Hebrews 9:3

And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;

And {G1161} after {G3326} the second {G1208} veil {G2665}, the tabernacle {G4633} which {G3588} is called {G3004} the Holiest of all {G39}{G39};

Behind the second parokhet was a tent called the Holiest Place,

Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place,

And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holy of holies;

Commentary

Hebrews 9:3 continues the author's detailed description of the earthly Tabernacle, laying the groundwork for a profound theological comparison with the superior ministry of Jesus Christ. This verse pinpoints a critical architectural and symbolic feature of the Old Covenant worship system.

Context

The book of Hebrews meticulously outlines the structure and function of the ancient Israelite Tabernacle, God's dwelling place among His people in the wilderness, and later the Temple. The author's primary goal is to demonstrate that the entire Old Covenant system—its priesthood, sacrifices, and sanctuary—was a shadow pointing to the ultimate reality found in Jesus Christ. Hebrews 9 specifically focuses on the design of the Tabernacle, detailing the two main compartments: the Holy Place and the Holiest of all. This verse describes the innermost sanctuary, accessed only after passing through a significant barrier.

Key Themes

  • Separation and Restricted Access: The "second veil" (often called the inner veil or curtain) served as a physical and symbolic barrier, separating the common worshiper from God's immediate presence. Only the High Priest could pass through this veil, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Hebrews 9:7), to offer sacrifices for the sins of the people and himself. This strict limitation underscored humanity's inability to approach a holy God directly due to sin.
  • The Holiest of All: Also known as the Holy of Holies, this was the most sacred space in the Tabernacle. It housed the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing God's throne and presence among His people. Its exclusivity emphasized God's transcendence and the profound reverence due to Him.
  • Anticipation of Christ's Ministry: The presence of the veil and the limited access to the Holiest of all were provisional arrangements, foreshadowing a time when direct access to God would be granted. This verse sets the stage for the author's later argument that Jesus Christ, through His perfect sacrifice, tore down this spiritual barrier, opening a new and living way into God's presence (Hebrews 10:19-20).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Holiest of all" translates the Greek hagion hagion (ἅγιον ἁγίων), which literally means "holy of holies" or "most holy place." This superlative construction powerfully conveys the supreme sacredness and exclusive nature of this inner sanctuary, underscoring its unique status as the place where God's manifest presence resided on earth. The "second veil" (Greek: to deuteron katapetasma) refers to the inner curtain, distinguishing it from the first veil at the entrance to the Holy Place.

Practical Application

For believers today, Hebrews 9:3 reminds us of the profound privilege we have in Christ. The physical barrier of the second veil in the Tabernacle, which symbolized humanity's separation from God, was dramatically removed when the temple veil was torn in two at Jesus' death. This act signified that through Christ's perfect sacrifice, the way to God's presence is now open to all who believe. We no longer need an earthly high priest or a physical sanctuary to approach God; we can now boldly enter into the heavenly sanctuary through our great High Priest, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:16). This truth offers immense comfort, confidence, and freedom in our relationship with God.

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Cross-References

  • Exodus 26:31 (5 votes)

    ¶ And thou shalt make a vail [of] blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made:

  • Exodus 26:33 (5 votes)

    And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy [place] and the most holy.

  • Matthew 27:51 (4 votes)

    And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

  • Exodus 40:3 (4 votes)

    And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.

  • Exodus 40:21 (4 votes)

    And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the vail of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses.

  • Hebrews 9:8 (3 votes)

    ¶ The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

  • 1 Kings 8:6 (3 votes)

    And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy [place, even] under the wings of the cherubims.