Hebrews 9:23
What does Hebrews 9:23 mean?
A plain-English look at Hebrews 9:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Hebrews 9:23 means
If earthly copies needed purification with animal blood, then the heavenly things themselves required better sacrifices. The language of “copies” and “the heavenly things” reminds us that the tabernacle pattern pointed beyond itself. Heaven is not defiled by sin in the way earthly objects are, yet the writer teaches that for sinners to be represented and welcomed before God, a superior atonement must be presented in the true sanctuary. That better sacrifice is Christ’s self-offering. Thus, the cleansing addressed here concerns the way sinners are brought into God’s presence—the heavenly court receives them on the basis of a sacrifice infinitely more worthy than the blood that sprinkled the earthly tent.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000It was necessary therefore that the copies of the things in the heavens should be cleansed with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
KJV
King James Version · 1611It 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901It was necessary therefore that the copies of the things in the heavens should be cleansed with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For this cause it was necessary to make the copies of the things in heaven clean with these offerings; but the things themselves are made clean with better offerings than these.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862<FI> It is<Fi> necessary, therefore, the pattern indeed of the things in the heavens to be purified with these, and the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752It is necessary therefore that the patterns of heavenly things should be cleansed with these: but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890[It was] necessary then that the figurative representations of the things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with sacrifices better than these.
Context
Building on the principle of verse 22, verse 23 contrasts the cleansing of earthly copies with the need for a superior sacrifice with respect to the heavenly realities. Verse 24 will identify the action: Christ entered not an earthly holy place, but heaven itself, appearing for us before God. Verses 25–26 will clarify that His offering is not repeated, unlike the yearly entrance of the high priest, but once, to put away sin. This section cements the superiority of Christ’s priestly ministry and sacrifice over the entire old system.
v.22And according to the law, I may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and apart from shedding of blood there is no remission.
v.23This passage
v.24For Christ entered not into a holy place made with hands, like in pattern to the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear before the face of God for us:
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Hebrews 9:9
which is a figure for the time present; according to which are offered both gifts and sacrifices that cannot, as touching the conscience, make the worshipper perfect,
- Luke 24:26
Behooved it not the Christ to suffer these things, and to enter into his glory?
- Hebrews 10:10
By which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
- Colossians 2:17
which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ’s.
- John 14:3
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
- 1 Peter 1:19
but with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, even the blood of Christ:
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