Hebrews 9:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: saying, "This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you."

NIV: He said, "This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep."

NASB: saying, 'THIS IS THE BLOOD OF THE COVENANT WHICH God COMMANDED YOU.'

CSB: saying, This is the blood of the covenant that God has ordained for you.

NLT: Then he said, 'This blood confirms the covenant God has made with you.'

KJV: Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.

NKJV: saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.”

This is part of a reminder that even the old covenant was "inaugurated," or begun, with an understanding of the importance of a blood sacrifice. Verse 18 began this reference, which speaks of the time when Moses first brought the commands of God to the people. Then, Moses used sacrificial blood in something like a dedication ceremony. Blood would be a central part of the old covenant, as repeated animal sacrifice was necessary to temporarily cover the sins of the people. This, of course, is a limited and flawed system. God's ultimate intent was not to continue this way; rather, the old covenant was meant to be symbolic of the new covenant.

In Exodus 24:6–8, Moses indicates that the use of blood was meant to introduce this covenant to the people of Israel. During the Last Supper, Jesus used similar language when instituting the new covenant (Matthew 26:28). This verse is part of a developing idea, completed in verse 22: that blood is a necessary component of forgiveness. That leads into a discussion of why, and how, Jesus' sacrifice was not only necessary, but can completely accomplish our salvation.

Hebrews 9:11–28 continues to explain how the new covenant in Jesus Christ is superior to the old covenant. This passage focuses on two main advantages of this arrangement: that Christ serves in a better temple, and that Christ offers a superior sacrifice. The physical temple, and its implements, were meant to be symbols of Christ's ''true'' place of service in heaven. Unlike limited sacrifices of animals, Jesus' single death was able to completely save us from sin.

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.