patterns . Here = copies; "example" in Hebrews 8:5 . the heavens. See Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 . heavenly . See Hebrews 3:1 . better sacrifices . i.e. one greater and better sacrifice. Figure of speech Heterosis. App-6 . Compare Psalms 51:17 . read more
It was necessary therefore that the copies of the things in the heavens should be cleansed with these; but the heavenly things with better sacrifices than these.This verse concludes an argument the author began back in Hebrews 9:13, to the effect that Christ's sacrifice is infinitely more wonderful and efficacious than any or all of the Mosaic sacrifices. Bruce's illuminating comment on this is:Our author does not deny that such ritual cleansing was real and effective as far as it went. What he... read more
Hebrews 9:23. It was therefore necessary— The sense stands thus: "It was necessary that these patterns of heavenly things, ch. Heb 8:5 should be purified with these sacrifices of calves, and goats, &c. but as the heavenly things themselves are unspeakably more noble and excellent, so if they are to be purified by sacrifices, the sacrifices must be more excellent and noble than those legal sacrifices were. Such a sacrifice is Christ, who, though but once offered, effectually answers this... read more
23. patterns—"the suggestive representations"; the typical copies (see on :-). things in the heavens—the heavenly tabernacle and the things therein. purified with these—with the blood of bulls and goats. heavenly things themselves—the archetypes. Man's sin had introduced an element of disorder into the relations of God and His holy angels in respect to man. The purification removes this element of disorder and changes God's wrath against man in heaven (designed to be the place of God's... read more
The final purging of sin 9:11-28The writer now focused on the issue of sacrifice."The argument moves a stage further as the author turns specifically to what Christ has done. The sacrifices of the old covenant were ineffectual. But in strong contrast Christ made an offering that secures a redemption valid for all eternity. In the sacrifices, a good deal pertained to the use of blood. So in accord with this, the author considers the significance of the blood of animals and that of Christ."... read more
The superior sacrifice for sin 9:16-28"The author has made it clear that Christ’s death has instituted a better covenant (Hebrews 9:11-15) which is superior to animal offerings (Hebrews 9:12-14). But the need for such a sacrifice has yet to be explored. So a key word in this subunit [Hebrews 9:16-28] is ’necessary’ (ananke, Hebrews 9:16; Hebrews 9:23). In the process of exploring this point, the author clearly underscored the measureless superiority of the sacrificial death of Christ." [Note:... read more
Whereas animal blood adequately cleansed the prototype on earth under the Old Covenant, a better sacrifice was necessary to cleanse the realities in heaven (cf. Hebrews 8:5; Hebrews 9:24). Thus Jesus Christ’s death was essential. The "heavenly things" may refer to the consciences of men and women. [Note: Bruce, The Epistle . . ., p. 218.] It seems more likely, however, that they refer to the things connected with the heavenly tabernacle. This may include angels that need cleansing (cf. Job... read more
The New Covenant and the Sacrifice of ChristHebrews 9:1 to Hebrews 10:39. The writer now proceeds to elaborate in greater detail the contrast between the old covenant and the new. The old covenant had its tabernacle with furniture and elaborate ceremonial and continual series of sacrifices, culminating in the annual visit of the high priest to the inner chamber of the tabernacle with sacrificial blood. But these very ceremonies implied the impossibility of communion with God, and were unable to... read more
(23) The patterns of things in the heavens.—Rather, the tokens (Hebrews 8:5) of the things in the heavens. In the first part of the verse a conclusion is drawn from the sacred history, which related the accomplishment of the divine will, and showed therefore what was “necessary.” But the real stress lies on the second part. The whole may be paraphrased thus: “Whilst then it is necessary that what are but tokens of the things in the heavens should be cleansed with these things, it is necessary... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Hebrews 9:23-28
Sacrifice under the new covenant (9:23-10:18)Levitical sacrifices were part of a material order and brought symbolic cleansing. Christ’s death is concerned with the spiritual order and brings actual cleansing (23). The Levitical high priest entered the symbolic presence of God with the blood of a sacrificial animal, a ceremony that had to be repeated yearly. Christ entered God’s real presence on account of his own blood, and he did so only once. His death is sufficient to remove completely the... read more