Hebrews 9

The Earthly Holy Place

1 Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and m an earthly place of holiness. 2 For n a tent 1 was prepared, the first section, in which were o the lampstand and p the table and q the bread of the Presence. 2 It is called the Holy Place. 3 Behind r the second curtain was a second section 3 called the Most Holy Place, 4 having the golden s altar of incense and t the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was u a golden urn holding the manna, and v Aaron's staff that budded, and w the tablets of the covenant. 5 Above it were x the cherubim of glory overshadowing y the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

6 These preparations having thus been made, z the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, 7 but into the second only a the high priest goes, and he but a once a year, and not without taking blood, b which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. 8 By this the Holy Spirit indicates that c the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing 9 (which is symbolic for the present age). 4 According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered d that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, 10 but deal only with e food and drink and f various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.

Redemption Through the Blood of Christ

11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest g of the good things that have come, 5 then through h the greater and more perfect tent ( i not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12 he j entered k once for all into the holy places, not by means of l the blood of goats and calves but m by means of his own blood, n thus securing an eternal redemption. 13 For if o the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with p the ashes of a heifer, sanctify 6 for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will q the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit r offered himself without blemish to God, s purify our 7 conscience t from dead works u to serve the living God.

15 Therefore he is v the mediator of a new covenant, so that w those who are called may x receive the promised eternal inheritance, y since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. 8 16 For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. 17 For z a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. 18 Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated a without blood. 19 For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took b the blood of calves and goats, c with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, d "This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you." 21 And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both e the tent and all the vessels used in worship. 22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and f without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

23 Thus it was necessary for g the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ has entered, not into holy places h made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God i on our behalf. 25 Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as j the high priest enters k the holy places every year with blood not his own, 26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, l he has appeared m once for all n at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as o it is appointed for man to die once, and p after that comes judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once q to bear the sins of r many, will appear s a second time, t not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly u waiting for him.

  1. Cross References
    Exodus 25:8
    And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.
  2. Cross References
    Exodus 26:1
    Moreover, you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet yarns; you shall make them with cherubim skillfully worked into them.
  3. Cross References
    Exodus 25:31 - 39
    You shall make a lampstand of pure gold. The lampstand shall be made of hammered work: its base, its stem, its cups, its calyxes, and its flowers shall be of one piece with it.
    Exodus 26:35
    And you shall set the table outside the veil, and the lampstand on the south side of the tabernacle opposite the table, and you shall put the table on the north side.
    Exodus 40:4
    And you shall bring in the table and arrange it, and you shall bring in the lampstand and set up its lamps.
  4. Cross References
    Exodus 25:23 - 29
    You shall make a table of acacia wood. Two cubits shall be its length, a cubit its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height.
  5. Cross References
    Exodus 25:30
    And you shall set the bread of the Presence on the table before me regularly.
    Leviticus 24:5 - 8
    You shall take fine flour and bake twelve loaves from it; two tenths of an ephah shall be in each loaf.
  6. Cross References
    Exodus 26:31 - 33
    And you shall make a veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. It shall be made with cherubim skillfully worked into it.
    Exodus 40:3
    And you shall put in it the ark of the testimony, and you shall screen the ark with the veil.
    Exodus 40:21
    And he brought the ark into the tabernacle and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the ark of the testimony, as the Lord had commanded Moses.
  7. Cross References
    Leviticus 16:12 - 13
    And he shall take a censer full of coals of fire from the altar before the Lord, and two handfuls of sweet incense beaten small, and he shall bring it inside the veil
  8. Cross References
    Exodus 25:10
    They shall make an ark of acacia wood. Two cubits and a half shall be its length, a cubit and a half its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height.
    Exodus 26:33
    And you shall hang the veil from the clasps, and bring the ark of the testimony in there within the veil. And the veil shall separate for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy.
    Exodus 40:3
    And you shall put in it the ark of the testimony, and you shall screen the ark with the veil.
    Exodus 40:21
    And he brought the ark into the tabernacle and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the ark of the testimony, as the Lord had commanded Moses.
    Revelation 11:19
    Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.
  9. Cross References
    Exodus 16:33 - 34
    And Moses said to Aaron, "Take a jar, and put an omer of manna in it, and place it before the Lord to be kept throughout your generations.
  10. Cross References
    Numbers 17:10
    And the Lord said to Moses, "Put back the staff of Aaron before the testimony, to be kept as a sign for the rebels, that you may make an end of their grumblings against me, lest they die.
  11. Cross References
    Exodus 25:16
    And you shall put into the ark the testimony th...
    Exodus 40:20
    He took the testimony and put it into the ark, ...
    Deuteronomy 10:2
    And I will write on the tablets the words that ...
    Deuteronomy 10:5
    Then I turned and came down from the mountain a...
    1 Kings 8:9
    There was nothing in the ark except the two tab...
    1 Kings 8:21
    And there I have provided a place for the ark, ...
    2 Chronicles 5:10
    There was nothing in the ark except the two tab...
  12. Cross References
    Exodus 25:18 - 22
    And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work shall you make them, on the two ends of the mercy seat.
    1 Kings 8:6 - 7
    Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place in the inner sanctuary of the house, in the Most Holy Place, underneath the wings of the cherubim.
  13. Cross References
    Leviticus 16:2
    And the Lord said to Moses, "Tell Aaron your brother not to come at any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat that is on the ark, so that he may not die. For I will appear in the cloud over the mercy seat.
  14. Cross References
    Numbers 28:3
    And you shall say to them, This is the food offering that you shall offer to the Lord : two male lambs a year old without blemish, day by day, as a regular offering.
  15. Cross References
    Leviticus 16:15
    Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering that is for the people and bring its blood inside the veil and do with its blood as he did with the blood of the bull, sprinkling it over the mercy seat and in front of the mercy seat.
    Leviticus 16:34
    And this shall be a statute forever for you, that atonement may be made for the people of Israel once in the year because of all their sins." And Moses did as the Lord commanded him.
    Hebrews 10:3
    But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.
    Exodus 30:10
    Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once a year. With the blood of the sin offering of atonement he shall make atonement for it once in the year throughout your generations. It is most holy to the Lord.
  16. Cross References
    Leviticus 16:15
    Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering that is for the people and bring its blood inside the veil and do with its blood as he did with the blood of the bull, sprinkling it over the mercy seat and in front of the mercy seat.
    Leviticus 16:34
    And this shall be a statute forever for you, that atonement may be made for the people of Israel once in the year because of all their sins." And Moses did as the Lord commanded him.
    Hebrews 10:3
    But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.
    Exodus 30:10
    Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once a year. With the blood of the sin offering of atonement he shall make atonement for it once in the year throughout your generations. It is most holy to the Lord.
  17. Cross References
    Hebrews 5:3
    Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people.
  18. Cross References
    Hebrews 10:20
    By the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh.
    John 14:6
    Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
  19. Cross References
    Hebrews 7:19
    (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
  20. Cross References
    Leviticus 11:2
    Speak to the people of Israel, saying, These are the living things that you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth.
  21. Cross References
    Mark 7:4
    And when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.)
    Mark 7:8
    You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.
    Leviticus 11:25
    And whoever carries any part of their carcass shall wash his clothes and be unclean until the evening.
  22. Cross References
    Hebrews 10:1
    For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.
  23. Cross References
    Hebrews 9:24
    For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.
    Hebrews 8:2
    A minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.
  24. Cross References
    Mark 14:58
    "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.'"
  25. Cross References
    Hebrews 9:24
    For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.
  26. Cross References
    Hebrews 7:27
    He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.
    Hebrews 10:10
    And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
  27. Cross References
    Hebrews 10:4
    For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
  28. Cross References
    Acts 20:28
    Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
  29. Cross References
    Job 33:24
    And he is merciful to him, and says, 'Deliver him from going down into the pit; I have found a ransom.
    Daniel 9:24
    Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place.
    1 Corinthians 6:20
    For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
  30. Cross References
    Leviticus 16:14 - 16
    And he shall take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the front of the mercy seat on the east side, and in front of the mercy seat he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times.
  31. Cross References
    Numbers 19:2
    This is the statute of the law that the Lord has commanded: Tell the people of Israel to bring you a red heifer without defect, in which there is no blemish, and on which a yoke has never come.
    Numbers 19:17 - 18
    For the unclean they shall take some ashes of the burnt sin offering, and fresh water shall be added in a vessel.
  32. Cross References
    Hebrews 9:12
    He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.
    1 John 1:7
    But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
    Revelation 7:14
    I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
  33. Cross References
    Hebrews 7:27
    He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.
    Hebrews 8:3
    For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer.
  34. Cross References
    Hebrews 1:3
    He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
    Hebrews 10:22
    Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
  35. Cross References
    Hebrews 6:1
    Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God.
  36. Cross References
    Romans 6:13
    Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.
    1 Peter 4:2
    So as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.
  37. Cross References
    Hebrews 8:6
    But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.
    Hebrews 12:24
    And to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
  38. Cross References
    Hebrews 3:1
    Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession.
    Romans 8:28
    And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
  39. Cross References
    Hebrews 10:36
    For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.
    Exodus 32:13
    Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, 'I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your offspring, and they shall inherit it forever.'
  40. Cross References
    Romans 3:24 - 25
    And are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
    Romans 5:6
    For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
  41. Cross References
    Galatians 3:15
    To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified.
  42. Cross References
    Exodus 24:6
    And Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and half of the blood he threw against the altar.
    Exodus 24:8
    And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, "Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.
  43. Cross References
    Hebrews 9:12
    He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.
  44. Cross References
    Leviticus 14:4
    The priest shall command them to take for him who is to be cleansed two live clean birds and cedarwood and scarlet yarn and hyssop.
    Leviticus 14:7
    And he shall sprinkle it seven times on him who is to be cleansed of the leprous disease. Then he shall pronounce him clean and shall let the living bird go into the open field.
    Numbers 19:6
    And the priest shall take cedarwood and hyssop and scarlet yarn, and throw them into the fire burning the heifer.
    Numbers 19:17
    For the unclean they shall take some ashes of the burnt sin offering, and fresh water shall be added in a vessel.
  45. Cross References
    Exodus 24:8
    And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, "Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.
    Matthew 26:28
    For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
  46. Cross References
    Exodus 24:8
    And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, "Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.
  47. Cross References
    Exodus 29:12
    And shall take part of the blood of the bull an...
    Exodus 29:36
    And every day you shall offer a bull as a sin o...
    Leviticus 8:15
    And he killed it, and Moses took the blood, and...
    Leviticus 8:19
    And he killed it, and Moses threw the blood aga...
    Leviticus 16:14
    And he shall take some of the blood of the bull...
    Leviticus 16:16
    Thus he shall make atonement for the Holy Place...
    2 Chronicles 29:22
    So they slaughtered the bulls, and the priests ...
  48. Cross References
    Leviticus 17:11
    For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.
  49. Cross References
    Hebrews 8:5
    They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, "See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.
  50. Cross References
    Hebrews 8:2
    A minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.
    Hebrews 9:11
    But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent ( not made with hands, that is, not of this creation)
  51. Cross References
    Hebrews 7:25
    Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
    Romans 8:34
    Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died - more than that, who was raised - who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
  52. Cross References
    Hebrews 9:7
    But into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people.
  53. Cross References
    Hebrews 10:19
    Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus.
  54. Cross References
    1 John 3:5
    You know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.
  55. Cross References
    Hebrews 9:12
    He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.
    Hebrews 7:27
    He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.
    Hebrews 10:10
    And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
    1 Peter 3:18
    For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.
  56. Cross References
    Hebrews 1:2
    But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
    1 Corinthians 10:11
    Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.
  57. Cross References
    Genesis 3:19
    By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.
  58. Cross References
    Matthew 16:27
    For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.
  59. Cross References
    Isaiah 53:12
    Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.
    1 Peter 2:24
    He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
    1 Peter 3:18
    For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.
  60. Cross References
    Matthew 20:28
    Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
    Matthew 26:28
    For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
    Mark 10:45
    For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
    Revelation 5:9
    And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
  61. Cross References
    Acts 1:11
    And said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.
  62. Cross References
    Hebrews 4:15
    For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
  63. Cross References
    Titus 2:13
    Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
    Isaiah 25:9
    It will be said on that day, "Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord ; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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