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Hebrews 9:1-5 · 8 passages

Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.

The superior things are shown from the change of the priest, the sacrifice, and the covenant, which the old has come to an end, and that which is new is better in many ways; it now wishes to show from the very arrangement of the tabernacle that those were the figures of the true things: moreover, the figure takes an end where the truth approaches. What he says: "had," signifies that it now does not have. Therefore, although it has not completely ceased, since some still cling to it, nevertheless, it has no rights.
I noted that there were three tabernacles in the Octateuch that exist; one, concerning which the holy world speaks, where there was the bronze altar of burnt offerings, and it was permitted for all the people to enter and to perform the sacrifices; the second, where the priests were always permitted to perform the services, where there was the lampstand and the table and the showbread; the third, where there was the censer and the Ark, into which only the high priest entered once a year.
The first tabernacle indeed had rights of worship, I think it is not about the tabernacle, but about the old covenant itself. For it did not compare the tabernacle with the new covenant, but the entire old covenant with the new, and it showed the superiority of this over that entire one. "For behold," he says, "the days are coming, and I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not according to the covenant I made with their fathers." (Jer. 31:31–33; Heb. 8:8–10) And again: “In speaking of a new covenant, he has made the first obsolete."(Heb. 8:13) And after saying this, he adds: "He had also had it before." (Heb. 10:15) Therefore, it is evident that the discussion is still about the covenant. For since he had depressed it in comparison to the new, lest anyone should say that it had always been rejected, he anticipates by saying that it also had rights of worship, laws, and order, and those things which pertain to the proper worship of God. Saying that by lineage he had rights of worship, he proceeds also in part, beginning from the tabernac…
The first tabernacle indeed had rights of worship, I think it is not about the tabernacle, but about the old covenant itself. For it did not compare the tabernacle with the new covenant, but the entire old covenant with the new, and it showed the superiority of this over that entire one. "For behold," he says, "the days are coming, and I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not according to the covenant I made with their fathers." (Jer. 31:31–33; Heb. 8:8–10) And again: “In speaking of a new covenant, he has made the first obsolete."(Heb. 8:13)
And after saying this, he adds: "He had also had it before." (Heb. 10:15) Therefore, it is evident that the discussion is still about the covenant. For since he had depressed it in comparison to the new, lest anyone should say that it had always been rejected, he anticipates by saying that it also had rights of worship, laws, and order, and those things which pertain to the proper worship of God. Saying that by lineage he had rights of worship, he proceeds also in part, beginning from the tabernacle.
"He had," he says, "the holy world." Then after the holy world and all that is sacred, he had again another tabernacle, set apart from the more secret and holier tabernacle. And in the set-apart one, both the lampstand and the arrangement of the loaves, which tabernacle is not called the holy world, just as the entire tabernacle, the first, but simply holy.
"the holy world." It is called world because it is open to all. Here, the temple is rightly called holy, in which the liturgy [λειτουργίαν] was performed to God, or even the tabernacle, since they had previously had this in the order of the temple, thus calling it so. And this can be learned from the first book of Kings, which clearly states: "And Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the Lord, where the Ark of God was." (1 Sam. 3:3) Therefore, he says, the holy was in the old covenant as something worldly, so that he might say when the temple was constructed as a type of the world. God indeed created heaven and earth, as Moses says, in the beginning, (Gen. 1) saying heaven above, on the second day, preparing for this heaven to be established in the midst of the waters; so that even being elevated, the waters have it above. Therefore, as a symbol of the world, commanding Moses to construct a certain type, God instructed him to make the tabernacle. "Make a sanctuary from the curtains, divided in the middle by another." (Ex. 26:4) Thus indeed the temple later became a type according to…
"the holy world." It is called world because it is open to all. Here, the temple is rightly called holy, in which the liturgy [λειτουργίαν] was performed to God, or even the tabernacle, since they had previously had this in the order of the temple, thus calling it so. And this can be learned from the first book of Kings, which clearly states: "And Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the Lord, where the Ark of God was." (1 Sam. 3:3)
Therefore, he says, the holy was in the old covenant as something worldly, so that he might say when the temple was constructed as a type of the world. God indeed created heaven and earth, as Moses says, in the beginning, (Gen. 1) saying heaven above, on the second day, preparing for this heaven to be established in the midst of the waters; so that even being elevated, the waters have it above. Therefore, as a symbol of the world, commanding Moses to construct a certain type, God instructed him to make the tabernacle.
"Make a sanctuary from the curtains, divided in the middle by another." (Ex. 26:4) Thus indeed the temple later became a type according to the same pattern. And the whole house was divided by a wall in the middle, so that the outer part was the house, in which it was necessary for the priests to perform the service through the sacrifices and to render all the rest to God; this was a symbol of that very place upon the earth, where it has now happened that we dwell; but the inner part, in which it was necessary for the high priest to enter only once a year, was a symbol of the heavenly, where the Jews believed God to dwell.
“For the first tabernacle was constructed.”
"overshadowing the mercy seat." For above the ark, as if a square golden table, which was called the mercy seat, typifying Christ (Jn. 2:2), who is called to us the propitiation and redemption (1 Cor. 1:30). See the passage in Exodus, in the places concerning these things.
"about which we cannot now speak in detail." He wishes to show that the things seen were mysteries and types of the Truth. Therefore, it is not now, he says, to speak of them in part. For more words are needed than according to the present urge.
The first, you say, as to the holy of holies, since it was not the first, but the middle. For the first was where the bronze altar of the sacrifices and the burnt offerings was. This is the second, concerning which it is said, "in which were the lampstand, the table, and the showbread." The third, in which is a golden censer, and the Ark of the Covenant.
Hebrews 9:6-7 · 3 passages

Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.

And it happened that the Jews neither saw the things that were happening, as the veil was being torn. So it was not more for them than for those who were prefigured, that is, for us,
"once a year, the high priest alone." Since he approached them while they were still infants, how could one sacrifice of Christ cleanse the sins of the world? This is also shown in the old, which is a type of the new.
In Exodus, in the places concerning these things, it says that on the day the high priest entered the Holy of Holies with the holy incense. And it is written thus; "And he shall burn incense upon it.” (that is, upon the golden altar that was in the Holy of Holies); Aaron shall burn a finely blended incense in the morning when he tends to the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it. And when Aaron lights the lamps in the evening, he shall burn incense, a continual incense. (Ex. 30:10)
How then does the divine Paul say in this place, "once a year, the high priest alone?" And we say that he indeed entered with blood once a year: as is also said in the aforementioned place of Exodus; but to offer, on these days every day.
Indeed, he also adds here: "not without blood," that is, with blood; so that this is the sense: Once a year the high priest with blood, not with incense.
"without blood." After sacrifices, he says. So also the blood was a type of Christ.
"which he offers for himself." He adds everywhere, For himself, showing Christ's excellence above the high priest of the Jews.For the legal high priest offered for himself; but Christ did not offer for himself; for how could he, who is separate from sinners? Thus there is a great difference between the two.
"and of the ignorance of the people”, he says. And from this, he shows the difference, that the sacrifices according to the law were offered for ignorance. For those in ignorance were allowed sins, indeed, the sacrifice of Christ, even those sins whom we knowingly have committed.
Hebrews 9:8-10

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:

“made clear by the Holy Spirit.” For this reason, he says, the tabernacle was thus constructed, where the lampstand and the table of showbread are in the first sanctuary, and since the remaining priests ascend into the Holy of Holies, it is evident that heaven remains inaccessible. For the Holy of Holies is a type of heaven. But only the high priest enters there, which was a type that only Christ, the true high priest, has ascended into heaven. But thereafter, having ascended, he brought in the race of mankind, for before this it was inaccessible. Now, however, it has become accessible through Christ. "not yet been made clear." It is not yet a path that is walkable and accessible to the heavens, which Christ first initiated. "was still standing," he says, and in a certain way blocking the passage to the Holy of Holies. "which was a symbol." He says, a type of those in the tabernacle, for the time then present, from which they are fulfilled, he says, and have an end. And justly. For if those were a type of Christ, it is fitting that with the revelation of Christ, the types are fulfill…
“made clear by the Holy Spirit.” For this reason, he says, the tabernacle was thus constructed, where the lampstand and the table of showbread are in the first sanctuary, and since the remaining priests ascend into the Holy of Holies, it is evident that heaven remains inaccessible. For the Holy of Holies is a type of heaven. But only the high priest enters there, which was a type that only Christ, the true high priest, has ascended into heaven. But thereafter, having ascended, he brought in the race of mankind, for before this it was inaccessible. Now, however, it has become accessible through Christ.
"not yet been made clear." It is not yet a path that is walkable and accessible to the heavens, which Christ first initiated.
"was still standing," he says, and in a certain way blocking the passage to the Holy of Holies.
"which was a symbol." He says, a type of those in the tabernacle, for the time then present, from which they are fulfilled, he says, and have an end. And justly. For if those were a type of Christ, it is fitting that with the revelation of Christ, the types are fulfilled, and they have an end.
"according to which gifts and sacrifices were offered." In which a symbol and according to which type the offerings of both giftsand sacrifices were offered,
"which could not perfect the worshiper in regard to conscience." As if he said, In which type, that is, in the priestly service according to the law, the sacrifices were offered, but they were not able to cleanse the soul and conscience. For being bodily, they cleansed the body.
"in regard to conscience;" or according to the soul.
"which could not perfect the worshiper." Not even those who offered the sacrifices could be purified.
"only." By hyperbaton [ὑπερβατὸν], the word imposed is to be joined:
"in foods and drinks." The sacrifices and worship offered, he says, could not render anyone perfect concerning the soul, but only had power regarding the flesh and carnal matters: and in this, they satisfied the offerers so that they would eat this and not eat that, and that they would be washed with water those who had communicated, or were made common and unclean; which are the justifications of the flesh, that is, purifying the flesh, and not at all the soul; not at all the inner man, but were exercised concerning the outer. But how did he say, "and drinks," although the law did not make a distinction concerning drinks? This, then, he says, concerns the priest not drinking wine when he was about to enter the sanctuary; or also concerning vows, that is, promises, concerning abstaining from wine; simply belittling such ordinances and ridiculing them, this is what he said.
“and various baptisms.” There were various baptisms. For if someone touched a dead body, or a leper, or someone became afflicted with gonorrhea, they were baptized, and in this way it was thought they were being purified. But these were just ordinances of the flesh, fleshly things cleansing the flesh, and nowhere the soul, nowhere the mind, nor concerning the inner man, but they were concerned with the outer. However, they were not meant to last forever, but only until the time ofrestructuring. And what is this time of restructuring? Clearly, it is the coming of the Savior, who would correct these things and introduce true and spiritual worship.
"Imposed." It is well said, "imposed"; for the burden was only those things in the law, as the apostles say; "Which neither we, he says, nor our fathers were able to bear." (Acts 15:10)
Hebrews 9:11-12 · 4 passages

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;

"not made with hands." Not according to the imitation, he says, of the tabernacle among the Jews. For here he called the tabernacle not made with hands the human nature that Christ the Lord took on. For it is not only a marriage chamber that is prepared for the marriages, but the most Holy Spirit has constructed the tabernacle. And the phrase, "not of this creation," instead of "Not according to the law of nature as it is governed in creation." "Not of this creation." The body of Christ, and this was of creation, and not of this. Of this, inasmuch as it is and is similar to our body, but not of this, inasmuch as it possesses the divinity without confusion and without division. Therefore, what is said to the Apostle, "Not of this creation," accept as pertaining to the possession of divinity. As for the body itself, it was consubstantial with ours. The fact that it was not of this creation, he says, from which the tabernacle of the Jews came. For since he had called the body of Christ a tabernacle, it was necessary to prescribe words of this kind. "nor by the blood of goats and calves…
"not made with hands." Not according to the imitation, he says, of the tabernacle among the Jews. For here he called the tabernacle not made with hands the human nature that Christ the Lord took on. For it is not only a marriage chamber that is prepared for the marriages, but the most Holy Spirit has constructed the tabernacle.
And the phrase, "not of this creation," instead of "Not according to the law of nature as it is governed in creation." "Not of this creation." The body of Christ, and this was of creation, and not of this. Of this, inasmuch as it is and is similar to our body, but not of this, inasmuch as it possesses the divinity without confusion and without division. Therefore, what is said to the Apostle, "Not of this creation," accept as pertaining to the possession of divinity. As for the body itself, it was consubstantial with ours. The fact that it was not of this creation, he says, from which the tabernacle of the Jews came. For since he had called the body of Christ a tabernacle, it was necessary to prescribe words of this kind.
"nor by the blood of goats and calves." For it was Jewish, and through which the high priest entered into the Holy of Holies.
“He entered once and for all into the Holy Place.” That is, into heaven.
"having obtained eternal redemption." That is, having succeeded, he found eternal redemption. Not for himself, (for how could the sinless one?) but for his people.
“But Christ, having come as a high priest.” The old covenant high priests, Paul says, worship did not enter into the heavens; but Christ, having come, entered once for all into the holy place; for here the meaning is given. He did not say, “having become a high priest”, but having come as a high priest, that is, having come for this purpose. He did not come first, and then, after this happened, become a high priest; but the purpose of his coming to earth was the priesthood. “of the good things to come.” He did not say, High Priest of those being sacrificed, but, of the future good things, the good things that have evidently come to us; since the word could not fully present everything precisely, he simply and vaguely called good those things that have come to us; but he said these are future, as to the time of the law. For just as he called that one present, so he calls those future things according to Christ, as in comparison to that one; or even of the mysteries that will be revealed to us in the coming age. "through the greater and more perfect tabernacle." He refers to the body o…
“But Christ, having come as a high priest.” The old covenant high priests, Paul says, worship did not enter into the heavens; but Christ, having come, entered once for all into the holy place; for here the meaning is given. He did not say, “having become a high priest”, but having come as a high priest, that is, having come for this purpose. He did not come first, and then, after this happened, become a high priest; but the purpose of his coming to earth was the priesthood.
“of the good things to come.” He did not say, High Priest of those being sacrificed, but, of the future good things, the good things that have evidently come to us; since the word could not fully present everything precisely, he simply and vaguely called good those things that have come to us; but he said these are future, as to the time of the law. For just as he called that one present, so he calls those future things according to Christ, as in comparison to that one; or even of the mysteries that will be revealed to us in the coming age.
"through the greater and more perfect tabernacle." He refers to the body of Christ as the tabernacle, because in it all the fullness of deity dwells bodily. (Col. 2:9) “Greater”, because it is God; more perfect, because it perfects those who draw near to Him.
Here a not-made-by-hand tabernacle called the human nature, which the Lord Christ took upon Himself. For it was not made according to the law of marriage, but the Most Holy Spirit prepared the tabernacle. And the phrase, Not of this creation, instead of, Not according to the law of nature, which is governed in creation.
Hebrews 9:13-14

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:

Then, since it seemed doubtful that a single sacrifice and the blood of one could provide eternal redemption, he prepares it and shows that it is plausible and not unattainable with the belief held by the Jews. For if you, he says, believe that you are cleansed by being sprinkled with the blood of a calf, and again with water poured on its ashes; (for the ashes were observed for the purification of those who had been defiled, that is, those who were contaminated;) how then does the blood of Christ not cleanse the souls? "sanctifies for the purification of the flesh." It sanctifies not spiritually, but for the cleansing of the flesh. See it speaking precisely. "who through the eternal Spirit." No high priest offered Christ, but He offered Himself; and not through fire, as the calves in the Old Testament, but through the Holy Spirit, so as to perpetuate both grace and redemption. "without blemish to God." And the ancient priesthood that was presented sought to be without blemish. There was a place of the body of Christ, the unblemished and absolutely pure. "For he did no sin, and no de…
Then, since it seemed doubtful that a single sacrifice and the blood of one could provide eternal redemption, he prepares it and shows that it is plausible and not unattainable with the belief held by the Jews. For if you, he says, believe that you are cleansed by being sprinkled with the blood of a calf, and again with water poured on its ashes; (for the ashes were observed for the purification of those who had been defiled, that is, those who were contaminated;) how then does the blood of Christ not cleanse the souls?
"sanctifies for the purification of the flesh." It sanctifies not spiritually, but for the cleansing of the flesh. See it speaking precisely.
"who through the eternal Spirit." No high priest offered Christ, but He offered Himself; and not through fire, as the calves in the Old Testament, but through the Holy Spirit, so as to perpetuate both grace and redemption.
"without blemish to God." And the ancient priesthood that was presented sought to be without blemish. There was a place of the body of Christ, the unblemished and absolutely pure. "For he did no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth," says Isaiah. (1 Peter 2:22; Isa. 53:9)
"purify your conscience." For the blood of bulls and the ashes of a heifer, it said, for the purity of the flesh; but concerning the blood of Christ, it says, your conscience. See the difference in purification. What is your conscience? That is to say, it also purifies our soul, so that we may no longer be aware of any sin against ourselves from this time.
"from dead works." Of the wicked, those who defile the soul. For one who touches a dead body, among the Jews, is defiled, but among us, the strange [ἄτοπα] works defile.
"To serve the living God." This indicates that one cannot serve God unless they are pure from dead works. Thus, those who serve with them do not serve, but are condemned.
Hebrews 9:15-18

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.

Since the death of Christ troubled many of the weaker ones (for they said, "If He died, how will He give what He promised?"), Paul now, healing this, shows that it is because this remains that His covenant is sure; for He died— for a covenant is not called valid while the one who made it is alive. Therefore, he says, "He died to cleanse us, and in the covenant He left us forgiveness and the enjoyment of the ancestral goods, becoming a mediator of the Father and us." The Father willed that we become heirs of the promises, but we could not, being enemies and having been at war with Him. What then? The Son interceded and reconciled us to the Father. But since it was necessary to also provide retribution for those on earth for what we had transgressed (for God is both loving and just), the Son himself endured this for us and made us worthy of the covenant, and henceforth the covenant became sure through the death of the Son, so that it did not send the inheritance to the unworthy. “called may receive the promise of eternal inheritance.”For if the death of Christ did not deliver us from s…
Since the death of Christ troubled many of the weaker ones (for they said, "If He died, how will He give what He promised?"), Paul now, healing this, shows that it is because this remains that His covenant is sure; for He died— for a covenant is not called valid while the one who made it is alive. Therefore, he says, "He died to cleanse us, and in the covenant He left us forgiveness and the enjoyment of the ancestral goods, becoming a mediator of the Father and us." The Father willed that we become heirs of the promises, but we could not, being enemies and having been at war with Him. What then? The Son interceded and reconciled us to the Father. But since it was necessary to also provide retribution for those on earth for what we had transgressed (for God is both loving and just), the Son himself endured this for us and made us worthy of the covenant, and henceforth the covenant became sure through the death of the Son, so that it did not send the inheritance to the unworthy.
“called may receive the promise of eternal inheritance.”For if the death of Christ did not deliver us from sins, through which we once fought against the Father, how would we receive the heavenly inheritance? But the term "called" shows this: that at first, God was related to us as a father to children, and we were called to the inheritance; but afterward, through our sins, we made ourselves unworthy of it.
"that by means of death," for the covenant is confirmed by death. Therefore, Christ died so that His covenant with us might be confirmed. This is set forth, since especially the death of Christ troubled the weak.
"for the redemption." Do you see that the death of Christ has become for our redemption? How then do you think this is weakness, Him who was so powerful as to heal even the transgressions under the law? How then do you run to the law, which is so powerless that it cannot even correct the transgressions against it? Not that it was evil, but that it was weak.
"there must also of necessity be the death of the one who made it," This is what disturbs them, the death of Christ. For how, he says, can the one who has died give us the promises? Therefore, he turns and shows that we can only receive the inheritance and the promise if Christ has died. For if he had not died, he would not have made a will, so that we might inherit; (for it is indisputable that a will is in force only after death;) nor would we be worthy of an inheritance at all, as long as the enmity remains unresolved.
"for it does not take effect while the one who made it lives." Read according to the question.
"even the first was not." And thus, he says, by death, the covenant is confirmed, for the first had the blood as a symbol of death; but the new has the actual death. As those were types, the truth is in the new.
"not dedicated without blood." As if he were saying: The blood has not ceased or been interrupted for a short time, but immediately as the covenant was dedicated, it also had successive blood.
Hebrews 9:19-22

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,

“For when every commandment had been spoken.” For after he spoke the commandment, then Moses sprinkled the blood. "according to the law." As He says, God legislated, according to the law of God. Or of every command according to the law, these, of the legislated one. "taken the blood of calves." This blood was a type of the blood of God and our Savior, who cleansed us from all stain. "with water." Water was the figure of baptism. "and scarlet wool and hyssop." Wool and hyssop were used for their preservation. Indeed, hyssop, being dense and tender, retained and sprinkled blood, and wool likewise. Scarlet, however, was wool so that by its very color it would bear the type of the blood of Christ. "the book itself." The book was a type of the faithful, those who have the law of God within themselves. Saying, “This is the blood of the covenant.” But Christ: This is the blood of the new covenant (Matt. 26:28), for the forgiveness of sins; but there, neither new nor forgiveness of sins. Do you see then how he called the blood a covenant? For where a covenant is spoken of, death must be unde…
“For when every commandment had been spoken.” For after he spoke the commandment, then Moses sprinkled the blood.
"according to the law." As He says, God legislated, according to the law of God. Or of every command according to the law, these, of the legislated one.
"taken the blood of calves." This blood was a type of the blood of God and our Savior, who cleansed us from all stain.
"with water." Water was the figure of baptism.
"and scarlet wool and hyssop." Wool and hyssop were used for their preservation. Indeed, hyssop, being dense and tender, retained and sprinkled blood, and wool likewise. Scarlet, however, was wool so that by its very color it would bear the type of the blood of Christ.
"the book itself." The book was a type of the faithful, those who have the law of God within themselves.
Saying, “This is the blood of the covenant.” But Christ: This is the blood of the new covenant (Matt. 26:28), for the forgiveness of sins; but there, neither new nor forgiveness of sins. Do you see then how he called the blood a covenant? For where a covenant is spoken of, death must be understood.
"the tabernacle and." And the tabernacle was a type of the faithful, because of, "I will dwell in them and walk among them." (Lev. 26:12; 2 Cor. 6:16)
"And almost all things." Almost, for this he said, because it was not being purified clearly and sincerely at that time. For then the purifications were physical, being types of those that now purify souls and bodies.
"and without shedding of blood is no remission." For even then, such purifications were thought to provide remission, but they did not actually provide it.
“Therefore it was necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens.” The heavenly things in the new covenant are said to be, since the initiation in it is heavenly, and the faithful are citizens of heaven, even if they are still living on earth. For the examples of the old covenant are types of the new covenant.
"should be purified with these." These have been mentioned, with the blood of calves and goats, and with the ashes of a heifer, and with the other things so lowly.
"but the heavenly things." Which are in the New Testament.
"with better sacrifices." Therefore, since it was necessary according to their values to have better sacrifices, the Son of God Himself was offered, so that the death of the Lord not only benefited and enacted the confirmation of the covenantbut also to affect the true purification of the soul. And in the preceding and following, it demonstrates that the death of the Lord worked salvation for humankind, because some weaker ones were offended because of the cross.
Hebrews 9:24

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:

Since the Jews were greatly concerned about the temple, see how it is diminished in comparison to heaven. "a mere copy of the true one." For the temple was handmade and was constructed as a type of heaven.

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