Hebrews 9:21

KJV

Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.

KJV (with Strong's)

Moreover {G1161}{G3668} he sprinkled {G4472} with blood {G129} both {G2532} the tabernacle {G4633}, and {G2532} all {G3956} the vessels {G4632} of the ministry {G3009}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Likewise, he sprinkled with the blood both the Tent and all the things used in its ceremonies.

Berean Standard Bible

In the same way, he sprinkled with blood the tabernacle and all the vessels used in worship.

American Standard Version

Moreover the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry he sprinkled in like manner with the blood.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 9:21 continues the author's meticulous explanation of the Old Covenant's establishment, emphasizing the absolute necessity of blood for purification and consecration. This verse specifically details how Moses, following divine instruction, ritually sprinkled both the physical tabernacle and all its accompanying vessels, which were integral to the Levitical ministry, with blood. This act underscored the pervasive principle that nothing under the Old Covenant could be set apart for God's holy use or made clean without the shedding and application of blood, thereby laying crucial groundwork for understanding the superior and definitive cleansing offered through Christ's sacrifice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a larger theological argument in Hebrews 9, where the author systematically contrasts the Old Covenant's earthly sanctuary and its rituals with the New Covenant's heavenly reality inaugurated by Christ. Immediately preceding [Hebrews 9:21](/hebrews/9-21 "Hebrews 9:21 - Sprinkling the Tabernacle"), [Hebrews 9:18-20](/hebrews/9-18-20 "Hebrews 9:18-20 - Inauguration of the First Covenant") describes Moses inaugurating the first covenant by sprinkling the book of the Law and all the people with blood. [Hebrews 9:21](/hebrews/9-21 "Hebrews 9:21 - Sprinkling the Tabernacle") extends this pattern of blood-based consecration to the sacred objects of the tabernacle. The culmination of this section is found in [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - No Remission Without Blood"), which states the foundational principle: "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." This entire passage serves to establish the pervasive and non-negotiable role of blood in the Old Covenant's system of purification, preparing the reader to grasp the profound significance of Christ's singular, superior sacrifice.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The actions described in [Hebrews 9:21](/hebrews/9-21 "Hebrews 9:21 - Sprinkling the Tabernacle") directly reference the detailed instructions and historical accounts found in the Pentateuch, particularly [Exodus 40](/exodus/40 "Exodus 40 - Dedication of the Tabernacle") and [Leviticus 8](/leviticus/8 "Leviticus 8 - Consecration of Priests and Tabernacle"), concerning the construction, dedication, and ongoing service of the tabernacle. The "tabernacle" (Greek: _skēnē_) was the portable sanctuary where God's presence dwelt among the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings and before the construction of the Temple. The "vessels of the ministry" (Greek: _skeuos_ and _leitourgía_) included all the sacred implements used in worship, such as the Ark of the Covenant, the altar of incense, the lampstand, and the table of showbread. The act of "sprinkling with blood" was not merely symbolic; it was a powerful, divinely ordained ritual. In ancient Israel, blood represented life ([Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - Life is in the Blood")) and its application was essential for purification, consecration, and atonement for sin, setting apart objects and people for God's holy purposes. This intricate system highlighted God's immense holiness and the defiling nature of sin, establishing a profound need for an ultimate means of reconciliation.

* **Key Themes:** The verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes in Hebrews. The most prominent is **Purification and Consecration**, emphasizing that blood was indispensable for making anything holy and acceptable for divine service under the Old Covenant. This theme is foundational, as every aspect of Old Covenant worship required cleansing to approach a holy God. Closely related is the theme of **Atonement**, as the sprinkling of blood was intrinsically linked to covering or making amends for sin, symbolizing a life given to bridge the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity. Furthermore, the tabernacle and its rituals serve as a crucial example of **Typology**, where earthly realities are understood as "a copy and shadow of heavenly things" ([Hebrews 8:5](/hebrews/8-5 "Hebrews 8:5 - Earthly Sanctuary as a Copy")). The earthly acts of purification pointed forward to the superior, once-for-all purification achieved by Christ's blood in the true, heavenly sanctuary ([Hebrews 9:23-24](/hebrews/9-23-24 "Hebrews 9:23-24 - Christ's Heavenly Sacrifice")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sprinkled (Greek, _rhantízō'_):** This verb signifies the act of ceremonially purifying or consecrating something through the application of a liquid, specifically blood in this context. It denotes a ritual cleansing that sets apart for sacred use, emphasizing the meticulous nature of the Old Covenant's requirements for holiness before God. The action implies a thorough and deliberate application, not a casual one, highlighting the gravity of the purification process.
* **blood (Greek, _haîma'_):** In the biblical worldview, blood is intrinsically linked to life itself, as stated in [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - Life in the Blood"). In the context of the Old Covenant, the shedding of blood symbolized the giving of life as a substitute for the life of the sinner, serving as the means of atonement and purification. Here, it is the essential element that makes the tabernacle and its vessels fit for God's presence and service, pointing forward to the ultimate, atoning blood of Christ.
* **tabernacle (Greek, _skēnḗ'_):** This term refers to the portable tent-sanctuary that served as the central place of worship for the Israelites before the construction of the Temple. It was the earthly dwelling place of God's presence among His people. Its consecration with blood underscored that even the holy place itself, where God met His people, needed to be purified to be set apart for His divine purposes, illustrating the pervasive impact of sin and the universal need for cleansing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Moreover he sprinkled with blood":** This clause continues the narrative of Moses' actions in inaugurating the Old Covenant, building on the previous verses that describe the sprinkling of the book and the people. The "he" refers to Moses, acting as the mediator of the covenant. The phrase emphasizes the consistent and pervasive use of blood as the divinely appointed means of purification and consecration. It underscores that this was not an isolated act but a fundamental principle of the Old Covenant.
* **"both the tabernacle":** This specifies the first object of the sprinkling. The tabernacle, as the very dwelling place of God's presence, had to be ritually cleansed and consecrated with blood. This highlights the immense holiness of God and the necessity of even the most sacred physical space being purified to be acceptable for divine habitation and worship. It signifies that nothing, not even the place of worship, was exempt from the need for blood-based purification.
* **"and all the vessels of the ministry":** This expands the scope of the blood-sprinkling to include every implement and piece of equipment used within the tabernacle for its sacred services. These "vessels" were not mere tools but were integral to the performance of the Levitical rituals and sacrifices. Their consecration with blood demonstrates that every aspect of the Old Covenant worship system, down to the smallest detail, required purification to be set apart for God's holy work, reinforcing the pervasive nature of sin's defilement and the comprehensive reach of blood-based cleansing.

#### Literary Devices
The author of Hebrews masterfully employs several literary devices in this verse. **Symbolism** is paramount, as the blood, the tabernacle, and its vessels are not merely physical objects but potent symbols. The blood symbolizes life given in atonement and purification, while the tabernacle and its vessels symbolize the entire system of Old Covenant worship and the earthly means by which God's people sought to approach Him. **Typology** is also a key device, as the elaborate rituals of the Old Covenant, including the sprinkling of the tabernacle, are presented as "types" or foreshadows that point forward to the ultimate "anti-type" in Jesus Christ. These earthly acts, though real and necessary in their time, were incomplete and served to prepare the way for the superior, heavenly reality of Christ's sacrifice. Furthermore, the verse participates in the broader **Argument from Lesser to Greater**, common in Hebrews, where the author moves from the efficacy of the Old Covenant sacrifices (which required repeated blood-shedding for earthly purification) to the infinitely greater and once-for-all efficacy of Christ's blood for eternal purification.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 9:21 profoundly illustrates the Old Covenant's foundational principle: access to a holy God and participation in His sacred service necessitated purification by blood. This principle, established from the very inauguration of the covenant, underscored the gravity of sin and the immense cost of atonement. The meticulous sprinkling of the tabernacle and its vessels with blood served as a constant visual and ritualistic reminder that sin defiles everything, and only a life given (symbolized by blood) could bridge the chasm between humanity's impurity and God's absolute holiness. This preparation was crucial, not as an end in itself, but as a divine pedagogical tool, teaching Israel the deep-seated need for a perfect sacrifice that could truly cleanse and consecrate, a need that would ultimately be met in Christ.

* [Exodus 24:6-8](/exodus/24-6-8 "Exodus 24:6-8 - The Blood of the Covenant")
* [Leviticus 16:14-19](/leviticus/16-14-19 "Leviticus 16:14-19 - Sprinkling on the Day of Atonement")
* [Hebrews 10:1-4](/hebrews/10-1-4 "Hebrews 10:1-4 - The Inadequacy of Old Covenant Sacrifices")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 9:21 serves as a powerful reminder of the profound seriousness of sin and the absolute necessity of a blood sacrifice for purification and atonement. If even inanimate objects like the tabernacle and its vessels required meticulous cleansing with blood to be set apart for God's use, how much more do our hearts, consciences, and lives need to be purified to truly serve a holy God? This verse compels us to appreciate the immense cost of our redemption. The Old Covenant system, though divinely instituted, was a temporary and imperfect shadow, constantly pointing to a greater reality. It highlights that our access to God today is not based on our own efforts or rituals, but solely on the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His blood, unlike that of animals, possesses the power to cleanse not just physical objects, but the deepest parts of our being, our consciences, from dead works, enabling us to serve the living God. This should evoke profound gratitude and a renewed sense of the sacredness of our relationship with Him, purchased at such an incalculable price.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the detailed ritual of sprinkling the tabernacle and its vessels with blood deepen your understanding of the holiness of God and the pervasive nature of sin?**
* **In what ways does this verse, by highlighting the Old Covenant's need for blood, lead you to a greater appreciation for the completeness and finality of Christ's sacrifice?**
* **Considering that the tabernacle was purified for God's presence, how does Christ's blood purify us, who are now temples of the Holy Spirit, for God's indwelling and service?**

### FAQ

**Why was blood necessary to sprinkle the tabernacle and its vessels?**

Answer: The necessity of blood for sprinkling the tabernacle and its vessels stemmed from the foundational Old Covenant principle that "without shedding of blood is no remission" ([Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - No Remission Without Blood")). In the ancient Israelite worldview, blood represented life ([Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - Life in the Blood")), and its application symbolized the giving of a life as a substitute for purification and atonement. Since God is absolutely holy and sin defiles everything, even the physical objects and spaces designated for His worship needed to be ritually cleansed and consecrated to be set apart for His sacred purposes. This act of sprinkling with blood purified them from any defilement, making them acceptable for God's presence and service, and foreshadowed the ultimate purification offered by Christ's blood.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 9:21, with its vivid depiction of the Old Covenant's reliance on blood for purification, serves as a profound **type** pointing directly to the ultimate cleansing power of Jesus Christ. The earthly tabernacle and its vessels, though meticulously consecrated with animal blood, were merely "a copy and shadow of the heavenly things" ([Hebrews 8:5](/hebrews/8-5 "Hebrews 8:5 - Earthly Sanctuary as a Copy")). The constant, repeated sprinkling of blood in the Old Covenant rituals highlighted their inherent inadequacy and the temporary nature of their atonement, which could never truly perfect the worshiper's conscience ([Hebrews 10:1-4](/hebrews/10-1-4 "Hebrews 10:1-4 - The Inadequacy of Old Covenant Sacrifices")). In stark contrast, Christ entered "not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us" ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")). His perfect, sinless life, offered as the ultimate sacrifice, established the New Covenant in His blood ([Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in His Blood")), which "purges your conscience from dead works to serve the living God" ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansing of Conscience by Christ's Blood")). Thus, the earthly sprinkling in [Hebrews 9:21](/hebrews/9-21 "Hebrews 9:21 - Sprinkling the Tabernacle") finds its glorious and complete fulfillment in the heavenly sprinkling of Christ's precious blood, which grants believers eternal access and acceptance into the very presence of 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

Leviticus 8:19

And he killed [it]; and Moses sprinkled the blood upon the altar round about.

Leviticus 8:15

And he slew [it]; and Moses took the blood, and put [it] upon the horns of the altar round about with his finger, and purified the altar, and poured the blood at the bottom of the altar, and sanctified it, to make reconciliation upon it.

Exodus 29:12

And thou shalt take of the blood of the bullock, and put [it] upon the horns of the altar with thy finger, and pour all the blood beside the bottom of the altar.

Exodus 29:36

And thou shalt offer every day a bullock [for] a sin offering for atonement: and thou shalt cleanse the altar, when thou hast made an atonement for it, and thou shalt anoint it, to sanctify it.

Leviticus 9:18

He slew also the bullock and the ram [for] a sacrifice of peace offerings, which [was] for the people: and Aaron's sons presented unto him the blood, which he sprinkled upon the altar round about,

Leviticus 9:8

¶ Aaron therefore went unto the altar, and slew the calf of the sin offering, which [was] for himself.

Leviticus 9:9

And the sons of Aaron brought the blood unto him: and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put [it] upon the horns of the altar, and poured out the blood at the bottom of the altar: