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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 9:25 mean?

Explanation

Hebrews 9:25 contrasts the work of Christ with the work of the high priests in the Old Testament.

It specifies that unlike the high priests, Jesus did not need to make repeated sacrifices for sins.

The high priests entered the Most Holy Place annually with blood that was not their own (on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement) to atone for the sins of the people.

However, the verse implies that Jesus' sacrifice was sufficient once and for all, and that He did not need to offer Himself repeatedly.

The "often" in this context refers to the annual repetition of sacrifices by the high priests, whereas Jesus' one-time sacrifice stands in contrast as a complete and perfect atonement.

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Historical Context

Hebrews was likely written for a Jewish-Christian audience familiar with the Levitical priesthood and sacrificial system.

The Epistle draws heavily on Old Testament concepts, particularly those pertaining to the Tabernacle and priesthood.

In the Jewish tradition, the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, to offer blood sacrifices for the sins of the people.

This Old Testament backdrop is essential for understanding the argument in Hebrews that points to the supremacy of Christ's sacrifice.

Theological Insights

This verse offers a clear illustration of the doctrine of the sufficiency of Christ's atonement.

It contrasts the repeated, yearly atoning sacrifices under the Old Covenant with the singular, perfect sacrifice of Jesus under the New Covenant.

It challenges the notion of any need for repeated sacrifice or mediation, serving as a foundation for the Christian belief in Jesus as the ultimate High Priest whose sacrifice does not need to be repeated.

Practical Applications

In daily life, Hebrews 9:25 can encourage individuals to rely fully on the single, atoning work of Christ for salvation, without feeling the need to supplement His sacrifice with additional works or rituals.

It reinforces the finality and completeness of Jesus’ sacrifice and can provide assurance of forgiveness and right standing with God.

Cross-References

Hebrews 10:10 - "[By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.]"
Hebrews 7:27 - "[Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.]"
Romans 6:10 - "[For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.]"
Hebrews 9:12 - "[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.]"

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek text of Hebrews 9:25 include:

προσφέρειν (prospherein): Meaning "to offer," often used in the Septuagint to refer to the priestly offering of sacrifices.
πολλάκις (pollakis): Translated as "often," indicating frequency and repetition.
ἅγια (hagia): Meaning "holy places," referring to the inner sanctuary where God's presence was believed to dwell.
ἀρχιερεὺς (archiereus): Refers to the "high priest," the chief religious official in Judaism who alone entered the Most Holy Place on the Day of Atonement.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The concept of a mediating high priest is not unique to Judaism; many ancient religions had priestly figures who acted as intermediaries between gods and people.

The distinction in Christianity is that Jesus is presented as the final and ultimate mediator, rendering all other mediatory roles obsolete.

This contrasts with religious systems where the need for intercession is continuous and perennial.

Scientific Perspectives

This verse does not directly intersect with modern scientific understandings, as it deals with theological and spiritual concepts. The sacrificial system referenced is a religious practice rather than a scientific one.

However, modern psychology and anthropology might provide insights into the universal human need for atonement and reconciliation, which the Christian narrative addresses through the figure of Christ.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians offer their perspectives on Hebrews 9:25:

Matthew Henry's Commentary emphasizes the once-for-all nature of Christ's sacrifice and its stark contrast to the annual sacrifices of the high priests.
The MacArthur Study Bible notes that Christ's sacrifice did not just cover sins temporarily but effectively removed them forever.
The ESV Study Bible points out that the repetition of sacrifices under the Old Covenant highlighted their insufficiency, leading to the understanding of the necessity of Christ's superior offering.
The NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible provides context about the sacrificial system and the Day of Atonement, helping readers understand the high priest’s role and the significance of Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice in comparison.

Hebrews 9

Hebrews 9

What does Hebrews 9:25 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 9:25 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?