Hebrews 9:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

NIV: Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.

NASB: and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the atoning cover; but about these things we cannot now speak in detail.

CSB: The cherubim of glory were above the ark overshadowing the mercy seat. It is not possible to speak about these things in detail right now.

NLT: Above the Ark were the cherubim of divine glory, whose wings stretched out over the Ark’s cover, the place of atonement. But we cannot explain these things in detail now.

KJV: And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.

NKJV: and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

This verse makes a point often lost when interpreting verses 1 through 4. The purpose of this section is to summarize the main components used in the old covenant's sacrificial system. Later, these will be explained as symbols of the ministry of Jesus Christ. The writer is not seeking to give a deep, detailed explanation of exactly where each of these items is located. Rather, given more pressing concerns, the writer "cannot now speak in detail." Earlier verses listed temple artifacts such as the ark of the covenant, Aaron's staff, a container of manna, and so forth. These first five verses focus on such objects, while the next five focus on actions.

The last items mentioned here are the cherubim of the ark of the covenant. The ark was a wooden box, overlaid in gold, containing the tablets on which God had written the Law (Exodus 25:10–16). The cherubim mentioned here were small golden statues of angels with their wings swept forward, "overshadowing" the top of the ark (Exodus 25:17–22). This was the place where blood would be sprinkled as part of Israel's sacrifices for sin. Symbolically, this represents how the blood of a sacrifice is "seen" by God, rather than the broken and limited law written on the stone tablets.

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.