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 9:8 mean?

Explanation

The verse Hebrews 9:8 speaks about the limited access people had to the presence of God under the old covenant.

The "Holy Ghost" or Holy Spirit is understood to be revealing, through the arrangement of the tabernacle and its services, that access to the holiest place, representing God’s immediate presence, was not open while the first tabernacle, or sanctuary system, was in operation.

In essence, the verse is suggesting that the way to direct communion with God was obscured under the old covenant, represented by the physical tabernacle and its ceremonies.

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Historical Context

Hebrews was written to a group of Jewish Christians who were familiar with the old covenant practices and may have been experiencing pressure to revert back to Judaism.

The first century context was a time of transition from the old covenant of sacrifices and rituals to the new covenant expressed through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The "first tabernacle" refers to the earthly sanctuary or temple that was central to Jewish religion, where sacrifices were offered and which included the Holy Place and the Holiest of All (or the Holy of Holies).

Theological Insights

This verse illustrates a key theological point in the Book of Hebrews – the superiority of Christ's sacrifice over the old covenant sacrifices.

Theologically, the verse has been interpreted as indicating that the old covenant was only a foreshadowing or a figure for the time then present, and it was not the ultimate expression of God's plan for redemption.

The restricted access to the Holy of Holies, where God's presence was believed to dwell, accentuated the limitations of the old system and the need for a new, perfect mediator who is Christ.

Practical Applications

The teachings of this verse can be applied in understanding that the limitations of the old covenant have been removed through Christ. Believers can now approach God with confidence.

The verse encourages Christians to recognize and embrace the access to God made available through faith in Jesus and to hold to the new covenant without reverting to outdated religious systems or rituals that cannot provide true redemption.

Cross-References

Hebrews 10:19-20: "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;"
Leviticus 16:2: "And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the veil before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat."
Matthew 27:51: "And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;"

Language Study

The original language terms of critical importance in this verse are:

"Holiest of all" (Greek: "hagia hagion") refers to the inner sanctuary or the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle or temple.
"Signifying" (Greek: "delountos") implies communicating or making known.
"Manifest" (Greek: "phaneroun") means to make known, reveal or disclose.
"Tabernacle" (Greek: "skene") literally means tent, and here it refers to the earthly sanctuary.

Studying the original language brings nuances to how the first covenant was understood as a figurative system that temporarily concealed the ultimate path to God's presence.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The concept of a sacred space where divinity resides is not unique to Judaism or Christianity.

Many ancient cultures had temples and inner sanctums where only the high priests or select individuals could enter, such as the Egyptian and Mesopotamian temples.

However, the Christian interpretation through the Book of Hebrews posits that Christ's sacrifice opened the way to God's presence for all, challenging the exclusivity often seen in ancient religious practices.

Scientific Perspectives

The verse does not lend itself readily to scientific analysis as it deals primarily with spiritual and religious themes. Modern science generally does not address issues of divine presence or the spiritual efficacy of rituals and sacred spaces.

However, scientific studies on religious experiences have shown that practices such as prayer and contemplation can have measurable effects on individuals' mental and physical well-being.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians have provided various interpretations of Hebrews 9:8:

The Pulpit Commentary suggests this verse indicates that the Holy Ghost was teaching through the symbolism of the tabernacle that access to God was not yet open under the old covenant.
Matthew Henry's Commentary notes that while the first tabernacle stood, it signified that the state of things was imperfect and the conscience could not be made perfect.
The Expositor's Greek Testament emphasizes that the physical construction and arrangement of the tabernacle had symbolic meaning about people's relationship to God and the distance that sin creates between mankind and the divine.

Hebrews 9

Hebrews 9

What does Hebrews 9:8 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 9:8 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?