Hebrews 9

The apostle further to show the excellence of priesthood above the Levitical describe the forms of the outward tabernacle and of that which was therein 6 together with the ministry of priest in the same 8. declareth that these were only shadows and types as also the purification which were made therein 13 but that Christ and his sacrifice and entrance into the true sanctuary hath fulfilled all this and brought to pass an eternal redemption 15 testifieth that by his death the new testament is confirmed 16 even as the death of the testator confirms all testaments 18 that therefore in the old testament also all things wee sprinkled with blood there was no remission 23 but that the heavenly things must be purified by better sacrifices 24 that that therefore Christ is gone into heaven there to appear before God to us 25. after that he had once offered up himself upon earth 27 and that he shall come upon heaven to deliver them that wait for him.

1. Therefore also the first covenant [many Greek office have first Tabernacle. But the last verse of the former chapter of this chapter it appears that it is better read here the first covenant]had indeed judgments [or institutions that is manners of doing according to which the worship of God was to be regulated in which the ceremonial justification consisted] of Gods worship and the worldly sanctuary that is that is earthly and made of corruptible as all things in the world are whereof see Exodus chapter 45.26,36,57 and is here opposed to the heavenly and corruptible which was signified hereby as the apostle will declare hereafter ] sanctuary [so the building is called which by Gods ordinance was consecrated to Gods worship in the old testament in whose place afterwards came the temple of Solomon but Paul describes here not the temple but the Tabernacle because that was first build by Moses according to the pattern showed by God on the mount and Solomon afterwards made the temple according to this Tabernacle yet so as that he added some other things thereunto.]

2. For the Tabernacle was prepared namely the first [that is the first part of the Tabernacle for the court of the people and of the priest wherein the assemblies and the sacrifices were performed the apostle here passeth by and declares only the things which were in the covered Tabernacle or tent and the rites which were used therein whereof the first part was called the holy place the other part the holy of holies] in which was the candlestick [this candlestick table and show bread were in the first part of the Tabernacle Exodus 25:23 &c] and the table and the show bread [Gr the setting forth of bread] which is called the holy place.

3. But behind the second veil[this was the vail that separated the holy place from the holy of holies and is called the second in respect of the first veil which covered the entrance into the holy place in the Tabernacle see Exodus 26:36 For in the temple this was separated with the walls from the courts in which therefore there was but one veil which rent when Christ died on the cross Luke 23:45] was the Tabernacle [that is the part of the Tabernacle for both these parts were under one roof] called the holy holies .

4. Having a golden censer [Gr thymiaterion whereby some understand the altar of incense itself which stood in the holy place into which the priest went every day to burn incense thereon as is also showed verse 6 and may be seen Exodus 30:6 which as it stood close by the holy of holies therefore they think that it is here said that the holy of holies had it but manner of speaking would be very improper seeing it stands here expressly that the holy of holies which was behind the second vail had this thymiaterion as also the ark of the covenant therefore it is more fitly taken for the censer wherewith the high priest went once a year into the holy of holies to burn incense which therefore also was kept into the holy of holies as Josephus witnesseth lib 2contra Appion and although Moses makes no mention thereof expressly yet the same may be gathered also from Levi.16.12] and the ark of the covenant covered over all about with gold in which [some think that these words in which refer to the word Tabernacle whereof is spoken in the third verse because 1 Kings 8:9 and 2 Corinthians 5:10 it expressly said that in the ark of the covenant nothing was contained but the two tables of the law but others understand it of the ark itself in or about which the golden pot with manna and Aaron rod were in the time of the Tabernacle as may be seen Exodus 16:33,34 and Numbers 17 verse 10 although in the times when the temple of Solomon was built they were no more in or about it either because they were perished or because they were brought somewhere into another part of the Temple of the temple as also the authentic book of the Law whereof mentioned is made Deuteronomy 21.36 2 Corinthians 34.14] was the golden pot wherein was the manna and Aarons staff which had budded and the tables of the covenant .

5. And above all this ark were the Cherubims of glory [these were two shape angels with their heads bowed one towards the other and touching one another with their wings as may be seen Exodus 25:18 from between which God gave answer unto Moses from the upper part of the mercy seat as it testified Numbers 7:89] which shadowed the propitiatory [or mercy seat which was the covering of the ark were with the two stone tables were covered and was a type of Christ who covered the law because he subjected himself to the law for us and delivered us from the curse of the law even as Christ is therefore called by the name of propitiation Romans 3:25 and the Angels are said to be desirous to behold these mysteries 1Peter 1.12] of which things we shall not now speak in particular.

6. Now these things now being that prepared the priest indeed went into the first Tabernacle [that is into the first part of the Tabernacle called the holy place as verse 2] always [that is everyone in his daily course as may be seen Luke 1:8,9] to accomplish the service of God:

7. But into the second Tabernacle [that is into the second part namely the holy of holies as before] went the high priest once a year [namely on the tenth day of the seventh month Thisri on the solemn day of fasting and of the atonement of all the people see Leviticus 16:29 &c] not without blood [namely of the sacrifice of the atonement which was slain and offered without the Tabernacle on the great altar in the court the blood whereof after the kindling of the incense in the foresaid censor was brought by the priest into the holy of holies before the ark and mercy seat and the mercy seat was sprinkled therewith seven times after that it was covered with the incense as with a cloud as may be seen Leviticus 16:11 &c which shadow and type the apostle goes to declare from point to point in that which follow] which he offered himself for the misdeeds of the people [Gr ignorance or incogitances whereby are understood not only the sins which properly are done out of ignorance but also all sorts of sins as sufficiently appears by the place Leviticus 16:16 whereunto Paul here hath respect and heretofore chapter 7 verse 27 and divers places and the sins are so called also because all sins except the sin against the holy ghost are always joined with some error of the understanding by the deceit of Satan.]

8. Whereby the holy ghost [namely who was the institutor of all the worships and therefore one true eternal God with the father and the son and yet a distinct person]signifies this that the way of the sanctuary [that is of the holy of holies or of heavens as hereafter verse 12 and 24 is declared]was not made manifest [that is was not yet so clearly and perfectly made known as was afterwards when Christ in his first coming accomplished the things signified hereby even as 1John 3.2 it is said that it is not first manifested or made manifest or made manifest what we shall be namely after Christ’s second coming although not withstanding even he also were in some sort informed thereof but not so clearly and perfectly as it shall be fulfilled in us] as long as the first Tabernacle was yet standing[that is as long as the church under the old testament was instructed only by these ceremonies and the rites of the first Tabernacle and consequently also of the first temple without the gospels being propounded to them in its necked ness and full cleanness as was done after the fulfilling for whereas some interpret this thus as if the faithful of the old testament had no access unto heaven before Christ was ascended up to heaven it is contrary to the example of Elias 2Kings 2.11 and of Lazarus Luke 16:22 compared with Matthew 8:11 and of the murtherer on the cross Luke 23:43 compared with 2 Corinthians 12 verse 2,3,4 and with the hope of the believing fathers Hebrews 11:16 and is also contrary to Christ’s promises Matthew 5:10,11,12 which were made before the resurrection]

9. Which was a representation [Gr parable that is a similitude which signifies somewhat else]for that present time in which were offered gift and sacrifices which could not sanctify [or could not perfect namely considered in themselves or by their own power otherwise in their right use they could serve to direct the faithful fathers unto Christ by whose sacrifice the conscience should be purged as hereafter verse 14 is declared]him who performed the service [Gr Him that served that is him that was exercising the worship of God]according to the conscience.

10. Consisting only in meats and drinks and divers washings [Gr baptisms] and justifications of the flesh [that is outward institutions which justified or hallowed a man only according to the outward or bodily state see verse 13] imposed[namely as a yoke which the fathers themselves were not able to bear and is taken away by Christ Acts 15:10] until the time of reformation [Gr testifying that is in which it it shall be brought to right namely until the time of the new testament whereof Jeremy had spoken in which the thing signified should be fulfilled these ceremonies taken away and other shorter worship instituted whereby the holy ghost should work more powerfully 2 Corinthians 3]

11. But Christ the high priest of good things come [that is of all the spiritual benefits which were procured by sacrifice of Christ on the cross and by his entrance into heaven such as forgiveness of sins generation the spirit of adoption and eternal salvation which is being figured in the old testament were procured by Christ in new] being come [namely in the flesh and into the world] by a greater and more perfect Tabernacle [hereby is understood the humane nature of Christ in which the fullness of Godhead dwelleth as in a temple or Tabernacle John 1:14 and chapter 2.19 as is also showed chapter 8.2 And Christ is said by the tabernacle of the flesh to have entered into heaven because by the spiritual power and worthiness of his sacrifice performed for us the access into heaven was opened for him and a name was given him above all names Philippians 2:8,9 with which exposition agrees that which he said hereafter chapter 10.20 of the place through his vale that is the flesh of Christ for Christ is gone before us to prepare a place for us John 14:2 he would say therefore that even as Christ by himself and by his own blood is entered into the sanctuary we also must come thereunto by the same way] not made hands that is not of this creation or of this creation ]

12. Neither by the blood of goats and calves [for both these sorts of beasts were sacrificed when the high priest was to enter into the holy of holies Leviticus 16:11,15 with the blood of both which he also went in the holy of holies verse 18] but by his own blood once entered into the sanctuary having accomplished an eternal[that is always enduring and of eternal virtues as chapter 10.14]redemption[Gr having found a ransoming that is deliverance which is procured by ransom.]

13. For if the blood of the bulls and goats and the asres of the young cow [this was yet another ceremony whereby the unclean according to the law in the old testament were purified which also had respect unto Christ and the sprinkling of the blood whereof see Numbers 19 verse 2&c] sprinkling the unclean [namely according to the law by touching of any dead or bones or graves Numbers 19 verse 16 Gr who were made common]sanctifieth them unto the party of the flesh that is to be clean outwardly according to the law and that they might have access to the assemblies and the other outward worship of the old testament.]

14. How much more shall the blood of Christ who by the eternal spirit [that is by the eternal Godhead from whence the virtues and dignity of the sacrifice of Christ proceeded as is also showed Acts 20:28 and as the eternal Godhead of Christ is also called a spirit Romans 1:4 1 Timothy 3:16 1Peter 3.18] offered up himself unblameable unto God purge your conscience [that is your souls understanding ,will and affection of which the conscience have the feeling also to know that which is freely given us of God 1Corinthians 2.12 others read our conscience] from dead works [that is sins see chapter 6.1] to save the living God?

15. And therefore he is mediator of the new testament [the Hebrew word herith which Jeremy useth chapter 31 signifies in general any kind of covenant and contract whether the same be made between two parties or by one party only as testament use to be whereof example may be read Genesis 6:18 and 9.9 Job 31:1 now the covenant is a testament the apostle sets down as certain because it comes from God side alone even as the pace Jeremiah 31 rehearsed in he former chapter sufficiently shows and because all types wherefore shows this which were sprinkled and sealed with the blood of the slain sacrifice]that death being come between for expiation [Gr ransoming] of transgression which were under the first testament [that is which were committed and remained unexpiated in the times of the old testament but were passed by and forgiven by God for sacrifice and satisfaction of Christ which was to be performed afterwards see Acts 15:1 Romans 3:25,26] they that are called [namely with an effectual calling unto faith as Abraham and his spiritual seeds were Romans 4:16]might receive the promise of eternal inheritance [that is the promised eternal inheritance see hereafter chapter 11 verse 8,9,10.]

16. For whence a testament is there it is necessary that the death of the testator intervene [Gr be brought namely before it be firm as the following verse declares.]

17. for a testament is firm in the dead seeing it hath no force when the testator liveth.

18. Wherefore also the first [namely covenant made by Moses]was not consecrated ]that is publicly instituted solemnized and declared to be firm and valid ]without blood [namely of the breast that were slaughtered or killed which had their aim at the death of their mediator of the new testament for seeing the transgression of the law deserved death and God by his grace according to the tenor of the new testament would absolve the transgressor from it so that his justice should also be satisfied therefore Christ the mediator interposed and as a surety Hebrews 7:22 took upon him the making of the satisfaction and afterwards by his death paid the debt of our transgression and also procured for them the eternal inheritance which belonged unto him as the son of God.]

19. For when all the commandments [this relation of Paul is taken out of exodus 24.3 & c only that apostle adds here to water purple wool and hyssops out of Leviticus 14:6 and Numbers 19:6 were these things were used in the like sprinklings]according to the law were uttered by Moses unto all people he took the blood of calves and goats [whereof mention is made often in other places]with water and purple wool and hyssop sprinkling both the book itself [this is not indeed expressly said Exodus 24 but nevertheless may sufficiently be collected from Moses his relation there] and al the people [that is the twelve pillars which Moses erected there to represent the twelve tribes of Israel and that before and in the presence of all people see the annotate on Exodus 24:8]

20. Saying this is the blood of the testament [that is a sign and seal of the covenant or testament for it was the blood of calves and goats which was used for the sanction or confirmation of this covenant A sacramental phrase as Luke 22:19 1 Corinthians 11:24,25] which God hath commandeth unto you [that is hath made with you according to or concerning all these words or commandments as is expressed Exodus 24:8]

21. And he sprinkling also like manner the tabernacle [this is taken out of divers other places of the law especially out of Exodus 29:12 Leviticus 16:14 &c] and all he vessels of the ministry with the blood.

22. And all things almost [that is added because some purification of the law were made only with water which also aimed the sacrifice of Christ seeing in his death there flowed out blood and water see John 19:34 and 1John 5.6]are purified by the blood according to the law and without shedding of the blood there is no remission

23. It was therefore necessary [namely according to Gods unchangeable command and ordinance see afterwards chapter 10 verse 9.10] that indeed the types [or representation figures] of the things which are in the heaven should be purified [that is separated from common use and made fit to have religious communion therewith] by these things but he heavenly things themselves [that is the entrance into heaven itself and the spiritual gifts which are needful of us to come thereunto and which were signified by these outward purifications see Ephesians 1:3 Colossians 3:1 ,2] by better sacrifices then these [that is by he sacrifice of Christ which is better and of greater dignity and it is here put in plural number although it be but one and once offered because it contains in it self the virtue of all typical sacrifices and things signified thereby.]

24. For Christ is not entered into the sanctuary that is made with hands which is an antitype of the true [namely sanctuary that is of heaven which was figured by this other as followeth] but into heaven itself now to appear before the face of God for us [namely with his victorious sacrifice which here upon earth he had unblameable offered up to his father for a satisfaction for all the sins of his faithful ones and with an everlasting desire that might always be applied to us for our salvation see Romans 8:34 1Timothy 2.5 and 1John2.1 .]

25. nor yet that he should offer up himself as the high priest enters into the sanctuary every year with strange blood [or another that is with blood of slain beast which are of another nature then himself]

26. Otherwise he must often had suffered [namely if he must often have offered up himself considering that his sacrifice was considered by suffering and with suffering and could not be accomplished without suffering]from the foundation of the world [that is since men began to sin but in respect of his sacrifice of Christ]but now once in the summation of ages [that is in fullness of time in which God had appointed thereunto see Galatians 4:4]he manifested to do away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

27. And even as [Gr for as much as]it is appointed unto men once to die [namely by Gods ordnance after that man sinned Romans 5:12 For that some man died not as Enoch and Elias and that some died twice and did that were miraculously raised up into this life was a special privilege and exception from this general rule] and afterwards the judgment [namely of each one in particular immediately after death and of all in general hereafter at the last day .]

28. So also Christ being once offered to take away the sins of many [namely of all his elect and faithful ones to take upon him or hear the sins of many]shall the second time be seen without sin [that is without hearing anymore the imputations and punishments our sins but in glory to judge all things] by those that look for him [namely by faith and hope see 2 Timothy 4:8] unto salvation.