CHAPTER IX. _Of the first covenant, and its ordinances_, 1. _The tabernacle, candlestick, table, show-bread, veil, holy of_ _holies, censer, ark, pot of manna, Aaron's rod, tables of the_ _covenant, cherubim of glory, and mercy seat_, 2-5. _How the priests served_, 6, 7. _What was signified by... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 9:2. _FOR THERE WAS A TABERNACLE MADE; THE FIRST, WHEREIN_] The sense is here very obscure, and the construction involved: leaving out all punctuation, which is the case with all the very ancient MSS., the verse stands thus: Σκηνη γαρ κατεσκευασθη ἡ πρωτη εν ᾑ ἡ τε λυχνια, κ. τ. λ.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 9:3. _AND AFTER THE SECOND VEIL_] The first veil, of which the apostle has not yet spoken, was at the entrance of the holy place, and separated the temple from the court, and prevented the people, and even the Levites, from seeing what was in the holy place. The _second_ veil, of whic... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 9:4. _WHICH HAD THE GOLDEN CENSER_] It is evident that the apostle speaks here of the tabernacle built by Moses, and of the state and contents of that tabernacle as they were during the lifetime of Moses. For, as Calmet remarks, in the temple which was afterwards built there were many... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 9:5. _AND OVER IT THE CHERUBIMS OF GLORY_] Cherubim is the plural of _cherub_, and it is absurd to add our plural termination (s) to the plural termination of the Hebrew. The _glory_ here signifies the _shechinah_ or symbol of the Divine presence. _SHADOWING THE MERCY-SEAT_] One at ea... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 9:6. _WHEN THESE THING WERE THUS ORDAINED_] When the tabernacle was made, and its furniture placed in it, according to the Divine direction. _THE PRIESTS WENT ALWAYS INTO THE FIRST TABERNACLE_] That is, into the _first part_ of the tabernacle, or holy place, into which he went _every... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 9:7. _BUT INTO THE SECOND_] That is, the holy of holies, or _second part_ of the tabernacle, _the high priest alone_, once every year, that is, on one day in the year only, which was the day on which the general atonement was made. The high priest could enter into this place only on on... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 9:8. _THE HOLY GHOST THIS SIGNIFYING_] These services were divinely appointed, and by each of them the Holy Spirit of God is supposed to speak. _THE WAY INTO THE HOLIEST_] That full access to God was not the _common privilege_ of the people, while the Mosaic economy subsisted. That th... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 9:9. _WHICH_] Tabernacle and its services, was _a figure_, παραβολη, a dark enigmatical representation, _for the time then_ _present_ - for that age and dispensation, and for all those who lived under it. _In which_, καθον, _during which_, time or dispensation _were_ _offered both gi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 9:10. _IN MEATS AND DRINKS, AND DIVERS WASHINGS_] He had already mentioned eucharistic and sacrificial offerings, and nothing properly remained but the different kinds of clean and unclean animals which were used, or forbidden to be used, as articles of food; together with the differen... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 9:11. _BUT CHRIST BEING COME A HIGH PRIEST OF GOOD THINGS_] I think this and the succeeding verses not happily translated: indeed, the _division_ of them has led to a wrong translation; therefore they must be taken together, thus: _But the Christ, the_ _high priest of those good thing... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 9:12. _BUT BY HIS OWN BLOOD_] Here the redemption of man is attributed to the _blood of Christ_; and this blood is stated to be shed in a _sacrificial_ way, precisely as the blood of bulls, goats and calves was shed under the law. _ONCE_] _Once for all_, εφαπαξ, in opposition to the _... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 9:13. _SANCTIFIETH TO THE PURIFYING OF THE FLESH_] Answers the end proposed by the law; namely, to remove legal disabilities and punishments, having the _body_ and its interests particularly in view, though adumbrating or typifying the soul and its concerns.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 14. _WHO THROUGH THE ETERNAL SPIRIT_] This expression is understood two ways: 1. Of the Holy Ghost himself. As Christ's _miraculous conception_ was by the _Holy Spirit_, and he wrought all his _miracles_ by the _Spirit_ of God, so his _death_ or final offering was made through or by the _eter... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 15. _AND FOR THIS CAUSE_] Some translate διατουτο, _on_ _account of this_ (blood.) Perhaps it means no more than a mere inference, such as _therefore_, or _wherefore_. _HE IS THE MEDIATOR OF THE NEW TESTAMENT_] There was no proper reason why our translators should render διαθηκη by _testament... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 16. _FOR WHERE A TESTAMENT IS_] A learned and judicious friend furnishes me with the following translation of this and the _17_th verse:- "For where there is a covenant, it is necessary that the death of the appointed _victim_ should be exhibited, because a covenant is confirmed over dead _vi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 18. _WHEREUPON_] οθεν. _Wherefore_, as a _victim_ was required for the ratification of every covenant, the first covenant made between God and the Hebrews, by the mediation of Moses, was _not dedicated_, εγκεκαινισται, renewed or solemnized, _without blood_-without the death of a victim, and t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 19. _WHEN MOSES HAD SPOKEN EVERY PRECEPT_] The place to which the apostle alludes is Exodus 24:4-2, where the reader is requested to consult the notes. _AND SPRINKLED BOTH THE BOOK_] The sprinkling of the _book_ is not mentioned in the place to which the apostle refers, (see above,) nor did... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 20. _THIS_ IS _THE BLOOD OF THE TESTAMENT_] (_covenant_.) Our Lord refers to the conduct of Moses here, and partly quotes his words in the institution of the eucharist: _This is my blood of_ _the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of_ _sins_, Matthew 26:28. And by thus usin... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 21. _HE SPRINKLED - WITH BLOOD - ALL THE VESSELS OF THE_ _MINISTRY__._] To intimate that every thing used by sinful man is polluted, and that nothing can be acceptable in the sight of a holy God that has not in effect the sprinkling of the atoning blood.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 22. _AND ALMOST ALL THINGS ARE - PURGED WITH BLOOD_] The apostle says _almost_, because in some cases certain vessels were purified by _water_, some by _fire_, Numbers 31:23, and some with the _ashes_ of the _red heifer_, Numbers 19:2, but it was always understood that every thing was at _firs... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 23. _THE PATTERNS OF THINGS IN THE HEAVENS_] That is: The tabernacle and all its utensils, services, c., must be purified _by these_, viz.: _The blood of calves and goats, and the sprinkling_ _of the blood and water with the bunch of hyssop bound about with_ _scarlet wool_. These are called _p... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 24. _CHRIST IS NOT ENTERED INTO THE HOLY PLACES MADE WITH_ _hands_] He is not gone into the _holy of holies_ of the _tabernacle_ or _temple_, as the Jewish high priest does once in the year with the blood of the victim, to sprinkle it before the mercy-seat there; but _into heaven itself_, whic... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 25. _NOR YET THAT HE SHOULD OFFER HIMSELF OFTEN_] The sacrifice of Christ is not like that of the Jewish high priest; his must be offered every year, Christ has offered himself _once_ _for all_: and this sacrificial act has ever the same efficacy, his crucified body being still a powerful and... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 26. _FOR THEN MUST HE OFTEN HAVE SUFFERED_] In the counsel of God, Christ was considered the _Lamb slain from the foundation of_ _the world_, Revelation 13:8, so that all believers _before_ his advent were equally interested in his sacrificial death with those who have lived _since_ his coming... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 27. _AS IT IS APPOINTED_] αποκειται. It is _laid before_ _them_ by the Divine decree: _Dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt_ _return_. _Unto men_ generally, during the course of the present world, not _all men_ as some falsely quote; for Enoch and Elijah have not died, and those that shall... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 9:28. _SO CHRIST WAS ONCE OFFERED_] He shall die no more; he has borne away the sins of many, and what he has done once shall stand good for ever. Yet _he will appear a second time without_ _sin_, χωρις αμαρτιας, _without a sin-offering_; THAT he has already made. _UNTO SALVATION._] T... [ Continue Reading ]