Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
Verse 1
A worldly sanctuary; an earthly sanctuary.
For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.
Verse 2
The first; the outermost. For the construction of the tabernacle, with its veil separating the outer sanctuary from the Holy of Holies, or the Holiest of all, see Exodus 26:31-37:--The candlestick; Exodus 25:31-39.--The table; Exodus 25:23-30.
And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;
Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
Verse 4
The ark; Exodus 25:10-16.--Manna; Exodus 16:33.--Aaron's rod; Numbers 17:1-10.--The tables of the covenant; the two tables of stone, on which the ten commandments were engraven.
And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.
Verse 5
The cherubims; Exodus 25:18-20.
Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.
Verse 6
Thus ordained; thus arranged by divine appointment.--The priests; common priests, in contradistinction from the high priest, mentioned in the Hebrews 9:7.--The first tabernacle; the outer tabernacle.
But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:
Verse 7
Not without blood; Leviticus 16:14,Leviticus 16:15.--The errors; the sins.
The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
Verse 8
Made manifest; opened.
Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
Verse 9
Which was a figure; a type or symbol.--That could not make, &c.; that is, could not spiritually redeem and save him.
Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
Verse 10
Which stood, which service stood.--Carnal ordinances; outward and ceremonial ordinances.--Reformation; the introduction of the new and better system of the gospel.
But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Verse 12
By his own blood; shed in sacrifice for sin.
For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
Verse 13
The ashes of a heifer, &c.; alluding to a ceremony described in Numbers 19:2-9.--Sanctifieth, &c.; is sufficient for the purposes of ceremonial purification.
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Verse 15
For the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament. This language teaches us that the efficacy of the sacrifice of Christ enures to the benefit of the penitent who lived before his day.
For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
Verse 16
A will, however fully executed, does not take effect until the death of the testator. The apostle takes occasion from this circumstance to represent the gospel as a will, made effective by the death of Christ, inasmuch as it was by his death that the blessings of salvation were sealed and secured.
For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.
Verse 18
Whereupon, &c.; in a somewhat similar manner the first testament or covenant was ratified with blood.
For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
Verse 19
The account of the ceremonies which followed the giving of the law, is contained in Exodus 24:3,Exodus 24:8. All the particulars here alluded to are not there recorded. It would seem that Paul must have had access to some other source of information than the Mosaic account--perhaps tradition.
Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
Verse 20
Hebrews 9:20; Exodus 24:8.
Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
Verse 21
Of the ministry; of the service.
And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Verse 22
Purged; purified.--No remission; from civil and ceremonial penalties, under the Mosaic law; and none from sin and its consequences now.
It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
Verse 23
The patterns of things in the heavens; that is, of spiritual things;--these ceremonial services being so considered, as represented in Hebrews 8:5.--With these; with the blood of animal sacrifices.
For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
Verse 24
Holy places made with hands; such as the Mosaic tabernacle.
Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;
For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
Verse 28
Without sin; without any further offering for sin.