Heb 9:9-11 | TNotes | STEP | 9:9 This is an illustration: The problem with the gifts and sacrifices of the old covenant is that they were not able to cleanse the consciences of the people —they could not remove people’s guilt before a holy God (cp. 9:14 ; 10:2 , 22 ; 13:18 ).

9:9 ^a This is an illustration: The problem with the gifts and sacrifices of the old covenant is that they were not able to cleanse the consciences of the people—they could not remove people’s guilt before a holy God (cp. 9:14 ^b; 10:2 ^c, 22 ^d; 13:18 ^e).
9:10 ^f The old system dealt only with physical regulations, and it could not deal with the condition of the heart (8:10 ^g; 10:21-24 ^h). Consequently, it was provisional, only intended to last until Christ could come and establish a better system (9:11–10:18 ⁱ).
Summary for Heb 9:11-10:18: 9:11–10:18 ^j The author now contrasts the old system (9:1-10 ^k) with the superior sacrifice made by Christ as High Priest: The blood of Christ’s offering was his own blood, not the blood of animals (9:13-22 ^l; cp. 9:7 ^m); Christ’s offering was made in the heavenly Tabernacle, not the earthly one (9:23-24 ⁿ; cp. 9:1-5 ^o); and Christ’s offering, rather than being made continually, was made just one time (9:25–10:18 ^p; cp. 7:27 ^q; 9:6-7 ^r). 9:11 ^s Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things of the new covenant. He was appointed by God in accord with Ps 110:4 ^t (Heb 5:1-10 ^u; 7:1-28 ^v) and offered a superior offering.

• that have come: Some manuscripts read that are about to come, either from the perspective of the old covenant era or looking forward to the culmination of God’s plan in the future.

• Christ’s sacrifice is superior because of where it was made: in that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven rather than the earthly Tabernacle (see 8:5 ^w and corresponding study note).