Devine Scripture

Hebrews 9:6

What does Hebrews 9:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 9:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 9:6 means

Once the tabernacle was furnished, the priests regularly entered the first room, carrying out their appointed services. This continual activity shows that the old system was active, real, and God-ordained. But its very repetition hinted at its incompleteness—service never ended, and the goal of unbroken communion for all was not reached. The daily routines maintained the light, bread, and incense, keeping the ministry going on behalf of the nation. Yet the ordinary people remained outside, and even priests could not proceed beyond this chamber. The author wants us to see the dignity of this ministry, but also to sense its limitations, stirring a desire for a priesthood and sanctuary that could finally bring people all the way in.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests go in continually into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the services;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests go in continually into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the services;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now while these things were in existence, the priests went into the first Tent at all times, for prayer and the making of offerings.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And these things having been thus prepared, into the first tabernacle, indeed, at all times the priests do go in, performing the services,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now these things being thus ordered, into the first tabernacle, the priests indeed always entered, accomplishing the offices of sacrifices.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Now these things being thus ordered, into the first tabernacle the priests enter at all times, accomplishing the services;

Context

After describing the tabernacle’s layout (verses 2–5), the narrative moves to priestly practice. Verse 6 speaks of the ongoing service in the first room, a continual ministry. The next verse will contrast that regular access with the extremely limited access to the Holy of holies—once a year, only by the high priest, and not without blood (verse 7). This contrast between frequent and rare, many and one, sets the stage for the Spirit’s lesson in verses 8–10: the old arrangement signaled that the way into God’s presence was still closed under that system.

v.5and above it cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy-seat; of which things we cannot now speak severally.

v.6This passage

v.7but into the second the high priest alone, once in the year, not without blood, which he offereth for himself, and for the errors of the people:

Cross references

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

  • Exodus 30:7

    And Aaron shall burn thereon incense of sweet spices: every morning, when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn it.

  • Luke 1:8

    Now it came to pass, while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course,

  • 2 Chronicles 26:16

    But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up, so that he did corruptly, and he trespassed against Jehovah his God; for he went into the temple of Jehovah to burn incense upon the altar of incense.

  • Daniel 8:11

    Yea, it magnified itself, even to the prince of the host; and it took away from him the continual burnt-offering, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.

  • Exodus 27:21

    In the tent of meeting, without the veil which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall keep it in order from evening to morning before Jehovah: it shall be a statute for ever throughout their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.

  • Numbers 28:3

    And thou shalt say unto them, This is the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto Jehovah: he-lambs a year old without blemish, two day by day, for a continual burnt-offering.

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