Hebrews 13:10

KJV

We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

KJV (with Strong's)

We have {G2192} an altar {G2379}, whereof {G1537}{G3739} they have {G2192} no {G3756} right {G1849} to eat {G5315} which serve {G3000} the tabernacle {G4633}.

Complete Jewish Bible

We have an altar from which those who serve in the Tent are not permitted to eat.

Berean Standard Bible

We have an altar from which those who serve at the tabernacle have no right to eat.

American Standard Version

We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat that serve the tabernacle.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 13:10 declares that Christians possess a unique "altar"—a profound metaphor for the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ—from which those who continue to adhere to and serve the Old Covenant tabernacle system have no legitimate claim or privilege to partake. This verse powerfully underscores the radical discontinuity between the Old and New Covenants, asserting the absolute sufficiency and exclusivity of Christ's finished work on the cross as the sole means of access to God and spiritual nourishment for believers.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hebrews 13:10 is situated within the concluding exhortations of the Epistle to the Hebrews, following a comprehensive theological exposition on the superiority of Christ over Old Testament figures, institutions, and the entire Mosaic Law. The author transitions from deep theological arguments to practical applications for Christian living. Specifically, verse 9 warns against "diverse and strange doctrines," emphasizing that spiritual strength comes from grace, not from dietary laws or rituals. Verse 10 then provides a foundational theological reason for this warning, setting up the subsequent call in [Hebrews 13:13](/hebrews/13-13 "Hebrews 13:13 - Go Forth to Christ") for believers to "go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach," linking the Christian altar to Christ's suffering outside the city gates. The flow of thought is from theological truth to practical separation from obsolete systems.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The original recipients of the Epistle to the Hebrews were Jewish Christians, likely facing persecution and strong social pressure to revert to Judaism. The Temple in Jerusalem (or its memory and traditions) and its elaborate sacrificial system, including the Levitical priesthood and the tabernacle rituals, were central to Jewish identity and worship. Eating from certain sacrifices was a significant part of Old Covenant fellowship and priestly sustenance, signifying participation in the covenant. The author is directly challenging the efficacy and continued relevance of these practices in light of Christ's ultimate sacrifice, which rendered the old system obsolete. To cling to the tabernacle rituals would be to deny the finished work of Christ.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Hebrews. It reinforces the **superiority of Christ's sacrifice** as the definitive and perfect atonement, contrasting it sharply with the temporary and repetitive sacrifices of the Old Covenant, as detailed in [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-114 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice"). It highlights the **obsolescence of the Old Covenant system**, particularly the Levitical priesthood and its rituals, which are presented as shadows fulfilled by Christ's reality (e.g., [Hebrews 8:13](/hebrews/8-13 "Hebrews 8:13 - The Old Covenant is Obsolete")). Furthermore, it emphasizes the **exclusive nature of the New Covenant access to God**, where spiritual nourishment and fellowship are found solely through Christ, not through adherence to the Law or its ceremonies. The concept of "eating" from the altar signifies partaking in the benefits of atonement and fellowship with God, a privilege now exclusively tied to Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **altar (Greek, _thysiastḗrion'_):** From G2379, meaning "a place of sacrifice." In the Old Testament, this referred to a physical structure where animal sacrifices were offered. However, in Hebrews 13:10, the "altar" is used metaphorically. It does not refer to a physical object or place in Christian worship, but rather to the person and finished work of Jesus Christ, particularly His sacrifice on the cross. This "altar" is the means by which believers have access to God and partake in the benefits of His atonement.
* **right (Greek, _exousía'_):** From G1849, denoting "privilege, force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery; delegated influence." This word emphasizes the legal or moral authority to do something. The verse states that those serving the tabernacle have "no right" (G3756, _ou_, "no" or "not") to partake from this Christian altar, signifying a lack of legitimate claim, privilege, or competency to share in its benefits. Their adherence to the Old Covenant system disqualifies them from the New Covenant's spiritual provisions.
* **serve (Greek, _latreúō'_):** From G3000, meaning "to minister (to God), i.e., render religious homage." This term specifically refers to the religious service, worship, and ritualistic duties performed by the Levitical priests and others under the Old Covenant law. The contrast is stark: those whose religious life is defined by serving the physical tabernacle and its rituals cannot simultaneously partake of the spiritual reality and benefits offered by Christ, the true "altar."

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"We have an altar":** This declarative statement asserts a profound truth for New Covenant believers. Unlike the Old Covenant, which had a physical altar for animal sacrifices, the Christian "altar" is not a material object but a spiritual reality—Jesus Christ Himself, whose body was offered once for all on the cross. This "altar" is the source of our access to God and the means of our spiritual sustenance and atonement.
* **"whereof they have no right to eat":** This clause highlights the exclusivity of the Christian altar. The phrase "to eat" signifies partaking in the benefits of the sacrifice, much like priests would eat portions of certain offerings in the Old Covenant. However, those who remain committed to the Old Covenant system are explicitly denied this privilege. Their continued adherence to the obsolete rituals prevents them from participating in the spiritual nourishment and reconciliation offered by Christ.
* **"which serve the tabernacle":** This refers to those who perform religious duties and sacrifices under the Levitical law, particularly the priests. It encompasses anyone whose spiritual identity and practice are still rooted in the Old Covenant's physical sanctuary and its temporary, repetitive rituals. The author emphasizes that these two systems—the Old Covenant with its tabernacle service and the New Covenant with Christ as its altar—are mutually exclusive in terms of their efficacy for salvation and spiritual sustenance.

#### Literary Devices
The author of Hebrews masterfully employs several literary devices in this verse. **Metaphor** is central, as "an altar" does not refer to a literal Christian altar but serves as a powerful symbol for Christ's atoning sacrifice and the means by which believers approach God. This spiritualizes a physical Old Testament concept. **Contrast** is also a dominant device, setting the "altar" of the New Covenant against the "tabernacle" of the Old Covenant, thereby emphasizing the fundamental difference and superiority of Christ's work over the Levitical system. Furthermore, there is an **Allusion** to specific Old Testament sacrificial practices, particularly those sin offerings whose bodies were carried outside the camp and burned (e.g., [Leviticus 16:27](/leviticus/16-27 "Leviticus 16:27 - Burning Sin Offerings Outside the Camp")). This allusion foreshadows Christ's suffering "without the gate" ([Hebrews 13:12](/hebrews/13-12 "Hebrews 13:12 - Jesus Suffered Outside the Gate")), establishing a profound theological link between the Old Testament shadow and the New Testament reality.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 13:10 profoundly articulates the New Covenant's foundational truth: salvation, access to God, and spiritual nourishment are found exclusively in the finished work of Jesus Christ. The "altar" is not a place or a ritual, but the person of Christ and His unique, once-for-all sacrifice on the cross. This truth renders the Old Covenant sacrificial system, with its physical tabernacle and priestly service, entirely obsolete for atonement. To attempt to gain spiritual benefit from both systems is to misunderstand the radical and complete nature of Christ's redemptive work. The verse calls for a decisive break from reliance on human efforts, rituals, or any system that detracts from the all-sufficiency of Christ.

* [Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Eternal Redemption")
* [Hebrews 10:1-4](/hebrews/10-1-4 "Hebrews 10:1-4 - The Law's Inability to Perfect")
* [1 Corinthians 10:16-18](/1_corinthians/10-16-18 "1 Corinthians 10:16-18 - Partaking of Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 13:10 serves as a crucial reminder for believers today to place our complete and unwavering faith solely in the finished work of Jesus Christ. In a world that often seeks spiritual fulfillment through various forms of legalism, self-effort, or religious ritual, this verse powerfully reorients us to the truth that our salvation, righteousness, and spiritual sustenance come from Christ alone. It challenges us to examine any "tabernacles" we might still be serving—whether they be human traditions, denominational distinctives elevated above Christ, or even our own good works—that could subtly detract from the sufficiency of His atoning sacrifice. True spiritual nourishment and fellowship with God are found only by partaking of the "altar" that is Christ, leading us to live lives of grace, freedom, and genuine worship that flows from a heart transformed by His perfect love and sacrifice.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "altars" or sources of spiritual nourishment do I rely on, consciously or unconsciously, besides Christ alone?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to "serve the tabernacle" (i.e., cling to religious rituals or human efforts) rather than fully embracing the grace of Christ's finished work?**
* **How does my understanding of Christ as the ultimate "altar" impact my daily walk, my worship, and my assurance of salvation?**

### FAQ
**What is "the altar" that Christians have, according to Hebrews 13:10?**

Answer: The "altar" in [Hebrews 13:10](/hebrews/13-10 "Hebrews 13:10 - The Christian Altar") is not a physical structure, but a profound metaphor for Jesus Christ Himself and His one-time, perfect sacrifice on the cross. It represents the means by which believers gain access to God, receive atonement for sins, and partake in spiritual nourishment. Unlike the physical altars of the Old Testament, which required repeated animal sacrifices, the Christian altar signifies the complete and eternally effective offering of Christ's own body and blood, which has superseded all previous sacrificial systems.

**Who are "they which serve the tabernacle" and why do they have no right to eat from the Christian altar?**

Answer: "They which serve the tabernacle" primarily refers to the Levitical priests and, by extension, all those who continued to adhere to and rely upon the Old Covenant sacrificial system and its rituals for atonement and fellowship with God. The author of Hebrews argues that since Christ's perfect sacrifice has fulfilled and rendered obsolete the Old Covenant, those who cling to the old system have no legitimate "right" or privilege to partake in the benefits of Christ's New Covenant sacrifice. To partake of the Christian altar means acknowledging and relying solely on Christ's finished work, which is incompatible with continued reliance on the now-obsolete tabernacle service. It's a matter of choosing between two mutually exclusive covenants for salvation and spiritual sustenance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 13:10 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus as the ultimate High Priest and the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice. The Old Testament tabernacle and its sacrificial system, including the altars, were but shadows and types pointing forward to the reality found in Christ. He is not merely the sacrifice offered on an altar, but He *is* our "altar"—the very means of our access to God. His body, broken on the cross, and His blood, shed for the remission of sins, constitute the true spiritual food and drink for believers, enabling us to partake in His atoning benefits. This is powerfully echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus Himself declares, "[I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")." Our spiritual nourishment comes from Him alone, a reality powerfully symbolized in the Lord's Supper, where believers partake of elements representing His body and blood, remembering His sacrifice and proclaiming His death until He comes ([1 Corinthians 11:23-26](/1_corinthians/11-23-26 "1 Corinthians 11:23-26 - Institution of the Lord's Supper")). Thus, Christ fulfills the Old Covenant altar by being the perfect, living sacrifice that grants eternal access and sustenance to all who believe.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 10:20

But [I say], that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

1 Corinthians 5:7

¶ Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

1 Corinthians 5:8

Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened [bread] of sincerity and truth.

1 Corinthians 9:13

Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live [of the things] of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

1 Corinthians 10:17

For we [being] many are one bread, [and] one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

1 Corinthians 10:18

Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

Numbers 7:5

Take [it] of them, that they may be to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; and thou shalt give them unto the Levites, to every man according to his service.