Hebrews 9

Hebrews 9:1

COvenant] Not Tabernacle, though divers Greek Copies have it so: for it is not probable that the Apostle should say, that the Tabernacle had a Tabernacle.

ordinances] Or, ceremonies.

worldly] That is, earthly and corporall, it being here opposed to the heavenly and spirituall Tabernacle.

Hebrews 9:2

For] What the Apostle called the worldly or earthly Tabernacle or Sanctuary; here he further describeth, with the principall furniture thereof; dividing it into two parts, making as it were two Tabernacles of one: Whereof the first was a type of Christs humane nature, Chap. 8. 2. The second of heaven, vers. 12.

the first Exodus 40:4. He describes not the court of the people, because it did not make to his purpose; neither doth he describe the Temple made by Solomon, but the Tabernacle made by Moses.

the sanctuarie] Or, holy.

Hebrews 9:3

second] Called so, to distinguish it from the vaile through which they entered into the first Tabernacle. See Exodus 26. 31, 36.

Hebrews 9:4

golden censer] It is probable that hereby is meant, either that particular censer, which the High Priest carried into the Holy of Holiest, once in the yeer, Lev. 16. 12. Or else the golden Altar of incnse, described Exod. 30. 1, &c. which though it was not within the Holy of Holiest, yet the holy of Holiest may be said to have it, because it was made for the service thereof; being placed before the vaile of the Holy of Holiest; that so the incense burnt thereon might cloud the Holy of Holiest. Hence it is said to be before the Ark of the Testimonie, Exodus 40:5. The Originall word signifieth any Utensill, wherein, or whereon incense might be burnt, and it may be called golden, because it was over-laid with gold. See Exodus 4:5. and Lev. 4. 11.

wherein] Both the Greek preposition and the Hebrew answerable unto it, signifie not onely in or within, but also by, neer unto, or before. See Joshua 5:13. Judges 18:12. Jeremiah 13:5. Luke 9:31. Hence not only the Tables of the Covenant, but likewise the golden Pot which had the Manna, and Aarons Rod that budded, are said here to be in the Ark, notwithstanding the Tables of the Covenant were onely within it, 1 Kings 8:9. 2 Chronicles 5:10. because we have no an werable preposition in the English, to signifie the latitude and extent of the Originall. Some referre (wherein) to Tabernacle, vers. 3. and it is true that sometimes the relative hath relation unto the more remote antecedent. See John 8:44.

the golden pot] Exodus 16:34.

Aarons rod] Numbers 17:10.

the tables of the covenant] Deuteronomy 10:5. 1 Kings 8:9. 2 Chronicles 5:10.

Hebrews 9:5

over it the] Exodus 25:22.

Hebrews 9:7

once every yeer] Exodus 30:10. Leviticus 16:2.

errours] That is, all sorts of sinnes, because all sorts of sinnes arise from some errour in judgement, Chap. 5. 3. & 7. 27. Luke 16:16.

Hebrews 9:8

a way] That is, the sacrifice was not yet offered, by vertue whereof the faithfull had free accesse unto God into heaven: not that the faithfull were not in heaven before Christs ascension; but to shew by whom, or by vertue of whose blood they entered, Chap. 10. 19, 20.

Hebrews 9:9

Which] Or, which parable was for. That is, which similitude or type of the High Priest, of the Tabernacle, and of the furniture and service thereof.

for the] That is, of the nonage or minoritie of the Church.

in which] Or, according to which. That is, according to which time of the nonage or minoritie of the Church God fitted his publike worship. For the people of the Jews being a grosse people and much addicted to idolatrie, it seemed good unto the wisdome of God, to exercise them with a more grosse and bodily worship, that so he might keep them from it. See, Galatians 4:1-3.

gifts and sacrifices] Chap. 5. 1. & 8. 3. That is, by gifts and sacrifices we are to understand the whole service of the Tabernacle, whereof the Apostle makes mention of some particulars in the verses following: thus incense is called an ostering, Numbers 16. v. 15. compared with vers. 17. and the Ephah of fine flowre, used at the consecration of Aaron and his sons, a meat-offering, Leviticus 6:20.

that could not] That is they could not in themselves separated from their spirituall significations, either satisfie the conscience that sinne was pardoned, and reconciliation obtained with God; because the conscience could not have found satisfaction how Gods justice should be satisfied by those offerings, Chap. 10. 4. or sanctifie or purifie the conscience, they being corporall, and so could not reach unto it.

him] Or, the worshipper. Chap. 10. 2.

perfect] Chap. 7. 19. & 10. 1.

Hebrews 9:10

imposed] Or being imposed, or which were imposed: onely understand it of the gifts and sacrifices mentioned in the former verse.

and carnall ordinances] Or, rites, or ceremonies, or justifications of the flesh. Or, and in such like carnall Ordinances. The Apostle summing up that in generall, whereof he had made mention in some particulars before. Called carnall ordinances, or justifications of the flesh, because they did sanctifie onely to the purifying of the flesh, vers. 13. that is, freeing those who used them from Legall pollutions and irregularities. See 2 Chronicles 30:19. John 11:55.

time of, &c.] That is, of Christs coming, who should and did reforme the carnall rites, or ceremonies and services of the Law, by fulfilling them; exhibiting the truth and those spirituall blessings typified and signified by them; and by instituting a more simple and spirituall worship. This is that which is meant, when God promises to create new heavens, and a new earth, Esa. 65. 17. and when Saint Paul saith, All things are made new, 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Hebrews 9:11

But, &c.] Here followeth the explication and application of the former type: and the comparison is chiefly made between the remedy appointed for sinnes, meerly ceremoniall, that is, Legall pollutions and irregularities, which was the blood of Buls and Goats, &c. and the remedy of those sinnes which in their own nature poyson the soul; and this is onely the blood of Jesus Christ.

an high priest] Or, for to be a high priest.

good, &c.] Chap. 10. 1. That is, of all those spirituall mercies and benefits which were purchased by his blood: as justification, sanctification, adoption, and everlasting salvation.

greater, &c.] That is, of his own body. See Chap. 8. 2.

made, &c.] As the Legall Tabernacle was. See more on Chap. 8. vers. 2.

Hebrews 9:12

bloud, &c.] Ephesians 1:7. Col. 1. 14. Rom. 3. 24, 25. Wherewith the High Priest entered the Holy of Holiest, Lev. 16. 3.

once] See Chap. 7. 27.

holy place] That is heaven, whereof the Holy of Holiest was a type.

having, &c.] First.

eternall] Esa. 51. 6.

Hebrews 9:13

the bloud] Leviticus 16:14.

the ashes] Numbers 19:17, &c.

unclean] The Greek signifieth common, but in the Scriptures, especially of the New Testament, it signifieth unclean. See Matthew 15:11. Mark 7:15. Acts 10:14. It is meant here of such who were made unclean: that is, disenabled to enter into the Temple, through Legall pollutions: as by touching the dead, &c.

sanctifieth] See vers. 10.

Hebrews 9:14

bloud, &c.] 1 Pet. 1. 19. Applied by faith. See Acts 15:9. & Acts 26:18.

eternall] That is, God-head, Acts 20:28. Romans 1:4. 1 Peter 3:18. Implying thereby that the sacrifice of Christs death had its value and vertue both to satisfie and sanctifie from his Deitie.

spot] Or, fault. Typified by the spotlesse sacrifices commanded to be offered under the Law, Exodus 12:5. Numbers 19:2. and Numbers 28:3. Romans 3:25. 1 Peter 1:19.

purge, &c.] 1 John 1:9. Both in respect, of justification and sanctification.

dead, &c.] See Hebrews 6:1.

serve, &c.] Luke 1:74. Implying that no service is acceptable to God unto salvation, unlesse the conscience be first purified by the blood of Jesus Christ. See 1 et. 2. 5.

Hebrews 9:15

And for] Or, And so, or, so then.

Mediatour] Chap. 8. 6. & Chap. 12. 24.

that by the means of death] Or, to the end that. Gr. death being made.

transgressions that were under the first testament] Rom. . 5. It is not the meaning of the Apostle, that sinnes committed under the Old Testament were not pardoned before Christ died, but that they were pardoned onely by vertue of Christs death, who was the Lambe slain from the beginning of the world, Revelation 13:8.

called] That is, effectually, or those who have beleeved.

eternall, &c.] Called eternall redemption, vers. 12.

Hebrews 9:16

is] That is, in force.

be the death] Or, be brought in.

Hebrews 9:17

after men are dead] Or, after the dead, or, till they are dead.

testatour liveth] In whose power it was to alter it.

Hebrews 9:18

dedicated] Or, purified. That is, ratified, or confirmed.

Hebrews 9:19

precepts] The conditions of that first covenant. See Chap. 7. 12. Ephesians 2:15.

calves] So the Apostle cals the younger bullocks by reason of the neernesse of their age unto calves.

goats] There is expresse mention made onely of bullocks, Exodus 24:5. but by the sacrifice of bullocks as of the principall, we are to understand the sacrifices of all other beasts.

with water, &c.] There is no expresse mention made of these particulars, Exodus 24:8. Whence some conceive that Saint Paul had them either by tradition, or revelation: but it is more probable, that he gatherethd it from the usuall custome of sprinkling blood under the Law, which was with water, Scarlet-wooll, and hyssope. See Leviticus 14:6. Numbers 19:6. & 18. Psalms 51:7.

scarlet] Or, purple.

book] We read not that the book was sprinkled: it seemes therefore that the book was upon tho Altar and so sprinkled with it. This book was not the two Tables of stone, for these God made, but some other short summe of the first Covenant which Moses himself did write. See Exodus 24:4. Some are of opinion that thereby are meant the 20, 21. and 23. Chapters of Exodus.

people] That is, the twelve pillars which represented the twelve Tribes. See Exodus 24:4.

Hebrews 9:20

This is the bloud] Exodus 24:8.

enjoyned unto you] Or, hath ordained concerning you. Hebrews 1:7.

Hebrews 9:21

Moreover] Though not at the same time, for then the Tabernacle was not made. See Exod. Chap. 25. &c.

tabernacle] We read that God commanded the Altar and all the vessels to be anointed with oyle by Moses, Exod. 74. 8, &c. and accordingly they were anointed by him, Leviticus 8:10. but we no where read expressely, as some are of opinion, that he either was commanded, or did sprinkle the Tabernacle and the furniture thereof with blood: It is supposed therefore by some, that Saint Paul gathered thus much from Exodus 29:12. Lev. 8. 15. & 16. 14. where there is mention made of sprinkling with blood the Altar and Mercy-seat, &c. where by the principall part we may understand the whole Tabernacle and all the furniture thereof. Or it may be thus much is plainly expressed, Leviticus 16:16. Josephus reports, lib. 3. Antiq. Hebr. c. 9. that the whole Tabernacle was sprinkled.

Hebrews 9:22

almost] Some referre (Almost) to all things, because we read that some things were cleansed by fire and water. Numbers 31:22. Others referre it unto purged, that is, from their Legall impurities, and make the sense this. All things are by the Law almost purged, though not altogether by blood; because sometimes other things were required: these are of opinion, that in all cleansings there was the use of blood. And so the words following (And without, &c.) they conceive are to be understood, otherwise there will seem to be a contradiction between (Almost) in the first clause and (without) in the second. Or may be the former part of this verse may be understood of things wherof some might be cleansed without blood, and the second part of persons which could not.

Hebrews 9:23

patterns] Called figures, verse 24. and shadowes, Chap. 10. 1. See Chap. 8. 2.

heavenly things] Some understand thereby Christ himself, and those spirituall blessings which the faithfull obtaine through faith in him. For Christ himself was consecrated, or made perfect through sufferings, Chap. 2. 10. Others understand thereby the Church under the Gospel, and those spirituall graces whereof the members are made partakers therein. The Church under the Gospel being called the heavenly Jerusalem, 〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉Chap. 12. 22. and those graces being called spirituall blessings in heavenly places, Ephes, 1. 3. Others understand thereby heaven it self, whereinto Christ entred, vers. 24.

sacrifices] The singular number for the plurall, which is frequent in the Scriptures. Or may be the Apostle styles the one sacrifice of Christ [Sacrifices] because it was answerable unto all the Legall sacrifices, and farre beyond them.

Hebrews 9:24

hands] Vers. 11.

heaven] Chap. 4. 14.

to appear] 1 John 2:1. Chap. 7. 25. Romans 8:24. Answerable to the High Priests entrance into the Holy of Holiest once a yeer to make atonement for the people, Exodus 30:10.

Hebrews 9:25

often] Vers. 28. Chap. 7. 27.

every yeer] Vers. 7.

others] That is, not with his own, but with the blood of beasts.

Hebrews 9:26

For] That is, had Christ offered himself often, then he should have suffered often: for without suffering, no propitiatorie sacrifice. Where is then the sacrifice of the Masse?

in the end of the world] Chap. 1. 2. 1 Corinthians 10:11. Galatians 4:4. Ephesians 1:10.

appeared] Or, made manifest. 1 Timothy 3:16. 1 John 3:8.

to put away sinne] That is, to abolish or make voyd the guilt or obligation of sinne, whereby it bindes over unbeleevers unto condemnation; so that unto beleevers, sinne is of no force to accuse or condemne them, or to shut them out of heaven.

himself] Chap. 1. 3.

Hebrews 9:27

appointed] Job 30:23. Psalms 89:48. Eccl. 6. 6.

once] That is, according to the common or ordinary course of nature, though there be some extraordinary examples.

judgement] Understand it of every mans particular judgement presently upon his death.

Hebrews 9:28

So] Or, Even so, Christ being once offered to bear the sinnes of many, shall appear or be seen the second time without sinne unto salvation, to all those who expect him.

Christ was] 1 Peter 3:18.

beare] Or carry up the sinnes of many upon the Crosse, there to make satisfaction for them, by the sacrifice of himself, 1 Peter 2:24. Or, take up sinne; that is, the guilt of our sinne upon himself.

many] Matthew 26:27. Romans 5:19.

look] Philippians 3:10. 1 Thessalonians 1:10. 2 Timothy 4:8. Titus 2:13.

second] Opposed to his first appearance, viz. in the flesh, verse 26. when he came with the guilt and burden of our sins upon him.

without sinne] That is, without the guilt or sacrifice of sinne, having made full satisfaction for it, by his own sacrifice of himselfe upon the Crosse.

unto salvation] Some referre this unto [look for him].

salvation] That is, both of soul and body in heaven, Chap. 5. 9. 1 Peter 1:19.