Hebrews 9:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place.

NIV: A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place.

NASB: For a tabernacle was equipped, the outer sanctuary, in which were the lampstand, the table, and the sacred bread; this is called the Holy Place.

CSB: For a tabernacle was set up, and in the first room, which is called the holy place, were the lampstand, the table, and the presentation loaves.

NLT: There were two rooms in that Tabernacle. In the first room were a lampstand, a table, and sacred loaves of bread on the table. This room was called the Holy Place.

KJV: For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.

NKJV: For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary;

In this passage, the writer of Hebrews lays out the elements of the old covenant's temple and sacrifices. The purpose here has two layers. One is to explain how these components are symbolic of aspects of the new covenant (Hebrews 9:23–24). The other is to imply that these elements are inherently limited and flawed (Hebrews 8:13). The intent here is clearly on the symbolism of these various objects, not their exact placement or arrangement (Hebrews 9:5). The writer's familiarity with the temple components is one reason many scholars believe that the author was himself Jewish, as would be the case with Paul or Apollos.

The "tent" referred to here is the "tabernacle" which God instructed the people of Israel to construct after the exodus from Egypt. The description in this verse is of the inner area of this movable temple; the first division of this section is called the "Holy Place," and was where priests went for their daily duties (Numbers 28:1–8).

The lampstand was a golden oil lamp with seven flames (Exodus 25:31–40). The table, known as the table of showbread, was where twelve loaves of bread were kept. Each Sabbath, these twelve loaves would be removed for new ones, and the old were eaten by the priests (Exodus 25:23–30; Leviticus 24:5–9).

Behind an additional curtain, within this room, was another, smaller room, the "Most Holy Place," which was reserved for a single ritual each year, performed only by the High Priest (Leviticus 16:11–19).

Hebrews 9:1–10 explains how the rooms and artifacts of the temple were only meant as symbols. In fact, those items were specifically intended to show how the old covenant could not remove the barrier between God and man. The use of external rituals can only assuage feelings of guilt, it cannot actually remove sin or change a person's nature. The existence of the curtains, separating men from the holy places, is also symbolic of how the old covenant leaves us apart from God. This sets up a comparison, in the following passage, showing how Christ's sacrifice fulfills those symbols and achieves a perfection of our relationship with God.

Hebrews chapter 9 explains how the old covenant included various physical locations and physical rituals. These, according to the writer of Hebrews, were always intended as symbols. Their details, and the drawbacks which they suffered from, were meant to point towards the ''true'' means of our redemption, which is Christ. Unlike animal sacrifices, which must be repeated, and which cannot change man on the inside, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is a once for all, permanent, and completely effective solution to sin. The fact that Christ died for sin only once also means that His next arrival, in the future, will not be as a sacrifice, but as the final fulfillment of God's plan.

Chapter 9 continues the writer's explanation of the superiority of Christ. In chapter 8, this focused on the idea that God had promised a new covenant, even as the old covenant was still in effect. This not only means that the new covenant must be different, but that the old covenant must be flawed. Here in chapter 9, the writer focuses on the fact that the old covenant featured aspects which were meant only as symbols of the ''true'' high priesthood of Christ. Since Christ's sacrifice is more powerful, and performed in a better place, it is more effective in securing our salvation than the sacrifices of animals. Chapter 10 will continue this discussion by wrapping up these various ideas about the superiority of the new covenant.

The book of Hebrews is meant to challenge, encourage, and empower Christian believers. According to this letter, Jesus Christ is superior to all other prophets and all other claims to truth. Since God has given us Christ, we ought to listen to what He says and not move backwards. The consequences of ignoring God are dire. Hebrews is important for drawing on many portions of the Old Testament in making a case that Christ is the ultimate and perfect expression of God's plan for mankind. This book presents some tough ideas about the Christian faith, a fact the author makes specific note of.