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Hebrews 9:3

Hebrews 9:3 in Multiple Translations

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

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

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

And inside the second veil was the place which is named the Holy of holies;

Past the second veil in the Tabernacle was the room called the Most Holy Place.

And after the seconde vaile was the Tabernacle, which is called the Holiest of all,

and after the second vail a tabernacle that is called 'Holy of holies,'

After the second veil was the tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies,

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

And after the second veil, the tabernacle, which is called the holy of holies:

Behind the curtain inside the holy place there was another room. That was called ‘the very holy place’.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Hebrews 9:3

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Hebrews 9:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK μετα δε το δευτερον καταπετασμα σκηνη η λεγομενη αγια αγιων
μετα meta G3326 with/after Prep
δε de G1161 then Conj
το ho G3588 the/this/who Art-ASN
δευτερον deuteros G1208 secondly Adj-ASN
καταπετασμα katapetasma G2665 curtain Noun-ASN
σκηνη skēnē G4633 tent Noun-NSF
η ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSF
λεγομενη legō G3004 to say Verb-PPP-NSF
αγια hagios G40 holy Adj-NPN
αγιων hagios G40 holy Adj-GPN
Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Hebrews 9:3

μετα meta G3326 "with/after" Prep
Means with or after, showing accompaniment, as in being among a group or following someone, like Jesus with his disciples in Mark 1:13. It can also show cause and effect. The KJV translates it as after, among, or with. It is used in many New Testament books, including Matthew and Luke.
Definition: μετά (before vowel μετ᾽; on the neglect of elision in certain cases, V. WH, App., 146 b), prep. with genitive, accusative (in poet, also with dative), [in LXX for אַחַד ,עִם ,אֵת, etc.]. __I. C. genitive, __1. among, amid: Mrk.1:13, Luk.22:37 (LXX, ἐν) 24:5, Jhn.18:5, al.; διωγμῶν, Mrk.10:30. __2. Of association and companionship, with (in which sense it gradually superseded σύν, than which it is much more frequently in NT; cf. Bl., §42, 3): with genitive of person(s), Mat.8:11 20:20 Mrk.1:29 3:7 Luk.5:30, Jhn.3:22, Gal.2:1, al. mult.; εἶναι μετά, Mat.5:25, Mrk.3:14, al.; metaphorically, of divine help and guidance, Jhn.3:2, Act.7:9, Php.4:9, al.; opposite to εἶναι κατά, Mat.12:30, Luk.11:23; in Hellenistic usage (but see M, Pr., 106, 246f.), πολεμεῖν μετά = cl. π., with dative, to wage war against (so LXX for נִלְחַם עִם, 1Ki.17:33), Rev.2:16, al.; with genitive of thing(s), χαρᾶς, Mat.13:20, Mrk.4:16, al.; ὀργῆς, Mrk.3:5, al. __II. C. accusative, __1. of place, behind, after: Heb.9:3. __2. Of time, after: Mat.17:1, Mrk.14:1, Luk.1:24, Act.1:5, Gal.1:18, al.; μετὰ τοῦτο, Jhn.2:12, al.; ταῦτα, Mrk.16:[12], Luk.5:27, Jhn.3:22, al; with inf. artic. (BL, §71, 5; 72, 3), Mat.26:32, Mrk.1:14, al. __III. In composition, __1. of association or community: μεταδίδωμι, μετέχω, etc. __2. Exchange or transference: μεταλλάσσω, μετοικίζω, etc. __3. after: μεταμέλομαι. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 444 NT verses. KJV: after(-ward), X that he again, against, among, X and, + follow, hence, hereafter, in, of, (up-)on, + our, X and setting, since, (un-)to, + together, when, with (+ -out) See also: 1 Corinthians 6:6; Acts 25:12; 1 Peter 1:11.
δε de G1161 "then" Conj
This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.
Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.
το ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-ASN
The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.
Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.
δευτερον deuteros G1208 "secondly" Adj-ASN
Secondly refers to something that happens after something else, as in John 3:4. It can also mean a second time or in second place.
Definition: δεῦτερος, -α, -ον, second in order, with or without idea of time: Mat.22:26, 39, al.; θάνατος, Rev.2:11 20:14 21:8; χάρις, 2Co.1:15. In neut. as adv., secondly, a second time; opposite to πρῶτον: Jhn.3:4 21:16, 1Co.12:28, Rev.19:3; τὸ δ., 2Co.13:2, Ju 5; ἐν τ. δ., at the second time: Act.7:13; in later usage (as 1Ma.9:1), ἐκ δ., Mrk.14:72, Jhn.9:24, Act.11:9, Heb.9:28. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 43 NT verses. KJV: afterward, again, second(-arily, time) See also: 1 Corinthians 12:28; Luke 19:18; Hebrews 8:7.
καταπετασμα katapetasma G2665 "curtain" Noun-ASN
A curtain or veil, especially the one in the Jewish Temple that separated the Most Holy Place, as mentioned in Matthew 27:51 and Hebrews 6:19. It symbolized the separation between God and humans.
Definition: κατα-πέτασμα, -τος, τό (= cl. παραπέτασμα) [in LXX chiefly for פֹּרֶכֶת (the veil of the Holy of Holies), Exo.26:31, Lev.21:23, al.; also for מָסָךְ (the outer veil), Exo.35:12, Num_3:26, al. (elsewhere κάλυμμα) ;] in NT always the inner veil or curtain of the Temple (or Tabernacle): Mat.27:51, Mrk.15:38, Luk.23:45, Heb.6:19 9:3; figuratively, ἡ σὰρξ αὐτοῦ Heb.10:20.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 6 NT verses. KJV: vail See also: Hebrews 6:19; Luke 23:45; Hebrews 9:3.
σκηνη skēnē G4633 "tent" Noun-NSF
This word means a tent or tabernacle, like the one in Matthew 17:4 or the Mosaic tabernacle in Hebrews 8:5. It can also symbolize a temporary dwelling.
Definition: σκηνή, -ῆς, ἡ [in LXX chiefly for אֹהֶל, also for מִשְׁכָּן, סֻכָּה, etc. ;] a tent, booth, tabernacle: Mat.17:4, Mrk.9:5, Luk.9:33, Heb.11:9; αἱ αἰώνιοι σ., Luk.16:9; of the Mosaic tabernacle, Heb.8:5 9:2-3, 6 9:8, 21; σ. τ. μαρτυρίου, Act.7:44; of its heavenly prototype, Heb.8:2 9:11, Rev.13:6 15:5 21:3; of the temple, Heb.13:10; ἡ σ. τοῦ Μολόχ, Act.7:43 (LXX); metaphorically, ἡ σ. Δαυείδ Act.15:16 (LXX).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 20 NT verses. KJV: habitation, tabernacle See also: Acts 7:43; Hebrews 9:21; Hebrews 8:2.
η ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSF
The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.
Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.
λεγομενη legō G3004 "to say" Verb-PPP-NSF
This word means to say or speak, and it is used by Jesus and others in the New Testament to share teachings and tell stories. It appears in Matthew 9:34 and John 1:29.
Definition: λέγω, [in LXX very freq., chiefly for אמר; λέγει for נְאֻם, Gen.22:16, al. ;] __1. in Hom., to pick out, gather, reckon, recount. __2. In Hdt. and Att., to say, speak, affirm, declare: absol., Act.13:15, 24:10; before orat. dir., Mat.9:34, Mrk.3:11, Jhn.1:29, al.; before ὅτι recit., Mrk.3:21, Luk.1:24, Jhn.6:14, al.; accusative and inf., Luk.11:18, Jhn.12:29, al.; after another verb of speaking, προσφωνεῖν κ. λέγειν, Mat.11:17, al.; ἀπεκρίθη (ἐλάλησεν) λέγων (καὶ λέγει; Dalman, Words, 24 ff.), Mat.25:9, Mrk.3:33, 7:28, Luk.24:6, 7, al.; of unspoken thought, λ. ἐν ἑαυτῷ, Mat.3:9, Luk.3:8, al.; of writing, 2Co.8:8, Php.4:11, al.; λέγει ἡ γραφή, Rom.4:3, Jas.2:23, al.; with accusative of thing(s), Luk.8:8, 9:33, Jhn.5:34, al.; σὺ λέγεις (a non-committal phrase; Swete, Mk., 359, 369f.), Mat.27:11, Mrk.15:2, Luk.23:3, Jhn.18:37; with dative of person(s), before orat. dir., Mat.8:20, Mrk.2:17, al. mult.; id. before ὅτι, Mat.3:9, al.; with prep., πρός, μετά, περί, etc., Mrk.4:41, Jhn.11:56, Heb.9:5, al.; to mean (cl.), Mrk.14:71, Jhn.6:71, 1Co.10:29, al.; to call, name, Mrk.10:18; pass., Mat.9:9, Mrk.15:7, al (cf. ἀντι-, δια- (-μαι), προ-, συλ-λέγω). SYN.: λαλέω, which refers to the utterance, as λέγω to the meaning of what is said, its correspondence with thought (Tr., Syn., Ixxvi; Thayer, see word λαλέω). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1988 NT verses. KJV: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; Acts 6:2; Acts 19:3.
αγια hagios G40 "holy" Adj-NPN
In the Bible, this word means holy or set apart, describing God and things dedicated to Him. It appears in Luke 1:49 and John 17:11, highlighting God's purity and majesty.
Definition: ἅγιος, -α, ον (τό ἅγός, religious awe; ἅζω, to venerate), [in LXX chiefly for קֹ֫דֶשׁ ;] primarily, dedicated to the gods, sacred (Hdt.; rare in Att., never in Hom., Hes. and Trag., who use ἁγνός), hence, holy, characteristic of God, separated to God, worthy of veneration. __1. Its highest application is to God himself, in his purity, majesty, and glory: Luk.1:49, Jhn.17:11, Rev.4:8. Hence __(a) of things and places which have a claim to reverence as sacred to God, e.g. the Temple: Mat.24:15, Heb.9:1; __(b) of persons employed by him, as angels: 1Th.3:13; prophets, Luk.1:70; apostles, Eph.3:5. __2. Applied to persons as separated to God's service: __(a) of Christ, Mrk.1:24, Jhn.6:69, Act.4:30; __(b) of Christians, Act.9:13, Rom.1:7, Heb.6:10, Rev.5:8. __3. In the moral sense of sharing God's purity: Mrk.6:20, Jhn.17:11, Act.3:14, Rev.3:7. __4. Of pure, clean sacrifices and offerings: 1Co.7:14, Eph.1:4. SYN.: ἁγνός, pure, both in ceremonial and spiritual sense; ἱερός (sacer), sacred, that which is inviolable because of its (external) relation to God; ὅσιος (sanctus as opposite to nefas), that which is based on everlasting ordinances of right. (Cf. Tr., Syn., §lxxxviii; DB, ii, 399 f.; Cremer, 34, 594-601; MM, VGT, see word) (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 228 NT verses. KJV: (most) holy (one, thing), saint See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; Colossians 1:26; 1 Peter 1:12.
αγιων hagios G40 "holy" Adj-GPN
In the Bible, this word means holy or set apart, describing God and things dedicated to Him. It appears in Luke 1:49 and John 17:11, highlighting God's purity and majesty.
Definition: ἅγιος, -α, ον (τό ἅγός, religious awe; ἅζω, to venerate), [in LXX chiefly for קֹ֫דֶשׁ ;] primarily, dedicated to the gods, sacred (Hdt.; rare in Att., never in Hom., Hes. and Trag., who use ἁγνός), hence, holy, characteristic of God, separated to God, worthy of veneration. __1. Its highest application is to God himself, in his purity, majesty, and glory: Luk.1:49, Jhn.17:11, Rev.4:8. Hence __(a) of things and places which have a claim to reverence as sacred to God, e.g. the Temple: Mat.24:15, Heb.9:1; __(b) of persons employed by him, as angels: 1Th.3:13; prophets, Luk.1:70; apostles, Eph.3:5. __2. Applied to persons as separated to God's service: __(a) of Christ, Mrk.1:24, Jhn.6:69, Act.4:30; __(b) of Christians, Act.9:13, Rom.1:7, Heb.6:10, Rev.5:8. __3. In the moral sense of sharing God's purity: Mrk.6:20, Jhn.17:11, Act.3:14, Rev.3:7. __4. Of pure, clean sacrifices and offerings: 1Co.7:14, Eph.1:4. SYN.: ἁγνός, pure, both in ceremonial and spiritual sense; ἱερός (sacer), sacred, that which is inviolable because of its (external) relation to God; ὅσιος (sanctus as opposite to nefas), that which is based on everlasting ordinances of right. (Cf. Tr., Syn., §lxxxviii; DB, ii, 399 f.; Cremer, 34, 594-601; MM, VGT, see word) (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 228 NT verses. KJV: (most) holy (one, thing), saint See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; Colossians 1:26; 1 Peter 1:12.

Study Notes — Hebrews 9:3

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Exodus 26:31–33 Make a veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it. Hang it with gold hooks on four posts of acacia wood, overlaid with gold and standing on four silver bases. 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.
2 Exodus 40:3 Put the ark of the Testimony in it and screen off the ark with the veil.
3 Matthew 27:51 At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split.
4 Exodus 40:21 Then he brought the ark into the tabernacle, put up the veil for the screen, and shielded off the ark of the Testimony, just as the LORD had commanded him.
5 Hebrews 9:8 By this arrangement the Holy Spirit was showing that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing.
6 1 Kings 8:6 Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, beneath the wings of the cherubim.
7 Isaiah 25:7 On this mountain He will swallow up the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations;
8 2 Chronicles 3:14 He made the veil of blue, purple, and crimson yarn and fine linen, with cherubim woven into it.
9 Hebrews 6:19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
10 Hebrews 10:19–20 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body,

Hebrews 9:3 Summary

The Most Holy Place was a special room behind a curtain in the tabernacle where God's presence dwelled. It was a place of great reverence and awe, and only the high priest could enter it once a year. According to Hebrews 9:3, this room was separated from the rest of the tabernacle by a second curtain, symbolizing the separation between God and humanity due to sin. Just as the high priest had to follow specific rules to enter the Most Holy Place, we must come to God through faith in Jesus Christ, as seen in Hebrews 10:19-22 and Ephesians 3:12.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the second curtain in Hebrews 9:3?

The second curtain separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, symbolizing the separation between God and humanity due to sin, as seen in Exodus 26:31-33 and Leviticus 16:2.

What was the Most Holy Place used for?

The Most Holy Place was where the Ark of the Covenant was kept, and it was where God's presence dwelled, as described in Exodus 25:22 and Leviticus 16:2, and only the high priest could enter it once a year on the Day of Atonement.

How does the Most Holy Place relate to our relationship with God today?

According to Hebrews 10:19-22, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we now have direct access to God's presence, and the curtain separating us from God has been torn in two, as seen in Matthew 27:51.

What can we learn from the layout of the tabernacle about God's character?

The layout of the tabernacle, including the Most Holy Place, teaches us about God's holiness and His desire for a personal relationship with us, as seen in Isaiah 6:1-5 and Revelation 21:22-23.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the separation between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place reveal about God's nature and our relationship with Him?
  2. How does the concept of the Most Holy Place challenge or comfort me in my own walk with God?
  3. In what ways can I apply the principles of reverence and awe for God's presence in my daily life, just as the high priest did in the Most Holy Place?
  4. How does the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, as described in Hebrews 9-10, change my understanding of the Most Holy Place and my access to God's presence?

Gill's Exposition on Hebrews 9:3

And after the second vail,.... Were there more vails than one?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Hebrews 9:3

And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; And , [ De (G1161)] - 'But.' After - behind: within. Second veil.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Hebrews 9:3

And after the second veil: this distinguisheth the second tabernacle from the first; for, passing through it to the end of it, there hung up a curious veil made of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, with figures of cherubims, ,32 36:35,36 40:21. The mystery of which is interpreted after, : see . A veil noteth distance and obscurity; or, covering, opposite to that which is open and free. The tabernacle which is called the holiest of all: behind this veil was the second tabernacle, called the holy of holiest, , by God himself, which did really, though typically, hold out the place of God’ s special appearance for propitiation and gracious answers of peace to the desires of his people in the Lord Jesus; applied afterwards to heaven itself, the holiest of all, where the High Priest is entered for us, and sits at the right hand of his Father, making intercession for us, ,20 7:25 9:24 10:19.

Trapp's Commentary on Hebrews 9:3

3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Ver. 3. And after the second veil] This was not of any hard debarring matter, but easily penetrable then, and now also rent by Christ, to show our easy access to God with confidence "by the faith of him," Ephesians 3:12.

Ellicott's Commentary on Hebrews 9:3

(3) The tabernacle.—Rather, a tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies. This literal translation of a Hebrew expression for “most holy” does not occur in the Bible, but has become familiar through the Latin sanctum sanctorum. The inner chamber of the Tabernacle is in a few passages only mentioned separately in the Pentateuch as the “Most Holy Place” (Exodus 26:33-34), or “the Holy Place” (Leviticus 16:2, et al.). In the description of the Temple a different word is employed, always rendered “oracle” (1 Kings 6:16, et al.). The veil separating the two divisions (described in Exodus 26:31; Exodus 36:35) is here called the second veil, by way of distinction from the “hanging for the door” of the Tabernacle (Exodus 26:36; Exodus 36:37).

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Hebrews 9:3

Verse 3. And after the second veil] The first veil, of which the apostle has not yet spoken, was at the entrance of the holy place, and separated the temple from the court, and prevented the people, and even the Levites, from seeing what was in the holy place. The second veil, of which the apostle speaks here, separated the holy place from the holy of holies. The tabernacle, which is called the Holiest of all] That is, that part of the tabernacle which is called the holy of holies.

Cambridge Bible on Hebrews 9:3

3. after the second vail] Rather, “behind the second veil.” There were two veils in the Tabernacle—one called Mâsâk (Exodus 26:36-37, LXX. kalumma or epispastron) which hung before the entrance; and “the second,” called Parocheth (LXX. katapetasma) which hung between the Holy Place and the Holiest (Exodus 26:31-35). The Rabbis invent two curtains between the Holy Place and the Holiest with a space of a cubit between them, to which they give the name Tarkesin, which is of uncertain origin. They had many fables about the size and weight of this curtain—that it was a hand-breadth thick, and took 300 priests to draw it, &c. &c.the holiest of all] Lit. “the Holy of Holies,” a name which, like the Latin Sancta Sanctorum is the exact translation of the Hebrew Kodesh Hakkodashim. In Solomon’s Temple it was called “the Oracle.”

Barnes' Notes on Hebrews 9:3

And after the second veil - There were two “veils” to the tabernacle.

Whedon's Commentary on Hebrews 9:3

3. Holiest of all—Or, holy of holies, or most holy. There were thus seven graduated degrees of holiness of the sacred locality: First, the mercy seat between the cherubim; second, the most holy;

Sermons on Hebrews 9:3

SermonDescription
J. Sidlow Baxter That I May Know Him by J. Sidlow Baxter In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of getting to know Jesus through the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. He describes these gospels as the most impor
Paris Reidhead A Mirror Covered With Water by Paris Reidhead In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a personal relationship with God and being transformed by His word. He challenges the audience to examine their spir
J. Vernon McGee (Exodus) Exodus 30:34-38 by J. Vernon McGee In this sermon, the speaker discusses the significance of the altar of incense in the tabernacle. The altar of incense represents prayer and worship, where believers offer their pr
Zac Poonen Through the Bible - Hebrews - Part 4 by Zac Poonen In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of striving against sin, just as Jesus did. He encourages the listeners to have an attitude of being willing to shed their bl
Zac Poonen (Hebrews) ch.8:10-10:18 by Zac Poonen In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. He explains that following Jesus does not mean imitating his specific actions o
J. Henry Brown The Tabernacle 08 the Veil by J. Henry Brown In this sermon, the speaker talks about the importance of using a plumb line or level to ensure that a building's walls and corners are straight. He shares a story about sending so
T. Austin-Sparks An Ark of Acacia Wood by T. Austin-Sparks T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the greatness and glory of Jesus Christ, illustrating this through the symbolism of the ark of the covenant in the Old Testament. He explains that the a

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