Hebrews 9:19

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 {G1063} when {G5259} Moses {G3475} had spoken {G2980} every {G3956} precept {G1785} to all {G3956} the people {G2992} according {G2596} to the law {G3551}, he took {G2983} the blood {G129} of calves {G3448} and {G2532} of goats {G5131}, with {G3326} water {G5204}, and {G2532} scarlet {G2847} wool {G2053}, and {G2532} hyssop {G5301}, and sprinkled {G4472} both {G5037} the book {G975}{G846}, and {G2532} all {G3956} the people {G2992},

After Moshe had proclaimed every command of the Torah to all the people, he took the blood of the calves with some water and used scarlet wool and hyssop to sprinkle both the scroll itself and all the people;

For when Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, along with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people,

For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses unto 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,

Commentary

Hebrews 9:19 provides a vivid description of the solemn ceremony by which the Old Covenant was ratified between God and the nation of Israel. The author of Hebrews, building on the Old Testament narratives, emphasizes the crucial role of blood in the establishment and purification processes under the Mosaic Law.

Context

This verse directly references the events recorded in Exodus 24:6-8, where Moses officiated the covenant ceremony at Mount Sinai. After Moses had communicated all of God's laws and commands ("every precept") to the people, the covenant was formally sealed through a ritual involving animal sacrifice. The sprinkling of blood on both the "book of the covenant" and "all the people" signified their consecration and commitment to the Law, and God's acceptance of them under its terms. This act underscored the seriousness of the covenant and the requirement of purification for approaching a holy God.

Key Themes

  • Covenant Ratification: The act of sprinkling blood was central to formalizing the covenant between God and Israel. It symbolized a binding agreement, much like a signature on a contract, but with life-and-death implications.
  • The Necessity of Blood: This passage powerfully illustrates the principle that under the Old Covenant, purification and atonement required the shedding of blood. The author of Hebrews further articulates this foundational truth in Hebrews 9:22, stating, "without shedding of blood is no remission."
  • Symbolic Elements:
    • Blood of calves and goats: Represented the life given as a substitute for the people's sin, making atonement.
    • Water: Often symbolized purification and cleansing.
    • Scarlet wool and hyssop: Used together in various purification rites (e.g., cleansing from leprosy in Leviticus 14), signifying thorough cleansing and removal of impurity. Hyssop, a small plant, was typically used as an applicator for sprinkling.

Linguistic Insights

The term "sprinkled" (Greek: rhantizo) is significant, denoting a ritualistic act of applying a liquid for purification, consecration, or expiation. In this context, it emphasizes the thoroughness of the cleansing and the solemnity of the covenant being established. The "precept" (Greek: entolΔ“) refers to God's divine commands and instructions, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the Law given through Moses.

Practical Application

This ancient ritual, while seemingly foreign to modern sensibilities, serves as a crucial theological foundation. It highlights:

  • The Holiness of God: It reveals that a holy God requires purification and atonement for sin.
  • The Seriousness of Sin: Sin incurs a penalty, and in the Old Covenant, life (represented by blood) was required to cover it.
  • A Pointer to Christ: The elaborate sacrifices of the Old Covenant, including this initial covenant ratification, were temporary and incomplete. They constantly pointed forward to the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His blood established a new and better covenant, providing eternal redemption and access to God, unlike the repetitive sacrifices of the Mosaic Law. Believers today are cleansed and justified not by animal blood, but by the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19).
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Cross-References

  • Exodus 24:5

    And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD.

  • Exodus 24:11

    And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink.

  • Hebrews 9:12

    Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption [for us].

  • Numbers 19:18

    And a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip [it] in the water, and sprinkle [it] upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that touched a bone, or one slain, or one dead, or a grave:

  • Numbers 19:6

    And the priest shall take cedar wood, and hyssop, and scarlet, and cast [it] into the midst of the burning of the heifer.

  • Hebrews 10:4

    For [it is] not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

  • 1 Peter 1:2

    Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
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