New International Version
Hebrews 9:23
23It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
Hebrews 9:23 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
- New Living Translation (NLT)That is why the Tabernacle and everything in it, which were copies of things in heaven, had to be purified by the blood of animals. But the real things in heaven had to be purified with far better sacrifices than the blood of animals.
Context of Hebrews 9:23
21In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. 22In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. 25Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own.
Read all of Hebrews 9Hebrews 9:23 word by word
Ἀνάγκη οὖν τὰ μὲν ὑποδείγματα τῶν ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς τούτοις καθαρίζεσθαι αὐτὰ δὲ τὰ ἐπουράνια κρείττοσιν θυσίαις παρὰ ταύτας.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- thereforeοὖνoun · therefore/thenG3767
- necessary thatἀνάγκηanagkē · necessityG318
- ·μένmen · on the other handG3303
- the patternsὑπόδειγμαhupodeigma · exampleG5262
- of thingsὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- the heavensοὐρανόςouranos · heavenG3772
- should be purifiedκαθαρίζωkatharizō · to cleanG2511
- with theseοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
- butδέde · thenG1161
- the heavenly thingsἐπουράνιοςepouranios · heavenlyG2032
- themselvesαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- withθυσίαthusia · sacrificeG2378
- betterκρείττωνkreittōn · strongerG2909
- thanπαράpara · from/with/besideG3844
Cross-references for Hebrews 9:23
- Hebrews 9:9This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper.
- Hebrews 8:5They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”
- Hebrews 10:1The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.
- Colossians 2:17These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
- Hebrews 9:11But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation.
- Hebrews 10:4It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
- Luke 24:26Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”
- John 14:3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
- 1 Peter 1:19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
- Revelation 5:9And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
Commentaries on Hebrews 9:23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23The patterns of things in the heavens - That is: The tabernacle and all its utensils, services, etc., must be purified by these, viz.: The blood of calves and goats, and the sprinkling of the blood and water with the bunch of hyssop bound about with scarlet wool. These are called patterns, ̔, exemplars, earthly things, which were the representatives of heavenly things. And there is no doubt that every thing in the tabernacle, its parts, divisions…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23The patterns of things in the heavens - The tabernacle and its various utensils; see the notes on Hebrews 8:5. Be purified with these - With water and blood, and by these ceremonies. But the heavenly things themselves - The heavenly tabernacle or sanctuary into which Christ has entered, and where he performs the functions of his ministry. The use of the word “purified” here applied to heaven, does not imply that heaven was before “unholy,” but it denotes…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 23-28Verses 23-28 It is evident that the sacrifices of Christ are infinitely better than those of the law, which could neither procure pardon for sin, nor impart power against it. Sin would still have been upon us, and have had dominion over us; but Jesus Christ, by one sacrifice, has destroyed the works of the devil, that believers may be made righteous, holy, and happy. As no wisdom, learning, virtue, wealth, or power, can keep one of the human race from…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 23This verse uses a comparison from lesser to greater (see study note on Hebrews 9:14). Just as heaven is greater than the earthly tabernacle, Christ’s sacrifice had to be much better than earthly sacrifices. So it was necessary: See 9:16–22; Leviticus 16:14–19. copies of the heavenly things: See study note on Hebrews 8:5. heavenly things to be purified: Just as the tabernacle needed cleansing because of the Israelites' sin (Leviticus 16:16–19), the…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. patterns--"the suggestive representations"; the typical copies (see on He 8:5). things in the heavens--the heavenly tabernacle and the things therein. purified with these--with the blood of bulls and goats. heavenly things themselves--the archetypes. Man's sin had introduced an element of disorder into the relations of God and His holy angels in respect to man. The purification removes this element of disorder and changes God's wrath against man in…Read the comment
Topics related to Hebrews 9:23
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Hebrews 9
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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