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 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.

Context of Hebrews 9:23

21And in the same way, he sprinkled the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry with the blood. 22And nearly everything is purified in blood according to the Torah, and apart from the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Therefore it was necessary for the replicas of these heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices—but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24For Messiah did not enter into Holies made with hands—counterparts of the true things—but into heaven itself, now to appear in God’s presence on our behalf. 25And He did not offer Himself again and again—as the kohen gadol enters into the Holy of Holies year after year with blood that is not his own.

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 is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly, gifts and sacrifices are being offered that cannot make the worshiper perfect with respect to conscience.
• Hebrews 8:5They offer service in a replica and foreshadower of the heavenlies—one that is just as Moses was instructed by God when he was about to complete the tabernacle. For He says, “See that you make everything according to the design that was shown to you on the mountain.”
• Hebrews 10:1The Torah has a shadow of the good things to come—not the form itself of the realities. For this reason it can never, by means of the same sacrifices they offer constantly year after year, make perfect those who draw near.
• Colossians 2:17These are a foreshadowing of things to come, but the reality is Messiah.
• Hebrews 9:11But when Messiah appeared as Kohen Gadol of the good things that have now come, passing through the greater and more perfect Tent not made with hands (that is to say not of this creation),
• Hebrews 10:4for it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
• Luke 24:26Was it not necessary for Messiah to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?”
• John 14:3If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to Myself, so that where I am you may also be.
• 1 Peter 1:19but with precious blood like that of a lamb without defect or spot, the blood of Messiah.
• Revelation 5:9And they are singing a new song, saying, “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals. For You were slain, and by Your blood You redeemed for God those from 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