated without blood. Hebrews 9:19 For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses unto all the people according to the law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, Hebrews 9:20 saying, This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded to you-ward. Hebrews 9:21 Moreover the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry he sprinkled in like manner with the blood. Hebrews 9:22 And according to the law, I may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and apart from shedding of blood there is no remission.
Paraphrase
Hebrews 9:15 And for this reason, that the death of Christ is so efficacious, of the new covenant He is the Mediator or High Priest, by Whom its blessings are dispensed; and also the Sacrifice by which it is procured and ratified; that His death being accomplished for obtaining the pardon of the transgressions of the first covenant, believers of all ages and nations, as the called seed of Abraham, (Rom. 8:48 note), may receive the promised eternal inheritance.
Hebrews 9:16 For, to show the propriety of Christ's dying to ratify the new covenant. I observe, that where a covenant is made by sacrifice, there is a necessity that the death of the appointed sacrifice be produced.
Hebrews 9:17 For, according to the practice both of God and man, a covenant is made firm over dead sacrifices; seeing it never hath force whilst the goat, calf, or bullock, appointed as the sacrifice of ratification, liveth.
Hebrews 9:18 Because from the beginning God ratified His covenant by sacrifice, to preserve among men the expectation of the sacrifice of His Son, hence not even the covenant of Sinai was made without sacrifice.
Hebrews 9:19 For when Moses had read every precept in the book of the law to all the people, taking the blood of the calves and goats which had been offered as the sacrifices of ratification, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, he sprinkled both the book of the law itself as representing God, and all the people, in token of the consent of both parties to the covenant.
Hebrews 9:20 Saying, while he sprinkled the people, This is the blood whereby the covenant which God hath commanded me to make with you is ratified, both on his part and on yours. (See Hebrews 9:15, note 1.)
Hebrews 9:21 Moreover, to prefigure the efficacy of the sacrifice of Christ to render our acts of worship acceptable, both the tabernacle, and the altar, and mercy-seat, and all the vessels used in the worship of God, Moses in like manner sprinkled with blood, after they were made and set in order.
Hebrews 9:22 And, for the same reason, almost all things, according to the law, are annually fitted for the worship of God by sprinkling them with blood. (See Leviticus 16:16; Leviticus 16:19; Leviticus 16:33.) In short, to show that pardon is procured through the blood of Christ, without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin granted by the law.
Comment
And for this cause
It means on account of this (blood). It may also be translated, therefore, or wherefore.
He is the mediator
Jesus is the Mediator for man. Note that he does not call Him testament.
No need for any other is felt if we know Christ in His purity.
new covenant
Testament is also used for covenant, Covenant is better, It is the new contract between God and man.
The word means both covenant and testament F.N. of American Standard Bible.
Milligan: It means covenant, McKnight: If it is testament, who died for it to be in force?
that a death having taken place for the redemption of the transgressions
That by means of death all men could have forgiveness.
Hebrews 10:4 says that the blood of bulls and goats could not take away sin.
a.
We would ask then, Are the Jews who were faithful in their sacrifices lost?
b.
This verse surely answers the question, saying that those under the first covenant are taken care of by the sacrifice of Jesus.
that were under the first covenant
Does this mean all the dead Jews, or does it mean simply those who were living under the first covenant? Milligan: The death of Christ was necessary in order to accomplish the redemption of the transgressions which were committed under the old covenant during the Jewish age. p. 257. The exception Milligan states would be those who were justified by faithAbraham, Isaac, Jacob. Romans 4:23, James 2:21-23. Where did these men go? Milligan, 251:
a.
If not immediately to heaven, at least to a place and state of high spiritual enjoyment.
1.
2.
3.
b.
This is what Paul refers to in Romans 3:25-26.
they that have been called
Milligan: The blood was a necessity before the called of any age could have an absolute right to the free and full enjoyment of the eternal inheritance. This is not merely a promised land calling, but for eternal life for all the called of all generations.
Blood of bulls and goats Christ
AdamX-------------
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XEternity
Blood
may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance
This is not a physical land inheritance, but an eternal one in the presence of God.
a.
1 Peter 1:4: An inheritance incorruptible, undefiled that fadeth not away reserved in heaven for you.
b.
Jesus said: Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. Our inheritance is with Christ as a joint heir. Romans 8:17.
for where a testament is
Newell says to translate the word testament is confusing and incorrect.
a.
A covenant has a mediator but not a testament, he says.
b.
A testament has someone to execute it; so Newell is strained here.
Milligan: The word means both covenant and testament, and here he uses the second meaning. Calvin: The Greek means both. p. 208.
there must of necessity
Death is necessary to the culmination of a testament. Inheritance follows the death of the testator.
be the death of him that made it
The testament, or will, goes into effect after the death of the testator. As long as the testator lives, he can change that will, but death fixes its points.
for a testament is of force, where there hath been a death: for it doth never avail while he that made it liveth
Legal language is used here. The testament is generally kept in a safety deposit box until the death of the testator. A division of the inheritance follows the death of the testator.
wherefore even the first covenant hath not been dedicated without blood
God has always emphasized sacrifice.
a.
Their sacrifices were to keep alive the knowledge of the fact of sin and the need of forgiveness.
b.
We have baptism, and the Lord's Supper, to remind us today, See Exodus 24:4-8 for the dedication.
for when every commandment had been spoken
This refers to Exodus 24:4-8, When they were recited the people said, This we will do, He then wrote them and reread them, Hebrews 9:7, The people responded again, Then they were ratified by the blood.
He took the blood of calves and goats with water
The blood was put in basins and mingled with water to keep it from coagulating. He then took hyssop bound together with hyssop and dipped this in the basin and sprinkled it upon the people nearest him.
a.
They represented all the people.
b.
It was impossible to have blood enough for all.
Milligan says Moses doesn-'t mention all the details. Paul adds here that the water, blood of bulls and goats, scarlet wool, hyssop, sprinkling of the book of the covenant were part of the ceremony.
and scarlet wool
The wool was to help absorb the water and blood. It was scarlet, no doubt, for symbolism.
and hyssop
Occasions for the use of it are found in Exodus 12:22; Leviticus 14:4-7; Numbers 19:18-19. Usually the bunch of hyssop was fastened to a stick of cedar wood by means of a scarlet band and then wrapped round with scarlet wool for the purpose of absorbing the blood and water that were to be sprinkled. (Milligan, p. 260.)
and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people
Upon the bookwhy?
a.
To show that it was ratified by blood.
b.
The book was then sanctified for their obedience.
The people were sanctified to obey the words of the book.
saying, (Exodus 24:8) This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded to you-ward
This is the blood by which the covenant is ratified. This was not a covenant of equals, but words sanctified from one who had the right to command.
moreover the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry be sprinkled in like manner with the blood
This is not the same occasion as in Exodus 24:1-8 referred to, but later when it was constructed. The tabernacle was not constructed in Exodus 24:1-8 so it must refer to Exodus 40:9-11.
and according to the law I may almost say all things are cleansed with blood
Almost: the law required that almost everything defiled should be purified by blood. In some cases it was done with water:
a.
b.
Sometimes it was done by fire and water:
a.
and apart from the shedding of blood there is no remission
Blood is spoken of as being essential to atonement.
a.
Leviticus 17:11: I have given it (the blood) to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that maketh atonement for the soul.
The poorest people who could not afford a sacrifice no doubt had theirs made by public expense. (Milligan, p. 261.)
a.
Leviticus 5:11-13: Those too poor to bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons for a sin offering were to bring seven pints of an ephah of fine flour, without oil or frankincense, a handful of which the priest was to burn as a memorial upon the altar.
b.
Note, however, Hebrews 9:13. The priest made atonement for him, which was very likely a blood sacrifice at public expense.
c.
The memorial was made with flour, but the atonement was with blood.
Study Questions
1594.
What is meant by for this cause?
1595.
What is the work of a mediator?
1596.
Is there room for Christ's mother here in forgiving sin?
1597.
What kind of a covenant does Jesus serve?
1598.
Is God obligated to keep His part of the covenant if man fails to keep his?
1599.
Does the blood of Christ act backwards as well as forwards?
1600.
For whom was Christ's blood shed?
1601.
Can we say then that the Jews under the old covenant are saved?
1602.
Were all saved by the blood of Christ?
1603.
Who was excepted, according to Milligan?
1604.
Compare Romans 4:3-4 and James 2:21-23 for his proof texts.
1605.
Does Romans 3:25-26 teach that Christ's blood was retroactive?
1606.
What is meant by passing over in Romans 3:25? Does it mean rolled forward?
1607.
What does the calling refer to here?
1608.
Is it the Hebrew promised land or eternal life?
1609.
How is the inheritance described?
1610.
How does 1 Peter 1:4 describe it?
1611.
With whom is our inheritance? Romans 8:17.
1612.
What is meant by testament?
1613.
Is it as good a word as covenant?
1614.
What are the differences between testament and covenant?
1615.
What is necessary for the fulfillment of a testament?
1616.
When do we inherit from a testament?
1617.
Whose death is necessary?
1618.
Does death fix the terms with finality?
1619.
Is it logical to say that Jesus was the dead Testator of the New Testament?
1620.
What kind of language is used here in regard to the testament.
1621.
Then do we have the right to be legalistic in our preaching?
1622.
What is necessary to set a will in force?
1623.
How was the first covenant dedicated?
1624.
Why did God require the constant sacrifices?
1625.
What do we have today to remind us of sin?
1626.
What commandments are referred to here? Cf. Exodus 24:4-8.
1627.
Did the people approve?
1628.
Where is this occasion discussed in the Old Testament?
1629.
Why was water mixed with the blood?
1630.
Why was wool used?
1631.
Why was it scarlet wool?
1632.
What is hyssop?
1633.
How was it used?
1634.
Why was the book sprinkled?
1635.
Why were the people sprinkled?
1636.
Is this a covenant between equals?
1637.
Have we the right to question the one who has the right to command?
1638.
What is the significance of the tabernacle and vessels being sanctified by bipod? Was it done frequently? Cf. Exodus 24:1-8; Exodus 40:9-11.
1639.
Is the church sprinkled with blood? Cf. Ephesians 5:25-26.
1640.
Is the author in doubt when he says, I may almost say?
1641.
What does he mean by almost?
1642.
Do you think that you can express a better translation of this verse?
1643.
What things were not purified by blood?
1644.
What other element was used? Cf. Leviticus 16:26-28; Numbers 31:24.
1645.
What other cleanser was used? Cf. Numbers 31:22-23.
1646.
What was the purpose of blood being shed, as expressed in this verse? Cf. Leviticus 17:11.
1647.
How could sin be atoned if one could not afford a blood sacrifice? Cf. Leviticus 5:11-13.
1648.
What is meant by memorial?
1649.
Did the priest offer blood for the poor people?
1650.
If so, how were these offerings financed?