Hebrews 9:20

KJV

Saying, This [is] the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.

KJV (with Strong's)

Saying {G3004}, This {G5124} is the blood {G129} of the testament {G1242} which {G3739} God {G2316} hath enjoined {G1781} unto {G4314} you {G5209}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and he said, “This is the blood of the covenant which God has ordained for you.”

Berean Standard Bible

saying, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.”

American Standard Version

saying, This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded to you-ward.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 9:20 serves as a foundational verse within the epistle's intricate argument, quoting Moses' declaration at the ratification of the Old Covenant to underscore the indispensable role of blood in establishing divine agreements. This statement, "This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you," directly echoes the historical event at Mount Sinai, providing a crucial typological link between the provisional, animal-blood-sealed covenant and the superior, eternal New Covenant inaugurated by the perfect blood of Christ. It highlights God's sovereign initiative in establishing covenants and the solemn, life-giving, and life-taking nature of such divine arrangements.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hebrews 9:20 is situated within a detailed exposition of the Old Covenant's tabernacle rituals and sacrifices, particularly their inadequacy in truly cleansing sin. The author has just described the earthly sanctuary and its services [Hebrews 9:1-10](/hebrews/9-1-10 "Hebrews 9:1-10 - The Earthly Sanctuary") and is now transitioning to the superiority of Christ's once-for-all sacrifice [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice"). Verse 20 specifically references the historical event of the Old Covenant's ratification found in [Exodus 24:3-8](/exodus/24-3-8 "Exodus 24:3-8 - The Ratification of the Covenant"), where Moses sprinkled blood on the people. This quotation serves as a vital proof-text for the author's subsequent argument that "without shedding of blood there is no remission" [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - No Remission Without Bloodshed"), establishing the necessary precedent for Christ's blood to inaugurate the New Covenant.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Near East, including Israel, understood covenants as solemn, binding agreements, often involving elaborate rituals and sacrifices. Blood played a central, symbolic role in these ceremonies, signifying life, death, and the sealing of an oath. The act of sprinkling blood on the people, as described in [Exodus 24](/exodus/24 "Exodus 24 - The Covenant at Sinai"), was a powerful visual and spiritual act, signifying the people's consecration to God and their acceptance of the covenant's terms. It also represented the life-giving power of the covenant, as well as the dire consequences (death) for breaking it. This cultural understanding of blood as the very essence of life and the means of atonement or covenant ratification is crucial for appreciating the profound implications of the author's argument concerning Christ's blood.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Hebrews. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of **Covenant Ratification**, emphasizing that all divine covenants require a blood sacrifice for their establishment and validity, whether through animal blood (Old Covenant) or Christ's perfect blood (New Covenant). Secondly, it highlights **Divine Authority**, as the phrase "which God hath enjoined unto you" underscores that the covenant is not a human invention but a divinely commanded and initiated agreement, making it binding and sacred. Lastly, it serves as a critical point in the theme of **Typology and Fulfillment**, demonstrating that the Old Covenant, with its blood rituals, was a shadow or type [Hebrews 8:5](/hebrews/8-5 "Hebrews 8:5 - Pattern of Heavenly Things") preparing the way for the ultimate reality and fulfillment found in the superior and eternal New Covenant, mediated by Christ's perfect sacrifice [Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - A Better Covenant").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **blood (Greek, _haîma'_):** (G129) This term refers literally to the vital fluid of humans or animals. Figuratively, it can denote the juice of grapes, but most significantly in this context, it refers to the atoning blood of Christ. By implication, it signifies bloodshed and also kindred. In Hebrews 9:20, it directly refers to the sacrificial blood used by Moses to ratify the Old Covenant, establishing the principle that life (represented by blood) must be given for a covenant to be established and for sins to be addressed.
* **testament (Greek, _diathḗkē'_):** (G1242) Properly, this word signifies a "disposition," which can mean a contract or, more specifically, a devisory will. While it can mean "will" (as seen in [Hebrews 9:16-17](/hebrews/9-16-17 "Hebrews 9:16-17 - The Necessity of Death for a Will")), in the broader context of Hebrews 9:20 and the Old/New Covenants, it primarily means a solemn, binding agreement or "covenant." This highlights God's unilateral initiation of these agreements and their unbreakable nature, sealed by sacrifice.
* **enjoined (Greek, _entéllomai'_):** (G1781) Derived from "en" (in) and a root meaning "end" or "purpose," this verb means "to enjoin," "to give charge," or "to command." It emphasizes that the covenant, and specifically the requirement of blood for its ratification, was not a human invention or suggestion but a direct, authoritative command from God. This underscores the divine origin and binding nature of the covenant's terms.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Saying, This is the blood of the testament":** This phrase directly quotes Moses' words from [Exodus 24:8](/exodus/24-8 "Exodus 24:8 - Moses' Covenant Declaration"). The author of Hebrews uses this quotation to establish a direct link to the historical inauguration of the Mosaic Covenant. The "blood" refers to the sacrificial blood of oxen, which Moses sprinkled on the people and the altar, signifying the solemn, binding nature of the "testament" or covenant. This act was the formal sealing of the agreement between God and Israel.
* **"which God hath enjoined unto you":** This clause emphasizes the divine origin and authority of the covenant. It was not a humanly devised agreement but one that God Himself "enjoined" or commanded and laid upon the people. This highlights God's sovereign initiative in establishing a relationship with humanity through a covenant, and His specific requirements for its ratification, including the shedding of blood. The "unto you" refers directly to the people of Israel, to whom the Old Covenant was given.

#### Literary Devices
The author of Hebrews masterfully employs several literary devices in this verse. **Quotation** is prominently featured, as the verse directly cites Moses' words from [Exodus 24:8](/exodus/24-8 "Exodus 24:8 - The Blood of the Covenant"). This direct citation lends authority and historical grounding to the author's argument, demonstrating that the principle of blood-sealed covenants is deeply rooted in Israel's foundational history. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Covenantal Language**, employing terms like "blood" and "testament" (covenant) that are central to biblical theology and convey the solemn, binding nature of God's agreements with humanity. Finally, the verse functions as a powerful example of **Typology**. The Old Covenant, ratified by animal blood, serves as a "type" or foreshadowing of the New Covenant, which is the "anti-type" or fulfillment, established by the superior and perfect blood of Jesus Christ. This typological connection is central to the entire argument of Hebrews, demonstrating the continuity and progression of God's redemptive plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 9:20 profoundly underscores the biblical principle that atonement and covenant ratification fundamentally require the shedding of blood. This verse, quoting Moses' declaration, establishes the Old Covenant's reliance on animal sacrifices as a temporary and symbolic means of approach to God. Theologically, it reveals God's consistent demand for a life-for-life exchange to deal with sin and establish a holy relationship, a demand rooted in the sanctity of life and the seriousness of sin. It highlights that the Old Covenant, though divinely instituted, was imperfect precisely because the blood of animals could not truly cleanse the conscience or provide eternal redemption. This sets the stage for the New Covenant, where Christ's perfect blood fulfills and supersedes these earlier provisions, offering a definitive and eternal solution to the problem of sin.

* [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "The Life is in the Blood"): "For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul."
* [Matthew 26:28](/matthew/26-28 "The Blood of the New Covenant"): "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."
* [1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "Redemption through Christ's Precious Blood"): "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 9:20 calls us to a deeper appreciation of the profound cost and divine faithfulness behind our salvation. Just as the Old Covenant was sealed with blood, signifying its binding nature and the seriousness of God's commands, so too is our New Covenant relationship with God founded upon a sacrifice of infinite value. This means our access to God, our forgiveness, and our hope for eternal life are not based on our own works or rituals, but entirely on the blood of Jesus Christ. Reflecting on this verse should stir within us a sense of awe at God's unchanging standard for dealing with sin and His boundless love in providing the perfect sacrifice. It reminds us that our faith is not in a vague concept of grace, but in a divinely ratified covenant, secured by the most precious blood ever shed. This understanding should lead to a life of humble gratitude, confident assurance, and devoted obedience, knowing that we are eternally bound to God through Christ's perfect work.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the role of blood in the Old Covenant (as highlighted in Hebrews 9:20) deepen your appreciation for the sacrifice of Jesus in the New Covenant?**
* **In what ways does the phrase "which God hath enjoined unto you" emphasize God's sovereignty and initiative in establishing our relationship with Him?**
* **How does the permanence and divine ratification of the New Covenant, sealed by Christ's blood, impact your sense of security and assurance in your faith?**

### FAQ
**Why was blood necessary for the Old Covenant's ratification, and what does it symbolize?**

Answer: Blood was absolutely necessary for the Old Covenant's ratification because, according to biblical theology, "the life of the flesh is in the blood" [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Life is in the Blood"). In ancient Near Eastern cultures, and especially in Israelite worship, blood symbolized life itself, and its shedding represented a life given in exchange for another, or as a seal for a solemn agreement. When Moses sprinkled blood on the people and the altar at Sinai [Exodus 24:8](/exodus/24-8 "Exodus 24:8 - The Blood of the Covenant"), it symbolized the consecration of the people to God, their acceptance of the covenant's terms, and the solemnity of the agreement, signifying that a life had been given to validate the covenant. It also foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice required for true and lasting atonement for sin.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 9:20, by quoting Moses' words at the inauguration of the Old Covenant, powerfully sets the stage for the Christ-centered fulfillment found in the New Covenant. The "blood of the testament" in the Old Covenant, derived from animals, was a temporary and insufficient means of atonement, serving as a mere shadow of the reality to come [Hebrews 10:1](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1 - The Law as a Shadow"). Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of this ancient pattern. His own precious blood, shed on the cross, is the "blood of the new testament" [Matthew 26:28](/matthew/26-28 "Matthew 26:28 - The Blood of the New Covenant"), inaugurating a covenant that is "better" and founded on "better promises" [Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - A Better Covenant"). Unlike the Old Covenant sacrifices that had to be repeated, Christ entered "once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption" through "his own blood" [Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Eternal Redemption"). His perfect, sinless blood cleanses not just the flesh, but purifies our consciences from dead works to serve the living God [Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansing of Conscience"). Thus, the temporary, animal-blood-sealed covenant of Moses finds its complete and eternal purpose in the perfect, human-divine blood of Jesus, establishing an everlasting covenant of grace and providing full and final access to God [Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Access to God Through Christ's Blood").

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

Matthew 26:28

For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Exodus 24:8

And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled [it] on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.

Hebrews 13:20

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

Zechariah 9:11

As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein [is] no water.

Deuteronomy 29:12

That thou shouldest enter into covenant with the LORD thy God, and into his oath, which the LORD thy God maketh with thee this day:

Joshua 9:6

And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us.