Keraia
Hebrews 9

Hebrews 9:23

Redemption through His Blood · Hebrews 9:11–28
Read Hebrews 9

Translations

Modern
So it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
Traditional
It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
Literal
Therefore there was a necessity indeed for the representations of the things in the heavens to be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
Latin
Necesse est ergo exemplaria quidem cælestium his mundari: ipsa autem cælestia melioribus hostiis quam istis.

Original

Greek
English
So it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

Notes

Hebrews 9:23

  • This verse uses a comparison from lesser to greater (see study note on Hebrews 9:14). Just as heaven is greater than the earthly tabernacle, Christ’s sacrifice had to be much better than earthly sacrifices.

  • So it was necessary: See 9:16–22; Leviticus 16:14–19.

  • copies of the heavenly things: See study note on Hebrews 8:5.

  • heavenly things to be purified: Just as the tabernacle needed cleansing because of the Israelites' sin (Leviticus 16:16–19), the heavenly tabernacle required removing uncleanness from those entering heaven under the new covenant.

Hebrews 9:11–10:18

The author compares the old system (Hebrews 9:1–10) with Christ's superior sacrifice as high priest. Christ offered his own blood, not animal blood (9:13–22; see also 9:7). His offering took place in the heavenly tabernacle, not the earthly one (9:23–24; see also 9:1–5). Unlike repeated offerings, Christ's sacrifice happened only once (9:25–10:18; see also 7:27; 9:6–7).

Hebrews 9:1–10:18

This section explains that Christ's death, as the sacrifice in the new covenant, is better than the sacrifices in the old covenant. In Hebrews 9:1–10, the author describes worship practices under the old covenant rules (see Exodus 28–29; Leviticus 1–10; 16:1–17:16). In Hebrews 9:11–10:18, these rules are compared to Christ's superior offering.

Hebrews 8:1–10:18

This passage explains that the role of Jesus as the heavenly high priest is better than the role of earthly priests.

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Blood Body of Christ Day of Atonement Hebrews, Letter to the Lord’s Supper, the Mediate, Mediator

Topics

Blood of Sacrifices, Typical of the Atoning Blood of Christ Colors: These Colors Figured Largely in the Symbolisms of the Tabernacle Furnishing Jesus, the Christ: Priesthood of: His Sacrifice Superior to all Others Law: Temporary Offerings: Animal Sacrifices: A Type of Christ Pattern of the Tabernacle Priest: (The Function he Served Was Superior to That of Other Priests): On the Day of Atonement Symbols and Similitudes: Tabernacle Symbols and Similitudes: The Whole System of Mosaic Rites Tabernacle: Sprinkled with Blood The Covenant: Ratified by the Blood of Christ the High Priest Christ: His Sacrifice Superior to all Others Types of the Saviour Types of the Saviour: The Sacrifices