CHAPTER 9

Heb 9:1–28. Inferiority of the Old to the New Covenant in the Means of Access to God: The Blood of Bulls and Goats of No Real Avail: The Blood of Christ All-sufficient to Purge Away Sin, Whence Flows Our Hope of His Appearing Again for Our Perfect Salvation.

1. Then verily—Greek, “Accordingly then.” Resuming the subject from Heb 8:5. In accordance with the command given to Moses, “the first covenant had,” &c.

had—not “has,” for as a covenant it no longer existed, though its rites were observed till the destruction of Jerusalem.

ordinances—of divine right and institution.

service—worship.

a worldly sanctuary—Greek, “its (literally, ‘the’) sanctuary worldly,” mundane; consisting of the elements of the visible world. Contrasted with the heavenly sanctuary. Compare Heb 9:11, 12, “not of this building,” Heb 9:24. Material, outward, perishing (however precious its materials were), and also defective religiously. In Heb 9:2–5, “the worldly sanctuary” is discussed; in Heb 9:6, &c., the “ordinances of worship.” The outer tabernacle the Jews believed, signified this world; the Holy of Holies, heaven. Josephus calls the outer, divided into two parts, “a secular and common place,” answering to “the earth and sea”; and the inner holiest place, the third part, appropriated to God and not accessible to men.

2. Defining “the worldly tabernacle.”

a tabernacle—“the tabernacle.”

made—built and furnished.

the first—the anterior tabernacle.

candlestick … table—typifying light and life (Ex 25:31–39). The candlestick consisted of a shaft and six branches of gold, seven in all, the bowls made like almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch. It was carried in Vespasian’s triumph, and the figure is to be seen on Titus’ arch at Rome. The table of shittim wood, covered with gold, was for the showbread (Ex 25:23–30).

showbread—literally, “the setting forth of the loaves,” that is, the loaves set forth: “the show of the bread” [Alford]. In the outer holy place: so the Eucharist continues until our entrance into the heavenly Holy of Holies (1 Co 11:26).

which, &c.—“which (tabernacle) is called the holy place,” as distinguished from “the Holy of Holies.”

3. And—Greek, “But.”

after—behind; within.

second veil—There were two veils or curtains, one before the Holy of Holies (catapetasma), here alluded to, the other before the tabernacle door (calumma).

called—as opposed to “the true.”

4. golden censer—The Greek, must not be translated “altar of incense,” for it was not in “the holiest” place “after the second veil,” but in “the holy place”; but as in 2 Ch 26:19, and Ez 8:11, “censer”: so Vulgate and Syriac. This golden censer was only used on the day of atonement (other kinds of censers on other days), and is therefore associated with the holiest place, as being taken into it on that anniversary by the high priest. The expression “which had,” does not mean that the golden censer was deposited there, for in that case the high priest would have had to go in and bring it out before burning incense in it; but that the golden censer was one of the articles belonging to, and used for, the yearly service in the holiest place. He virtually supposes (without specifying) the existence of the “altar of incense” in the anterior holy place, by mentioning the golden censer filled with incense from it: the incense answers to the prayers of the saints; and the altar though outside the holiest place, is connected with it (standing close by the second veil, directly before the ark of the covenant), even as we find an antitypical altar in heaven. The rending of the veil by Christ has brought the antitypes to the altar, candlestick, and showbread of the anterior holy place into the holiest place, heaven. In 1 Ki 6:22, Hebrew, “the altar” is said to belong to the oracle, or holiest place (compare Ex 30:6).

ark—of shittim wood, that is, acacia. Not in the second temple, but in its stead was a stone basement (called “the stone of foundation”), three fingers high.

pot—“golden,” added in the Septuagint, and sanctioned by Paul.

manna—an omer, each man’s daily portion. In 1 Ki 8:9; 2 Ch 5:10, it is said there was nothing in the ark of Solomon’s temple save the two stone tables of the law put in by Moses. But the expression that there was nothing then therein save the two tables, leaves the inference to be drawn that formerly there were the other things mentioned by the Rabbis and by Paul here, the pot of manna (the memorial of God’s providential care of Israel) and the rod of Aaron, the memorial of the lawful priesthood (Nu 17:3, 5, 7, 10). The expressions “before the Lord” (Ex 16:32), and “before the testimony” (Nu 17:10) thus mean, “in the ark.” “In,” however, may be used here (as the corresponding Hebrew word) as to things attached to the ark as appendages, as the book of the law was put “in the side of the ark,” and so the golden jewels offered by the Philistines (1 Sa 6:8).

tables of the covenant—(De 9:9; 10:2).

5. over it—over “the ark of the covenant.”

cherubim—representing the ruling powers by which God acts in the moral and natural world. (See on Ez 1:6; Ez 10:1). Hence sometimes they answer to the ministering angels; but mostly to the elect redeemed, by whom God shall hereafter rule the world and set forth His manifold wisdom: redeemed humanity, combining in, and with itself, the highest forms of subordinate creaturely life; not angels. They stand on the mercy seat, and on that ground become the habitation of God, from which His glory is to shine upon the world. They expressly say, Rev 5:8–10, “Thou hast redeemed us.” They are there distinguished from the angels, and associated with the elders. They were of one piece with the mercy seat, even as the Church is one with Christ: their sole standing is on the blood-sprinkled mercy seat; they gaze down at it as the redeemed shall for ever; they are “the habitation of God through the Spirit.”

of glory—The cherubim were bearers of the divine glory, whence, perhaps, they derive their name. The Shekinah, or cloud of glory, in which Jehovah appeared between the cherubim over the mercy seat, the lid of the ark, is doubtless the reference. Tholuck thinks the twelve loaves of the showbread represent the twelve tribes of the nation, presented as a community before God consecrated to Him (just as in the Lord’s Supper believers, the spiritual Israel, all partaking of the one bread, and becoming one bread and one body, present themselves before the Lord as consecrated to Him, 1 Co 10:16, 17); the oil and light, the pure knowledge of the Lord, in which the covenant people are to shine (the seven (lights), implying perfection); the ark of the covenant, the symbol of God’s kingdom in the old covenant, and representing God dwelling among His own; the ten commandments in the ark, the law as the basis of union between God and man; the mercy seat covering the law and sprinkled with the blood of atonement for the collective sin of the people, God’s mercy [in Christ] stronger than the law; the cherubim, the personified [redeemed] creation, looking down on the mercy seat, where God’s mercy, and God’s law, are set forth as the basis of creation.

mercy seat—Greek, “the propitiatory”: the golden cover of the ark, on which was sprinkled the blood of the propitiatory sacrifice on the day of atonement; the footstool of Jehovah, the meeting place of Him and His people.

we cannot—conveniently: besides what met the eye in the sanctuary, there were spiritual realities symbolized which it would take too long to discuss in detail, our chief subject at present being the priesthood and the sacrifices. “Which” refers not merely to the cherubim, but to all the contents of the sanctuary enumerated in Heb 9:2–5.

6. The use made of the sanctuary so furnished by the high priest on the anniversary of atonement.

ordained—arranged.

always—twice at the least every day, for the morning and evening care of the lamps, and offering of incense (Ex 30:7, 8).

went—Greek, “enter”: present tense.

7. once every year—the tenth day of the seventh month. He entered within the veil on that day twice at least. Thus “once” means here on the one occasion only. The two, or possibly more, entrances on that one day were regarded as parts of the one whole.

not without blood—(Heb 8:3).

offered—Greek, “offers.”

errors—Greek, “ignorances”: “inadvertent errors.” They might have known, as the law was clearly promulgated, and they were bound to study it; so that their ignorance was culpable (compare Ac 3:17; Eph 4:18; 1 Pe 1:14). Though one’s ignorance may mitigate one’s punishment (Lu 12:48), it does not wholly exempt from punishment.

8. The Holy Ghost—Moses himself did not comprehend the typical meaning (1 Pe 1:11, 12).

signifying—by the typical exclusion of all from the holiest, save the high priest once a year.

the holiest of all—heaven, the antitype.

the first tabernacle—the anterior tabernacle, representative of the whole Levitical system. While it (the first tabernacle, and that which represents the Levitical system) as yet “has a standing” (so the Greek, that is, “has continuance”: “lasts”), the way to heaven (the antitypical “holiest place”) is not yet made manifest (compare Heb 10:19, 20). The Old Testament economy is represented by the holy place, the New Testament economy by the Holy of Holies. Redemption, by Christ, has opened the Holy of Holies (access to heaven by faith now, Heb 4:16; by sight hereafter, Is 33:24; Rev 11:19) to all mankind. The Greek for “not yet” (me po) refers to the mind of the Spirit: the Spirit intimating that men should not think the way was yet opened [Tittmann]. The Greek negative, “ou po,” would deny the fact objectively; “me po” denies the thing subjectively.

9. Which—“The which,” namely, anterior tabernacle: “as being that which was” [Alford].

figure—Greek, “parable”: a parabolic setting forth of the character of the Old Testament.

for—“in reference to the existing time.” The time of the temple-worship really belonged to the Old Testament, but continued still in Paul’s time and that of his Hebrew readers. “The time of reformation” (Heb 9:10) stands in contrast to this, “the existing time”; though, in reality, “the time of reformation,” the New Testament time, was now present and existing. So “the age to come,” is the phrase applied to the Gospel, because it was present only to believers, and its fulness even to them is still to come. Compare Heb 9:11, “good things to come.”

in which—tabernacle, not time, according to the reading of the oldest manuscripts. Or translate, “according to which” parabolic representation, or figure.

were—Greek, “are.”

gifts—unbloody oblations.

could not—Greek, “cannot”: are not able.

him that did the service—any worshipper. The Greek is “latreuein,” serve God, which is all men’s duty; not “leitourgein,” to serve in a ministerial office.

make … perfect—perfectly remove the sense of guilt, and sanctify inwardly through love.

as pertaining to the conscience—“in respect to the (moral-religious) consciousness.” They can only reach as far as the outward flesh (compare “carnal ordinances,” Heb 9:10, 13, 14).

10. Which—sacrifices.

stood—consisted in [Alford]; or, “have attached to them” only things which appertain to the use of foods, &c. The rites of meats, &c., go side by side with the sacrifices [Tholuck and Wahl]; compare Col 2:16.

drinks—(Le 10:9; 11:4). Usage subsequently to the law added many observances as to meats and drinks.

washings—(Ex 29:4).

and carnal ordinances—One oldest manuscript, Syriac and Coptic, omit “and.” “Carnal ordinances” stand in apposition to “sacrifices” (Heb 9:9). Carnal (outward, affecting only the flesh) is opposed to spiritual. Contrast “flesh” with “conscience” (Heb 9:13, 14).

imposed—as a burden (Ac 15:10, 28) continually pressing heavy.

until the time of reformation—Greek, “the season of rectification,” when the reality should supersede the type (Heb 8:8–12). Compare “better,” Heb 9:23.

11. But—in contrast to “could not make … perfect” (Heb 9:9).

Christ—The Messiah, of whom all the prophets foretold; not “Jesus” here. From whom the “reformation” (Heb 9:10), or rectification, emanates, which frees from the yoke of carnal ordinances, and which is being realized gradually now, and shall be perfectly in the consummation of “the age (world) to come.” “Christ … High Priest,” exactly answers to Le 4:5, “the priest that is anointed.”

being come an, &c.—rather, “having come forward (compare Heb 10:7, a different Greek word, picturesquely presenting Him before us) as High Priest.” The Levitical priests must therefore retire. Just as on the day of atonement, no work was done, no sacrifice was offered, or priest was allowed to be in the tabernacle while the high priest went into the holiest place to make atonement (Le 16:17, 29). So not our righteousness, nor any other priest’s sacrifice, but Christ alone atones; and as the high priest before offering incense had on common garments of a priest, but after it wore his holy garments of “glory and beauty” (Ex 28:2, 40) in entering the holiest, so Christ entered the heavenly holiest in His glorified body.

good things to come—Greek, “the good things to come,” Heb 10:1; “better promises,” (Heb 8:6; the “eternal inheritance,” Heb 9:15; 1 Pe 1:4; the “things hoped for,” Heb 11:1).

by a … tabernacle—joined with “He entered.” Translate, “Through the … tabernacle” (of which we know) [Alford]. As the Jewish high priest passed through the anterior tabernacle into the holiest place, so Christ passed through heaven into the inner abode of the unseen and unapproachable God. Thus, “the tabernacle” here is the heavens through which He passed (see on Heb 4:14). But “the tabernacle” is also the glorified body of Christ (see on Heb 8:2), “not of this building” (not of the mere natural “creation, but of the spiritual and heavenly, the new creation”), the Head of the mystical body, the Church. Through this glorified body He passes into the heavenly holiest place (Heb 9:24), the immaterial, unapproachable presence of God, where He intercedes for us. His glorified body, as the meeting place of God and all Christ’s redeemed, and the angels, answers to the heavens through which He passed, and passes. His body is opposed to the tabernacle, as His blood to the blood of goats, &c.

greater—as contrasted with the small dimensions of the earthly anterior tabernacle.

more perfect—effective in giving pardon, peace, sanctification, and access to closest communion with God (compare Heb 9:9; Heb 10:1).

not made with hands—but by the Lord Himself (Heb 8:2).

12. Neither—“Nor yet.”

by—“through”; as the means of His approach.

goats … calves—not a bullock, such as the Levitical high priest offered for himself, and a goat for the people, on the day of atonement (Le 16:6, 15), year by year, whence the plural is used, goats … calves. Besides the goat offered for the people the blood of which was sprinkled before the mercy seat, the high priest led forth a second goat, namely, the scapegoat; over it he confessed the people’s sins, putting them on the head of the goat, which was sent as the sin-bearer into the wilderness out of sight, implying that the atonement effected by the goat sin offering (of which the ceremony of the scapegoat is a part, and not distinct from the sin offering) consisted in the transfer of the people’s sins on the goat, and their consequent removal out of sight. The translation of sins on the victim usual in other expiatory sacrifices being omitted in the case of the slain goat, but employed in the case of the goat sent away, proved the two goats were regarded as one offering [Archbishop Magee]. Christ’s death is symbolized by the slain goat; His resurrection to life by the living goat sent away. Modern Jews substitute in some places a cock for the goat as an expiation, the sins of the offerers being transferred to the entrails, and exposed on the housetop for the birds to carry out of sight, as the scapegoat did; the Hebrew for “man” and “cock” being similar, gebher [Buxtorf].

by—“through,” as the means of His entrance; the key unlocking the heavenly Holy of Holies to Him. The Greek is forcible, “through THE blood of His own” (compare Heb 9:23).

once—“once for all.”

having obtained—having thereby obtained; literally, “found for Himself,” as a thing of insuperable difficulty to all save Divine Omnipotence, self-devoting zeal, and love, to find. The access of Christ to the Father was arduous (Heb 5:7). None before had trodden the path.

eternal—The entrance of our Redeemer, once for all, into the heavenly holiest place, secures eternal redemption to us; whereas the Jewish high priest’s entrance was repeated year by year, and the effect temporary and partial, “On redemption,” compare Mt 20:28; Eph 1:7; Col 1:14; 1 Ti 2:5; Tit 2:14; 1 Pe 1:19.