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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hebrews 9:1-7

Here, I. The apostle gives an account of the tabernacle, that place of worship which God appointed to be pitched on earth; it is called a worldly sanctuary, wholly of this world, as to the materials of which it was built, and a building that must be taken down; it is called a worldly sanctuary, because it was the court and palace of the King of Israel. God was their King, and, as other kings, had his court or place of residence, and attendants, furniture, and provision, suitable thereto. This... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Hebrews 9:1-5

9:1-5 So, then, the first tabernacle, too, had its ordinances of worship and its holy place, which was an earthly symbol of the divine realities. For the first tabernacle was constructed and in it there was the lampstand and the table with the shewbread, and it was called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain there was that part of the tabernacle which was called the Holy of Holies. It was approached by means of the golden altar of incense, and it had in it the ark of the covenant, which... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Hebrews 9:6-10

9:6-10 Since these preparations have been made, the priests continually enter into the first tabernacle as they perform the various acts of worship. But into the second tabernacle the High Priest alone enters, and that once a year and not without blood, which he offers for himself and for the errors of the people. By this the Holy Spirit is showing that the way into the Holy Place was not yet opened up so long as the first tabernacle stood. Now the first tabernacle stands for this present... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 9:5

And over it the cherubim of glory ,.... Or "glorious cherubim", where the Shechinah, or divine glory, dwelt, Psalm 80:1 . These were over the ark, and were in number two, as were the cherubim which God placed at the garden of Eden, Genesis 3:24 according to the opinion of the ancient Jews F21 Targum Jon. &. Hieros. in Gen. iii. 24. ; and very likely these were made after the form of them. Some have thought them to be birds of a very terrible aspect, which were set there to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 9:6

Now when these things were thus ordained ,.... Or prepared and got ready; that is, when the tabernacle was finished, and set up, and provided with all its vessels and furniture: the priests went always into the first tabernacle ; the first part of the tabernacle, which was called the holy place, Hebrews 9:2 here the common priests went continually every day, morning and evening; the Syriac and Ethiopic versions read, "the outward tabernacle", in distinction from the innermost part of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 9:5

And over it the cherubims of glory - Cherubim is the plural of cherub, and it is absurd to add our plural termination (s) to the plural termination of the Hebrew. The glory here signifies the shechinah or symbol of the Divine presence. Shadowing the mercy-seat - One at each end of the ark, with their faces turned toward each other, but looking down on the cover or propitiatory, ἱλαστηριον , here called the mercy-seat. Of which we cannot now speak particularly - The apostle did not... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 9:6

When these thing were thus ordained - When the tabernacle was made, and its furniture placed in it, according to the Divine direction. The priests went always into the first Tabernacle - That is, into the first part of the tabernacle, or holy place, into which he went every day twice, accomplishing the services, τας λατρειας επιτελουντες , which included his burning the incense at the morning and evening sacrifice, dressing the lamps, removing the old show-bread and laying on the new,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 9:5

Verse 5 5.Of which we cannot now, etc. As nothing can satisfy, curious men, the apostle cuts off every occasion for refinements unsuitable to his present purpose, and lest a longer discussion of these things should break off the thread of his argument. If, therefore, any one should disregard the Apostle’s example, and dwell more minutely on the subject, he would be acting very unreasonably. There might be, indeed, an occasion for doing this elsewhere; but it is now better to attend to the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 9:6

Verse 6 6.Now, when these things were thus ordained, etc. Omitting other things, he undertakes to handle the chief point in dispute: he says that the priests who performed sacred rites were wont to enter the first tabernacle daily, but that the chief priest entered the holy of holies only yearly with the appointed sacrifice. He hence concludes, that while the tabernacle under the Law was standing, the sanctuary was closed up, and that only through that being removed could the way be open for us... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 9:1-5

Passing reference to the symbolism of the Jewish tabernacle. The third deduction from the fact that Christ, infinitely greater than Aaron, is High Priest at the right hand of God: The abolition of the Jewish types by their fulfillment in the Redeemer. This occupies Hebrews 9-10:18. Subject—Passing reference to the symbolism of the Jewish tabernacle. The importance of the tabernacle is obvious, since thirty-seven chapters are devoted to describe it and its services, and seven times it... read more

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