Hebrews 9:6 - Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests go in continually into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the services,
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What does "Hebrews 9:6" mean?
Hebrews 9:6, "Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests go in continually into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the services," is describing the routine of the Levitical priests in the first compartment of the Tabernacle/Temple, which was called the Holy Place.
Let's break down the verse and its significance:
"Now these things having been thus prepared...": This refers back to the items described in the previous verses, Hebrews 9:1-5. These items include:
The First Tabernacle (Holy Place): Where the priests regularly ministered.
The Lampstand (Menorah): Providing light.
The Table with the Bread of the Presence (Showbread): Representing God's provision.
The Altar of Incense: Where incense was burned.
"...the priests go in continually into the first tabernacle...": This highlights the constant, ongoing nature of the priests' work. It wasn't a one-time event, but a regular, daily occurrence. This "first tabernacle" or "Holy Place" was accessible only to the priests.
"...accomplishing the services": This refers to the specific duties the priests performed inside the Holy Place. These services included:
Maintaining the Lampstand: Keeping it lit with fresh oil.
Replacing the Showbread: Putting out fresh loaves every Sabbath.
Burning Incense: Offering incense on the Altar of Incense.
Significance in the context of Hebrews:
The book of Hebrews is written to Jewish Christians who were tempted to revert back to the Old Covenant practices. The author's main argument is that the Old Covenant (with its temple, priests, and sacrifices) was a shadow or type pointing towards the superior reality of the New Covenant established by Jesus Christ.
Therefore, this verse in Hebrews 9:6 is not just a historical description. It serves as a contrast to the work of Christ:
Old Covenant: Many priests, repeatedly performing ritualistic services in a limited space (the Holy Place), never truly atoning for sins.
New Covenant: One High Priest (Jesus), offering one perfect sacrifice (himself), entering the true Holy Place (Heaven itself), and achieving eternal redemption.
The verse emphasizes the limitations of the Old Covenant system:
Constant Repetition: The priests had to continually perform the services, implying that the sacrifices were never fully effective in taking away sins.
Limited Access: Only the priests could enter the Holy Place, symbolizing that access to God was restricted.
By describing the ongoing routines of the Levitical priests, the author sets up a powerful contrast with the once-for-all, eternally effective work of Jesus Christ. The subsequent verses in Hebrews 9 delve into the significance of the High Priest's entry into the Most Holy Place (the Holy of Holies) once a year, further highlighting the inadequacy of the Old Covenant and the superiority of the New Covenant through Jesus.
In short, Hebrews 9:6 describes the daily routine of the priests in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle/Temple to highlight the limitations of the Old Covenant system and to set the stage for the author's argument about the superiority of Jesus Christ as the ultimate High Priest and sacrifice.
Hebrews 9:6 - Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests go in continually into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the services,
What does "Hebrews 9:6" mean?
Hebrews 9:6, "Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests go in continually into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the services," is describing the routine of the Levitical priests in the first compartment of the Tabernacle/Temple, which was called the Holy Place.
Let's break down the verse and its significance:
"Now these things having been thus prepared...": This refers back to the items described in the previous verses, Hebrews 9:1-5. These items include:
The First Tabernacle (Holy Place): Where the priests regularly ministered.
The Lampstand (Menorah): Providing light.
The Table with the Bread of the Presence (Showbread): Representing God's provision.
The Altar of Incense: Where incense was burned.
"...the priests go in continually into the first tabernacle...": This highlights the constant, ongoing nature of the priests' work. It wasn't a one-time event, but a regular, daily occurrence. This "first tabernacle" or "Holy Place" was accessible only to the priests.
"...accomplishing the services": This refers to the specific duties the priests performed inside the Holy Place. These services included:
Maintaining the Lampstand: Keeping it lit with fresh oil.
Replacing the Showbread: Putting out fresh loaves every Sabbath.
Burning Incense: Offering incense on the Altar of Incense.
Significance in the context of Hebrews:
The book of Hebrews is written to Jewish Christians who were tempted to revert back to the Old Covenant practices. The author's main argument is that the Old Covenant (with its temple, priests, and sacrifices) was a shadow or type pointing towards the superior reality of the New Covenant established by Jesus Christ.
Therefore, this verse in Hebrews 9:6 is not just a historical description. It serves as a contrast to the work of Christ:
Old Covenant: Many priests, repeatedly performing ritualistic services in a limited space (the Holy Place), never truly atoning for sins.
New Covenant: One High Priest (Jesus), offering one perfect sacrifice (himself), entering the true Holy Place (Heaven itself), and achieving eternal redemption.
The verse emphasizes the limitations of the Old Covenant system:
Constant Repetition: The priests had to continually perform the services, implying that the sacrifices were never fully effective in taking away sins.
Limited Access: Only the priests could enter the Holy Place, symbolizing that access to God was restricted.
By describing the ongoing routines of the Levitical priests, the author sets up a powerful contrast with the once-for-all, eternally effective work of Jesus Christ. The subsequent verses in Hebrews 9 delve into the significance of the High Priest's entry into the Most Holy Place (the Holy of Holies) once a year, further highlighting the inadequacy of the Old Covenant and the superiority of the New Covenant through Jesus.
In short, Hebrews 9:6 describes the daily routine of the priests in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle/Temple to highlight the limitations of the Old Covenant system and to set the stage for the author's argument about the superiority of Jesus Christ as the ultimate High Priest and sacrifice.