Hebrews 9

Of the thirteen chapters of Hebrews, chapter 9 stands at the heart of the letter's treatment of Christ's high priesthood. Chapter 8 quoted the new covenant promise and described Christ as the mediator (one who brings about reconciliation between parties) of a better covenant. Chapter 9 builds on this by comparing, point by point, the sacrifices of the old tabernacle with the sacrifice of Christ.

Outline

• Verses 1–5 describe the sanctuary of the first covenant. The first tabernacle (the holy place) contained the candlestick, the table, and the shewbread. Behind the second veil, the Holy of Holies contained the golden censer and the ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the pot of manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant, and over it were the cherubim overshadowing it.
• Verses 6–10 explain that the priests ministered continually in the first tabernacle, but into the second the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood. This tabernacle was "a figure for the time then present," and its sacrifices could not make the worshiper perfect as pertaining to the conscience.
• Verses 11–14 state that Christ, through a tabernacle not made with hands, entered once for all into the holy place by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. The argument runs that if the blood of animals and the ashes of a heifer sanctify to the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ purge the conscience.
• Verses 15–22 present Christ as the mediator of the new covenant. The passage then offers the analogy that a testament takes effect only after the death of the testator. It also recalls how Moses took blood with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop and sprinkled the book of the covenant, the people, and the tabernacle, concluding that "without shedding of blood is no remission."
• Verses 23–28 declare that Christ entered not into a holy place made with hands but into heaven itself, to appear in the presence of God. Rather than offering himself repeatedly year by year, he offered himself once for all in the end of the world. As it is appointed unto men once to die and after this comes the judgment, so Christ was once offered and shall appear the second time.

Key Verses

• Hebrews 9:12 "By his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us": the word "once" (that is, once for all) is a key term in the understanding of atonement in Hebrews.
• Hebrews 9:22 "Without shedding of blood is no remission": frequently cited as the principle linking the Old Testament sacrifices to the cross.
• Hebrews 9:27–28 "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment": speaks of death, judgment, and the second coming of Christ together.

People and Places

• Jesus Christ: portrayed as the high priest of good things to come and the mediator of the new covenant.
• Moses: appears as the one who sprinkled the blood of the covenant on the book and the people (Exodus 24).
• Aaron: mentioned as the owner of the rod that budded.
• The holy place and the Holy of Holies: the two sections of the tabernacle. Only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and only on the Day of Atonement.
• Cherubim: winged figures above the ark of the covenant (see seraphim and cherubim).

Points for Reflection

• The golden censer in verse 4: The Korean Revised Version and the New Korean Revised Version render the term "golden censer," while the Korean New Standard Version renders it "golden altar of incense." Because Exodus 30:6 places the altar of incense before the veil, interpreters differ as to why Hebrews associates it with the Holy of Holies.
• The "testament" in verses 16–17: The Greek word diathēkē can mean both "covenant" and "testament" (will). Scholars therefore differ on whether this passage should be read as describing a covenant-making ritual or as an analogy drawn from a last will.
• "Once for all" and the Lord's Supper: The Reformers appealed to this chapter in opposing the view of the Mass as a repeated sacrifice. The Catholic Church explains that the Mass does not repeat the sacrifice but makes present Christ's one sacrifice.
• Connections: The ashes of a heifer in verse 13 draw on the purification rite of Numbers 19, and verses 6–7 draw on the Day of Atonement regulations of Leviticus 16. Chapter 10 continues the same argument.

In Korean Churches

Verse 27 is frequently quoted in evangelistic preaching and in sermons at funeral services. Verses 11–14 and 22 are often used during Holy Week and at the Lord's Supper as texts explaining the blood of Christ and the atonement.