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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 9:24 mean?

Explanation

Hebrews 9:24 focuses on the high priestly work of Christ. Unlike the Jewish high priests who entered into the physical sanctuary (the holy places made with hands), Christ has entered into the actual presence of God (heaven itself).

The verse contrasts the earthly copies of the holy places with the true heavenly reality.

Earthly priests entered into a temple built by human hands, which acted as a symbol or figure of the heavenly reality.

Christ, however, has ascended to where God Himself is.

The "now to appear in the presence of God for us" portion implies that Christ's role is mediatory and ongoing, He represents and advocates for believers before God.

Top Rated Hebrews Books

Historical Context

This verse is from the book of Hebrews, traditionally believed to have been written to a Jewish-Christian audience facing persecution and considering reverting to Judaism.

The Tabernacle (and later the Temple) in Jerusalem was central to the Old Covenant's sacrificial system, with the Day of Atonement being especially significant.

The high priest entered the Holy of Holies within the temple once a year to make atonement for Israel's sins.

Hebrews 9:24 refers to these rituals but points to their fulfillment in Christ's heavenly ministry.

The historical setting is thus the first century AD, when the early Christians were interpreting the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus as the fulfillment of these ancient rites.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse speaks to the superiority of Christ's priesthood and sacrifice compared to the Old Testament Levitical priesthood.

It discusses the once-for-all nature of Christ's atoning work and His ongoing intercessory role.

According to Christian theology, Christ's entrance into heaven signifies the completion and effectiveness of His redemptive work.

This passage is also foundational to the understanding of the New Covenant, where Jesus is the mediator between God and humanity.

Different denominations may emphasize various aspects of this passage.

For example, Catholic theology might connect this to the doctrine of the Communion of Saints, where Christ's intercession is seen as continuous and joined by the intercession of the saints.

Protestant theology tends to emphasize the sole mediation of Christ and how this passage underscores the finality of His sacrifice.

Practical Applications

Hebrews 9:24 suggests several practical applications for believers:

Assurance: It offers reassurance that Christ's sacrifice is complete and effective. 2.

Faith and Trust: Believers can have confidence in Christ's continual intercession on their behalf. 3.

Worship: Understanding Christ's role can deepen one's worship, knowing that it is based on the reality of heaven, not merely earthly symbols. 4.

Encouragement: It can provide encouragement to persevere in faith during difficult times, knowing that Christ represents us before God.

Cross-References

Hebrews 7:25: "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."
Hebrews 8:1-2: "Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man."
Hebrews 10:12: "But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;"

Language Study

Key words from Hebrews 9:24 in the original Greek language offer deeper insights:

"Entered" (Greek: "eisēlthen"): indicates a decisive action of going into a place.
"Holy places" (Greek: "hagiōn"): refers to sacred places, particularly those related to worship.
"Figures" (Greek: "antitypa"): meaning patterns or copies, indicating the earthly sanctuary as a representation of the heavenly.
"Heaven itself" (Greek: "ouranos auton"): the term for the dwelling place of God, as opposed to a man-made structure.
"To appear" (Greek: "emphanizō"): to make visible, to present oneself.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient times, many religions had sacred spaces that were considered points of connection between the divine and the earthly realm.

In Judaism, the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle or Temple served this purpose.

This idea is common across various cultures, such as the Greek temples dedicated to their gods.

The distinction in Hebrews is that Christianity claims a fulfillment of these types of figures in the person and work of Christ, who enters the true heavenly holy place on behalf of humanity.

Scientific Perspectives

While Hebrews 9:24 is a passage centered on religious and theological claims, any intersection with modern science would be largely metaphorical.

The idea is that Christ's ascension to heaven is not about physical space but a transcendent reality.

Modern cosmology understands "heaven" in various ways from a scientific standpoint, but the verse speaks to a metaphysical concept of heaven that isn't addressed by the empirical science.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars offer various insights on Hebrews 9:24:

William Lane in his commentary on Hebrews sees the verse as focusing on the fulfillment of the Old Testament symbols by the heavenly ministry of Christ.
F.F.

Bruce notes that the earthly tabernacle was merely a copy or shadow of the true, heavenly tabernacle, stressing Christ's unique high priestly ministry in the actual presence of God.

Albert Barnes emphasizes Christ's ongoing role as an intercessor and the assurance it provides Christians that their sins are fully atoned for.
The ESV Study Bible comments on the perfection of Christ's priestly work, interpreting "to appear" as a reference to continual advocacy before the Father.

Hebrews 9

Hebrews 9

What does Hebrews 9:24 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 9:24 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?