IX. (1) The subject commenced in the last chapter (Hebrews 9:1) is continued here. The mention of the “more excellent ministry” led to the description of the new covenant with which it is united (Hebrews 9:6). This verse, then, attaches itself to the fifth and sixth verses of Hebrews 8 (Hebrews 8:5)... [ Continue Reading ]
TABERNACLE. — It must be carefully observed that the Epistle throughout refers to the Tabernacle, and not once to the Temples which succeeded it. Though they were formed on the same general model, their very nature and design necessitated changes of plan and detail which unfitted them for the writer... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TABERNACLE. — Rather, _a tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies._ This literal translation of a Hebrew expression for “most holy” does not occur in the Bible, but has become familiar through the Latin _sanctum sanctorum._ The inner chamber of the Tabernacle is in a few passages only menti... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVING A GOLDEN CENSER. — Or, _having a golden altar of incense._ Hardly any passage in the Epistle has given rise to more controversy than this; and even now opinions are greatly divided. The question raised does not merely concern the interpretation of a single verse, but has been brought into pro... [ Continue Reading ]
CHERUBIMS OF GLORY. — See Exodus 25:18; Exodus 29:43; Numbers 7:89; Ezekiel 10:19. As these passages will show, the reference is to the glory which appeared above the mercy seat. (See Note on Hebrews 1:3.) This is the only express mention of the cherubim in the New Testament; but see the Notes on Re... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW WHEN THESE THING WERE THUS ORDAINED... — Better, _And when these things have been thus prepared, into the first tabernacle the priests enter continually, accomplishing the services._ As has been already observed (Hebrews 9:2), the present tense is used throughout these verses (Hebrews 9:6), not... [ Continue Reading ]
WENT... OFFERED. — Rather, _entereth_... _offereth._ ERRORS. — Literally, _ignorances._ (See Hebrews 5:2; Hebrews 7:27.) By “once in the year” we must of course understand on one day of the year, viz., the tenth day of Tisri. On that day, according to Leviticus 16, it was the duty of the high priest... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THE WAY INTO THE HOLIEST OF ALL WAS NOT YET MADE MANIFEST. — Rather, _that the way into the sanctuary has not yet been made manifest._ By “sanctuary,” or “holy place,” is here meant the Holy of Holies; not, however, as existing upon earth, in type and figure, but in the sense of Hebrews 8:2; He... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH WAS A FIGURE... — Rather, _Which is a parable unto the time present, according to which_ (parable) _are offered both gifts and sacrifices, which cannot perfect, as to the conscience, him that doeth the service._ The general meaning may be given thus: this “first Tabernacle” (_i.e.,_ the existe... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH STOOD ONLY IN... — Better, _only joined with meats and drinks and divers washings, — carnal ordinances, imposed until a time of reformation._ Here again the best authorities correct the received Greek text, omitting “and” before the word “carnal,” and so altering the next word as to make it de... [ Continue Reading ]
The changes of translation required in these verses are not considerable in themselves, but important for the sake of bringing out the unity of the sentence and the connection of its parts. _But Christ having come a High Priest of the good things to come_ (or, _the good things that are come,_ see be... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IF THE BLOOD OF BULLS AND OF GOATS. — This verse connects itself with the last words of Hebrews 9:12, “having won eternal redemption,” showing why our hope may rise so high. The sacrifice is mentioned here in words slightly different from those of Hebrews 9:11; but in each case the writer’s thou... [ Continue Reading ]
THROUGH THE ETERNAL SPIRIT. — Better, _through an eternal Spirit;_ for in a passage of so much difficulty it is important to preserve the exact rendering of the Greek, and the arguments usually adduced seem insufficient to justify the ordinary translation. By most readers of the Authorised version,... [ Continue Reading ]
AND FOR THIS CAUSE. — Or, _And because of this._ This verse looks back to the great truth of Hebrews 9:11, which the last two verses have served to confirm and place in bolder relief. “Christ through His own blood entered once for all into the Holy Place, having won eternal redemption; and by reason... [ Continue Reading ]
TESTAMENT. — As has been already pointed out, the greatest difference of opinion has existed in regard to the meaning of the Greek word _diathçkç_ in this passage. (See Note on Hebrews 7:22.) It will be seen at once that the interpretation of this verse and the next entirely depends on that one ques... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREUPON. — Better, _Wherefore not even has the first_ (_covenant_)_ been dedicated_ (or, _inaugurated_) _without blood._ (See Exodus 24:6.)... [ Continue Reading ]
EVERY PRECEPT. — Or, _commandment._ See Exodus 24:3; where we read that Moses “told the people all the words of the Lord, and all the judgments.” These he wrote in a book (Hebrews 9:4), and this “book of the covenant” (Hebrews 9:7) he “read in the audience of the people.” The contents would probably... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TESTAMENT WHICH GOD HATH ENJOINED UNTO YOU. — Better, _the covenant which God commanded in regard to you. “_Commanded,” see Hebrews 8:6 : in the LXX. the word is “covenanted.”... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SPRINKLED WITH BLOOD. — Rather, _he sprinkled in like manner with the blood._ It is singular that the word rendered “in like manner” (found in the Bishops’ Bible, “likewise,” and in other versions) should have been overlooked in the Authorised version. The incident here mentioned belongs, of cour... [ Continue Reading ]
AND ALMOST ALL THINGS. — The meaning of the word “almost,” as it stands in the Greek, is rather, “One may almost lay down the rule,” “One may almost say.” What follows, in both parts of the verse, is a general saying, modified by these introductory words. _And one may almost say — according to the L... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PATTERNS OF THINGS IN THE HEAVENS. — Rather, _the tokens_ (Hebrews 8:5) _of the things in the heavens._ In the first part of the verse a conclusion is drawn from the sacred history, which related the accomplishment of the divine will, and showed therefore what was “necessary.” But the real stres... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR CHRIST IS NOT ENTERED. — Better, _For Christ did not enter into a holy place made with hands. of like pattern to the true_ (or, _real_)_ holy place._ In the second part of Hebrews 9:23 the two thoughts were the “heavenly things themselves” and “better sacrifices.” Of these the first is taken up... [ Continue Reading ]
NOR YET THAT HE SHOULD — _i.e., Nor yet_ (_did He enter into heaven_)_ that He may offer Himself often._ The connection has been pointed out already in the last Note. The “offering “which is here in thought does not correspond to the actual sacrifice of the sin-offerings on the Day of Atonement, but... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THEN MUST HE OFTEN HAVE SUFFERED. — The repeated presentation of Himself to God must imply, as a necessary condition, a repeated “suffering of death; as the high priest’s offering of the blood of expiation in the Holiest Place implied the previous sacrifice of the victim. The writer’s point of v... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AS IT IS APPOINTED... — More literally, _And as there is laid up for men once to die, and after this judgment._ Man’s life and works on earth end with death: what remains is the result of this life and these works, as determined by God’s “judgment.” Man does not return to die a second time. That... [ Continue Reading ]
SO CHRIST WAS ONCE OFFERED. — The ordinary translation, dividing the verse into two similar portions, fails to show where the emphasis really lies. The two members of the verse correspond to each other, point by point, with remarkable distinctness; but the first is clearly subordinated to the second... [ Continue Reading ]