Hebrews 9

King James Version

Full text for Hebrews Chapter 9

1¶ Then verily the first [covenant] had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.

2For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein [was] the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.

3And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;

4Which 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;

5And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.

6Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service [of God].

7But 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:

8¶ 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:

9Which [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;

10[Which stood] only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed [on them] until the time of reformation.

11But 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;

12Neither 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].

13For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

14How 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?

15¶ 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.

16For where a testament [is], there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

17For a testament [is] of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

18Whereupon neither the first [testament] was dedicated without blood.

19For 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,

20Saying, This [is] the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.

21Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.

22And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

23¶ [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.

24For 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:

25Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;

26For 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.

27And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

28So 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Hebrews 9 contrasts the Old Covenant's earthly sanctuary and its limited sacrifices with Christ's superior ministry. The first tabernacle, with its annual high priestly entry and animal blood, served as a temporary figure, unable to perfect the conscience. Christ, however, entered the true heavenly sanctuary once with His own blood, securing eternal redemption. This singular, perfect sacrifice establishes a new testament, purging the conscience and providing access to God.

Medium Summary

The chapter details the structure and ordinances of the first covenant's worldly sanctuary, including the Holy Place and the Holiest of all, where the high priest entered annually with blood for sins. This earthly tabernacle, with its animal sacrifices, was a temporary figure, signifying that the way into God's presence was not yet fully open, and it could not truly perfect the conscience. Christ is presented as the High Priest of a new and better covenant, having entered a greater, non-material tabernacle. He did so not with the blood of animals, but with His own blood, achieving eternal redemption through a single, perfect offering. This superior sacrifice purges the conscience from dead works, enabling believers to serve the living God. As the mediator of this new testament, Christ's death was necessary to validate the covenant, just as the first covenant was dedicated with blood, emphasizing that without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins.

Long Summary

Hebrews chapter 9 meticulously describes the structure and service of the first covenant's earthly sanctuary, the tabernacle. It details the Holy Place, containing the candlestick, table, and shewbread, and the Holiest of all, separated by a veil, which housed the golden censer, the ark of the covenant with its contents (manna, Aaron's rod, covenant tables), and the cherubims over the mercyseat. Priests continually served in the Holy Place, but only the high priest entered the Holiest of all once a year, bringing blood for his own sins and those of the people. This arrangement, the Holy Ghost signified, indicated that the way into the true Holiest was not yet fully revealed, and the first tabernacle was merely a figure. Its gifts and sacrifices, consisting of carnal ordinances like meats, drinks, and washings, could not perfect the worshipper's conscience, serving only until the time of reformation. In contrast, Christ is presented as the High Priest of the good things to come, ministering in a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with human hands, but heavenly. He entered this holy place not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own precious blood, securing eternal redemption through this singular act. The author emphasizes the profound superiority of Christ's sacrifice: if animal blood purified the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, offered through the eternal Spirit without blemish, cleanse the conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Furthermore, Christ is the mediator of the new testament, whose death redeems transgressions under the old covenant, ensuring that those called receive the promise of an eternal inheritance. The necessity of a testator's death for a testament to be valid is highlighted, paralleling the dedication of the first covenant with blood by Moses. Indeed, the law dictates that almost all things are purged with blood, and without its shedding, there is no remission of sins. Therefore, while earthly patterns were purified with animal sacrifices, the heavenly realities required a better sacrifice. Christ did not enter earthly holy places, which were mere figures, but heaven itself, to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. He does not need to offer Himself repeatedly, like the earthly high priest; rather, He appeared once, at the culmination of the ages, to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. Just as humanity is appointed to die once and then face judgment, Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many, and He will appear a second time, without sin, to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him.

Core Concepts

  • The Earthly TabernacleThe physical sanctuary of the Old Covenant, divided into the Holy Place and the Holiest of all, serving as a temporary dwelling for God's presence among His people and a pattern of heavenly things.
  • Old Covenant SacrificesThe offerings of animals and other gifts under the first testament, performed by priests, which could purify the flesh but were insufficient to perfect the conscience or provide full access to God's presence.
  • The High Priest's Annual EntryThe unique role of the high priest, who alone entered the Holiest of all once a year, bearing the blood of animals to make atonement for his own sins and the errors of the people, signifying the limited access to God under the old covenant.
  • Christ's Superior PriesthoodChrist as the High Priest of a new and better covenant, ministering in a heavenly, not man-made, tabernacle, and offering a perfect, singular sacrifice of His own blood.
  • Eternal RedemptionThe permanent and complete salvation secured by Christ's one-time entry into the heavenly holy place with His own blood, in contrast to the temporary and repeated purifications of the Old Covenant.
  • The New Testament (Covenant)The covenant established through Christ's death, which redeems transgressions under the first testament and grants believers the promise of an eternal inheritance, made effective by the death of the testator.
  • Shedding of Blood for RemissionThe fundamental principle that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins, demonstrated in both the dedication of the first covenant and, supremely, in Christ's sacrifice for the remission of sins.