The Earthly Tabernacle and Its Rituals
Hebrews 9:1-10
Heb.9.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Ειχε: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- μεν: PART
- ουν: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- πρωτη: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- δικαιωματα: NOUN,nom,pl,n
- λατρειας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- τε: CONJ
- αγιον: ADJ,acc,sg,neut
- κοσμικον: ADJ,nom,sg,n
Parallels
- Exodus 25:8-9, 40 (verbal): Instructions to build the tabernacle 'according to the pattern' provide the Mosaic basis for an earthly sanctuary and prescribed worship referenced in Hebrews 9:1.
- Leviticus 16:1-17 (thematic): Day of Atonement rites and restrictions for the sanctuary exemplify the cultic regulations and priestly service that characterize the 'first covenant' worship.
- Hebrews 8:5 (allusion): Hebrews explicitly describes Moses' ministry and the earthly sanctuary as a 'copy and shadow' of heavenly realities, echoing the point that the first covenant had an earthly sanctuary.
- Hebrews 9:2-4 (structural): Immediate context describing the layout of the tent and its furnishings (Holy Place and Most Holy Place) expands on the statement that the first covenant had regulations of worship and an earthly sanctuary.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now the first covenant indeed had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary.
- Now the first covenant indeed had ordinances for worship and an earthly sanctuary.
Heb.9.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- σκηνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- γαρ: PART
- κατεσκευασθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- πρωτη: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- τε: CONJ
- λυχνια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- τραπεζα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- προθεσις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αρτων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- ητις: PRON,rel,nom,sg,f
- λεγεται: VERB,pres,mp,ind,3,sg
- Αγια·: ADJ,nom,sg,f
Parallels
- Exodus 25:23-30 (structural): Gives the instructions for constructing the table for the bread of the Presence (showbread), matching Hebrews' mention of 'the table and the bread of the Presence.'
- Exodus 25:31-40 (structural): Prescribes the golden lampstand (menorah) for the tabernacle, parallel to Hebrews' reference to 'the lampstand' in the first tabernacle.
- Leviticus 24:5-9 (verbal): Describes the arrangement and ministering of the showbread and explicitly calls it holy, echoing Hebrews' phrase that the bread is called 'Holy'.
- 1 Samuel 21:1-6 (allusion): Narrates David's receiving and eating the consecrated showbread from the tabernacle, illustrating the sacred status and restricted use of the bread of the Presence referenced in Hebrews.
- John 6:35 (thematic): Jesus' declaration 'I am the bread of life' functions as a New Testament typological parallel to the Old Testament 'bread of the Presence,' a theme Hebrews exploits in presenting Christ as the true fulfillment of tabernacle types.
Alternative generated candidates
- For a tabernacle had been prepared, the outer room—containing the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence; this is called the Holy Place.
- For a tabernacle was prepared—the outer one—in which were the lampstand and the table and the consecrated bread; this is called the Holy Place.
Heb.9.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- μετα: PREP
- δε: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- δευτερον: ADJ,nom,sg,ne
- καταπετασμα: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- σκηνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- λεγομενη: VERB,pres,mid/pass,part,nom,sg,f
- Αγια: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- Αγιων: ADJ,gen,pl,n
Parallels
- Exodus 26:31-33 (verbal): Commands the making of a veil to separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy, establishing the very 'curtain' and inner sanctuary language echoed in Hebrews 9:3.
- Exodus 40:21-22 (verbal): Describes Moses setting up the veil and placing the ark in the Most Holy Place—portrays the same spatial relation 'behind the veil' that Hebrews references.
- Leviticus 16:2 (thematic): God's prohibition on the priest entering the Most Holy at will and the ritual of the Day of Atonement underscores the restricted, sanctified character of the 'Most Holy' that Hebrews presumes.
- Hebrews 9:7 (structural): Within the same epistle, states that the high priest enters the inner tent once a year—directly develops the significance of the 'second curtain' and the Most Holy Place introduced in 9:3.
- Matthew 27:51 (allusion): The temple veil's tearing at Jesus' death is the New Testament event often read against the background of the veil/Most Holy dichotomy, implying changed access to God that Hebrews discusses.
Alternative generated candidates
- Behind the second curtain stood a second room, called the Most Holy Place,
- Behind the second curtain stood a tabernacle called the Most Holy Place, which had the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant, overlaid all around with gold.
Heb.9.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- χρυσουν: ADJ,acc,sg,n
- εχουσα: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,f,sg
- θυμιατηριον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- κιβωτον: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- διαθηκης: NOUN,gen,sg,fem
- περικεκαλυμμενην: VERB,perf,pass,part,f,acc,sg
- παντοθεν: ADV
- χρυσιω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- σταμνος: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- χρυση: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- εχουσα: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,f,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- μαννα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ραβδος: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- Ααρων: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- βλαστησασα: VERB,aor,act,part,f,nom,sg
- και: CONJ
- αι: ART,nom,pl,f
- πλακες: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- διαθηκης: NOUN,gen,sg,fem
Parallels
- Exodus 25:10-22 (verbal): Direct description of the ark/mercy‑seat and its gold covering (instructions for the ark that Hebrews recalls when mentioning the gold‑covered ark).
- Exodus 16:33-34 (verbal): Records that a jar of manna was placed 'before the LORD' to be kept—parallel to Hebrews' reference to the golden jar holding the manna in the ark.
- Numbers 17:8 (verbal): Narrates Aaron’s rod that budded and was laid up 'before the testimony'—the same tradition Hebrews echoes about Aaron’s budding rod in the ark.
- Exodus 31:18 (verbal): God gives Moses the stone tablets of the covenant (the 'tables of testimony')—parallel to Hebrews' mention of the tablets of the covenant inside the ark.
- 1 Kings 8:9 (structural): Solomon’s report that 'there was nothing in the ark except the two tablets' echoes the tradition about what was kept in the ark and highlights the centrality of the tablets/testimony.
Alternative generated candidates
- which contained a golden censer and the ark of the covenant, all overlaid with gold. In the ark were a golden jar holding the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant.
- In the ark were a golden jar holding the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant.
Heb.9.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- υπερανω: PREP
- δε: CONJ
- αυτης: PRO,gen,sg,f
- Χερουβιν: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- δοξης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- κατασκιαζοντα: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ιλαστηριον·περι: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- ων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- νυν: ADV
- λεγειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- κατα: PREP
- μερος: NOUN,acc,sg,n
Parallels
- Exodus 25:17-22 (verbal): Direct OT description of the atonement cover (mercy seat) with two cherubim overshadowing it; Hebrews 9:5 echoes this language and imagery.
- Exodus 37:6-9 (verbal): Bezalel’s crafting of the ark and the two cherubim over the mercy seat repeats the same material details that Hebrews alludes to about the holy of holies.
- 1 Chronicles 28:18 (verbal): Solomon’s temple plans describe cherubim of gold spreading their wings over the ark—an independent echo of the cherubim-over-atonement-seat motif used in Hebrews.
- Leviticus 16:14-15 (thematic): On the Day of Atonement the high priest sprinkles blood on the atonement cover (mercy seat); Hebrews 9:5 assumes this cultic function as part of the context for the ark and mercy seat imagery.
- Ezekiel 10:1-22 (thematic): Visionary material about cherubim and the glory of the LORD (their association with divine presence and glory) parallels Hebrews’ use of cherubim imagery to signify God’s presence above the mercy seat.
Alternative generated candidates
- Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the place of atonement—about these things now I must not speak in detail.
- Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat; of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
Heb.9.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Τουτων: PRON,gen,pl,neut
- δε: CONJ
- ουτως: ADV
- κατεσκευασμενων: PART,perf,pass,gen,pl,neut
- εις: PREP
- μεν: PART
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- πρωτην: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- σκηνην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- δια: PREP
- παντος: ADJ,gen,sg,masc
- εισιασιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- ιερεις: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- λατρειας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- επιτελουντες: PART,pres,act,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Hebrews 9:2 (verbal): Describes the furnishings of the 'first tabernacle' and the priests' service there—closely parallels the language and setting of 9:6.
- Hebrews 9:7 (structural): Contrasts the priests' regular ministry in the first tabernacle with the high priest's once‑a‑year entrance into the second (Most Holy) place, clarifying the spatial and ritual distinction implied in 9:6.
- Hebrews 8:2 (thematic): Speaks of Christ ministering in the 'true tabernacle in heaven,' setting up the heavenly/earthly tabernacle typology that 9:6 invokes by mentioning the 'first' tent.
- Leviticus 16:2–16 (allusion): The Day of Atonement regulations describe priestly entry into distinct sanctuaries and ritual procedures for atonement—background for Hebrews' use of 'first' and 'second' tabernacle language.
- Exodus 26:33 (allusion): Commands erection of the veil separating the Holy Place and Most Holy Place, providing the Old Testament basis for the division between the 'first' and inner tabernacle referenced in 9:6.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now when these things were so prepared, the priests continually entered the outer room to carry out the worship,
- Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests entered continually into the outer tabernacle to carry out the ministry.
Heb.9.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- εις: PREP
- δε: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- δευτεραν: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- απαξ: ADV
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ενιαυτου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- μονος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- αρχιερευς: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ου: PART,neg
- χωρις: PREP,gen
- αιματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- προσφερει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- υπερ: PREP
- εαυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- λαου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- αγνοηματων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
Parallels
- Leviticus 16:2 (allusion): Background prescription for the high priest entering the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement; provides the cultic setting for Hebrews' claim that only the high priest enters the inner sanctuary once a year.
- Leviticus 16:15-16 (verbal): Describes the sin‑offering blood the high priest brings into the Most Holy Place for himself and for the people—close verbal and functional parallel to Hebrews' 'not without blood' and 'for himself and for the errors of the people.'
- Leviticus 4:20 (thematic): Speaks of the priest making atonement for himself so that he is forgiven, echoing Hebrews' distinction that the annual entrance involves sacrifice for the priest as well as the people.
- Hebrews 9:12 (verbal): Immediate New Testament parallel: contrasts the high priest's annual entrance with Christ's once‑for‑all entry into the heavenly sanctuary 'with his own blood,' using similar sacrificial language.
- Hebrews 9:25-26 (thematic): Develops the theological point implicit in 9:7 by contrasting repeated earthly sacrificial rituals with Christ's single efficacious offering, explaining why the ritual was performed 'year by year' and its temporary character.
Alternative generated candidates
- but the high priest alone entered the inner room once a year, not without blood which he offered for himself and for the people's sins committed in ignorance.
- But into the second compartment the high priest alone enters once a year, and not without blood—which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people.
Heb.9.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- δηλουντος: VERB,pres,act,part,gen,m,sg
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- πνευματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- αγιου: ADJ,gen,sg,n
- μηπω: ADV
- πεφανερωσθαι: VERB,perf,pas,inf
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αγιων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- οδον: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ετι: ADV
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- πρωτης: ADJ,gen,sg,f
- σκηνης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- εχουσης: VERB,pres,act,part,gen,f,sg
- στασιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Hebrews 9:6-7 (structural): Immediate context: describes the priests' ministry in the outer tabernacle and the high priest alone entering the second (most holy) compartment once a year, paralleling 9:8's point that the way into the holy places was not yet revealed while the first tabernacle stood.
- Leviticus 16:2, 12-16 (allusion): Instructions for the Day of Atonement limiting entrance to the Holy of Holies to the high priest with blood and incense; provides the Old Testament basis for the restricted access referenced in Heb 9:8.
- Exodus 26:33 (structural): Command to set up the veil separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place; explains the physical partition that kept the way into the inner sanctuary concealed while the first tabernacle remained.
- Hebrews 10:19-20 (thematic): Contrasts the former concealed access with the new revelation of access to God 'through the new and living way' opened by Christ's blood, directly relating to 9:8's claim that the way had not yet been revealed under the first arrangement.
- Hebrews 6:19-20 (allusion): Speaks of Jesus as forerunner who has entered 'behind the curtain' into the inner sanctuary; echoes and develops 9:8's theme of restricted access now fulfilled in Christ.
Alternative generated candidates
- The Holy Spirit was signifying that the way into the holy places had not yet been revealed while the first tabernacle stood,
- The Holy Spirit thus signifying that the way into the holy places had not yet been revealed while the first tabernacle was still standing.
Heb.9.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ητις: PRON,rel,nom,sg,f
- παραβολη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- εις: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- καιρον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- ενεστηκοτα: VERB,perf,act,ptc,acc,sg,m
- καθ᾽ην: PRON,acc,sg,f
- δωρα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- τε: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- θυσιαι: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- προσφερονται: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,3,pl
- μη: PART
- δυναμεναι: VERB,pres,mid/pass,inf
- κατα: PREP
- συνειδησιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- τελειωσαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- λατρευοντα: VERB,pres,act,ptc,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Hebrews 8:5 (verbal): Uses the same language of the earthly cult as a 'copy and shadow' of heavenly realities, explicitly linking the tabernacle/priestly service to an imperfect replica.
- Colossians 2:17 (verbal): Calls food, drink, festivals, new moon and sabbaths 'a shadow of things to come,' echoing the idea that ceremonial observances point to a fuller reality.
- Hebrews 10:1 (thematic): Describes the law and its sacrifices as a 'shadow' unable to make perfect the worshiper, reinforcing the point that ceremonial rites are insufficient for final salvation.
- Exodus 25:40 (allusion): God commands Moses to make the tabernacle 'according to the pattern' shown on the mountain—an Old Testament basis for understanding the earthly sanctuary as a copy of a heavenly prototype.
- Hebrews 10:4 (thematic): States that the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sins, paralleling the claim that gifts and sacrifices offered under the old system cannot perfect conscience.
Alternative generated candidates
- which was a figure for the present time—gifts and sacrifices being offered that could not perfect the conscience of the worshiper,
- This was a figure for the present time: the gifts and sacrifices being offered could not make perfect the conscience of the worshiper.
Heb.9.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- μονον: ADV
- επι: PREP
- βρωμασιν: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- πομασιν: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- διαφοροις: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- βαπτισμοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- δικαιωματα: NOUN,nom,pl,n
- σαρκος: NOUN,gen,sg,fem
- μεχρι: PREP
- καιρου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- διορθωσεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- επικειμενα: VERB,pres,mid,ptc,nom,pl,n
Parallels
- Hebrews 9:9 (structural): Immediate context: explains that the first covenant’s regulations and sacrificial system were symbolic and intended only for the present age until a later change.
- Galatians 4:3-5 (thematic): Speaks of believers being ‘in bondage under the elements of the world’ until the appointed time, paralleling Hebrews’ idea of ritual regulations remaining only ‘until the time of reformation/redemption.’
- Colossians 2:20-23 (verbal): Denounces ascetic, bodily regulations and human commandments that have the appearance of wisdom but no value—language and critique closely parallel Hebrews’ reference to foods, washings, and regulations of the flesh.
- Mark 7:3-8 (cf. Matthew 15:1-9) (thematic): Jesus criticizes Pharisaic emphasis on external washings and human traditions over God’s commandment, echoing Hebrews’ focus on external foods, drinks, and washings as regulatory practices.
- Romans 14:14,17 (thematic): Contrasts the kingdom and righteousness with matters of food and drink, reflecting the New Testament tendency to downplay ritual dietary observances as central to God’s present economy—parallel to Hebrews’ relegation of such rules to a prior era.
Alternative generated candidates
- and were concerned only with food and drink and various washings, regulations of the body imposed until the time of restoration.
- They dealt only with food and drink regulations and various washings—external ordinances imposed until a time of renewal.
Now the first covenant also had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary.
For a tabernacle had been prepared: the outer room, which was called the Holy Place, containing the lampstand, the table, and the bread of the Presence.
Behind the second curtain was a second room called the Most Holy Place,
having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold; in which were a golden urn holding the manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant.
Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy-seat; of these things we cannot now speak in full detail. Now when these things had been prepared, the priests regularly entered the outer tabernacle to perform the worship,
but into the second, only the high priest enters once a year, and not without blood— which he offers for his own sins and for the people's.
By this the Holy Spirit signified that the way into the holy places had not yet been revealed while the first tabernacle was still standing.
This is a symbol for the present time: gifts and sacrifices offered under this arrangement cannot make perfect the conscience of the worshiper,
for they deal only with food and drink and various washings—external rules of the body imposed until the time of reformation.