Hebrews 9:10

KJV

[Which stood] only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed [on them] until the time of reformation.

KJV (with Strong's)

Which stood only {G3440} in {G1909} meats {G1033} and {G2532} drinks {G4188}, and {G2532} divers {G1313} washings {G909}, and {G2532} carnal {G4561} ordinances {G1345}, imposed {G1945} on them until {G3360} the time {G2540} of reformation {G1357}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For they involve only food and drink and various ceremonial washings — regulations concerning the outward life, imposed until the time for God to reshape the whole structure.

Berean Standard Bible

They consist only in food and drink and special washings—external regulations imposed until the time of reform.

American Standard Version

being only (with meats and drinks and divers washings) carnal ordinances, imposed until a time of reformation.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 9:10 succinctly describes the temporary and external nature of the Old Covenant's ceremonial regulations, including dietary laws, ritual purifications, and physical ordinances. These practices, though divinely instituted, were never intended to provide ultimate spiritual cleansing or perfection. Instead, they served as provisional measures, imposed upon the people of Israel until the arrival of a superior and transformative reality—the "time of reformation" inaugurated by Jesus Christ and the New Covenant, which addresses the inner conscience and provides true access to God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the author's meticulous argument in [Hebrews chapters 8-10](/hebrews/8 "Hebrews 8-10 - The Superiority of Christ's Priesthood and Covenant"). Having established Christ as the superior High Priest and mediator of a better covenant in [Hebrews 8](/hebrews/8 "Hebrews 8 - A Better Covenant"), the author proceeds to detail the Old Covenant's earthly sanctuary and its services in [Hebrews 9:1-5](/hebrews/9-1-5 "Hebrews 9:1-5 - The Earthly Tabernacle"). He then highlights the limitations of this system, particularly the priests' restricted access to the Most Holy Place and the inability of animal sacrifices to truly cleanse the conscience ([Hebrews 9:6-9](/hebrews/9-6-9 "Hebrews 9:6-9 - Limitations of the Old Covenant Worship")). Verse 10 serves as a summary of these external, temporary regulations, setting the stage for the dramatic contrast with Christ's perfect and permanent sacrifice, which is introduced immediately afterward in [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The audience of the book of Hebrews was Jewish Christians who were likely facing persecution and temptation to revert to aspects of Judaism. The Mosaic Law, with its elaborate tabernacle rituals, priesthood, and sacrificial system, was central to their ancestral identity and religious practice. These "meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances" refer directly to the detailed regulations found in the Torah, particularly in books like [Leviticus](/leviticus/ "The Book of Leviticus - Laws and Sacrifices") and [Numbers](/numbers/ "The Book of Numbers - Wilderness Wanderings and Laws"). Dietary laws (e.g., [Leviticus 11](/leviticus/11 "Leviticus 11 - Clean and Unclean Animals")), ritual baths for purification from defilement (e.g., [Numbers 19](/numbers/19 "Numbers 19 - The Red Heifer and Purification")), and various physical ordinances (e.g., regulations concerning offerings, festivals, and clean/unclean states) were fundamental to daily life and worship under the Old Covenant. The author's point is that these external practices, while divinely ordained for a time, were inherently limited and symbolic, pointing beyond themselves to a greater spiritual reality.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Hebrews. Primarily, it underscores the **transitional and provisional nature of the Old Covenant** and its ceremonial law, emphasizing that it was never meant to be the ultimate means of salvation or spiritual perfection. It highlights the crucial distinction between **external ritual and internal transformation**, a theme echoed throughout the New Testament, particularly in passages like [Romans 2:28-29](/romans/2-28-29 "Romans 2:28-29 - True Circumcision of the Heart") and [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant Prophecy"). Furthermore, it sets the stage for the theme of **Christ's superiority and the perfection He brings**, asserting that the "time of reformation" has arrived through His once-for-all sacrifice and eternal priesthood ([Hebrews 7:26-28](/hebrews/7-26-28 "Hebrews 7:26-28 - Christ's Perfect Priesthood")). The Old Covenant's limitations thus magnify the New Covenant's efficacy and completeness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Meats (Greek, _brōma'_):** From the base of *bibrosko* (to eat), this term refers to food, especially in a ceremonial sense, encompassing articles allowed or forbidden by Jewish law. In the context of Hebrews 9:10, it specifically denotes the dietary regulations and food offerings that were a significant part of the Mosaic Law, emphasizing the physical and external nature of these requirements.
* **Washings (Greek, _baptismós'_):** Derived from *baptizō* (to immerse), *baptismós* signifies ablution or ceremonial cleansing. These were various ritual purifications required under the Old Covenant to achieve ritual purity, such as washing after contact with a dead body or before priestly service. The term highlights the external, physical nature of these acts, which could not cleanse the conscience.
* **Reformation (Greek, _diórthōsis'_):** From a compound meaning "to straighten thoroughly," *diórthōsis* denotes rectification, amendment, or restoration. In this context, it specifically refers to the Messianic restoration or the "setting straight" of things that were previously incomplete or imperfect. It signifies the definitive and perfect order established by Christ, replacing the provisional and preparatory system of the Old Covenant.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Which stood only in meats and drinks":** This phrase refers to the Old Covenant's regulations concerning dietary laws and libations. It emphasizes the physical and external nature of these commands, which governed what could be eaten or offered, but did not address the inner spiritual state of the worshiper. The word "only" underscores the limited scope and efficacy of these external observances.
* **"And divers washings":** This points to the various ritual purifications and ceremonial baths required under the Mosaic Law. These washings were designed to cleanse from ritual impurity, making one outwardly acceptable for worship, but they were incapable of purifying the conscience from sin. The term "divers" highlights the multiplicity and variety of these required ablutions.
* **"And carnal ordinances":** This refers to regulations that pertain to the flesh (*sárx*) or the body, emphasizing their external and physical character. These were rules governing outward behavior and physical purity, imposed by God for a specific period, but they did not penetrate to the heart or provide a lasting solution for sin. They were concerned with outward defilement rather than inward spiritual transformation.
* **"Imposed on them until the time of reformation":** This crucial clause reveals the temporary and provisional nature of all the preceding regulations. They were "imposed" as obligations, but only "until" a specific, divinely appointed time. The "time of reformation" signifies the advent of the New Covenant through Jesus Christ, which brought about a complete and perfect rectification of the relationship between God and humanity, rendering the old system obsolete and unnecessary.

#### Literary Devices
The author of Hebrews employs several literary devices in this verse. **Conciseness** is evident in the compact summary of the Old Covenant's ceremonial law. The use of a **list** ("meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances") effectively enumerates the various external rituals, creating a comprehensive picture of the system being described. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **contrast** by implicitly setting the temporary, external nature of these "carnal ordinances" against the ultimate, internal, and permanent "reformation" brought by Christ. This contrast is a pervasive rhetorical strategy throughout the book of Hebrews, highlighting the superiority of the New Covenant. The phrase "imposed until the time of reformation" functions as a **temporal marker**, signaling a shift from the old, preparatory era to the new, perfected era.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 9:10 is a pivotal statement in the book's overarching theological argument, establishing the essential truth that the Old Covenant, with its elaborate rituals, was never meant to be the final solution for humanity's sin problem. Its regulations concerning food, drink, and ceremonial washings, though divinely instituted, were inherently external and temporary. They served as a shadow, a pedagogical tool, or a placeholder until the arrival of the "time of reformation"—the era of the New Covenant inaugurated by Jesus Christ. This "reformation" is not merely an improvement but a complete rectification, moving from outward, physical observances to an inward, spiritual reality, from temporary cleansing to permanent purification of the conscience, and from limited access to God to full, unhindered communion through Christ's perfect sacrifice. The verse thus underscores the progressive nature of God's revelation and redemptive plan, culminating in Christ.

* [Galatians 3:24](/galatians/3-24 "Galatians 3:24 - The Law as a Tutor")
* [Colossians 2:16-17](/colossians/2-16-17 "Colossians 2:16-17 - Shadows of Things to Come")
* [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - Prophecy of the New Covenant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 9:10 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, reminding us of the radical shift from the Old Covenant's external focus to the New Covenant's emphasis on inner transformation. It liberates us from the burden of legalism, asserting that our standing with God is not based on adherence to outward rituals, dietary restrictions, or ceremonial washings, but on the finished work of Jesus Christ. This verse calls us to a faith that prioritizes a clean conscience, a heart purified by grace, and a genuine, intimate relationship with God, rather than merely performing religious duties or adhering to traditions for tradition's sake. It challenges us to examine whether our spiritual practices are truly fostering an inward walk with Christ or if we are inadvertently clinging to "carnal ordinances" that cannot ultimately perfect us. Our appreciation for Christ's sacrifice deepens as we grasp that He brought about the ultimate "reformation," providing direct and perfect access to God, making the old system of shadows obsolete and inviting us into a living, spiritual reality.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, or my community, inadvertently prioritize external religious practices over genuine internal transformation?**
* **How does understanding the temporary nature of the Old Covenant's rituals deepen my appreciation for the freedom and completeness found in Christ?**
* **What does it mean for my daily life to live in the "time of reformation" that Christ inaugurated, focusing on a clean conscience rather than outward conformity?**

### FAQ

**What does "carnal ordinances" mean in the context of Hebrews 9:10?**

Answer: In Hebrews 9:10, "carnal ordinances" refers to the external, physical regulations and ceremonies of the Old Covenant Mosaic Law. The Greek word for "carnal" is *sarkikos* (from *sarx*, meaning "flesh" or "body"), indicating that these ordinances pertained to the physical realm and outward behavior rather than the inner spiritual condition. Examples include dietary laws, rules about ritual purity, and various physical requirements for worship. The author uses this term to highlight that these laws, while divinely given, were limited in their scope; they could cleanse the body or make one ritually pure, but they could not cleanse the conscience or deal with the root of sin, which is an internal matter. They were "imposed" for a temporary period, "until the time of reformation" brought by Christ.

**What is the "time of reformation" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The "time of reformation" (Greek: *diórthōsis*) refers to the era inaugurated by Jesus Christ and the establishment of the New Covenant. It signifies a complete "setting straight," "rectification," or "amendment" of the previous, provisional system. Before Christ, the Old Covenant provided a shadow of spiritual realities, but it was imperfect and temporary ([Hebrews 8:5](/hebrews/8-5 "Hebrews 8:5 - The Heavenly Pattern")). With Christ's perfect sacrifice and high priestly ministry, the need for external rituals, animal sacrifices, and the earthly tabernacle was fulfilled and surpassed. The "time of reformation" marks the period when God's ultimate and perfect plan for salvation and access to Him was fully revealed and enacted, providing true cleansing of the conscience and eternal redemption ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 9:10 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the very essence and culmination of the "time of reformation." The Old Covenant's "meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances" were mere shadows, types, and preparatory measures, pointing forward to the reality found in Christ. He is the ultimate High Priest, not of an earthly tabernacle, but of a greater and more perfect one, not made with human hands ([Hebrews 9:11](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11 - Christ, the High Priest of Good Things to Come")). Unlike the blood of bulls and goats, which could only cleanse the flesh, Christ entered the Most Holy Place once for all, not with the blood of animals, but with His own precious blood, thereby securing eternal redemption and purifying our consciences from dead works to serve the living God ([Hebrews 9:12-14](/hebrews/9-12-14 "Hebrews 9:12-14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). His perfect sacrifice rendered the old system obsolete, fulfilling its purpose and inaugurating a new and living way ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19-20 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Access Through Christ's Blood")). Thus, the "time of reformation" is the time of Christ, where external rituals give way to internal transformation, and the provisional gives way to the permanent, perfect, and all-sufficient work of the Lamb of God.

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

Ephesians 2:15

Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, [even] the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, [so] making peace;

Colossians 2:16

¶ Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath [days]:

Hebrews 7:16

Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

Leviticus 16:24

And he shall wash his flesh with water in the holy place, and put on his garments, and come forth, and offer his burnt offering, and the burnt offering of the people, and make an atonement for himself, and for the people.

Galatians 4:3

Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

Galatians 4:4

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

Ezekiel 4:14

Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! behold, my soul hath not been polluted: for from my youth up even till now have I not eaten of that which dieth of itself, or is torn in pieces; neither came there abominable flesh into my mouth.