Hebrews 9:4

Translations

Modern

…containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.

Traditional

Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;

Literal

…having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant having been covered around in every part with gold, in which was the golden jar having the manna, and the staff of Aaron having budded, and the tablets of the covenant.

Latin

…aureum habens thuribulum, et arcam testamenti circumtectam ex omni parte auro, in qua urna aurea habens manna, et virga Aaron, quæ fronduerat, et tabulæ testamenti,

Original

Greek

English

…containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.

Notes

Hebrews 9:4

The gold incense altar likely stood just outside the inner curtain (Exodus 30:1 –10). Its exact location is unclear in the Old Testament, but it was closely linked to the Most Holy Place (Exodus 30:6; Leviticus 16:13; 1 Kings 6:22).
The ark of the covenant, representing God's presence, was the most important item in the tabernacle (see Exodus 25:10 –22).
The gold jar with manna reminded people of God's provision in the wilderness (Exodus 16:32 –34).
Aaron’s staff, which sprouted leaves (see Numbers 17:1 –11), reminded people not to rebel against God's chosen leaders (Numbers 17:10; compare Hebrews 13:17).
The stone tablets of the covenant held the Ten Commandments and reminded the people of the rules they were to live by (Exodus 25:16; 31:18; Deuteronomy 9:9–10:5).

Hebrews 9:1–5

These verses describe the tabernacle, which was Israel's place of worship before they built the temple.

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.

Theme notes and profiles

Aaron The Ark of the Covenant The Bronze Snake The Cities of Refuge The New Covenant The Superiority of the Son The Tabernacle

Related verses

Numbers 17:10
The LORD said to Moses, “Put Aaron’s staff back in front of the Testimony, to be kept as a sign for the rebellious, so that you may put an end to their grumbling against Me, lest they die.”
Exodus 40:3
Put the ark of the Testimony in it and screen off the ark with the veil.
2 Chronicles 5:10
There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites after they had come out of Egypt.
Leviticus 16:12
Then he must take a censer full of burning coals from the altar before the LORD, and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense, and take them inside the veil.
Exodus 26:33
And hang the veil from the clasps and place the ark of the Testimony behind the veil. So the veil will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.
Exodus 34:29
And when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was unaware that his face had become radiant from speaking with the LORD.
Exodus 40:20–21
Moses took the Testimony and placed it in the ark, attaching the poles to the ark; and he set the mercy seat atop the ark.
Numbers 17:5
The staff belonging to the man I choose will sprout, and I will rid Myself of the constant grumbling of the Israelites against you.”
Exodus 16:32–34
Moses said, “This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Keep an omer of manna for the generations to come, so that they may see the bread I fed you in the wilderness when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.’”
Deuteronomy 10:2–5
And I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke; and you are to place them in the ark.”
1 Kings 8:21
And there I have provided a place for the ark, which contains the covenant of the LORD that He made with our fathers when He brought them out of the land of Egypt.”
1 Kings 8:9
There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites after they had come out of the land of Egypt.

Parallels

Exodus 40:1–33 Acts 7:44–47

People

Aaron: Moses' brother, first high priest of Israel

Glossary

Aaron’s Rod Ark of the Covenant Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Day of Atonement Hebrews, Letter to the Lord’s Supper, the Mediate, Mediator Sanctuary Tabernacle

Topics

Aaron: Preserved Ark of the Covenant: Placed in the Holy of Holies Ark of the Covenant: Tables of Testimony Alone Placed In Ark of the Covenant: The Pot of Manna and Aaron's Rod Laid up Before Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant of the Covenant Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Aaron's Rod Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Place of Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Pot of Manna Censer for the Temple, Made of Gold Censers: One of Gold in the Most Holy Place Holy of Holies: Contained: Aaron's Rod Holy of Holies: Contained: Golden Censer Holy of Holies: Contained: Pot of Manna Manna: A Golden Pot of, Laid up in the Holiest for a Memorial Manna: Preserved in the Ark of the Testimony Offerings: Insufficiency of Rod of Aaron Buds Symbols and Similitudes: Tabernacle Tabernacle: Divided Into: The Holy Place Tabernacle: Symbol of Spiritual Things Tabernacle: The Ark and Mercy-Seat Put in the Most Holy Place Tabernacle: The Holy Place of Tabernacle: The Most Holy Place Table: of Testimony were Placed in the Ark of the Covenant The Ark of Covenant The Law of Moses: Divided Into: Ceremonial, Relating to Manner of Worshipping God Types: Miscellaneous: The Sanctuary a Type of the Heavenly Sanctuary Works: Insufficiency of, for Salvation

Hebrews 9:4

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Original?

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Related verses?

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People

Glossary?

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Translations

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Notes

Related verses

Parallels

Glossary

Topics