Devine Scripture

Hebrews 9:11

What does Hebrews 9:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 9:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 9:11 means

Now the contrast arrives: Christ has come as high priest of the good things to come. He ministers not in an earthly tent but through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands—that is, not part of this creation. The point is access to the ultimate reality. Where the old priests served in copies and shadows, Christ serves in the true, heavenly presence of God. His priesthood brings the promised blessings into being. This verse centers our hope not in a renewed earthly system but in the risen Christ who represents His people before God in heaven itself. The location and quality of His ministry guarantee its superiority and permanence over the former order.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But Christ having come a high priest of the good things to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But Christ having come a high priest of the good things to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But now Christ has come as the high priest of the good things of the future, through this greater and better Tent, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this world,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Christ being come, chief priest of the coming good things, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands--that is, not of this creation--

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But Christ, being come an high Priest of the good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hand, that is, not of this creation:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But Christ being come high priest of the good things to come, by the better and more perfect tabernacle not made with hand, (that is, not of this creation,)

Context

After stating the temporary, external nature of the old regulations (verse 10), verse 11 shifts decisively to Christ’s priesthood and the true sanctuary. The next verse (verse 12) will explain the means of His entrance—His own blood, once for all, obtaining eternal redemption. Verses 13–14 will argue from lesser to greater: if animal rites sanctified outwardly, how much more Christ’s offering cleanses the conscience. This section is the heart of the chapter’s contrast, moving from shadow to substance and from repeated, earthly rites to a single, heavenly, and effective sacrifice.

v.10being only (with meats and drinks and divers washings) carnal ordinances, imposed until a time of reformation.

v.11This passage

v.12nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 17:24

    The God that made the world and all things therein, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

  • 2 Corinthians 5:1

    For we know that if the earthly house of our tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens.

  • Hebrews 2:17

    Wherefore it behooved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

  • 1 John 4:2

    Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

  • Hebrews 7:11

    Now if there was perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it hath the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be reckoned after the order of Aaron?

  • Acts 7:48

    Howbeit the Most High dwelleth not in houses made with hands; as saith the prophet,

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