Hebrews 9:23

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.
• New International Version (NIV)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.
• 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 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

21Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. 22And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. 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. 24For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; 25not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another—

Hebrews 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 9:9It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience—
• Hebrews 8:5who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”
• Hebrews 10:1For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect.
• Colossians 2:17which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.
• Hebrews 9:11But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.
• Hebrews 10:4For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.
• Luke 24:26Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?”
• John 14:3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
• 1 Peter 1:19but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
• Revelation 5:9And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue 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

• Blood
• Colors
• Jesus Continued
• Law
• Offerings
• Pattern
• Priest
• Symbols and Similitudes
• Tabernacle
• Types

In the dictionaries

• Altar
• Bear
• High priest
• Ordinance
• Remission
• Sanctuary
• Stand
• Tabernacle
• Washing
• Atonement, Day of

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