Hebrews 9:20
What does Hebrews 9:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Hebrews 9:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Hebrews 9:20 means
Moses’ spoken word at the sprinkling makes the meaning plain: the covenant God commanded toward the people was sealed in blood. The declaration links God’s command, the written book, the assembled people, and the sacrificial blood into one solemn act. This was no human initiative; it was God’s appointed way to bind Himself to a people and them to Him. The blood did not merely symbolize seriousness; it enacted purification and consecration for the covenant relationship. This underscores that covenant blessings come by way of substitutionary death—a principle that finds its fullest, final expression in the blood of Christ, by which the new covenant is mediated and made effectual for all who are called.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000saying, This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded to you-ward.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901saying, This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded to you-ward.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Saying, This blood is the sign of the agreement which God has made with you.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862saying, `This <FI>is<Fi> the blood of the covenant that God enjoined unto you,'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Saying: This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890saying, This [is] the blood of the covenant whichGod has enjoined to you.
Context
Following the description of the sprinkling (verse 19), verse 20 records Moses’ covenant formula, making explicit that the blood sealed what God commanded. Verse 21 will broaden the scope to include the tabernacle and its vessels, and verse 22 will summarize the legal principle about cleansing and remission. The chain of thought is cumulative: word, blood, people, sanctuary—all brought under the same consecrating sign. This prepares the transition in verse 23 from the earthly copies’ cleansing to the heavenly realities that required a better sacrifice, namely, Christ’s.
v.19For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses unto all the people according to the law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people,
v.20This passage
v.21Moreover the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry he sprinkled in like manner with the blood.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 26:28
for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many unto remission of sins.
- Hebrews 13:20
Now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, even our Lord Jesus,
- Deuteronomy 29:12
that thou mayest enter into the covenant of Jehovah thy God, and into his oath, which Jehovah thy God maketh with thee this day;
- Zechariah 9:11
As for thee also, because of the blood of thy covenant I have set free thy prisoners from the pit wherein is no water.
- Exodus 24:8
And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which Jehovah hath made with you concerning all these words.
- Joshua 9:6
And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We are come from a far country: now therefore make ye a covenant with us.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Hebrews 9
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Hebrews 9.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Atonement
Atonement, a central doctrine of Christianity, describes how humanity is reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.
Topic
Bible Verses About Covenant
God’s covenant is a sacred agreement between Him and His people, demonstrating His unchanging faithfulness and redemptive plan for humanity.
Topic
Bible Verses About Ghosts
The Bible reveals that while evil spirits and demons exist, the concept of disembodied human spirits returning to haunt the living is not supported by scripture.
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for When You Feel Spiritually Numb
When God feels distant and you feel nothing — verses for the dry season.
Verses for
Bible Verses for When You Feel Alone
When no one seems to see you — verses for the One who does.
Verses for
Bible Verses for When You're Worried About Money
When the bills outpace the paycheck — verses for a steadier kind of provision.