Bible Commentaries

A worldly sanctuary; an earthly sanctuary.

The first; the outermost. For the construction of the tabernacle, with its veil separating the outer sanctuary from the Holy of Holies, or the Holiest of all, see Exodus 26:31-37:--The candlestick; Exodus 25:31-39.--The table; Exodus 25:23-30.

The ark; Exodus 25:10-16.--Manna; Exodus 16:33.--Aaron's rod; Numbers 17:1-10.--The tables of the covenant; the two tables of stone, on which the ten commandments were engraven.

The cherubims; Exodus 25:18-20.

Thus ordained; thus arranged by divine appointment.--The priests; common priests, in contradistinction from the high priest, mentioned in the Hebrews 9:7.--The first tabernacle; the outer tabernacle.

Not without blood; Leviticus 16:14,15.--The errors; the sins.

Made manifest; opened.

Which was a figure; a type or symbol.--That could not make, &c.; that is, could not spiritually redeem and save him.

Which stood, which service stood.--Carnal ordinances; outward and ceremonial ordinances.--Reformation; the introduction of the new and better system of the gospel.

By his own blood; shed in sacrifice for sin.

The ashes of a heifer, &c.; alluding to a ceremony described in Numbers 19:2-9.--Sanctifieth, &c.; is sufficient for the purposes of ceremonial purification.

For the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament. This language teaches us that the efficacy of the sacrifice of Christ enures to the benefit of the penitent who lived before his day.

A will, however fully executed, does not take effect until the death of the testator. The apostle takes occasion from this circumstance to represent the gospel as a will, made effective by the death of Christ, inasmuch as it was by his death that the blessings of salvation were sealed and secured.

Whereupon, &c.; in a somewhat similar manner the first testament or covenant was ratified with blood.

The account of the ceremonies which followed the giving of the law, is contained in Exodus 24:3,8. All the particulars here alluded to are not there recorded. It would seem that Paul must have had access to some other source of information than the Mosaic account--perhaps tradition.

Hebrews 9:20; Exodus 24:8.

Of the ministry; of the service.

Purged; purified.--No remission; from civil and ceremonial penalties, under the Mosaic law; and none from sin and its consequences now.

The patterns of things in the heavens; that is, of spiritual things;--these ceremonial services being so considered, as represented in Hebrews 8:5.--With these; with the blood of animal sacrifices.

Holy places made with hands; such as the Mosaic tabernacle.

Without sin; without any further offering for sin.