Hebrews 9

Notes on the verses

“Chap. IX. Ver. 1. The first covenant.—It seems evident, that the Greek copy used by our translators omitted the substantive in this place, as do many others; and that they supplied the word ‘‘covenant” from the preceding chapter. On the other hand there are many Greek copies, both. and prin’ h 1 Pe.4.2. i or, be brought in. j or, purified. fo all others.—The first verse of this chapter presents us with ing to him,] signified the world of angels; the middle, (wherein a considerable difficulty, as respects the reading of the original: were the table of shew-bread and candlestick,) the heavenly many Greek copies read, “The first tabernacle;” while more orbs; and the outer court, this lower world; the elements perhaps read with the copy used by our translators, and omit being represented by the brazen.

sea, sacred fire, &c. Philo the noun altogether; but supply the word “covenant” from and Josephus [also] explain it mystically: the latter calls the the close of the preceding chapter. So the judicious M‘Lean, parts of the tabernacle resemblances of the universe; the two who thinks it “more natural, ard [that it] suits the apostle’s first, of the earth and sea, common to all; the third, of heaven, argument at least equally well, to understand by the first here, where God dwells.” (Bp. Kidder’s Messiah.) the Sinaical covenant, which is twice termed the first in the But these interpretations, however ingenious, are rether foregoing chapter, verses 7 and 13; and also twice expressly philosophical than evangelical: and do not comport with the mentioned in verse 9.”

apostolical method of interpretation, which refers all the types Connected with this covenant were a variety of ceremonial and mysteries of the Old Testament to Christ, his work and “ordinances,” and ‘a worldly sanctuary,” tabernacle, or holy sufferings, and subsequent glory; ur other objects of a spiritual place, Built by Moses, and devoted to the service ot the God of and evangelical nature. Thus the candlestick and the shew- Israel, in the first division of which were the sacred candlestick, bread point to Christ, who is the true light, and the bread that came down from heaven, both which are to be found in the or rather lamp, and the table of shew-bread; and in the second, or interior department, the ark, the cherubim, the various church below; but.

the Holy of Holies directs to heaven itself— utensils of worship, and the historical memorials here named. not the heaven of philosophers, but that heaven into which ‘the tabernacle itself, and most of the articles of its furniture, Christ himself has entered with his atoning blood, and where he pleads its merits before the eternal throne. were always considered as having a mystical design, though The import of the cherubim has, indeed, been matter of great, expositors have differed widely in their interpretations. ‘‘ Abrabanel relates, that the [several] parts of the tabernacle repreand even bitter, controversy. We have satisfied ourselves with sented the sea, dry land, and heaven. Rab. Bechai makes it the ancient hypothesis, which considers them as figuring to us a representation of the universe.

The Holy of Holies, [accordthe angels of the divine presence, who bend before the throne ’ which read (skene) ‘tabernacle;” which reading is supported by Whitby, Holy of Holies’——-went the high priest alone once (i. e. on one day in Doddridge, and other respectable commentators, whoseem surprised that it is every year.—See (Exodus 30:10). (Leviticus 16:2), &e. not universally adopted. But it is also true, that the word “ tabernacle” is Ver. 9. Which was a figure.—Gr. Parable. See (Hebrews 11:19). omitied in many MSS. und editions, ancient as well as modern; and that Ver. 10. Carnal ordinances.—Doddridge and Macknight, ‘ Ordinances concerning the flesh.” translators generally supply the word ‘“‘ covenant’?

in preference to “ tabernacle.’ which they suvpose to be the gloss of some injudicious copyist. This Ver. 11. Not made with hands, &c.—Many judicious divines (as Calvin, reading is supported hy those ancient versions, the Syriac and Vulgate, by Owen, &c.) refer this to the body of Christ, (as they do also (Hebrews 8:2);) but we rather think, with M‘Lean, that “ heaven itself’ is intended, and so it is Chrysostom, and other Greek Pathers. Su among the commentators, it is expressed ver, 24. wreferred Ly Beza and Grotius; by Ovoen, and the Assembly’s Annotators; by Hammond, Macknisht, Guise, M’Lean, &c.—Also ordinances—i. e. Ver. 14. Through the eternal Spirit.—The Vulgate, and many Greek MSS., rites or forms of worship.

read, “* The Holy Spirit;” and to him we are inclin. d to ascribe it. Bp. Fe?" mentions ‘* Christ’s being conceived, proclaimed, anointed, dy’ng, and rising, b Ver. 2. A tabernacle made.—Doddridge, “‘ prepared.” Macknight, ‘‘ set in the aid of God’s Holy Spirit.”+ Sec (1 Peter 3:18). So Owen, Doddridge, &c. orde:,” i. e. for public worship.— The first. wherein—i. e. within the first or outer apartment of which was the candlestick, and the table of shew-bread, Ver. 15. Mediator.—See note on (Galatians 3:20). ‘’ The Mediator of # ‘Vestament,” says Doddridge, “ is a very improper expression:” he therefore trans- &c. of which see (Exodus 40:22-25).— Which is called the sanctuary.—Maclenight transposes the words thus:—‘ For the first [or outward] tabernalates the word (déathekc) Covenant, as in ulmost all other places.

So Macele. which is called Holy, was set in order, in which was both the candlestick, knight, and most other modern commentators. But Owen, Witsius, and and the table, and the shew-bread.” Campbell, retain the term Testament. Ver. 3. And after the second veil.—A first veil is here implied, which closed Ver. 16, 17. For where a testament is, &c.—Doddridge, agreeable to the the entrance of the talernacle. (Exodus 36:37). After this—the tabernacle preceding remarks, renders this verse, “‘ For where a covenant (is,) it_ neces sarily imports the death of that by which the covenant is confirmed;” alof Holies.”” svat hed called the Holiest of all—Or, as the Hebrew literally is, “‘ the Holy Inding to the general custom of offering sacrifices on those occasions.

— For Ver. 4. Which had the goiden censer.—Of the use of this instrament, whic! a testament is of force after men are dead, &c.—Doddridge, ** A covenant (is) confirmed over the dead, so that it doth not avail, while he by whom it is was asmall pan for burnirg incense, see (Leviticus 16:12-13). But as the high priest might not enter the Most Holy without it, a question arises, how he confirmed liveth.” Macknight translates the DAsASe thus: ‘* For where a could come at it for use if it was kept there? ‘‘ To this it is answered, that it covenunt (is,) there is a necessity that the death of the appointed (sacrifice) might be kept just within the veil, and within the reach of his hand, so that he be brought in.”

(Compare margin.) “For a covenant is firm over dead saerifices, seeing it never hath force while the appointed sacrifice live th.” could take it thence without entering himself.”—M‘ Lean.—And the ark of Our readers will perceive, that all these alterations are rendered necessary the covenant. See (Exodus 37:1-2).— Wherein was—i. e. perhaps in the Most Holy; not the ark.—-The golden pot.—See (Exodus 16:33-34). by a rigid adherence to the word covenant. Into the ground and reasons of Ver. 5. The cherubims of glory—i. e. the glorious cherubim; and so called them, or, on the other hand, the objections against them, we cannot here enter for two reasons-—1. Because they were themselves glorious, as being covered particularly.

‘The formeranay be found in Doddridge, Macknight, and M’Lean; the latter in Owen, Campbell’s Prelim. Dissertations, and Fraser’s curious with gold; and, 2. Because they represented, as we conceive, a glorious order and elaborate notes on his late Translation of Witsius on the Creed.; of angelic beings, who wait before the throne of God. Ezek, i. 4, &c. (Revelation 4). &e. Ver. 18. Dedicated.—(Hebrews 10:20), the 8ame word is rendered “ consecrate The word ‘“ testament,” being in italic, is supplementary. Perhaps it might Ver. 6. The priest went alioays into the first tabernacle—Or rather, as be here better to advert again to the more frequent sense of the original term, M Lean explains it, into the first or outer apartment of the tabernacle, where the common priests had a daily service to perform.

namely, ‘covenant;” and so it seems used in verse 20. Compare note oy Ver. 7, But mpurtment of the tabernacle, namely, ‘* The verse 1. R40 a Ver. 19. When Moses, &c.—See Exod. xxiy. 3—8. But some things are added not there mentioned, for which he had no doubt good authority.—— Scarlet wool.—See note on (Mark 15:17)., er. 20. This is the blood, &c.—Compare (Matthew 26:28). [Rather, covenant. Ver. 16, 17, may be better rendered, ‘‘ For where a covenant is, there must necessarily be the death of that by which it is confirmed; for a covenant is confirmed over dead victims, and does not avail while that by which it is confirmed liveth.” See on (Deuteronomy 29:12). Jos. 1x. 6.|—Bagster. Ver. 23. The heavenly things.—Compare (Ephesians 1:20). (Hebrews 8:25) ix. 11, 24. Ver. 26. But now once, &c.—Compare ver. 12. Ver. 27. After this.—Though the day of judgment must be at a great distance from the decease of many individuals, it is the general idea, that upon our entrance into another world, an individual decision will take place, and fix the final state of each, for happiness or misery. See (Ecclesiastes 12:7), (Luke 16:22-23). i: Ver. 28. Without sin—i. e. not as a sin-offering, as at his first coming.