Hebrews 9:21 - Exposition

Moreover the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry be sprinkled in like manner with the blood. This refers to a subsequent occasion, the tabernacle not having been constructed at the time of the inauguration of the covenant,—probably to the dedication of the tabernacle, enjoined Exodus 40:1-38 ., and described Leviticus 8:1-36 . It is true that no sprinkling of the tabernacle or its furniture with blood is mentioned in the Pentateuch; only the anointing of them with oil (Le Leviticus 8:10 ). But the garments of Aaron and his sons are said on that occasion to have been sprinkled with the blood as well as with the anointing oil ( Hebrews 8:1-13 :30), and Josephus ('Ant.,' 3.8. 6) says that this blood-sprinkling was extended also to the tabernacle and its vessels ( τήν τε σκηνὴν καὶ τὰ περὶ αὐτὴν σκεύη ). Here, as well as in Leviticus 8:19 , our writer may be supposed to follow the traditional account, with which there is still nothing in the Pentateuch inconsistent. Be it observed again that the force of the argument does not depend on these added details, but on the general principle, abundantly expressed in the original record, which is assorted in the following verse.