Heb 9:9, 24 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 9. Which was a figure for the time then present . That is, as long as the tabernacle stood. The word rendered figure --παραβολη-- is not the same as type --τυπος, ( ; , --but is the word commonly rendered parable , et saepe , and means, properly, a placing side by side ; then, a comparison, or similitude, Here it is used in the sense of image, or symbol--something to represent other things. The idea is, that the arrangements and services of the tabernacle were a representation of important realities, and of things which were more fully to be revealed at a future period. There can be no doubt that Paul meant to say that this service in general was symbolical or typical, though this will not authorize us to attempt to spiritualize every minute arrangement of it. Some of the things in which it was typical are specified by the apostle himself; and wisdom and safety in explaining the arrangements of the tabernacle and its services consist in adhering very closely to the explanations furnished by the inspired writers. An interpreter is on an open Sea, to be driven he knows not whither, when he takes leave of these safe pilots. Both gifts . Thank-offerings. And sacrifices . Bloody offerings. The idea as, that all kinds of offerings to God were made there. That could not make him that did the service perfect . That could not take away sin, and remove the stains of guilt on the soul. ; comp. . As pertaining to the conscience . They related mainly to outward and ceremonial rites; and even when offerings were made for sin, the conscience was not relieved. They could not expiate guilt; they could not make the soul pure; they could not of themselves impart peace to the soul by reconciling it to God. They could not fully accomplish what the conscience needed to have done in order to give it peace. Nothing will do this but the blood of the Redeemer. (c) "could not" (d) "conscience"

Hebrews 9:9

Verse 9. Which was a figure for the time then present. That is, as long as the tabernacle stood. The word rendered figure--παραβολη-- is not the same as type --τυπος, (Rom 5:14; Actst 7:43,44; Jnn 20:25, 1Cor 10:6,11, Php 3:17, --but is the word commonly rendered parable, Mt 13:3,10,13,18,24,31,33-36,53, 15:15 et saepe, and means, properly, a placing side by side; then, a comparison, or similitude, Here it is used in the sense of image, or symbol--something to represent other things. The idea is, that the arrangements and services of the tabernacle were a representation of important realities, and of things which were more fully to be revealed at a future period. There can be no doubt that Paul meant to say that this service in general was symbolical or typical, though this will not authorize us to attempt to spiritualize every minute arrangement of it. Some of the things in which it was typical are specified by the apostle himself; and wisdom and safety in explaining the arrangements of the tabernacle and its services consist in adhering very closely to the explanations furnished by the inspired writers. An interpreter is on an open Sea, to be driven he knows not whither, when he takes leave of these safe pilots.

Both gifts. Thank-offerings.

And sacrifices. Bloody offerings. The idea as, that all kinds of offerings to God were made there.

That could not make him that did the service perfect. That could not take away sin, and remove the stains of guilt on the soul. Heb 7:11; comp. Heb 8:7, 7:27, 10:1,11.

As pertaining to the conscience. They related mainly to outward and ceremonial rites; and even when offerings were made for sin, the conscience was not relieved. They could not expiate guilt; they could not make the soul pure; they could not of themselves impart peace to the soul by reconciling it to God. They could not fully accomplish what the conscience needed to have done in order to give it peace. Nothing will do this but the blood of the Redeemer.

Hebrews 9:24

Verse 24. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands. Into the temple or tabernacle. The Jewish high priest alone entered into the most holy place; and the other priests into the holy place. Jesus, being of the tribe of Judah, and not of Levi, never entered the temple proper. He had access only to the courts of the temple, in the same way as any other Jew had. Mt 21:12. He has entered into the true temple--heaven of which the earthly tabernacle was the type.

Which are the figures of the true. Literally, the antitypes αντιτυπα. The word properly means that which is formed after a model, pattern, or type; and then that which corresponds to something, or answers to, it. The idea here is, that the type or fashion--the true figure or form--was shown to Moses in the Mount, and then the tabernacle was made after that model, or corresponded to it. The true original figure is heaven itself; the tabernacle was an antitype of that--or was so formed as in some sense to correspond to it. That is, it corresponded in regard to the matters under consideration--the most holy place denoted heaven; the mercy-seat and the shekinah were symbols of the presence of God, and of the fact that he shows mercy in heaven; the entrance of the high priest was emblematical of the entrance of the Redeemer into heaven; the sprinkling of the blood there was a type of what the Redeemer would do in heaven.

Now to appear in the presence of God for us. As the Jewish high priest appeared before the shekinah, the symbol of the Divine Presence in the tabernacle, so Christ appears before God himself in our behalf in heaven. He has gone to plead for our salvation; to present the merits of his blood as a permanent reason why we should be saved, Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25.

(a) "appear" Rom 8:34