Hebrews 9:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties,

NIV: When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry.

NASB: Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests are continually entering the outer tabernacle, performing the divine worship,

CSB: With these things prepared like this, the priests enter the first room repeatedly, performing their ministry.

NLT: When these things were all in place, the priests regularly entered the first room as they performed their religious duties.

KJV: Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.

NKJV: Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services.

This verse moves from a description of the items used in the temple to an explanation of how these objects were used. The purpose here is to set up an important comparison. The artifacts and rituals of the old covenant were all meant to symbolize the ultimate, future, eternal covenant which God had promised. Later in this chapter, the writer of Hebrews will explain how Jesus' actions as our high priest will fulfill that symbolism.

The "first section" referenced here is the Holy Place, behind the first curtain of the temple. This was a place where priests would go on a daily basis, in order to offer various sacrifices and offerings. This was a section separated from most people, but accessible to those whom God had installed as priests. The Holy Place, then, is a physical barrier to the people symbolic of their separation from God. The second curtain, however, designated the Most Holy Place, and this was an area which only the high priest could enter, and only once per year, and only bearing a sacrifice of blood. As performed under the old covenant, this symbolizes the separation of God and man, and our need to be forgiven in order to be in His presence (Hebrews 9:7–8).

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.