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÷÷HEBREWS 9

HEBREWS 9

PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

READING CYCLE THREE (see "Bible Interpretation Seminar")

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS

1. Jesus' superiority (new covenant) over Moses (old covenant)
   1. He is the superior revelation (from the prophets, Heb. 1:1-3)
   2. He is the superior mediator (from angels, Heb. 1:4-2:18)
   3. He is the superior servant (from Moses, Heb. 3:1-6)
   4. He is the superior priest (from Aaron, Heb. 4:14-5:10; 6:13-7:28)
   5. He is the superior covenant (from the OT, Heb. 8:1-13; 9:15-22)
   6. He is the superior sanctuary (from the temple, Heb. 9:1-11, 23-28)
   7. He is the superior sacrifice (from animals, Heb. 9:12-14; 10:1-18)
   8. He is the superior mountain (from the old covenant as Mt. Sinai and new covenant as Mt. Zion, Heb. 12:18-29)
   
   
2. Note the use of OT passages
   1. Hebrews 2 develops using Psalm 8
   2. Hebrews 3 and 4 develop using Psalm 95
   3. Hebrews 7 uses Psalm 110
   4. Hebrews 8 uses Jer. 31:31-34
   5. Hebrews 10 will use Psalm 40; Jer. 31:31-34; and Hab. 2:3-4

WORD AND PHRASE STUDY

÷HEBREWS 9:1-5

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: HEBREWS 9:1-5
 ¹Now even the first covenant had regulations of divine worship and the earthly sanctuary. ²For there was a tabernacle prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the sacred bread; this is called the holy place. ³Behind the second veil there was a tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies, ⁴having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron's rod which budded, and the tables of the covenant; ⁵and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat; but of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

9:1 "the first" The regulations for sacrifice and worship connected with the tabernacle are found in Leviticus.

SPECIAL TOPIC: SACRIFICIAL SYSTEMS OF THE ANE

▣ "covenant" This is not in the Greek text. Most English translations assume it. However, H. E. Dana, in his Jewish Christianity, p. 255, believes that it should be translated "first ministry" because chapter 9 is presenting another evidence of Christ's superior ministry (cf. Heb. 8:6). He also charts the comparison on p. 255.

SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT

9:2 "a tabernacle" This refers to the portable tabernacle in the wilderness, which is described in detail in Exodus 25-27 and built in Exodus 36-38;40. The author of Hebrews refers to the inner tent as the first ("outer") tabernacle (the holy place) and the second ("inner") tabernacle (the Holy of Holies).

SPECIAL TOPIC: TABERNACLE OF THE WILDERNESS

▣ "the lampstand" This refers to one lamp with seven containers burning olive oil, located in the holy place. It is referred to in Exod.25:31-40 and Lev. 24:1-4. It was called the Menorah, which is the Hebrew term for "lampstand." Solomon expanded the lamp to ten arms (cf. 1 Kings 7:49; 2 Chr. 4:7). It symbolizes the light of truth and revelation.

SPECIAL TOPIC: LAMPSTAND

▣ "table and the sacred bread" This was a table located in the holy place holding twelve large (15 lb.) loaves of bread. They were replaced weekly and became food for the Priests (cf. Exod. 25:23-30; 37:10-16; Lev. 24:5-9). They represented God's promised physical provision for the twelve tribes of Jacob.

SPECIAL TOPIC: SHOWBREAD OF BREAD OF THE PRESENCE

▣ "the holy place" This is the outer room of the tent in which the priests ministered daily. It measured 20 cubits by 10 cubits (cf. Exod.25-27). The author of Hebrews usually uses this term (hagia) with the ARTICLE (cf. Heb. 9:8,25; 13:11) and uses it for the inner or second part of the sacred tent called the Holy of Holies (cf. Heb. 9:3) where the Ark was placed, but in this verse the ARTICLE is absent and the term refers to the outer two-thirds of the sacred tent, called the holy place.

9:3 "second veil" This divided the tent into two compartments (cf. Exod. 26:31-35). The Hebrews had two special names, one for the front curtain, which was usually partly open, and one for the inner curtain, which was never open. Only the high priest entered (twice) on the Day of Atonement (cf. Leviticus 16).

SPECIAL TOPIC: VEIL, II. C.

▣ "the Holy of Holies" It was a perfect cube of 10 cubits. It contained the ark where YHWH symbolically dwelt between the wings of the cherubim. This ark was the physical symbol of the invisible God (after they entered the Promised Land).

SPECIAL TOPIC: CUBIT

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE ARK OF THE COVENANT

SPECIAL TOPIC: CHERUBIM

9:4 "golden altar of incense" This was an altar-shaped piece of furniture where incense was placed in large quantities on the Day of Atonement to produce thick smoke which concealed YHWH's presence over the ark. Our author seems to place it inside the Holy of Holies. This has caused commentators to take this phrase to refer to a "censer" because this is how the Septuagint translates this term (cf. Lev. 16:12; 2 Chr. 26:19; Ezek. 8:11; IV Mac. 7:11). However, Philo and Josephus use the same Greek word for the incense altar. In the OT the altar is closely identified with the Holy of Holies (cf. Exod.30:1-10, 37; but especially 1 Kgs. 6:22).

Coals were taken from the great sacrificial altar at the door of the tabernacle and placed on this small stand. Incense was then placed on the coals to produce a large amount of smoke. This wonderful smelling smoke obscured the high priest's eyes from seeing YHWH, who dwelt over the ark of the covenant between the wings of the cherubim, in the Holy of Holies.

SPECIAL TOPIC: ALTAR OF INCENSE

▣ "the ark of the covenant" The ark is described in Exod.25:10-22 and 37:1-9.

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE ARK OF THE COVENANT

▣ "a golden jar holding manna" The Septuagint and Philo have the ADJECTIVE "golden," but the Masoretic Hebrew Text does not (cf. Exod. 16:31-36). Josephus says it held 4 pints. It was a miracle that the manna did not rot (cf. Exod. 16:18-21,22-25).

SPECIAL TOPIC: MANNA

▣ "Aaron's rod which budded" This rod was YHWH's sign of confirming the leadership of Moses and Aaron during Korah's rebellion (cf. Num. 17:1-11; 20:8-11).

▣ "the tables of the covenant" This refers to the two stone tablets with the decalog (ten words) written on them by the finger of God (cf. Exod. 25:16; Deut. 9:9,11,15;10:3-5; 31:18; 32:15). The book of Deuteronomy and Joshua 24 follow the treaty pattern of the Hittites (of the second millennium B.C.). Their covenants always had two copies, one for the vassal king to read yearly and one for the sanctuary of the deity. Therefore, the two stone tablets may have been duplicate copies.

SPECIAL TOPIC: HITTITE (Suzerain) TREATIES

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

9:5 "the cherubim of glory" This refers to the two angelic creatures on each end of the mercy seat (lid), whose wings overshadowed the ark (cf. Gen. 3:24; Exod. 25:18-22; Ezek. 10:14, but note that in Ezek. 41:18 they have two faces, not four). A new possibility from a History Channel video, "Decoding the Exodus" asserts that they were phoenixes. The Bible does not reveal much information about the angelic world. Our curiosity often runs far ahead of revealed truth. For the term "glory" see note at Heb. 1:3.

SPECIAL TOPIC: CHERUBIM

SPECIAL TOPIC: GLORY (kabod, OT)

SPECIAL TOPIC: ANGELS AND DEMONS

▣ "mercy seat" This refers to the golden lid of the wooden box called "the ark of the covenant" (cf. Heb. 2:17). It was a special place for "covering" sins. The symbolism seems to be

1. YHWH dwelt between the wings of the two angelic creatures (the rabbis said this was His footstool)
2. the box contained the "ten words" (decalog)
3. the high priest, on the Day of Atonement (cf. Leviticus 16), went into the Holy of Holies twice to place blood on the mercy seat, once for his own sin and once for the non-premeditated sins of the nations as a whole (cf. Heb. 9:7)

The requirements of the Law were covered, obscured from YHWH's eyes by the sacrificial blood of an unblemished animal (life is in the blood; sin requires a life).

SPECIAL TOPIC: MERCY SEAT

▣ "but of these things we cannot now speak in detail" This is a disclaimer.

1. Our author uses details from the ancient tabernacle that are now unknown.
2. There were priestly secrets about the ark of the covenant and the Holy of Holies.

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE ARK OF THE COVENANT

÷HEBREWS 9:6-10

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: HEBREWS 9:6-10
 ⁶Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests are continually entering the outer tabernacle performing the divine worship, ⁷but into the second, only the high priest enters once a year, not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance. ⁸The Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the outer tabernacle is still standing, ⁹which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, ¹⁰since they relate only to food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until a time of reformation.

9:6 "continually entering the outer tabernacle" The priests regularly had responsiblities in the holy place.

1. to fill the containers on the menorah with oil (cf. Exod. 27:20-21)
2. to replace the twelve loaves of bread weekly (cf. Lev. 24:8-9)
3. to place small amounts of incense on the incense altar (cf. Exod. 30:7-8)

SPECIAL TOPIC: TABERNACLE OF THE WILDERNESS

9:7 "the high priest. . .once a year" He entered only on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement (cf. Leviticus 16). "Kipper" means "to cover"; the Akkadian cognate means "to wipe away." Hebrews 9 focuses on the rituals of the Day of Atonement more than any other chapter in the NT.

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FEASTS OF ISRAEL, E. #2

▣ "in ignorance" Only sins that were not pre-meditated could be dealt with by the sacrificial system. Intentional sins, or "sins of the high hand" (KJV) could not be atoned for (cf. Lev. 4:2; Num. 15:24,27,30,31; Ps. 51:17). The Day of Atonement primarily dealt with the ceremonial impurity of the nation. See note at Heb. 5:2.

SPECIAL TOPIC: UNINTENTIONAL SINS

9:8-10 These verses show (1) the preliminary nature of the Mosaic covenant and (2) the superiority of the New Covenant. How is the new covenant in Christ better?

1. In the old only the high priest entered the inner shrine once a year (twice) for his sins and the unintentional sins of Israel (limited access and limited forgiveness).
2. In the New Covenant all believers are brought near to God because of Jesus' sinlessness and the removal of the distinction between intentional and unintentional sins (full access and full forgiveness).

The New Covenant (cf. Jer. 31:31-34), based on faith in the finished work of Christ, not meritorial human performance of an external code, has given worshipers confidence (a new heart, a new spirit, cf. Ezek. 36:20-27) to approach a holy God, not through ritual procedures or liturgy (cf. Heb. 6:1-2), but through the gospel.

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE SUPERIORITY OF THE NEW COVENANT OVER THE MOSAIC COVENANT

The author of Hebrews calls the outer part of the tent "the first tabernacle," referring to "the holy place." This would represent Mosaic covenant worship, which did not allow full access to God. The veil of Herod's temple being torn from top to bottom when Jesus died (cf. Matt. 27:51) symbolized this new access through Christ.

9:9 "which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience" The old covenant was not able to purge the guilt of sin from mankind's conscience (cf. Heb. 9:14). The conscience in the NT (not the OT) is a moral guide (cf. 1 Pet. 3:21). The danger is that it can be culturally conditioned or abused into silence (cf. Matt. 23:25-26). It is the NT counterpoint to the "sound of gentle blowing" or "the still small voice" of 1 Kgs. 19:12.

A very interesting discussion of this term's use in Hebrews is found in Robert B. Girdlestone's Synonyms of The Old Testament:

"The passages in the epistle to the Hebrews in which the word occurs are very interesting and important. From Heb. 9.9, we gather that the offerings under the O.T. could not make man 'perfect as pertaining to the conscience' i.e., could not take away the sense of sin which hinders man from oneness with God. They did not take away sin, as a matter of fact, and they could not, from the nature of things; for if the effect of the Levitical dispensation had been to make men perfect, i.e., at one with God , the offerings would not have needed repetition. If the worshipers had been purged once for all, they would have had no more consciousness of sins (Heb. 10.2). But 'the blood of Christ' cleanses a man's consciousness from dead works, and enables him to serve the living God (Heb. 9.14); and the heart is thus 'sprinkled from an evil conscience' (10.22). In other words, the faithful acceptance of the sacrifice of Christ takes away that sense of sin which had been a bar between man and God, and enables a man to live no longer as a servant, but as a son" (p. 73).

SPECIAL TOPIC: CONSCIENCE

▣ "perfect" See SPECIAL TOPIC: END OR FULL

This refers to the New Covenant inaugurated in Jesus. This phrase was used by the rabbis of the last "Jubilee" when the Messiah would come. It is used in the moral sense in Jer. 7:3,5.

÷HEBREWS 9:11-14

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: HEBREWS 9:11-14
 ¹¹But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; ¹²and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. ¹³For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, ¹⁴how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

9:11 "But when Christ appeared as high priest" When did this occur:

1. before creation (cf. Rev. 13:8)
2. at Calvary (cf. Heb. 9:12)
3. after ascension to the Father's right hand (cf. Acts 1)
4. when He entered sanctuary in heaven, cf. Heb. 9:24-25

Did Jesus offer Himself twice? If so, why the emphasis on "once for all?" Possibly He offered Himself as sacrifice on Calvary, but acted as High Priest after His ascension or it may be simply

1. theological imagery
2. inspired rabbinical mysticism

SPECIAL TOPIC: ASCENSION

▣ "of the good things to come" The ancient Greek manuscripts vary:

1. "things to come" in א, A, D² (NASB, NKJV, NJB), same word in Heb. 10:1
2. "things already here" in P⁴⁶, B, D* (RSV, NEB, TEV, NIV)

The UBS⁴ gives option #2 a "B" rating (almost certain).

SPECIAL TOPIC: TEXTUAL CRITICISM

▣ "not made with hands" Some see this as a reference to

1. believers' resurrected physical bodies (cf. 2 Cor. 5:1)
2. Jesus' body (cf. Mark 14:58)
3. However, the context seems to refer to the heavenly temple (cf. Heb. 8:2; 9:24).

9:12 "not through the blood of goats and calves" The goats were for the people's sin (cf. Lev. 16:11) and the calves were for the high priests' sin (cf. Lev. 16:11). The sacrificial system of the OT (cf. Leviticus 1-7) was God's gracious provision of allowing (as a foreshadowing of Christ's death) an unblemished animal to pay the death penalty for human sin (cf. Lev. 17:11).

SPECIAL TOPIC: SACRIFICIAL SYSTEMS OF THE ANE

▣ "but through His own blood" The Greek preposition "dia" can mean

1. "through" (NASB, NIV)
2. "with" (NKJV, NRSV, NJB)

SPECIAL TOPIC: BLOOD

▣ "the holy place" Here this implies "the Holy of Holies" of the heavenly tabernacle.

▣ "once for all" This is an often-repeated emphasis (cf. Heb. 7:27; 9:28; 10:10). It emphasizes Christ's complete and finished sacrifice. See full note at Heb. 7:27.

This is an AORIST MIDDLE PARTICIPLE, which denotes a completed act emphasizing the subject's participation and interest. The word "eternal" may relate to

1. its quality, "life of the new age"
2. its quantity, "life without end"

With the warnings in Hebrews so poignant, possibly #1 fits best.

SPECIAL TOPIC: ETERNAL (aiōios)

▣ "redemption" This word refers to the ransom paid by a close relative for someone's release. This is the OT go'el (cf. Ruth 4; Isa. 43:1; 44:22,23; 48:20; 63:9; Hosea 13:14).

SPECIAL TOPIC: RANSOM/REDEEM

SPECIAL TOPIC: KINSMAN REDEEMER

9:13 "if" This is a FIRST CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCE which is assumed to be true. God accepted the Mosaic sacrificial system as a means of covering sin until Christ!

▣ "ashes of a heifer" The red heifer's ashes were used for ceremonial cleansing (cf. Numbers 19).

▣ "sprinkling" This was part of the Mosaic ritual involving liquids (blood or ashes of the red heifer mixed with water). It was a way of transferring holiness or cleansing power. Robert B. Girdlestone in his Synonyms of The Old Testament has an interesting comment.

"The sprinklings (shantismoi) specially referred to in the Epistle to the Hebrews are of two kinds—that which was performed with the ashes of a red heifer on persons who had contracted certain defilement (Heb. 9.13), and that which was performed with blood on the people and the Book in making the old covenant; also on the tabernacle and various vessels connected with the sacred service (Heb. 9.19,21). The substance of which these are the shadows is the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus, which speaketh better things than that of Abel (Heb. 12.24)" (p. 152).

SPECIAL TOPIC: SPRINKLED WITH BLOOD

9:14 "how much more" Comparing the covenants is the theme of the book (cf. Heb. 2:1-3; 3:3; 8:6; 10:28-29).

SPECIAL TOPIC: JESUS AND THE SPIRIT

▣ "who through the eternal Spirit" This is either Christ's pre-existent spirit or the Holy Spirit.

The United Bible Societies' A Handbook on The Letter to the Hebrews by Ellingworth and Nida, lists several reasons why it probably should be a small "s" when the majority of modern translations (NASB, NKJV, NRSV, TEV, NJB, NIV) have a capital.

1. there is no DEFINITE ARTICLE
2. the author often speaks of "the Holy Spirit" and addresses Him by this full title
3. this phrase may be parallel to "the power of an indestructible life" in Heb. 7:16 (p. 196)

In his commentary on Hebrews in the New International Commentary Series, F. F. Bruce makes an interesting comment that the concept of Spirit is an allusion to the sections of Isaiah containing the "servant Songs" (chapters 40-54). In this section, 42:1 says "I have put my Spirit upon him" (p. 205). In a book like Hebrews, which uses the OT so freely, this makes good sense.

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE SUPERIORITY OF THE NEW COVENANT OVER THE MOSAIC COVENANT

SPECIAL TOPIC: SPIRIT IN THE NT

▣ "offered Himself" This is Christ's voluntary act (cf. John 10:17-18; 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 2:8, Isa. 52:13-53:12).

SPECIAL TOPIC: JESUS AS HIGH PRIEST

▣ "without blemish" This is a sacrificial term denoting Jesus' sinlessness (cf. 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; 7:26; 9:14; 1 Pet. 2:22; 1 John 3:5).

SPECIAL TOPIC: BLAMELESS, INNOCENT, GUILTLESS, WITHOUT REPROACH

▣ "from dead works" This same phrase appears in Heb. 6:1 as referring to OT rituals and procedures as a means of gaining salvation. The true meaning is the finished substitutionary atonement of the Lamb of God (cf. John 1:29; 1 John 3:5). I really appreciate M. R. Vincent's comment in his Word Studies in the New Testament, which relates dead works to self righteous legalism:

"It changes the character of works by purging them of the element of death. This element belongs not only to works which are acknowledged as sinful and are committed by sinful men, but to works which to under the name of religious, yet are performed in a merely legal spsirit. None the less, because it is pre-eminently the religion of faith, does Christianity apply the severest and most radical of tests to works. Professor Bruce truthfully says that 'the severest test of Christ's power to redeem is his ability to loose the bonds springing out of a legal religion, by which many are bound who have escaped the dominion of gross, sinful habits" (pp. 1139-1140).

▣ "to serve the living God" Notice that believers are saved to serve (cf. Romans 6). Salvation is a freedom from the tyranny of sin, to the lordship of God! Salvation is not a product (a pre-purchased ticket to heaven or a fire insurance policy), but a relationship of faith, obedience, and service. All believers are gifted for ministry (cf. Eph. 4:11-12) and service to the body of Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 12:7,12).

SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D.

÷HEBREWS 9:15-22

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: HEBREWS 9:15-22
 ¹⁵ For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. ¹⁶For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it. ¹⁷ For a covenant is valid only when men are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives. ¹⁸Therefore even the first covenant was not inaugurated without blood. ¹⁹For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the Law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, ²⁰saying, "This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you." ²¹And in the same way he sprinkled both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry with the blood. ²²And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

9:15 "mediator" See full note at Heb. 8:6 (cf. Heb. 12:24; 1 Tim. 2:5).

All the VERBS in Heb. 8:6 ("He is also the mediator of a better covenant") are PERFECTS. Like the previous one, this one is a PERFECT ACTIVE INDICATIVE (i.e., an abiding state of being).

The term "mediator" is a legal term denoting an arbitrator. As a priest stands between a holy God and sinful mankind, so too, Jesus as a mediator (cf. Heb. 9:15; 12:24; 1 Tim. 2:5). This is another way of denoting the work of a High Priest.

▣ "a new covenant" This term is first used in Heb. 8:8,13, but alluded to in Heb. 7:22. This shocking term is found in only one OT text (cf. Jer. 31:31-34) and described in Ezek. 36:22-36. Verses 15-18 are a play on the word "covenant," with its two connotations of

1. legal contract or agreement (Hebrew)
2. last will and testament (Greek and Latin)

SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT

▣ "for the redemption of transgression that were committed under the first covenant those who have been called may receive the promise of eternal inheritance" Remember that the book of Hebrews is a comparison of the Old and New Covenants. The Mosaic Covenant became a death sentence (cf. Gal. 3:13; Eph. 2:14-16; Col. 2:14) to God's highest creation (mankind) because after Genesis 3 they were unable to obey and perform God's commands. The first covenant said "do and live," but no one could fully conform to its requirements. The Old Covenan stated "the soul that sins will die" (cf. 2 Kgs. 14:6; Ezek. 18:4,20). God's answer was a sinless, ideal Israelite who would pay the price for all, for all time (cf. Isa. 52:13-53:12).

The phrase "those who have been called" refers to God's initiating call to know Him (cf. Heb. 3:1; John 6:44,65; Rom. 8:28,30; 9:24). See full note at Heb. 3:1.

The concept of "inheritance" is linked to the Levites' unique relationship to YHWH. They were His inheritance and He was theirs (not land like the other tribes). The new covenant believers are now like OT priests (cf. 2 Pet. 3:5,9; Rev. 1:6). Believers have an eternal inheritance, which is provided by Christ, guarded by God (cf. 1 Pet. 1:3-5).

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE SUPERIORITY OF THE NEW COVENANT OVER THE MOSAIC COVENANT

SPECIAL TOPIC: RANSOM/REDEEM

SPECIAL TOPIC: BELIEVERS' INHERITANCE

SPECIAL TOPIC: CALLED

9:16-18 There are two ways of understanding this section.

1. The author is using a rabbinical play on the term "covenant" in its Greek sense of "last will or testament" (cf. Gal. 3:15). The purpose of this is to emphasize that Christ had to die for the new testament to be enacted
2. The term should be consistently translated "covenant."

The best brief argument for this position is found in M. R. Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament.

"Against the rendering testament for diathēkē and in favor of rendering covenant, are the following considerations: (1) The abruptness of the change, and its interruption of the line of reasoning. It is introduced into the middle of a continuous argument, in which the new covenant is compared and contrasted with the Mosaic covenant (ch. viii, 6-x.18). (b) The turning point, both of the analogy and of the contrast, is that both covenants were inaugurated and ratified by death: not ordinary, natural death, but sacrificial, violent death, accompanied with blood shedding as an essential feature. Such a death is plainly indicated in ver. 15. If diathēkē signifies testament, thanaton death in ver. 16 must mean natural death without bloodshed. (c) The figure of a testament would not appeal to Hebrews in connection with an inheritance. On the contrary, the idea of the klēronomia was always associated in the Hebrew mind with the inheritance of Canaan, and that inheritance with the idea of a covenant. See Deut. iv. 20-23; I Chron. xvi.15-18; Ps. cv. 8-11. (d) In LXX, from which our writer habitually quotes, diathēkē has universally the meaning of covenant. It occurs about 350 times, mostly representing covenant. (e) The ratification of a covenant by the sacrifice of a victim is attested by Gen. xv. 10; Ps. 1:5; Jer. xxxiv.18). (f) If testament is the correct translation in vv. 16,17, the writer is fairly chargeable with a rhetorical blunder; for ver. 18 ff is plainly intended as a historical illustration of the propositions in vv. 16,17, and the illustrations turn on a point entirely different from the matter illustrated. The writer is made to say, 'A Will is of no force after the testator's death; therefore the first covenant was ratified with the blood of victims'" (p. 1144).

SPECIAL TOPIC: RABBINICAL HERMENEUTICAL TECHNIQUES

9:18 "inaugurated" See note at Heb. 10:20.

9:19 "goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop" The author seems to have combined

1. the cleansing by sprinkling blood on a leper in Lev. 14:6-7
2. with the consecration of the Ten Commandments at Sinai in Exod. 24:1-9
3. The tabernacle was not in existence in chapter 24 (cf. Exodus 40).
4. Josephus tells us that sprinkling with blood was part of the ritual of Exodus 40.

This word "goats" is missing in several ancient Greek manuscripts (P⁴⁶, א^c, K, L) as well as the Syriac translation and the Greek text used by Origen. Goats were usually used for sin offerings, not covenant ratifications (although not exclusively, cf. Gen. 15:9). Goats are omitted in the ratification of the "ten words" (Torah) in Exod.24:1-8. Possibly "goats" is another allusion to the Day of Atonement, Leviticus 16, where goats are an integral part of the ritual.

It is difficult from our modern perspective to claim that Acts 7 (Stephen's sermon) and the author of Hebrews (chapter 9's description of the ancient tabernacle) are inaccurate. There is so much that is unknown about the ancient rituals themselves and the ever-changing rabbinical traditions associated with them.

9:20 This is a quote from Exodus 24:8.

9:22 "almost say all things" Some things were cleaned without blood in the OT system:

1. Lev. 5:11
2. Num. 16:46
3. Num. 31:22-23
4. Exod. 19:10; 32:30-32; Lev. 15:5; 16:26,28; 22:6
5. Psalm 51

See note below.

▣ "without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" In the OT cleansing required

1. fire
2. water
3. blood

This author takes sin seriously. Forgiveness involves a life forfeited (cf. Lev. 17:11,14). The OT sacrificial system (cf. Leviticus 1-7) sets the stage for our understanding of Christ's substitutionary death (cf. Matt. 26:28; Mark 10:45; 1 Cor. 11:25; 2 Cor. 5:21).

In the OT there were several ways things/people were cleansed without blood.

1. by fire (cf. Lev. 13:52,55; 16:27; Num. 31:23)
2. by water (cf. Exod. 19:30; Lev. 15:5; 16:26,28; 22:6; Num. 31:24)
3. by flour sacrifice (cf. Lev. 5:11-13)
4. by incense (cf. Num. 16:46-48)
5. by intercession (cf. Exod. 32:30-32)
6. by prayer of confession and contrition (cf. Psalm 32 and 51)

÷HEBREWS 9:23-28

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: HEBREWS 9:23-28
 ²³Therefore it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. ²⁴For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; ²⁵nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the holy place year by year with blood that is not his own. ²⁶Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. ²⁷And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, ²⁸so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.

9:23 "for the copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed" The concept of things in heaven having been polluted by mankind's sin on earth is unusual, but not unique to this author (also note Rom. 8:18-22). The Day of Atonement, alluded to so often in this chapter, involves the yearly cleansing of the tabernacle from corporate ceremonial defilement (cf. Exod.30:10; Lev. 16:11-20). Heaven may have been polluted by

1. mankind's fall (cf. Rom. 8:18-22; Col. 1:20)
2. Satan's presence (cf. Job 1-2; Zech. 3)
3. simply a concept in rabbinical tradition

For "copies" see full note at Heb. 8:5.

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE HEAVENS AND THE THIRD HEAVEN

9:24 "now to appear in the presence of God for us" Jesus' priestly work was done on two levels:

1. as sacrifice on earth at Calvary
2. as priest and sacrifice in heavenly sanctuary

This phrase can be understood in two ways:

1. contextually it refers to His sacrificial death on fallen mankind's behalf
2. but it could be understood as a reference to His continuing intercessory ministry (cf. Heb. 7:25; Rom. 8:34; 1 John 2:1)

There are several words used to descirbe the ascended Jesus being in G od the father's presence.

1. In v. 24, the term "appear" is emphanizō, which means "to manifest" (cf. Matt. 27:53).
2. In v. 26 the word "manifest," phaneroō, (cf. 2 Cor. 5:10; Col. 3:4; 1 Pet. 5:4; 1 John 2:28; 3:2) is used
3. In v. 28 the word "appear," optomai is used (cf. Matt. 17:3; Luke 1:11; 9:31; 22:43; 24:34; Acts 2:3; 7:2,30,35; 9:17; 16:9; 26:16).

It is surprising the author uses three synonymous terms.

9:25 This continues the theological emphasis of the book of Hebrews that Jesus gave Himself "once" (cf. Heb. 7:27; 9:11,25-28; 10:10) thereby, His priesthood, sacrifice, and sanctuary are superior to their OT counterparts.

In his Word Pictures in the New Testament, A. T. Robertson asserts that this is an assumed SECOND CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCE (Vol. V, p. 404), which would imply a false statement resulting in a false conclusion. Jesus suffered only once, not like the regular temple sacrifices.

▣ "since the foundation of the earth" This phrase appears often in the NT, referring to initial creation (cf. Matt. 13:35; 25:34; Luke 11:50; John 17:24; Eph. 1:4; Heb. 4:3; 9:36; 1 Pet. 1:20; Rev. 13:8; 17:8).

SPECIAL TOPIC: FOUNDATIONS OF THE EARTH

There are several Greek terms that relate to "time," "eternity," and "age." In chapter 9 three temporal referents are used:

1. Heb. 9:9, "present time," i.e., Old Testament (current procedures)
2. Heb. 9:10, "time of reformation," i.e., New Testament (start of the new age,)
3. Heb. 9:26, "consummation of the ages," i.e., new age of righteousness (consummation of the new age, cf. Matt. 13:39,40,49; 24:3; 28:20)

The rabbis and the NT authors envisioned two ages (a horizontal dualism):

1. a current evil age characterized by human rebellion and the curse of God
2. the age to come inaugurated by the Messiah, a day of righteousness

The OT focuses on the majestic, powerful coming of the Messiah as Judge and Ruler, but as the NT reveals, He will come twice, once as suffering servant, the Lamb of God; and later, just the way the OT predicted. These two distinct comings have caused the overlapping of the two Jewish ages. The Kingdom of God has come with Jesus' birth but will not be consummated until His glorious return. Believers are thus citizens of two realms: the eternal Kingdom and a temporal kingdom.

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE LAST DAYS

SPECIAL TOPIC: THIS AGE AND THE AGE TO COME

9:27 This verse surely rejects any notion of the transmigration of souls, the wheel of kharma, or previous lives, which is a horrible doctrine for fallen, sinful humanity! It is the Christian worldview of "one life, then judgment"

1. that fuels the urgency of evangelism
2. that destroys the theological concept of universalism (all humans will be saved in the end)
3. that demands the great commission (cf. Matt. 28:19-20) not be turned into a good suggestion or the great option!

SPECIAL TOPIC: JUDGMENT IN THE NT

9:28 "to bear the sins of many" This may be an allusion to Isa. 53:12 (cf. 1 Pet. 2:24). The term "many" is not exclusive (some), but parallel to "all" of Isa. 53:6 (cf. Rom. 5:18, "all"; 5:19, "many").

The term "bear" may also be an allusion to Isa. 53:4,11,12. The Hebrew verb means "to bear" or "take away" (cf. 1 Pet. 2:24). "Jesus paid a debt He did not owe; we owed a debt we could not pay."

▣ "will appear a second time" This probably refers to the Second Coming of Christ, a recurrent NT theme (cf. Matt. 24:3,27,30,37,39,42,44; 26:64; Mark 13:20; 14:62; Luke 21:27; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Cor. 1:7; 15:23; Phil. 3:20-21; 1 Thess. 2:19; 3:13; 4:15-16; 5:23; 2 Thess. 1:7,10; 2:1,8; 1 Tim. 6:14; 2 Tim. 4:1,8; Titus 2:13; Heb. 9:28; James 5:7-8; 1 Pet. 1:7,13; 2 Pet. 1:16; 3:4,12; 1 John 2:28).

However, it is possible, contextually, that it refers to Christ being seen while leaving the heavenly tabernacle after His great and successful sacrifice (cf. New Testament Transline by Michael Magill, p. 846, #32 and 35). Something analogous to the OT High Priest exiting the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement.

SPECIAL TOPIC: TERMS FOR THE SECOND COMING

This phrase seems to imply that Christ came the first time to deal with mankind's sin problem (i.e., John 3:16-21), but He will come again to gather to Himself (cf. 1 Thess. 4:13-18) those who have trusted in Him and long for His return (cf. Rom. 8:19,23; 1 Cor. 1:7; Phil. 3:20; Titus 2:13).

▣ "to those who eagerly await Him" This may be another allusion to the ceremony of the Day of Atonement, where the Israelites eagerly waited for the High Priest to come out of the Holy of Holies alive, which symbolized YHWH's acceptance of his intercessory ministry.

However, in this context it probably refers to the Parousia of Christ.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.

1. Why does the author of Hebrews discuss the ancient tabernacle of the wilderness?
2. Why is 9:9 theologically significant?
3. Is there a real physical tabernacle in Heaven that Christ actually entered and offered a sacrifice?
4. What two connotations of "covenant" does the author use in verses 15-18?

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